Forum Suggestion

[truckster]

Any chance of an INSURANCE section...

Would also keep other areas tidy

[truckster]

Can we remove the 4x4store links on here too

[heyhey_guess_who]

Maybe get a 'garage' or 'shed' type area, similar to 4wdaction.com.au, cardomain.com or oldholden.com rather than threads? :iconbana:

A bit of colour or a pic or two would be nice and pretty.;)

[sim79]

As every senior member knows, no new members know how to or want to search for info.

So below is templated I have seen in another forum that works well, this message is writen at the top of you new thread template.

New Member Guidance
•Have you searched the forum to see if that topic has already been discussed?
•Last and but not least, please be sure that your new post fits to the thread.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE

The searched word is linked to their search section and next to this sentance I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE there is a tick box. If you don't tick you can't write in the thread template.

[heyhey_guess_who]

As every senior member knows, no new members know how to or want to search for info.

So below is templated I have seen in another forum that works well, this message is writen at the top of you new thread template.

New Member Guidance
•Have you searched the forum to see if that topic has already been discussed?
•Last and but not least, please be sure that your new post fits to the thread.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE

The searched word is linked to their search section and next to this sentance I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE there is a tick box. If you don't tick you can't write in the thread template. Thats the best idea ever!!:p

[truckster]

Good idea...


There is another option I've seen, similar to that, but when someone posts a topic, it does a search on the title once they click Submit...

Then the search shows links, people have the chance to read them, if nothing matches, they click CONTINUE... works awesomelyski.

[Smokey2.8]

Can I ask, I may have missed it somewhere;
I recenty typed the work s**t in its complete spelling and the forum automatically changed it to ****. Is this a new feature of the upgrade? and if so well done.

[paul.helm]

I would like to see in the Tyres & rims section (mainly Trucksters Threads) changed so the when someone posts new in the thread, the post would look like this below. This may asist many in finding a good reputable tyre shop, and give experienced feedback of the type of tyre that one may be looking for.

ITEM:
BFG mud terrains.

SIZE:
285/75r16.....

PURCHASED FROM:
Bridgestone tyre centre Blacktown, NSW.

PRICE AND PRICE CONDITIONS:
$400 per tyre fitted & balanced.

FITTED TO WHICH VEHICLE:
Nissan patrol, Hilux.

CURRENT KM ON TYRES:
100km as just fitted.

COMMENTS OR FEEDBACK:
On road handelling is exceptional or they really S#ck due to excessive noise & punctures.

CONTACT NUMBER & NAME:
0045879212, 02 9626 2456, contact Steven Pickels

PICTURES:
insert fitted pictures here

[truckster]

Can we have a temporary section for this VSI-50 stuff, as there are stupid amounts of threads spread everywhere making it impossible to follow it.

[troll98]

Wanted to buy section:
Maybe put a template in so they put down what they are after, location, willing to pay freight ect...
just a thought.

[truckster]

I'd like to suggest gettin rid of the SEARCH section in the red toolbar that DOESNT ****IN WORK which causes noobs to ask the daily "What tyre should I buy"? "How do I fit 35's to my monster truck" questions.

[davway]

If there were a proper section with proper "how to's" of common questions, there wouldnt be the issue to start with.
do a search and go through the threads, the question never really gets answered properly or to its entirety.
Theres always someone that disagrees, thinks they can do it better, dont need to do this, why would you do that, or stupidly says "do a search".
A properly written tech article with pictures to accompany the info is whats really needed.

And for those that are intent on always banging on about "do a search", whats the first thing that happens when someone brings to life a 3 year old thread (or however long) - Nice thread mine, quick get the shovel etc etc etc only to try and shut them down.

Pick how you want it.
if you want people to search and they bring back an old thread, at the end of the day, whats it to you.
just the same as posting "do a search" - why bother posting at all if your not going to offer assistance.
Thats no better than whinging about everyone posting the same questions every day.

answer the question to its fullest, keep th etopic on track and make a sticky or tech article and be done with it - that way, the question doesnt need to be asked every single week.

[truckster]

If there were a proper section with proper "how to's" of common questions, there wouldnt be the issue to start with.
A properly written tech article with pictures to accompany the info is whats really needed
Your volunteering to do it then?
Cause thats whats stopped it in the past everytime its come up.

[VinceGU05]

stick all stickies in a section of its own called FAQ's or WKF's

but yes make a massive search button at the top that works.

[4x4play]

Has none of you ever been newbies?????????????????

[truckster]

Has none of you ever been newbies?
I'd love to see the FAQ get off the ground.
Would be fantastic.

The issue when the same answer gets asked 40 times a week is when people search, it the come back with 100's of hits..
Then maybe it seems like they will have so much to go through to find (thats all I can put it down to why people wont try a search - apart from the dead link at the top)..

Some people dont even try AT ALL searching.. One just popped askin about 3inch exhausts, Im sure the answers are there in other threads would help him out with all he needs to know. I've seen on many forums, when people see the thread title, adn its a common one, people just dont answer it. Not a good result for the dude looking.

An FAQ would be great, as most regular people here know the answers to 80% of questions are in this forum but hidden. Better search engines for these forums would be good, some are good, some just dont even seem to find anything at all, even the word "NISSAN".... Finding the answers can be the challenge.

[heyhey_guess_who]

I think i have said this before, when a newbie attempts to post a new thread if their thread title contains the same words (or say 3-4words) the same as a previous thread then the Mods need to approve its posting.

[GoGoGU]

I'd love to see the FAQ get off the ground.
Would be fantastic.

The issue when the same answer gets asked 40 times a week is when people search, it the come back with 100's of hits..
Then maybe it seems like they will have so much to go through to find (thats all I can put it down to why people wont try a search - apart from the dead link at the top)..

Some people dont even try AT ALL searching.. One just popped askin about 3inch exhausts, Im sure the answers are there in other threads would help him out with all he needs to know. I've seen on many forums, when people see the thread title, adn its a common one, people just dont answer it. Not a good result for the dude looking.

An FAQ would be great, as most regular people here know the answers to 80% of questions are in this forum but hidden. Better search engines for these forums would be good, some are good, some just dont even seem to find anything at all, even the word "NISSAN".... Finding the answers can be the challenge.
I agree with all of what has just been said, I have been ridiculed about "why don't you do a search" or "thats what the search is for" and even my favorite "this has been done to death"..... The ONLY way that the search works is if you are an identical image of the person that previously asked the question and word it the same way, so most people just say **** it, and ask it again, as for me if I piss a few people of because the search don't work, well, i say......**** em.

[heyhey_guess_who]

The ONLY way that the search works is if you are an identical image of the person that previously asked the question and word it the same way, so most people just say **** it, and ask it again, as for me if I piss a few people of because the search don't work, well, i say......**** em.
You obviously don't know how to search, use keywords instead of a full sentence. eg. instead of 'How much lift do i need to put on 33"s' try searching '33" lift'. The answer would be listed in a post GUARANTEED whether is be a GQ o GU. Don't be a lazy ***** and just do the damn search first you may be pleasantly surprised.

[bennoGU28]

what heyhey said

[GoGoGU]

keywords are'nt that accurate either, if you put it "33" lift" you get 55,000 results, most that have those "keywords" that pop up in sentences refering to thing like "went for a drive through whoop whoop the other day and saw blah blah with a set off 33" and a 2"lift" That does not help. It MAY be lazy of people to not search through all 55,000 results, but myself and many others have a more full life than that of someone who has time to sit down for three hours and go through the results.

[bennoGU28]

Then used "advanced search". Narrow down by forum section, by members, by date ect.

Not hard by any strectch, anything less is laziness.

[truckster]

Gee, if you were lookin on if a 3inch lift will fit 33's I think 54,888 of those 55,000 threads would have everything you need to know in it...

thus the FAQ page would be the go.

[gordonmichaellee]

How about making so that before anyone can post a question they must have read ( for example ) 50 threads. That way you can be sure they would have researched the ones most relevant to themselves and once they have got the hang of how to use the forum are less likely to cause a problem with re-asked questions.

Cheers Gordo'

[truckster]

Does anyone know why the sticky thread with the links to the GU manual for download was deleted?

[truckster]

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1903

Deleting all the stuff that doesnt work in this thread, or deleting it and creating a new thread with the good info in it..

[Lost Down Under]

Can anything be done about a FAQ section?
I went through about 70 threads the other day just trying to find a step by step on how to block the EGR and still can't fully work it out.

[truckster]

Feel free to start an FAQ... Everyone wants one, nobody wants to do it.

[lbrodie]

Just a suggestion,

I think the "general for sale" forum would work better if it where broken up into states....

[Jaido]

keywords are'nt that accurate either, if you put it "33" lift" you get 55,000 results, most that have those "keywords" that pop up in sentences refering to thing like "went for a drive through whoop whoop the other day and saw blah blah with a set off 33" and a 2"lift" That does not help. It MAY be lazy of people to not search through all 55,000 results, but myself and many others have a more full life than that of someone who has time to sit down for three hours and go through the results.

amen to that. i do searches before i make a thread, but i only find the keywords in the middle of sentences or completely random topics nothing to do with what i am looking for

[Jaido]

also. i saw that 'The seenya thread'. what if we made that an actual forum topic bit where people can just post of thread of who've they've seen, ive seen it on the patrol4x4wa.com and its nice to know who has spotted your rig

[truckster]

Just a suggestion,

I think the "general for sale" forum would work better if it where broken up into states....or if people just put their state in the title.. that would help heaps.

[GoGoGU]

x2, but you know I never thought of that one myself..

[truckster]

I mentioned this in another thread the other day. Few people seem to think it had merit.

Under the GU section, a specific ZD30 subsection.

2 ways it could be run
- Either a locked Wiki section with all the info. Whitey/Chaz/Awill4x4 who seem to be the most ZD30ish people here could add new info as it comes to light over time.
- An open section modded by Whitey and Chaz.

In it have all the info and HOW TO's with
- photos on rebuilds
- what can and cant be rebuilt
- what goes wrong with what sympton (MAF, Turbo, Head, Grenade, etc),
- installing the "Blowup Watch" prevention kit
- rough prices on rebuilds and places to buy rebuild kits for certain items - pumps, engines, turbos etc

This would make it easier for new people who cant be fuked searching clogging up the other sections with the same stuff. The more threads there are on a subject, the harder it is to find the RIGHT answers.

Instead of 10 different people asking 10 times a day they can look in this section for all the information on these engines in 1 spot. It would save them time as well as making the search function work better by searching that one section.

Just a thought bought to you by boredom (why does server take so long to install)....

[heyhey_guess_who]

Or you could start a seperate Forum, "Grenade4x4.com". :D
Nah, I think your idea is better Truckster, but you would have to name it something that a Newbie would recognise like "Diesel 3L GU" so there is more chance of them looking there rather than looking at the general GU because they don't know what a ZD30 is.

[MQ MAD]

Fairly valid point
Truckster,
But
As said above,you have to make allowances for those that dont know a front end from a back end
And boy there seems alot of those
But hey we are not all injected with patrol or automotive blood
There are a few who always answer with "refer to my wiki page"
I personally am over this stuff as its our forum for our info
Not for others to capatalise on
Also alot of the "refer to my wiki"sites sometimes dont link up
If the info is here,just make it easier for the newbies to find

Maybe have a subsection in a section
IE
GU
2.8
3.0
4.2

But would that rid us of
"what do ya think"
"What is this"
"Whats better 2.8 ,3.0 or 4.2"
Threads

[truckster]

Or you could start a seperate Forum, "Grenade4x4.com". :DHmmmmmmmmm that has merit :)


Nah, I think your idea is better Truckster, but you would have to name it something that a Newbie would recognise like "Diesel 3L GU" so there is more chance of them looking there rather than looking at the general GU because they don't know what a ZD30 is.You could include the lot

Diesel 3L Patrol Tiny 4cyl slug ZD30 Grenade Boom Section :)
too much?? :)

[heyhey_guess_who]

Diesel 3L Patrol Tiny 4cyl slug ZD30 Grenade Boom Section :)
too much?? :)
You missed out "You got dudded"

[MQ MAD]

Maybe,

"For ALL those that actually paid money for a 3.0L"

Look here

[truckster]

Now that all the grenade jokes are done, does the idea of a ZD30/GU 3ltr section have merit?

[heyhey_guess_who]

Now that all the grenade jokes are done, does the idea of a ZD30/GU 3ltr section have merit?
I think that would be great considering that 1/2 of the non "How much Lift" & "What size tyres" threads is related to ZD30 questions. It will have some improvement even if small, but that is still progress. And maybe if rather than having one big sticky with all tech items, we can have it broken up into mech, elec, etc or similar. That way people what look at it and go, "I don't know where to begin to look, there is no referencing in all this information, I'll just ask instead".

Maybe there could be a little drop down box in the User CP where you plug in what car/s you have and it can give you a Sticky/Wiki thread related to that model.

[paul.helm]

Now that all the grenade jokes are done, does the idea of a ZD30/GU 3ltr section have merit?

Motor specific sub sections (4.8, 4.2, 3.0, 2.8 ) within the GU section is a great idea, best idea thus far.

[Graham99]

Hmmmmmmmmm that has merit :)


You could include the lot

Diesel 3L Patrol Tiny 4cyl slug ZD30 Grenade Boom Section :)
too much?? :)


Hi Truckster

Can we also have the "I have 4.2L but only put out the same output as a stock ZD30" or the oil filter club since they need 2 every 5000km :D

I guess I'll subscribe to "I've found my ZD30 overboosts, better fix it"

[jeffs5]

On a serious note could that be one of the reasons ZD 30's go BOOM! That they dont have 5.000 ks service/oil and filters! It was covered on here i think that any diesel oil is at the end of its life around 5.000 ks. $60 every 5.000 k's is good insurance for any diesel motor IMO.

[MQ MAD]

Who doesnt do oil changes at 5k ???

[jeffs5]

Who doesnt do oil changes at 5k ???Apparently some of the 3L & 2.8 owners In a few threads they say 4.2's cost more because of the 5.000 K service:o

[truckster]

This is a perfect example.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=466195

I feel for these people.

[MQ MAD]

Issues with any engine are related to just plain lack of knowledge or services

I met a bloke who bought a brand new HQ holden
Regularly serviced (every 5,000Ks) any issue got fixed straight away (not next week or when the money was there,straight away)
And bugger me he had it 30 odd years and NEVER had an issue
Never ever let him down

Before anyone cr*ps on about newer cars here
The HQ was the biggest selling holden
Spat out like sausages
Every model/make has its lemons
But lack of services/maintenance will kill anything

[Madriver911]

Another thing. Can we get rid of "Mark forums read" in the quick links cause i keep on clicking on that instead of Today's post

thanks
Trev

[NIS55Y]

carrying on from what mq mad said, i just bought a gq ute recently td42 with over 760,000 km on it, serviced by the eldery owner EVERY 4500 kms (for a reason) and it purred - ran nicer than a lot of cars with half the km .. so much so that the wreckers bought it for themselves to drive around rather than part it out its the second td42 i have had with over 700000 on the clock recently so it just shows that services are a huge part of reliability

[Wish I had coils]

Motor specific sub sections (4.8, 4.2, 3.0, 2.8 ) within the GU section is a great idea, best idea thus far.

motor specific to a point i think basically all petty motots are the same, i mean there all tb something, Diesel on the othere hand are td, rd,zd so completly different to each other.

problem is if you split it up to much, you can lose some valueable info that might really need to be in the general part of the gu section.

[double_d]

how about an arcade
i used to run a vbulletin forum
and the arcade was a big feature kept people on the site
post something ---- play a few games ---- get a high score ---- check for replies on your post.
it is fun and gets competitive
an easy enough to do add on

daniel d

[paul.helm]

problem is if you split it up to much, you can lose some valueable info that might really need to be in the general part of the gu section.

All other information then can be viewed in the General section? or GU general section?

[truckster]

problem is if you split it up to much, you can lose some valueable info that might really need to be in the general part of the gu section.
Thats easily moderated. Im talkin mostly about the grenade ****, and people researchign buying one..

Just to slow the "WHEN DID THEY FIX THE 3.0" threads and the "MY GRENADE WENT OFF, WHAT SHOULD I DO" threads.

[GoGoGU]

on another forum they give points to members that help others or post useful things. like 20 points for posting up a build, or giving the advice that works to solve a members problem, that way you know if someone has a heap of points you know that they are more likely to know what they are on about.

[Mic]

on another forum they give points to members that help others or post useful things. like 20 points for posting up a build, or giving the advice that works to solve a members problem, that way you know if someone has a heap of points you know that they are more likely to know what they are on about.

i reckon that'd just turn into 'don't listen to so and so - he's only got 20 points'...

Just like communism - good idea in thory, would turn sour in reality...

no offense intended:D. You can see who is worth taking advise from on this forum just by poking around.

[MQ MAD]

Other forums have "REP" points against the member
The other members add to that IF they think the knowledge or opinion is worthy
But to a newbie whos to say the members opinions or assistance is valid ???
As MIC says big can of worms