Category: vehicles

In other news…

On By JohnIn safety, vehicles1 Comment

Yesterday afternoon, I turned my 21 year old Chevy (Isuzu) 6.6 Liter Duramax Diesel into a plug-in hybrid.

Behold:

Okay, not really.

I just became annoyed with the process of plugging in the block-heater during the sub-zero temperatures: kneel down in front of it, use both hands to carefully pull of the dust cap, plug in the extension cord. Then when I want to leave, use both hands to unplug the extension cord, then both hands again to put the dust cap back on the pigtail.

Too much effort.

The fix was to add a weather-resistant bulkhead power inlet. I can now — more easily, and single-handedly — just plug in the extension cord.

Future addition is to add a Battery Tender so it keeps the batteries in a peak state of charge.

Upslope of the Bell Curve?

On By JohnIn human condition, life, vehiclesLeave a comment

I blame myself for having something that was visible that drew their attention. I mean, somebody obviously thought that the half-empty colorful box of Kleenex and the bright orange, worn, Kong work gloves were worth breaking in for. But, honestly, brute-forcing the door has just rendered it inoperative.

I mean, sure you could have just broken the window. That would’ve been faster for you and trivially simple for me to repair. I could deal with that.

This is the second time somebody has tried to break-in/steal UPGRAYEDD and has caused moderate damage in the process.

So, now to find a shop that can open the door and repair the damage.

Current Events

On By JohnIn electrics/electronics, vehiclesLeave a comment

Well, fuel prices are becoming absurd. At my preferred fuel station that isn’t on an interstate, Diesel has reached $4.99/gallon.

No, I’m not getting rid of my truck* — it’s paid-for, averages about 25 MPG, and has a function other than just daily transportation in our lives. But it might be about time to have another look and consideration of that rant (and its addendum) that I did on EVs a few years ago.

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*yet. Hard times will require hard decisions and adjustments.

And now, back to our regular banter…

On By JohnIn vehiclesLeave a comment

Replaced the front pads and front shocks on UPGRAYEDD today. 100℉ in the sun.

I did the rear shocks about five years ago during the RV-Life tour around the country. The rear shocks are simplistic enough to replace and only need about ten minutes… no need for a jack, either.

  1. Sit under the rear end.
  2. Loosen four pinch-bolts.
  3. Inflate the towing springs.
  4. Shocks effectively drop out.
  5. Reassembly is the reverse of removal.

Front end is a bit more drawn out.

Jack up one side. Add a jack-stand (two, because I’m working on sandy-soil).

Reposition the jack to lift the hub enough to extract the pinch-bolt.

Fiddle with the top end of the shock to remove its lock-nut.

And, hey, while you’re in there, go ahead and check the brake wear — do the front pads as well. Torque the caliper slide and bracket bolts.

Did I mention that it was in the sun? And 100℉?

Would’ve been a quick project, if I had a paved, covered area to work in.

Ah, it takes me back to the days when I had to overhaul the top end of an I-4 at an interstate rest stop in Kansas… in the summertime. At least Ellsworth, Kansas offered a bit of shade… and was paved.

**sigh**

Based on the amount of wear of the pads and rotors and in the typical driving I do, the existing rotors will likely last the rest of my lifetime. The new pads might as well.

I’d give my left two lug-nuts for an indoor shop (…between 55℉ and 85℉… with a paved floor… with shade… with no wind… and a vehicle lift) to expedite vehicle maintenance.

I’ll do the rear pads tomorrow and see about inspecting the parking brakes.

Tool Truck Vendors, Part II

On By JohnIn aircraft, education, vehiclesLeave a comment

I had posted previously about the second consideration for tool truck vendors — Mac Tools in this case. I need a set of 12-point, universal, SAE sockets for a Powerplant course I’ll be starting next term.

I had noticed that Mac Tools had updated their inventory* and indicated that they were taking orders for those sockets. So I ordered them.

I received an instant (automated) order confirmation.

Then nothing.

Days passed. The days turned into weeks. Heard nothing. No tracking number. No charge to my card. Nothing.

So I contacted Mac Tools and ensured that it was canceled so I could resume my search.

Then I returned to Genius Tools and noted that its site, too (at the time), definitely indicated it was in stock. Click. Purchase. Confirm. Multiple automatic emails (order confirmation and such). Charge to my card.

And it arrived in a few days.

**sigh**

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*Mac Tools, when acknowledging the request to cancel the order, said, “SMU72TRA is still on back order…” Wait. What? You said it was out of stock, so I postponed. Then you said it was in stock. So I ordered. Now it’s out of stock? Hmmm… something fishy in their application of web technologies.