Thumb Throttle

cewtwo · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 09:19 PM

Well, it arrived today.

I have OBA (On Board Air) that sure can come in handy at times. At the end of last weekend's trail ride, we ended up airing up everyone's tires (6 rigs).

There were a lot of jokes like, "Just put a quarter in the window..." "TIREd of helping others yet?" "Air today, gone tomorrow" etc.

Then someone looked in and saw the water bottle braced against the gas pedal and suggested a thumb throttle. It just seems safer to have a thumb throttle to replace the water bottle if nothing else.

Anyone else got one?

How do you use yours?

What should I do to get used to it after I install it?

Joopin · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 09:42 PM

I have one, I use it mostly for rocky trails. My foot doesn't stay that steady when I'm bumping around, and the thumb throttle gives you much more control. You can also use it for a cruise control! No, actually, that's dangerous....

It's also good if your tailpipe is underwater and you gotta get out of the jeep to hook up your winch or something... just adjust the throttle and tighten it down. You are going to like it.

90Xjay · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cewtwo

Well, it arrived today.

I have OBA (On Board Air) that sure can come in handy at times. At the end of last weekend's trail ride, we ended up airing up everyone's tires (6 rigs).

There were a lot of jokes like, "Just put a quarter in the window..." "TIREd of helping others yet?" "Air today, gone tomorrow" etc.

Then someone looked in and saw the water bottle braced against the gas pedal and suggested a thumb throttle. It just seems safer to have a thumb throttle to replace the water bottle if nothing else.

Anyone else got one?

How do you use yours?

What should I do to get used to it after I install it?

I've never actually seen one.
do you have pics what what the control head looks like?

cewtwo · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 04:01 PM

It looks exactly like a gear changer on a mountain bike.

If I get it installed this weekend, I will take some pictures.

Thanks for the input!

Dorivin · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 07:05 PM

Oh wow, I want to see what this thing looks like, Sounds nice to have if i'm having to pull people out. (Pulling people out of holes and off hills has seem to turned into a trend, just ask Red93)

90Xjay · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 07:54 PM

where are they typically mounted at?

cewtwo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 01:22 PM

This is the thumb throttle that I bought.

It is made by 33Engineering and was purchased through OffroadToyStore.com

It attaches to the manual shift stick. Came with an eight page instruction manual. Pretty thorough installation instructions.

I'll take more pictures once it is installed.

cewtwo · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 01:31 PM

Pulling people out?

Been doing it for years. Mostly people I'm on a trail ride with, or, as I am in Colorado, a lot of people do snow bashing. Snow bashing can mire your rig in well.

What gets me are the people that want you to pull them out, but sit in the warmth of their rig as you work. I will ask them to come out and assist.

I never charge, but have 3 cardinal rules:
1. It is your vehicle. You hook up the winch line to your vehicle.
2. Follow instructions. Although you can try to steer your vehicle, it is always better to steer as the winch pulls you.
3. Pay it forward. If in the future you find someone that needs your help, you are now obligated to assist them.

Remember the credo. Help other 4-wheelers out of a bad situation when you have the ability to (regardless of the lack of intelligence they exhibited by getting themselves into their situation).

The stories that I could tell...

cewtwo · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 01:43 PM

These are the two positions I am working on.

Under the hood later...

Dorivin · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 04:53 PM

I like how the thumb throttle looks there. I'd have to mount it else where though, knowing all the idiots I carry around they'd be like "OH HEY WHATS THIS DO???"

Yes Yes I know I should pull them out, but I better be getting a Hamburger afterwards. I always try to buy lunch or something of the sorts for someone who gets me out of a sticky situation.

Bounty__Hunter · #11 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 10:37 PM

8page instruction manual? LOL takes about 10 minutes to install one. I picked up a shifter and cable from the local bike shop for about $6 and use it to increase idle while winching.

Who_Cares · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:59 AM

My whole setup cost me $7 REI gave me an Old Bike gear shifter and the Cable and crimps cost me $7 best and cheapest mod to date.

cewtwo · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 02:58 PM

I'm sure that works well for those out there with savvy. Unfortunately, I'll buy a kit. Frees me of some liability and lets me know how to do it too!!

I was never much of a mechanic until I got the Jeep.

Now? Let's say that I often have grease and dirt under my fingernails now.

I broke one of the BDS leaf springs on the back axle. Went out this morning and bought the replacements. Soon, I will have the Mighty YJ up off of the cold, cold ground (no Garage), and working on the back axle. I am also going to replace the aluminum 6 degree shim for a Poison Spider steel one while I am at it. The dealer also suggested that I get the optional BDS bump stop to restrict upward travel so I did. Always fun! (and yes - The leaf springs are under warranty - After I take the damaged ones back to the dealer - they will ship them out to BDS and I will be credited.)

cewtwo · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 02:59 PM

I did take pictures under the hood yesterday, but was too lazy to upload them. I'll do that tonight and put 'em on here!

cewtwo · #15 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 08:48 PM

The kit came with two adaptors (angle irons) this one fit like a glove...

These are the connections to the throttle body...

Easy to install! Works great! Now all I need is decent Winter weather (is that an oxymoron?)

88Wrangles · #16 (**permalink**) 12-06-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who_Cares

My whole setup cost me $7 REI gave me an Old Bike gear shifter and the Cable and crimps cost me $7 best and cheapest mod to date.

x2. They're pretty simple to make for any vehicle

carriss · #17 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 06:20 PM

i have an simliar idea but i have seen pro-modifed pulling trucks where the throttle is hand operated and i thought of a bicycle breaks on the handle bars so i'm going rig up a system on the stick shifter since my truck is a manual that in turn lets me have two feet to operate the clutch and brakes kinda makes sense two pedels two feet.

Tug-n-pull · #18 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 09:51 PM

Now that you have that done go ahead and do the manual shifter for the front diff as well. Then you can run that YJ in 4wd lo and 2wd low and change one to the other with a simple pull of a lever. No more vac lines to keep patching and more control when off roading to boot. Second best for a few bucks thing you can do to a YJ for off road use. check it out Tug http://home.earthlink.net/~stevenschreiber/cabledis.htm