Reorganize most commonly asked issues

[lorenzo816]

Tad and the gang of Mods, I have poked around a few other Boards and love how they have their topics organized by generations of Trucks/Vehicles etc and even in those major sections they list sub classes of common issues.
I don't want to read a long thread of the most common issues that have links to other issues for this or that but I can see it being super helpful to organize a bucket and "star/stickie" threads where someone has solved an issue and posted photos (most have photos) of what they did to fix it or mod it.
So something like a driveshaft clunk fix - probably carrier bearing in the split two piece shaft and someone has already written something about it.
Or timing belt job on a 3.2 sohc versus 3.2 dohc job. There are numerous posts on both! But people still ask questions on each and don't search first.
Or a body lift on a first gen rodeo versus a 2nd gen... its been done and the pros and cons of each.
or how to change brake pads
or how to change CVs on each generation would be super helpful for the new guys.
stuff like that is getting asked a lot. I notice some people pitching in but the older guys not, because well, we've been there done that and wrote about it, so yeah you guys should search mentality kicks in. It does with me too. sometimes.
I am now seeing a new generation of new guys/gals asking questions that have already been answered over and over on the board.

So could we look at reorganizing and culling some threads for stickies/stars and closing the comments on them?
Like do it by generation and then by type of job: brakes, drivetrain, engine, axles.... etc etc.
Ih8mud has some good organization if you need an example for each Generation/series truck but not yet by types of threads.
pirate is really good organization by model but not quite by type of issues under each model at all.

I'd volunteer for an organization structure meeting of the minds and then you guys can go pull the best threads from the board for reorganizing.
I think the wiki was a good start but the Forum is where the meat and most activity is. Its a self generating content engine which a wiki isn't.
wiki's require shepherds and updates.

Thoughts?

[mustanger999]

I like the idea. The hall of fame section is not really a straight forward name, and nothing in it is organized. Also some really common mods or fixes for problems are either lacking or hard to find in it. Let's be honest the search engine is subpar at getting results for searches. I find my self avoiding it altogether and using google like this: 2.6 won't idle when cold site:forum.planetisuzoo.com The problem stems from the fact you cant use anything less than 4 characters on the search function. That kind of messes you up because most people don't use the engine code in their post they just write 2.6, 3.2, 3.5, etc. I think though it would be advantageous to make sub forums for each engine since they span multiple models. And leave the seperate model subforums for body/interior/chassis issues.

[lorenzo816]

things like this could be organized easily and good posts found and posted in a neat 'maintenance' section.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84590
or this
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84479

or any combination wheel width and height conversation has been had before.

anything on gears... we've all been through these before.
stuff like that

[mustanger999]

There are actually quite a few good threads such as tire sizes for all our trucks that get lost half way through becoming a good thread because we don't have stickies.

[Tad]

Ok, so let's explore this idea. I like it. I've been thinking about it for the last few days and this is my idea:

We'll create a library of tech threads. That library should have some high-ish level categories. Things like 2.6l engine, D44 axle, Maintenance, Factory Options etc. Inside of those categories I can place the threads that fit there.

What do you think? Should we start picking the categories?

-Tad

[lorenzo816]

^^^
Good idea.
I like the breakdown idea.
We could start by Model and Generation and then go from there but you have another direction which is easily explored too.
Break down each Forum category by Engine, Axle and the generations of each.
***I still have all the axle info somewhere from Zu4x (Rob Gorrel's content from back in the day)

Which way do you want to go?
I can't offer any help on the 4 cylinders or Diesels. I know there are enough trooper guys and amigo guys here to fill that spot and we've had an influx of Asian and southern hemisphere guys on here that could help with Diesels, perhaps the new ones too.

[Tad]

Let's just start with a list of the categories, then we can start looking for the content that should be in each one.

Engines:
2.3/2.6
Early 3.2
Late 3.2/3.5

Transmissions:
MAU-5
4L30E
AX-5

Axles:
10-bolt
12-bolt
D44

Bodies:
1st Gen Trooper
2nd Gen Trooper
3rd Gen Trooper?
1st Gen Rodeo
2nd Gen Rodeo/Amigo
1st Gen Rodeo
Pup
Vehicross
Axiom

?

[imamonstertruck]

I am not opposed to this. There is clutter now that could easily be sifted through if members were a bit more articulate with the Subject line on the initial post however, we know that does not happen. What about a "MOD" section in each specific category allowing room for such content?

cheers
-Ian

[lorenzo816]

Engines:
2.3/2.6
GM 2.8
GM 3.1
SOHC 3.2
DOHC 3.2
DOHC 3.5
swapped GM 3.4
swapped GM 3800 and/or 4.3
Diesels?

Transmissions:
MAU-5
4L30E
AR-5
BW T5

Axles:
8 bolt front
10-bolt front and rear
12-bolt (all 3 generations covered here)
D44 (both 97 and down and 98+ covered here)

Bodies:
1st Gen Trooper
2nd Gen Trooper
3rd Gen Trooper?
1st Gen Rodeo
2nd Gen Rodeo
1st Gen Amigo
2nd Gen Amigo
Pup
Vehicross
Axiom
Any foreign models?

Tad see Red where I made some changes.
Thoughts?

What about a "MOD" section in each specific category allowing room for such content?

What do you mean Ian?

[imamonstertruck]

You covered it with your additions in red... "3.4swapped"

Cheers
-Ian

[Tad]

Ok, I think we are on the right track. Is there a difference between the 2nd gen Rodeo and the 2nd gen Amigo except for the number of doors? I lumped the 84-86 and the 88-91 Troopers together. Much like the 2-door LWB, 2-door RS and 4-door Troopers.

-Tad

[-88-]

I really don't think amigo specific sections would be needed.....they share tons with the rodeos, & in the 1st gens pickups & troops too. Just like separate sections for dohc & sohc....is there really that much difference to justify a split? Especially when dohc are much fewer....Over segregation also has the ill affect of greatly diminished activity.....

[lorenzo816]

Okay I agree with ya both now that you think of it on why bother splitting the rodeo sport/amigo/rodeo sec gens.

I still think we could have the sohc and dohc break down.
The intakes are different, the cams are well.. self explanatory, the timing is way different.
What were you thinking Tad on early vs. late? OBD1 vs OBD2?
You might could lump the dohc with the 3.5 and create one section for that.

thoughts?

[Tad]

I was thinking 92-97 is early. 98 up is late. Basically everything changed in 98. Need a direct injection area too.

Personally I think the 1st and 2nd gen rodeos are different enough.

[lorenzo816]

OKay so we're on board; now for some topics.
So starting with Engines here.
Are we agreeing to having a section on Engines with sub sections for each major type?
If so, what is the best way to "stickie" the threads?
Should we do something like this: (its like the 3rd or 4th stickie under the 80 series section)
http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/faq-for ... ead.84888/

or should we break down the Engines' how-to's into 'stickied' threads with no comments available?

Like whoever can find the best Timing Belt job(s) for a 3.5 with pictures from the Planet, could post them all in one Thread, link to each thread, and call the title of the thread "3.5 timing belt how-to's"
and anyone who can find the best heating / cooling change your radiator and all its hoses and heater core issues, threads.... can post it up under the corresponding engine section.
and
anyone who can find the best Calmini cam review and install job(s) can post that in the 4 cyl section where it makes sense. (TBH I dont know which 4 cyl gets the calmini cam!)
and
anyone who can find the best 3.4 swap jobs with pics can ....

see what I'm saying?

Which way do you want to go here?

[JoeIsuzu]

There's so much bleed-over between bodies, generations, etc. that it's going to be difficult to push these topics into any kind of meaningful hierarchy. If the forum had a "tagging" mod, it would allow you (or mods, or even responders) to tag the topics with pre-defined tags--but not just one, as many as apply.

Jack

[lorenzo816]

I hear what you're saying. Perhaps there is a technology solution here we're not thinking of.
I'm open to all solutions for organization but your specific example would require going back through all relevant threads and tagging.
Then also the tagging could get out of hand, people wily nilly tagging things that irrelevantly flood the 'search results' of word-cloud organized tags.
Good idea but you may be onto something with the vehicle bodies.
Perhaps we just stick to the engines and axles for now and then do proper sections on maintenance, like CV axles, brakes and lubrication, dash, console, what not..... because those are shared across many bodies and generations alike.

[kg4miq]

IMO, just fixing the search function would go a long way to helping.

[-88-]

It "works" just not worth a crud, but "fixing" it is pretty well out of our hands. Tad might have some administrative tweaks he could apply, but improvements really worth weight are on the software developers.....I happily stick with the Google method

Personally I think the 1st and 2nd gen rodeos are different

between 1st & 2nd gen, yea totally different....We're saying not that different from rodeos of the same generation. So it'd be 1st gen Rodeos & Amigos as a section & 2nd gen Rodeos, Amigos, & Rodeo Sports.

I still think we could have the sohc and dohc break down.
The intakes are different, the cams are well.. self explanatory, the timing is way different.
What were you thinking Tad on early vs. late? OBD1 vs OBD2?
You might could lump the dohc with the 3.5 and create one section for that.

thoughts?

I'll go ahead & concede dohc & sohc sections....but 98+ v6s rather 3.2 or 3.5, can definitely stay 2gether....the 3.5 is just a stroked 3.2.

There's so much bleed-over between bodies, generations, etc. that it's going to be difficult to push these topics into any kind of meaningful hierarchy.

Jack

This is the camp I mostly still align with tho. Most the time I'm looking at 2.6 info for the trucks & amigos....it's from a trooper. Differences exist that I just have to finger out. What i'm seeing offered up now I think leads us down too specified a path. I think just a few more "generalized" sections would be good. Like simply splitting drivetrain problems into separate engine & transmission sections. Then if this software allows "sub forums" add a couple of those "4 cylinder" "1st gen v6"(all pre 98 v6s) "2nd gen v6s" yea that lumps a good number of different v6s into one sub forum, but it's better then now...On the transmission side I don't think any sub forums will be needed.....yes there's quite a few different Transmissions.....but 90% of posts will be 4l30e related.

So Tad are sub forums a possibility?

Aside from all the cross over between models, & even generations.....Another thing we have to remember Isuzu is done in the U.S. & we're nearing a point even as used vehicles they're becoming irrelevant. New ground breaking info isn't coming everyday or once a week....it's once a month if we're lucky. Most posts are the same 10 topics repeated over & over.....To fill these new sections lots of thread sorting & moval will have to be done. An easier task if we're a little more broad in our "breakdown". I'm all for 'some' more organization.....Some; being the key word as we should stay mindful of where we've been, & where we're going. The boom is over leaving info chaoticly everywhere yes, but we're a niche & dwindling segment......or in other words I guess? Too little, too late? To go totally apey with splitting it down.

[lorenzo816]

........Aside from all the cross over between models, & even generations.....Another thing we have to remember Isuzu is done in the U.S. & we're nearing a point even as used vehicles they're becoming irrelevant. New ground breaking info isn't coming everyday or once a week....it's once a month if we're lucky. Most posts are the same 10 topics repeated over & over.....To fill these new sections lots of thread sorting & moval will have to be done. An easier task if we're a little more broad in our "breakdown". I'm all for 'some' more organization.....Some; being the key word as we should stay mindful of where we've been, & where we're going. The boom is over leaving info chaoticly everywhere yes, but we're a niche & dwindling segment......or in other words I guess? Too little, too late? To go totally apey with splitting it down.

Ok I agree so lets not break it down too much for a dying breed.
However my goal was to support the most commonly asked questions with the best threads.
Perhaps we stick to engines and axles and maintenance and perhaps one good badass Trans thread.
We already have a few good ones one swapping to Revo 4lo gears and the Ar5 never ending conversation and those that have swapped from the 4l30 to the Ar5 would all be good reads.

[eval52]

How about a "How to" section? it could then be subcategorized by engine, suspension, body, etc. tons of good info from guys that have detailed how they have done something.

[lorenzo816]

.,..
Aside from all the cross over between models, & even generations.....Another thing we have to remember Isuzu is done in the U.S. & we're nearing a point even as used vehicles they're becoming irrelevant. New ground breaking info isn't coming everyday or once a week....it's once a month if we're lucky. Most posts are the same 10 topics repeated over & over.....To fill these new sections lots of thread sorting & moval will have to be done. An easier task if we're a little more broad in our "breakdown". I'm all for 'some' more organization.....Some; being the key word as we should stay mindful of where we've been, & where we're going. The boom is over leaving info chaoticly everywhere yes, but we're a niche & dwindling segment......or in other words I guess? Too little, too late? To go totally apey with splitting it down.

okay after a short hiatus, I have returned.
I agree with 88.
Doesn't make sense to go to crazy breaking down the subtopics.
How to section with a few threads 'pinned' and posted in the main how to thread suffice.
I'm going to think of a few breakdowns based on feedback here and then repost.
Anyone else want to take a stab at some of the older trucks I'm not sharp on?