I received my new issue earlier this week and was certainly impressed by the pictures and some of the articles as always, but I have to admit it was outweighed by some of the other items that caught my attention. I'd like to hear other folks impression to validate my own.
On page 13 the magazine displayed Mountain State Overland's new Coffee Drip Stand. A drip coffee maker for 1 cup of joe designed to rest on a coffee mug now needs a MSO designed stand made of copper tubing originally intended for plumbing? From their web store for a mere $65.00... "The Overland Coffee Drip Stand is designed for rugged use and serves a vital role in Team MSO's kitchen set. This coffee drip stand is hand built and soldered to accommodate two Hario VO2 coffee drips when you're on the go. The stand is designed to break down or assemble in seconds for easy storage. If you like a solid cup of java off the beaten path, then the Overland Coffee Drip Stand is your only choice." Perhaps it's just me but I think any serious camper is going to choose to use their Vario drip coffee maker the way they intended it to be used and leave the copper tubing where it was intended to be - the plumbing aisle at Home Depot. Or use the stand more appropriately in the new age hipster kitchen as a curio. Not useful... gets three whacks from Tangos cane.
On page 14 more news was featured. Nissan's new diesel Titan to be released in late 2015. Do tell... this looks like the dawn of a new era with a V8 TD option -- you know Toyota must be staring at the Datsun gauntlet tossed in their face of a once dominated market. Will this challenge go unanswered? Will it change the minds of Toyota Corporate leadership?This indeed deserves another look... Wait - whaat? The new Titan looks remarkably like a Tacoma right down to the Toyota grill garnish. Seriously? The Journalist's eye missed this faux pas? Thumbs up on the pertinent news but it still earned three whacks from Tangos cane.
I'm filled with questions... on page 57... The American Adventurist Rendezvous ad? Is Frank reminding us of last Octobers 2014 Appalachian Rendezvous to reinforce with readers of what they failed to attend? Did Dave fail to provide American Adventurist current advertising for our three events in 2015? Tango's cane is cocked and prepared to deliver whacks once we get the answer here...
In all seriousness now, let's shift gears... I question the safety of modifications advocated in this article and the liability assumed by the author and publisher. Page 78 features "Accelerator Pedal Drivability Modifications" which describes the authors experience and instructions for modifying the "feel" or responsiveness of modern electronically controlled throttles or specifically, drive-by-wire accelerator pedals. Using a selection of coins as 'shims', electrical tape, a selection of hardware store springs, and a bracket fashioned from "aluminum billet," the author goes on to describe his experience modifying the "feel" of his accelerator under foot. He concludes that they are simple, inexpensive, and easily reversible modifications.
My conclusion is different - I assert this is dangerous and irresponsible. But first - I am not an engineer - so please take my counsel for what it's worth. I can't speak to the author's curriculum vitae... he may very well have an alphabet soup of engineering degree acronyms behind his name and if so all I can offer is a hearty, "gomen nasai."
My rationale. In 2009 Toyota experienced a number of issues with its Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) or what we call, an accelerator. Among the issues were unintended acceleration which in some cases resulted in well-reported death and injury. This ultimately resulted in a 7.5 million vehicle recall in the US that the factory, along with the NHTSA, initiated requiring replacment of the ETCS with a newly redesigned model and modification to the vehicles software program residing on their ECU's. Worldwide the number of vehicles recalled was 9 million. As of 2013 Toyota remains in settlement talks with its plaintiffs. Simple guy conclusion - 'don't mess with ETCS.'
I like analogies. They take complex things and break them down into more easily understood concepts. But the analogy the author cites, "If there is too much take-up travel,
like a sloppy trigger on a gun, you are just moving the pedal." Misleading. This is confusing a purely mechanical system with an electro-mechanical system. The function is similar but the reactions and variables are different and hence unpredictable, even by an army of engineers. If you doubt that please re-read the paragraph above and the Billions of dollars spent by Toyota Motor Corporation in reengineering, repairs, and litigation.
Modification components. Coins as shims - enough said. Electrical tape - I don't trust electrical tape to secure anything; the adhesive is unpredicatable as it is exposed to dirt and heat and will in short time loose any adhesive property. Hardware store ferrous metal springs are great for screen doors but again are equally unpredictable due to the forces of elastic hysteresis. A bracket formed of "billet" aluminum. Where do we get such a thing? A "billet" of aluminum is a block of solid aluminum that is forged at the foundry. The foundry takes pure, raw aluminum and combines it with other metals and/or minerals to form different alloys and grades of aluminum, e.g., 7075 T6 and 6061 T6. Once the materials are combined, smelted, and all impurities removed... billets are formed by placing the molten aluminum in a form under intense pressure. The high pressure removes all traces of air and gas, aligns and merges the molecules, resulting in a solid block of aluminum that is extremely dense, super strong, and has no discernable grain (non-porous). Basically, a huge, single molecule of aluminum. This bracket would have to be CNC'd fashioned to have the necessary predictable strength to maintain that hardware store spring in relationship to the coin and ETCS to be reliable. The bracket shown in the article picture appears to be simple, maleable, extruded aluminum stock (that lacks the strength of that metal in billet form), often sourced in the same hardware stores that carry household replacement springs.
My conclusion is this is a clever well-intentioned throttle modification with potentially unintended consequences and I advise against it for the reasons I cite above. I also ran this by a couple of skilled, experienced mechanics and fabricators I know and they are reluctant to support this modification as well. But on a lighter note - to the home fabricator, publisher, and author, my caution to any and all performing this accelerator modification...
Better Call Saul. 
Finally, my comments do not reflect the opinion of American Adventurist. This post is not intended to malign Frank Ledwell's publication or efforts - I have nothing but respect and praise for his vision, hard work and integrity. Nor do I post this to discredit James Langan or his ingenuity. But it is offered as a differing viewpoint and one I feel compelled to respond to for the benefit of the members of this forum - please, when performing any modification to your vehicle operating and safety systems examine every aspect of the unintended consequences of its operation. I will also communicate this with Frank and other observations via separate correspondence.
Well said!