You need to get out of mudlick more often

Like Wanna said...anyone who opposes the advance of technology due to the cultural changes that are associated with it.

And the one time I used GPS it already happened. I relied on it more than my atlas and thus haven't the intimate knowledge of my exact travels except for what the machine told me. The only time she had to recompute was when I doubted her and hesitated on a turn etc... and she was always right!

As for the TV, I decided years ago that there was not enough time in my day so I looked at how I wasted my time. TV topped the list for unproductivity. Unfortunately, this little computer has surplanted some of that gained time but at least it is productive. Like you mentioned, I've learned a whole heap here for fixing & maintaining.

Back to topic. Boatnik, do you have a chaufer's license? Seems like some states require it over certain pounds & combinations or have we already touched on that? Here in KY I got one in high school to drive a fertilize/lime truck and have kept it for...some reason... But we also have farm plates that tell the authorities that we are just stupid enough to try whatever it is you are witnessing so you better just leave us alone.

 

Oh and by the way, all these posts have revived my memories of my old ****** CJ-3B and trail rides etc.

In small vehicles like the old Jeeps space was a priority so you only took what you HAD to have and thus would "predict" which parts would most likely fail.

Some one already mentioned the belt, filters, u-joints, etc and even a lift pump I think. Any thoughts on other common parts? Space is not as limited (so why dear ol' mom's cookies in the bed?!) as a Jeep so we could carry more IF we thought we needed it. Granted with differently modified trucks the next weakest link is goining to vary but what seems to be most common?

Alternator? Extra external regulator + wires & connectors? Thermostat?

And some air in a can "fix a flat" is handy to get you to a place to safely change/repair the tire. Although the tire monkeys don't like it much.

 

when i make a trip to my brothers the box of mom's cookies are to big to haul in the cab. has to keep him in cookies for a good three months. he keeps them in the freezer on his porch and gets a couple each day for a snack. also thats how i know when i need to head back to the farm. when the cookie stash gets low.

 

Thermostat, I knew I was forgetting something on my list, thanks for the reminder KRB. As far as spare parts, if it's small and easily replaced I'm partial to taking it with me. I don't have an extra alternator or external voltage regulator, but if I ever make a road trip to Alaska, then I probably would.

 

Well, you guys are great. I loaded everything I could until my toolbox wouldn't shut. Tools, gloves, belt, huge jumper cables, spare tire, floor jack, roll of TP and a roll of paper towls, spare oil, anti freeze, water, ATF, assorted pins, bolts, lynch pins and bushings, cribbing, first aid kit, three flash lights and a magnetic trouble light, spare draw bar and ball, reflective triangles, flashing yellow strobe light, GPS, phone and charger, WD40 and lubrifilm, GoJo, rags, sweat shirt and a tyvex suit. I need to fill the five gallon fuel can and load up with chow. The cookies are riding up front with me. I may have a run to PA in a couple days to pick up a new New Holland. My BIL is still trying to work out the details.

 

How much do want to bet that the first thing you need will be on the very bottom on the wrong side?

 

I ain't the new kid on the block on that one. No bets. And it will be raining and on I-95 in rushhour. Which is 23 hours a day Mondy thru Thursday. No one works in DC on Friday except cops and the Department of Roads and Highways.

 

It looks like the insurance issue belongs to the Dealer since I am pulling his trailer as a part time employee. I did increase mine some because it is used as a business tool.

 

Good luck Boatnik. This is obvious, but worth saying: Preventative maintenance in your driveway beats laying under your truck removing the driveshaft on a narrow, left shoulder with traffic going by at 65mph, waiting for a tow truck, and preparing to buy a windshield for the person who was behind you when the u-joint let go and sent a grease cap bouncing off of their car.

 

that i dont worry about everyting that could go wrong,hes not making a cross country run ,local del, if i worryed about all the small stuff i would never get out of my diveway

 

Speeking of WD40. DON'T hit your WD40 cam with a stick

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...58244391438463

Hmm didn't seam to work, let try this.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...58244391438463

Flash.

 

I agree 100%. I vary the amount of stuff based on how far from home I'll be. Everyday, not much stuff goes with me (it's about 12 miles to work for me). However, if I venture more than 100 miles or so from home, the amount of stuff I carry goes up.

 

Or the starting fluid, for that matter.

We were in Colorado, in a big truck.

I was driving, with my partner in the right-side seat, smoking like a wood-stove.

I made a turn from pavement onto a gravel road.

The turn was nothing but big pot-holes, making the air-ride seats really bounce up and down.

Once we got straightened out, there was this strange but familiar smell that replaced the oxygen in the cab; it was about zero outside, so all glasses were closed.

At about the same time, we both recognized the smell ---- ETHER.

He found an ether can, under his seat, with the whole side ripped out from the workings of the seat.

Needless to say, he picked it up, sort of like one would pick up a rat by the tail, and gingerly flung it out the open door.

I am not one to litter; but, we made an exception in that case.

 

The first trip was a success. Made it all the way and didn't have to work on the truck, didn't run out of fuel, and didn't have any mail boxes hanging off the trailer. However, the fan clutch died, the thermostat won't close. and I sprayed rear end oil on the new tractor. (I over filled the rear and it ran out the pinion seal). EGT's were the limiting factor. I couldn't run with the big dogs at all. Towing 7000 pounds on level ground I saw 1250 degrees at 70 mph and 28 pounds of boost. Engine coolant ran up to 202 degrees pulling up some of the hills at 65 mph or less and I never heard the fan come on. I got 10 mpg with the load. I made 38 pounds of boost for the short spirts of WOT I could stand without having a meltdown. Traffic was a zoo form Fredrick MD to Fredricksburg VA both directions. And, Mapquest only gets you close.

Since I got back I have turned the fuel back two turns and still it runs on past 1300 like no tomorrow but with less boost and smoke. I completely went thru the exhaust system and flipped the inlet over 180 degrees on the muffler to achieve a straight thru design and hopefullyu less back pressure. I replaced the fan clutch and the thermostat.

 

from your post you sound happy and thats' what counts. yes i get passed with or with out a trailer but i drive past the diesel pump and right to the bank every month. alot of the fellows i know personally who haul on occasion have a close to brand new pickup with 5 to 7k in wheels tires and ad ons to make more power and they trade them in every three years or worse yet lease them. not for me. it takes alot more courage to be yourself than it does to run with the pack. i have always did what i want when i wanted to and have taken alot of kidding because of it. but who gets to retire early and with a very nice nest egg with out working 20 hour days for years to pay all that stuff off. stay the coarse.