Class 2 rules questions

[drthunder]

Hey my name's Corey, I'm preparing my rig for Class 2 comp this year and have a few questions about what I can and can't do.

Long arm suspensions allowed (no more than 3 inches longer wheelbase than factory).

Frame of vehicle must have the same dimensions as factory. No frame modifications allowed for a competitive advantage. Frame modifications for a production suspension kit allowed. This area subject to tech approval.

Here's what I'm lookin to find out, my rig is a comanche and has about 115" wheelbase with the front stretched just a little bit for some tire clearance. I want to section the frame and shorten the front of my bed somewhere between 8-10" to get the wheelbase down a bit for those tight comp courses. The rules state no more than 3 inch longer wheelbase, nothing about shortening. The frame rule I'm a little bit confused about. Does this rule prevent me sectioning the frame? The frame will still be the same dimensions as far as height and shape. Just wanted to check in with this before I do it and it's too late.

Also I'm aware of the new roll cage rule. What are the specs on the cages as far as what tubing is allowed (size, thickness, material)? And what is required for the overall design? Any specific rules that I need to follow when building or is everything just subject to inspection?

And a side not I couldn't open the rules on the RCrocs page.

Thanks in advance!



Also i'll see you guys in april at the club comp  Team SiS   

[Rockhound]

The tech guys are in Cali, so I can help a little for now. 1st, this post should be up in the RCrocs section just above this, it will get proper attention quicker. There is a thread for tech inspection I believe. Anyway..

You can NOT change the frame from the factory. It can not be shortened. Your truck must retain the factory look, including the body/bed. That 3" part of the rules has always been confusing to new people. It actually means the wheelbase can't be plus or minus 3" of stock on any truck. I hope this helps, Kyle will chime in whenever he gets on again.

Cage, there are no set specs, but recommendations would be:
At least 1.5" 120 DOM for high contact areas, 1.75" 120 is the norm.
I am not sure what they would want from you with a Comanche with your doors still on. Without them, I believe you fall into the wrangler rules. You need standard 6 point cage. You need to tie the A and B pillars together on the sides. It's safety, I would be sure to make it strong, with good triangulation.

I hope I helped. Let us know if you have anything else you are unclear about. Welcome to RCRocs, you will have a good time in class 2 

[drthunder]

BUMP

I was planning on keeping the factory look by just shortening the bed more.
Now I can't understand why you would restrict me from making my rig competitive. Realistically we all know how the comp courses are setup. Tight. Having a really long wheelbase is a HUGE disadvantage, you need to be able to make those turns!

The rules do allow bed bobbing, part of bobbing a bed includes removing some of the back of the frame or in other words as the rules state, changing the frame from the factory. I believe that rule is more talking about no tube frames and things of that nature. How is there any harm or crazy advantage to me sectioning out some of my frame (keeping the same exact height and thickness dimensions) in order to build a more competitive rig? It will look like it came that way from the factory. I hardly stand a chance sitting at a comanche's wheelbase in the comp course.

Also the rule clearly states that no more than 3" of stretch is allowed. Nothing is said about shortening. Rules shouldn't be part of that sacred knowledge category, they should be written out exactly as they are meant.

With a rule like that you are narrowing down the selection of vehicles that can competitively compete in a comp like rcrocs. It basically forces me start a different build with a shorter vehicle. Comanches and Cherokees are sister vehicles, why can't I mimic the wheelbase of a cherokee?


I completely understand the point of class 2, having a rig that appears to have factory type equipment and looks. There is no reason I can't make my comanche appear like it came factory the way I made it.


I'm not trying to start any wars here, I just want to build myself a competitive rig. A rig that isn't the normally seen wrangler or cherokee. A rig that I've owned for awhile and have a lot of time and money already invested into. Shortening my wheelbase is essential to putting up a fight in the 2010 rcrocs!

Thanks
Corey

[kbjeepin]

Well by the frame rules you may not modify the frame except for the bobbing of a bed.  As it has always been in rockcrawling it is your choice what rig you pick.  A samarai can not stretch his wheelbase to a scambler size because it has a really short wheel base from factory.  Same as a crew cab truck cant cut the frame to have smaller wheel base because it is really long.  I have been there when teams had protested climbs in comps because a samarai couldnt physically do it.  It all goes back to, you pick the vehicle.  PM sent to starter of this for an idea to get around the rules a little bit, and maybe it will help.  As for the roll cage..... no major specs for this year but it has to be safe.  We will look at it at tech and it needs to be able to with stand soft rolls and flops.  Use your best judgement.

[GlendogPerformance]

We run a cherokee in class two. We are very competitive with 2 third place finishes last season and not to far away from first place. The key is spotting and knowing how your rig handles. the courses are very tight and very technical but where we have a slight disadvantage in turning tight we gain in hill climbs and drop offs.

[customcreationsllc]

I would second that with having the shortest wheel base in the class. Where I make up in steering I loose out in Climbs and drops, and that is mostly the bonus lines so a longer vehicle isn't technically a bad thing.

I've been tossing up the idea of swapping all my CJ5 into a CJ7 gain 10"

[Rockhound]

Exactly, all rigs have advantages and disadvantages, that is the name of the game in STOCK class. I was going to bring up Glendogs team, they are always in the game because they play it smart, and there are things they can do to improve a little more in the turning department...but thats not the problem, staying on the tires is 
Sorry side joke...