Comments on: Ray Russell Jeep CJ-7 Desert Race Jeep Photos

By: Doug Robinson

Doug Robinson — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:40 +0000

I still have my Ray built jeep from 1979. The 401 now has a 4 bolt main, is stroked to 420 cu inches and is set up to run Colorado hill climb association races. Suspension set up is all there but not in use as I don’t need 12 shocks. I set fast qualifier, won the race and set the track record at every CHCA race for 2 straight years 1991 and 92. I am considering running the Salida hill climb in July this year(2021).

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 06:04:48 +0000

Well… Warren has got the jeep back. We went down Sunday February 24th.
I got the opportunity to ride down with Warren and pick ithe up and even drive it. Holy crap!!

By: Kenny Ham

Kenny Ham — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:02:45 +0000

Hello Friends of Ray Russell,
I was up to my folks and came across some photos of the 1979 Mint 400. I would like to post them once I figure out how. I will have someone help me with that soon. Thanks, Kenny

By: Greg Hatley

Greg Hatley — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:39:59 +0000

I did’nt know Ray passed ,so sorry does not express. If you don’t remember me I’m “THE HAT” ,formerly Pioneer Paint And Body, As Well As Emmetts Paint And Body , Who Not Only Painted Jeeps For Don Adams ,But For Big Ray Himself ,Also I Painted Some Tow Trucks For Ray.Back In The Day ,These Guy’s Truely Were The Best, Ray Was A Very Maticulous And Paticular Person When It Came To His Rides, But If You Knew Where His Heart Was ,He Was Easy To Satisfy. I’ll Miss You Big Brother ,Peace

By: Wes Kibble

Wes Kibble — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:06:32 +0000

In reply to Kenny Ham. Thanks for the comments Kenny!

By: Kenny Ham

Kenny Ham — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:09:35 +0000

Hello to all,
My name is Kenny Ham. I just stumbled onto these photos. I saw the names Brad, Stuart, Karen, Warren Baird in the forum. Man, I went back in a time warp! Ray and my folks, Clairmont (Hamie) and Gretchen Ham were some of the small group of people that oranized and started the Hill Surfers 4-Wheel Drive club in the Elmira/Horseheads, NY area. I lived with Ray, Kathy and their kids for six months and worked at Ray’s 4-Wheel, the summer/fall of 1980. I have fond memories of that time and experience in my life. Ray was my “HERO” growing up as kid. He demanded a lot of himself and of others around him!! I would like to stop back and visit with you folks at this site if I could. Thanks for the memories…. Kenny Ham

By: BaltoroJeeper

BaltoroJeeper — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:58:25 +0000

In reply to Warren Baird.

Warren,
Many thanks for the reply. Its amazing to tap into your knowledge of Ray’s setup which is important for me as I am interested in a retro CJ Desert Racer Project….and if I ever get that up, I will definately paint it like Ray’s Jeep. Simply love the colors 🙂

Some other things that keep me up looking at the pics are:
1. How exactly are those shocks mounted at the top? They seem to all be dropping onto the diff at the bottom.
2. Did the quadratac help in desert handling in any significant way or was it because of some other reasons that it was there.
3. What was the gearing on the diffs?

Thanks a million and a half!

By: Warren Baird

Warren Baird — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:35:19 +0000

The tire size was a 33 12.50 15s. We talked about running 35s but never did.
The front axle started out as a scout dana 30. Ran 2 races with it and figured this isnt going to work,broke the gears. Then a scout 44 but the drive shaft- pinion angle wasnt good. Went to a wagoneer 44.
The rear was always a summers brothers 9″ offset because of quadratrack. We custom built a straight thru tfc then built a centered housing.
Got anymore ?s just ask………….Thanks………….

By: Baltoro Jeeper

Baltoro Jeeper — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:23:21 +0000

Does anyone know whats the tire size and what axles is Ray running on these pics?

By: Vintage Ed Bray Desert Race Jeep Photos! | Off Road Action

Vintage Ed Bray Desert Race Jeep Photos! | Off Road Action — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:01:20 +0000

[…] of vintage off road desert race Jeep photos. There has been lots of discussion about Ray Russell in this article, this one and this article, along with some photos that Kevin Vaughan sent of the desert […]