What are you doing today? [Part II]

[mrrsm]

Unfortunately A few days ago...some Hackers decided to do like wise to (of all things) The Internet Archive... but without one scintilla of the genuine motivation coming from TJ's Deep Curiosity... and something more akin to acting like the Drunken Roman Soldiers who decided to Burn Down the Library at Alexandria while on the attack against Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius in Egypt... Just Because they COULD.

The Internet Archive has evolved into being one of the last vestiges of the places left to us on-line that can be used to research historical documents, books, films, audio recordings and images that bear true historical significance and timeline specific accuracy.

In an age where Generative AI can create things that LOOK Real... even being able to create images and even full length movies from a mere scrap of text... it is becoming will nigh impossible to determine what Really is REAL anymore.

This disturbing article shows us what the most recent Data Breach versus The Internet Archive yielded up to these Information Anarchists in the manner of 31,000.000 Registered Uses of the On-Line Library:

https://www.techopedia.com/the-internet-archive-hack-why-is-digital-library-under-constant-attacks

 

[flyboy2610]

it is becoming will nigh impossible to determine what Really is REAL anymore.

And that isn't an accident.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false".
CIA Director William Casey at a White House meeting in 1981

 

[TJBaker57]

So today I was at the workbench and connected up a TCCM, 4WD switch, front disconnect, encoder/motor to the already connected PCM, BCM, LGM, DDM, and IPC at the station.

Just experimenting as I had never tried running a shift motor independently of my vehicle.

I stumbled upon a condition I would imagine easily happens when someone connects their encoder/shift motor to the harness but not attached to the transfer case.

When I switched to the 4Hi setting the shift motor over-ran the intended position. Likely due to there being no resistance from a transfer case.

This resulted in the return signal voltage from the encoder to the TCCM being out of range high. It was only 0.01 volts too high but that is enough to set a C0327 code.

When a C0327 code is set the TCCM locks out all shifts.

If you clear the code it immediately returns because of course the too high voltage will still be there.

The only recourse is to reposition the shift motor by whatever means you have.

 

[BrianF]

First of three days off today. I have the Trailblazer parked at my office and it wont be home until next weekend, so no tinkering on her.

Tomorrow is fencing before the ground is too frozen. Its been a nice fall but this is Saskatchewan, climate change, global warming or whatever you call it, has no effect here. It still gets cold.....

So I dug out a nice cross rib roast for pulled beef. She got sea salt and Meat Church Blanco for a dry brine. Tomorrow she hits the smoker.

 

[mrrsm]

I've been meaning to pass along this information to us ALL for some time now and finally decided to make mention of it as follows:

I have a Jet Black Female Cat I call "Baby-Bird" who besides looking --EXACTLY-- like the Black Cat depicted in the image below, has always had this habit of almost completely emptying the contents of whatever kind of Plastic Litter Pan I've tried using over the years... right out onto the floor.

Even as fastidious as I am about keeping the Damned Thing(s) Cleaned and Filled with Fresh Non-Clumping Kitty Litter... this is all to no effect because "The Bird" is a HUGE, Muscular, Lithe Black Leopard Cat of sorts whose remarkable strength and determination had managed to defeat my purposes all along. That is...Until NOW.

For the Mechanic's among us who suffer with trying to have the necessary "Elbow Room" capable of allowing for EZ Parts Washing... This Stainless Steel Pan is Long, Wide and Deep enough to suit your needs as well. Roughly speaking, with it being 23.6" Long...15.7" Wide... and MOST importantly, 7.9" DEEP... I Finally have found a Litter Box that "The Bird" cannot DEFEAT> YAY ME~! The Bonus here is that it is also Completely and Utterly NON-STICK, Too!

Even when "The Bird" tries out her "Canadian Volcano Kimber-Pipe Black Diamond Digging" Efforts... NOTHING ever winds up on the Deck!

 

[TJBaker57]

@mrrsm

We currently have 3 adult fosters here (in addition to the 15 residents). One or more of the fosters actually flipped a similarly sized plastic litter pan on its side the other day! I suspect it was accidentally done, maybe being startled while making an exit.

 

[Redbeard]

We currently have 3 adult fosters here (in addition to the 15 residents). One or more of the fosters actually flipped a similarly sized plastic litter pan on its side the other day! I suspect it was accidentally done, maybe being startled while making an exit.

Ditto last week with my black kitty! This was the first time I had seen a cat do this to! Mine did it on accident on his way out of the litter box and it looked hilarious as he sprayed himself with the cat litter on his backside. Naturally he gave me "that look" like it was my fault or something.

 

[Mooseman]

Yesterday was busy. Had to go back to the family 50 acre lot about an hour away as that's where we're storing our RV trailer this year instead of our back yard. We had brought it there a couple of weeks ago but was raining and couldn't put the cover on it. Speaking of which, that Amazon cover is starting its 4th winter and it shows. It's faded and starting to rip. Patched it up with Gorilla Tape in several places, mostly the corners. I ran out of tape and had to run to town 15 minutes away to get some more and some tennis balls to cover the eavestrough downspouts. I just need it to last one more winter as next year, the BIL will have a giant fabric farm storage building to store his son's 32ft trailer and our 25ft along with his tractor and excavator.

Then headed back home but stopped in town on the way at a restaurant we really like for a mid-afternoon lunch. Stopped by Costco on the way to pick up a toilet for my son's place that is having its bathroom renovated. It was a good deal at $99, cheapest I've seen anywhere. On a Saturday afternoon, Costco was an absolute zoo! I love it but mostly hate it because of the crowds.

Once I got home, had a nap as I was totally zonked. I haven't been sleeping well lately, having trouble falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night. Been toying with Melatonin, which helps with the sleep, but I feel tired during the day. No stress except maybe those renos that are getting expensive.

Today should be easier. Cutting up a strip loin into steaks, then seasoning some of them as a friend is coming over for dinner. Some leaf blowing and raking, then grill up them steaks. Probably will use Meat Church's Holy Cow seasoning as a dry rub for the day.

 

[Blckshdw]

Not nearly as exciting as the rest of you... I had been meaning to get a battery backup for my internet device, that's outside the house and is plugged in, in the garage right behind the EXT. The old one used to have its own, but they upgraded the hardware a couple years back and the new stuff doesn't have one. Got a bargain basement model from the blue smile site, as the only thing running off the battery would be that modem, but I forgot to confirm if it had mounting holes on the back, and of course, it did not.

So what do we do around here? We make our own damn mounting holes! lol Bye bye warranty, but who cares. Cracked open the case, to see there was just enough room behind the battery for a screw head to fit, and plenty of real estate around the base of the cable. Drilled my clearance holes where I wanted them, and used a smaller bit to make short slots.




Had a roll of drywall tape laying around, so used a short piece of that to map my holes, to transfer over to the wall. Poked some holes through the drywall, popped in a pair of anchors, and set the screw depth using the back of the casing to allow some adjustments.




Put it all back together, and it mounted up nicely. Since there's only 2 screws vertically, there's very slight side to side wobble, but that's OK. The 30 gallon compressor still goes into the GFCI outlet, everything else will run through this. Shouldn't get much usage, I charge my LED work lights, and occasionally a big extension cord for my HV fan, car battery charger, or the pressure washer when the EXT needs a bath. Those wouldn't pass through the battery side, of course.



Half tempted to move the internet box to the right side for convenience, as well as aesthetics. Currently it's right in the center of the lift gate, and while the gate does clear it, whenever I need to take larger sized objects out of there, a little bit more clearance could come in handy, without having to open the big door, to poke the EXT's nose out.

As always @BrianF and @Mooseman are talking about food, and making me hungry . I've been itching to make cheesesteak sandwiches again for a while now. I did order a set of nicer metal spatulas which arrived yesterday, as the assortment of plastic kitchen ones were serviceable, but less than ideal. Gonna head to the grocery store for some goodies before football starts, and maybe give these a whirl later today.

 

[BrianF]

Many hours late but this beef does not disappoint. Rib bones slid out and it was shredded in its juices. Half got a light toss in Bullseye bbq sauce, the rest got nothing. It needed nothing.

 

[BrianF]

Boys! That beef was f'ing amazing! I made it last night but it was late so only a snack. Reheated it in the pan today. To all the vegetarians out there, you are missing out.

Yesterday and today we were fencing hard. Got a pile of posts in and most of the wood planks up. This week we will finish the last of it and that will give us 6 more paddocks..... but still some more to go.

Then, last minute I made it to town to vote in our Provincial election.

 

[flyboy2610]

Then, last minute I made it to town to vote in our Provincial election.

The first election I was eligible to vote in was the presidential election of 1980. I've made sure to vote in every election since then. It's something I take seriously.

 

[BrianF]

@flyboy2610 while you got some years on me, I too take it very seriously come election time. Got my 15 year old daughter to drive and took her in to see. While she is still too young to vote, I tell her to take some interest in the news and politics because when people don't, you end up with with our current state of affairs. I said I cannot make your decision and I will not twll you who to vote for

I was half out the door when they asked if I wanted an "I voted" sticker. I exclaimed "Hell yeah I do!!!"

On a side not, I tell my kids I believe in democracy but in our house, its authoritarian....

 

[59840Surfer]

What are you doing today? [Part II]​

You asked!

1. Installing a right front hub on a 1999 K2500 Chevy Silverado
2. Installing a built-by-me digital variable speed wiper controller in my '86 K5 Blazer
3. Breakfast
4. Installing a tailgate helper on my wife's 2005 Chevy Silverado
5. Putting a 3rd solar panel on my GMRS Repeater auxiliary power supply.
6. Continue cutting and splitting 3 more cords of firewood for my wood stove.
7. Lunch
8. Physical Therapy appointment --- 2 hours gone from my day!
9. Scotch-neat & water-side to kill the burn from PT
10. Fire up my computer and make trouble at Trail/Voy for a while.
11. Zoom my friends in New Zealand for a couple of hours.
12. Snack time
13. Shower & bed.

FUN FACT ---> There will be many Keurig cups of Kona Blend coffee during, between, before, and after any of the aforementioned tasks.

 

[Mooseman]

10. Fire up my computer and make trouble at Trail/Voy for a while.

Work day. Started taking vehicles in for summer to winter tire switchover. The majority of them have all-weather tires so I don't have to do them however have a dozen or so that don't. As cars need tires, I'll get all-weathers so eventually won't have to do this BS anymore.

 

[Ilikemy3s]

Final preparations for my Daughters wedding this weekend.

Pray for me .. lol

 

[Ilikemy3s]

"10. Fire up my computer and make trouble at Trail/Voy for a while."

 

[azswiss]

Adjusted the brakes on the jeep.

 

[59840Surfer]

Adjusted the brakes on the jeep.

View attachment 114855 View attachment 114856

I'm surprised that a Jeep can last long enough to need a brake adjustment.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[flyboy2610]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yeah, you're wrong.

 

[flyboy2610]

Did an oil change on my '04 TB EXT. Probably won't do another until spring. I did the wife's '06 TB last Sunday afternoon.
The 4WD system has been acting up lately. I put the switch to 4HI or 4LO and the light blinks for about 10 seconds. Then the 2HI light goes steady and the "Service 4WD" warning light comes up on the dash. Following some advice TJBaker gave to a different person in another thread, I removed the 4WD actuator from the axle disconnect and tried again. The actuator extended, the 4HI light was steady, and no warning light.
I used a long screwdriver and pushed on the plunger in the disconnect while slowly turning the hub by hand (I had the tire off). I felt the sliding collar engage and the hub became impossible to turn, telling me it was connected to the other axle. Reinstalled the actuator, tried again. Same as before: blinking light, no 4WD engagement, warning light came on. This actuator is only 2 years old, installed 10-29-22. I still had the old actuator, so I installed that one. Problem solved!
I guess the old actuator was not giving the feedback signal to the TCCM, so that's what was setting the code and preventing the TB from going into 4WD.
I'm going to find an OEM GM part and install that.I'm going to tear the Dorman unit apart and see if I can find any reason it wouldn't be sending the feedback signal (dirty contacts, etc).

 

[TJBaker57]

going to tear the Dorman unit apart and see if I can find any reason it wouldn't be sending the feedback signal (dirty contacts, etc).

If the Dorman is anything like the OEM,,, they don't come apart so easy.

 

[flyboy2610]

If the Dorman is anything like the OEM,,, they don't come apart so easy.

Probably not, but I have a big pry bar and a good sized sledge hammer!

 

[Mooseman]

Been laid up for the past couple of days. Stomach pains that started on Thur. Left work early yesterday. Haven't eaten since then to clear my system and the pain persists. Hopefully it's not a hernia or something. If it doesn't clear up by tomorrow, I'll go see a doctor.

 

[Redbeard]

Took the mrs out for breakfast. Because 28 years ago I said "I do" on a Saturday Nov 2. and she has had to put up with me ever since.

Final preparations for my Daughters wedding this weekend.

Pray for me .. lol

prayers lifted up

.

 

[azswiss]

I'm surprised that a Jeep can last long enough to need a brake adjustment.

A Southwest jeep all its life, first registered in Texas in Dec '84. I've had it here in Az since '98.

 

[59840Surfer]

A Southwest jeep all its life, first registered in Texas in Dec '84. I've had it here in Az since '98.

I was just whacking your piñata.

 

[mrrsm]

@Mooseman ...Out of an abundance of caution and concern... Just an FYI that the Vagus Nerve branches out of the Medulla and diverts downward and can get irritated during certain Medical Issues that might SEEM like they are involving the stomach... but cause pain in either the areas of the Left Arm, Chest Area (Heart) or even the Stomach. Pancreatitis can also present close enough to that area to feel like a Stomach Ache as well. Please... See a Physician ASAP... Mrs. Mooseman, Your Boys and the REST of us ...Will LOVE You for it!

 

[Mooseman]

@mrrsm , thanks for the info. I should have been more specific that I have been getting abdominal pains, as if I'm constipated, but I'm not. Pain has lessened a bit, maybe from the rest, but I am still going to get checked out. Problem is my family doctor is on maternity leave and getting in to see any doctor is a pain (pun not intended) so I might wind up waiting for hours at the hospital emergency (thank you Canadian medical system )

 

[BrianF]

We finally had a dump of snow the other day. Both skid steers got a workout. Also got three of four sleds up and running. Fought the usual beginning of season gremlins.... need a new battery, primer and cleaned up a fuel pump.... but managed quite a few miles after breaking trail. Even managed to get stuck... going down hill.

Also made ribs the other night. Overnight brine then a dry rub of pepper and some locally made, southern style. The kids decimated them.

 

[Mooseman]

Not a single snowflake here, except for the social ones

So bad are the predictions this season that I didn't even bother getting a trail pass. Well, if we don't get that much snow, I may just get a heat blanket for the pellet smoker and BBQ all winter.

 

[TollKeeper]

They are completely confused what the weather is going to do here in Denver. I am supposed to get 1-2 inchs of snow tomorrow. But just 40 miles south of me is supposed to be 20 inchs... OR MORE.

I sold my sleds a few years back. Back injuries make riding pretty hard

 

[Blckshdw]

Nothing too exciting down here. I'm supposed to be getting my fence replaced tomorrow, but the foreman called me yesterday to say there were some issues with the supplier, and that pushed back their 1st Monday job, which trickles down and pushes back all jobs after that. He said if they can get caught up through today, to be able to get to me on time tomorrow (9-10am) then no worries, but there's a chance they'll be late due to needing to finish up a Tuesday job, and then having to come back another day to wrap up. Obviously I'd love to get the fence in and complete same day, so my property is secure, but I haven't had any issues of people doing things they shouldn't, so another few days won't kill me.

Been trying to stay off the shopping sites. This is usually when I look for sales and deals on stuff, or pieces for projects (cuz you know I always have projects) My home theater speaker system needs replacing. I've had my Bose Accoustimass speakers since 1999, and a year ago the bass module started having some distortion that I couldn't fix. Now I'm getting little cracks and pops in the satellite speakers, which I think is another problem from the crossover in the bass module. Been looking at a Vizio Dolby Atmos sound bar with wireless sub and a pair of rear speakers, which is marked down to a good price. Since my TV is ceiling mounted, I'll have to take that down, remove the mounts for the 3 small speakers and come up with something new for the soundbar.


Something else I've wanted to do, was build a narrow table to fit between the back and side walls of the living room, and my sectional. Use some scrap 2x4s from the lumber pile as legs, and then get some 1x6 for the "table top" Put some cup holders in it, and then get some flush mount power outlets with USB plugs, and a wireless charging pad for my phone. That way I don't have to be by the end table when I need power for something, same for my guests, and no more need for TV trays when all I need is something to sip on and the coffee table is too far to reach.



Gotta be careful with the holiday season spending though, since the fence wasn't in the budget for the year, and I still have some components to go along with the generator setup for next storm season.

 

[BrianF]

We had a few days of extreme cold already. Ambients in and around -30c. Today and night it's slowly warming up to some more normal double digits.

Will get the sleds out more as we got a bit more powder. A buddy might drop off his 2007ish Polaris 550 fan cool for me to look at. Likely needs carbs cleaned and some other little items.

Other than some Christmas shopping, my wife and I are going to check out a first vehicle for our 16 year old. While it would be "hers" we would help foot the bill because we want another 4x4 vehicle capable of pulling a small horse trailer and such. So..... looking at a 2006 Trailblazer.... just cannot shake it. Still love the thing.

 

[TollKeeper]

Ordered a Shed thru Tuff Shed. $4585. Now I can clear out my storage locker.

The shed will pay for itself in 2 years thru not paying for the storage locker.

10x12. Build Price was $7885, but they had a 3 month old display unit on sale for $4200 plus tax with free delivery.

Now I just need to have my handyman level the ground, and railroad tie it.

To be delivered in 2 weeks.

Likely will be ordering a second 10x12 shed next year about this same time.

Didnt want the window on the left side, as thats the side facing the yard where the kids will be playing. But for nearly half the price... I can always board it up if it gets broken.

 

[azswiss]

Pulled the alternator out of the jeep. On startup the other day I noticed a distinct whine coming from the engine bay. Thought it sounded like the alternator under heavy load but it went away. As I was driving I noticed the voltmeter intermittently (& violently) spiking to 16V & more. Inspected the plug connection and saw what appeared to be burn marks. After removing the alternator I disassembled it and sure enough there are some black smudges around the connector tabs. Will be replacing both the alternator and the battery as it is definitely marginal.

 

[BrianF]

Picked up a 6 amp battery tender for my diesel. Have been using a 3 amp for over 3 years now. Works great but I know the batteries are getting weaker and I want the 3 amp for the Trailblazer. Currently or rather past tense, it had a Napa .75 amp that my dad gave me. Worked but was a pain in the ass as all wires were short and had to plug in. We'll today I plugged it in and got a nice arc as the plug end decided today was the day to sever.

Picked up some Sylvania H9005 or whatever bulb size LED high beams for the diesel. Part of my wife's Christmas present so I will sneak those in sometime this month. Ram had subpar headlights in their 2009 to whatever year they ditched the quadratic beam lights. Hopefully these help as night time towing is done often.

Tested out that Trailblazer the other day. 40,000km less km but not much better shape. Rust is not as bad but a couple spots are suspect. Frame looked a bit worse. Biggest issues are the owners fixed the odd problem that came up but were obviously not car people. Tires were low and coolant tank damn near dry. Had some codes which indicates it needs a new electro hydraulic fan clutch, t stat, lazy O2 sensor and tires. This on top of unknown drive train services. I'm 2200 in parts right off the bat before I look at broken interior trim.

While it ran and drove nice, it is rougher than I would like. Will likely keep looking but solid GMT360s are getting hard to find.

Oh and chicken thighs and fillets on the Traeger.

 

[BrianF]

Got the battery tenders up and working on both the Trailblazer and Ram.

It was warm enough that the battery thawed and I could run the Grand Mormon van. She wouldn't take a charge over the cold spell and I needed it moved to top up the tires and clear the snow around it.

Then payed an exorbitant amount of money for some Mopar OAT coolant for my 3500. Online I couldn't find a decent price and plus, likely run into shipping issues with the postal strike. It gave me a low coolant code and dashboard message, sure enough it was down a bit in the degas bottle. Threw in a litre and she's back to being happy.

Tomorrow is a staff Christmas party with my old crew but hoping to get a quick sled ride in first.

 

[Blckshdw]

Got up in the attic to run that new HDMI cable, and had a major moment. When I bought the previous cable, they came in a pair, and I THOUGHT I had put both of them up in the attic, as I had planned to run one of them from the living room to one of the back bedrooms (near the closet where the HTPC is) that I turned into a work room at a time when I still had a cable box. But when I poked my head up there last week, didn't see a 2nd cable. As well as when I was on the other side of the vaulted ceiling to plan for removing some speaker wire, didn't see anything there either.

Well when I got up there to day, what did I find? A neatly coiled HDMI cable laid on top of the fiberglass insulation for the vaulted ceiling. Even worse, it was already fished across the vaulted ceiling, with the other end equally neatly coiled up and tucked away. With all the prep I had done for the new cable, I was already at the point of no return, so after taping the new cable to the end of the bad one, and pulling it up into the attic, I snugged it up before sealing the conduit, and ensured no tangles or knots before climbing down and heading to the other side.

Pulled the old cable to fish the new one across without issue, fed the slack around one of the rafters to make a turn, then back down the ladder to pull the line through the ceiling in the closet. Got everything hooked up, cables re-bundled, and slack pulled back up into the attic. Hopefully I won't have another boneheaded episode that led to this exercise again, but if I do, at least I know there's a cable already up there, and all I'll need to do is drop it on both sides of the vaulted ceiling.

 

[azswiss]

Installed the new alternator & battery in the jeep. I enjoy wrenching on all my vehicles but there is nothing like being able to work on a vehicle where all of the parts are directly accessible and you do not need to wade through a maze of plastic disconnects worrying if/when you will break one.