Need your 73-87 opinion, website related

[bigblock73]

OK, the readers ride section on 73-87.com has gotten rather large. I have been debating about splitting up the page into seperate pages...one for fleetsides, one for stepsides, one for blazers, etc.. This will halp the pages load faster and allow visitors to search for images by bodystyle.

Sound like a good idea? What other methods could be done?

I personally like that idea, but I would like some outside opinions as well...so lets hear 'em.

Also, if I do split them up, I need some pretty good thumbnail pics (to make into buttons)...maybe fish eye views, birds eye views, or something cool and unique. Anyone have any images they think would fit the bill?

If you want to see the page I have been adding the rides to, here it is.

http://www.73-87.com/readers_rides/readers_rides.htm

[andrist1]

Jeff,

I like your idea about breaking them down by body style, I think it would help a lot. I am new to this forum, and I have visited your site (73-87.com) often and found various helpful tips and tech info. I have a 75' SWB and I am always looking for ideas.................

[84 400]

great idea on splitting them up. the only other one is splitting them up by year. 73 to 80 and 880 to 87 or by short bed long bed and blazer and jimmys. i think that your idea works best though. just thought of the short long and blazer and suberban one since there have been resent threads done in this way. but well your idea seems like the best way man. good luck

[wedgemon]

OK I'll take the nay side. I like the 73-87 forum, as is, because of its' generality. I have 2 fleetside 4x4's a 73 Blazer and am interested in getting a short fleet.

So, I get all my lookin in one forum. Sort of.

That being said, I usually go straight to NEW POSTS anyhow. So, moot point.

- Dave

[magnethead]

I have to say Jeff, as good as your website is, that page does need help. Even on my broadband, it takes about 30 seconds or so to load all the images. Seperating into the pre- and post- change generations might work, or by body style, i like both ideas equally.

[N2TRUX]

Jeff I think your on the right track. In my mind that's the three major divisons I think of when it come to 73-87.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by wedgemon

....
That being said, I usually go straight to NEW POSTS anyhow. So, moot point.- Dave

Dave are you talking about this forum or www.73-87.com

[boxrodz]

Jeff-
You could begin with categorizing the rides into two sections 4bys (lifted or otherwise) and 2-wheel drive (lowered or stock). An action/group pic (or collage) respresenting each section would look cool. Then, each section could then be further broken down into the method as you listed (which I think is a good idea.) I also like the idea of the thumbnail buttons and, possibly, the year/model(make) of the ride and the owner's name listed next to the thumbnail.

BTW, it's been a while since I viewed the 'rides' section.
And, the site is . Good job...

[cliffsta]

I was gonna say 73-80 and 81-87 would be a good division, and a separate page for Blazers+Suburbans.

[magnethead]

Also, you could do it like cardomain, have a thumbnail and details in rows, each page being a 3 year gap (1973-1976, 1977-1980, 1981-1984, 1984-1987).

[bigblock73]

Great ideas so far fellas! Thanks!

I think for now, I will break it down into three or four categories. Fleetsides, stepsides, blazers/burbs, and maybe misc (I have one cab & chassis to add). One day I may have to break it down further (4wd & 2wd or 73-80 & 81-87(91))), but I am still below 100 readers rides, with most being 2wd...so I don't want to isolate everything to where I only have 1 or 2 vehicles per page.

Now, anyone have some cool images I could use for buttons? my Photoshop skills are very limited, so if some of you creative folks could give me a hand, that would be sweet.

[boxrodz]

Jeff -
If you or anyone else has some pics, I'd be willing to help with the alterations ...
Let me see what I got ...

[bigblock73]

I think this would be a cool picture (or at least a start) for the fleetside button. The only problem, is it is a pic I snagged off eBay a few months back...and it really isn't mine.

The stepside button would be similar, and the blazer/burb would have to be a roof perspective/collage or something.

Just some thoughts to ponder.

Oh, I also don't want to just stick with 2wd images, I don't want to make the 4wd guys feel left out, or think this is a 73-87 2wd website.

[wedgemon]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Dave are you talking about this forum or www.73-87.com

Got Me!!

I not into the Smilies, But if there was one with a "bat to the head" I'd use it.

I was under the influence of wife, kids and dogs! Nolo Contendre! There was an earthquake, a terrible flood, IT'S NOT MY FAULT!!

I was thinking this site (feeble, humility)

But, I really dig 73-87.com - and thanks for pointing me back. Didn't know it was updated Tuesday!! Cool.

- Dave (Call me FUDD)

[Slonaker]

This reminds me that I promised you some pics of my truck. Oops...

If you see anything in my gallery that you would like to crop for your fleetside section, you are welcome to them. The one I use for my avatar could be cropped down similar to your ebay pic, and I have about a dozen more shots taken from different angles.

I also have hi-res versions (some 2 megapixel and some 8 megapixel, I think). I doubt they are any better than most of what you have already, but the 8 mp versions (like the one in my avatar) are big enough that they allow a lot of cropping.

I'll help if I can, but I'm not really good with image editing. I can crop, resize, add text, that sort of thing, but that's it.

http://www.slonaker.net/gallery/thum...album=3&page=1

Slonaker

[boxrodz]

Jeff-
Here's an example of a couple of 'random' trucks that I threw into an image for the fleetside pic. It's from a different prospective that what you listed. I also included a few treatments on that pic to give it a bit of an artistic flavor. A similar image/treatment could be created for the stepsides, blazers/burbs and 'build-ups' pics. Of course, this can be all changed as well as the use of a different image depending on what you or the others here like to see.

[boxrodz]

One mo' ....
(Like a Rock?)

[magnethead]

That last one is killer. I vote for it.

[Ironclad454]

^ I second the motion, that would be really cool.

[swervin ervin]

Jeff,

I believe fleetsides, stepsides and then Suburbans/Blazers would be good way.

Whatever way you decide to go, I'm very sure it will look cool.

Have I told you lately you are doing a fantastic job with the site? I am so glad you took it over. I would have hated to see it die out after all the hard work that went into it.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by boxrodz;

One mo' ....
(Like a Rock?)

I have to agree that the last one is the best. I like the concept to start with because it represents 2wd and 4wd, 73-80 and 81-87 styling as well as lifted and lowered.


Oh and the fact that it's using my truck didn't sway my decision one bit....

[hiway]

I like the 2wd vs. 4x4 or the 73-80 and 81-87. Either way I'll look at both

[bigblock73]

Marcus, those are sweet!! Thank you very much for taking time out of your schedule to help produce those.

I am like the rest, the last one is the best.

Could you take a stab at doing a couple/few more...if it isn't too much trouble? I will attach some pics of some of the trucks I would like to use, some are members here...so if you see your truck posted here, please let me know if it is or isn't OK to use it on 73-87.com. Thanks!

Here is the only stepside one I could find I liked. It is a 2by, and I would need a 4by to cover the bases.

BTW - I am picking the trucks based on picture quality, stance, etc...not on how nice or not nice they may be...since we are altering the images anyhow.

[bigblock73]

Here are some fleetsides. I like Kens truck too, so I won't include it as we already have what, a gazillion or two of them pics floating around here.

[bigblock73]

Blazers/Burbs