What are you doing today? [Part II]

[TJBaker57]

Got up at just before 5 AM to head to the U-Pull 3.5 hours away. They had just set out a 2014 Jeep Cherokee and we have been watching for one of these to hit the yard. I was there just minutes after the opening and got a full set of wheels (with Gorilla brand wheel bolts) plus spare with brand new tire, front passenger seat, a front fender flare trim piece and the inner fender/liner piece.

My lady bought a 2016 some months ago from a tow company that had recovered it after a theft. The insurance company basically abandoned it at the tow yard so they got a new title etc and sold it.

We only really needed one wheel but hell, since they were there I took them all! These don't hit the yard often.

I then trolled the Trailblazers and Envoys for the afternoon. I like practicing removal of this or that. Things I haven't dealt with before. This time I took a cluster out in 5 minutes!

Grabbed a couple of clusters, a spare HVAC blower fan with the PWM speed control module, and an ECAS unit from a 2002 Envoy. I was able to fish out all the wiring etc from the unit up through the floor pan to the switch and inflator port. I am guessing this is a working unit since air pressure was still present in the line(s) after the vehicle has sat on the yard since November 5th.

It was a good day.

 

[Blckshdw]

Decided to get started on another project, and this time take a few pics. I'm going to build a table to fit between my sectional and the walls, to put remotes, charge stuff, and hold drinks. Was originally going to use a 1"x6" as the table top and some 2"x4"s as the legs and spacers between the couch and the walls, but opted to go with a 1"x8" and 4"x4"s instead.

Kept a handful of the fence posts when the contractors tore out the old stuff. So cut them down to size with the help of a clamp guide to ensure they were all the same length.




Did get lucky with the height that I needed, as that allowed me to cut just above some rotted /broken sections.



Hit them all with some 80 grit on the orbital sander to knock the weathering off, and since they'll be hidden from view, called them good enough. Brought everything inside for some mock up positioning. Figure I'll use 3 for the main section, and probably just 2 for the shorter one. (only working on the long section right now)







Haven't fully decided if I'm going to stain it, or paint it. Probably paint, since that's easier/faster. Figure for the most part it will be out of sight, other than people seeing it for the first time, or looking for a cup holder or power port, so it doesn't need too much time and effort put into looks.

Cup holders are in route, and will go at the spots between the couch cushions, so 3 along the back wall, and eventually 2 on the side by the sliding door. Set of outlets with the wireless charging pad will be behind the 2nd seat, smaller one with a few more higher powered USB ports will go next to the corner seat. Surround sound speakers will sit on the ends, so I can ditch the stands.

Majority of the time, I'm on the chaise lounge on the left side, only potential issue I've found, is when I'm reclined on it, if I lay my head back, it does compress the top of the cushion enough that my head reaches the board. If I slouch down further, my feet dangle off the end... So I may need to add some type of padding to the leading edge, thinking gray slit pool noodle, if I can find them

 

[northcreek]

Could cut little quarter moon shaped relief areas centered over each section, might give it a purpose built look. I know you didn’t ask for suggestions so please forgive.

 

[Blckshdw]

Could cut little quarter moon shaped relief areas centered over each section, might give it a purpose built look. I know you didn’t ask for suggestions so please forgive.

I thought about trying that, but knowing me, I'd screw something up, and have it looking lopsided. Would be a lot easier if I had a router or a jig saw tho

Worst comes to worst, I'll either just move the couch forward a bit, or put the guide on my circular saw and rip an inch off the front

 

[mrrsm]

... and if you decide to get serious about Table Crafting... This Two Speed Wood Planer can handle 12" X 13" Wood Sections with Three Cutting Blades spinning close to 24,000 RPM... for around $300 as a Best Offer:

VEVOR 13-Inch Two-Speed Thickness Planer 15Amp 3 Knife 23500 RPM for Woodworking | eBay

Are you tired of witnessing uneven surfaces or cuts on your wood pieces?. VEVOR Thickness Planer Wood Planer 13" Woodworking Planer w/ Stand 15 Amp. An Unstoppable 2000W Motor: The 23500 rpm motor of the planer provides one of the finest finishes of any portable planer.

www.ebay.com

 

[Blckshdw]

Got some more work done on the couch table. Cup holders arrived Wednesday night, had cut some 3.5" holes, but needed to widen them to about 3.75", so this morning put a sanding drum on the Dremel and used the vaccuum to keep the mess down. Considered cutting 4" holes, as the lips on the holders was slightly wider, but I didn't want the cup holders to come out when lifting a water bottle, since those have a tight fit. This way I was able to make sure the friction fit held them snuggly.



Got the holes cut for the outlets with my oscillating tool yesterday, but somewhere between moving the board from place to place, got a nice crack where one of the knots was. So I'll have to fill that in with some wood glue.




Did a test fit, and found that the gap between the bottom of the cup holders and the top of the couch was larger than expected, which allowed me to chop 2" off the bottom of the legs. Not only did that make the table slightly more hidden, which is what I wanted, but being lower behind the back cushions, there's no longer the issues of hitting my head on the front edge of the board when I lay back.

Opted to use some L brackets to attach them. Had some extra and repurposed some from an old project. Had enlarged some of the holes on the brackets to fit larger screws, so needed some washers with the smaller screws so they'd hold. Offset the legs a half inch to account for the base boards, so everything should fit flush when the couch is pushed back.




Due to that crack, I didn't want to try lifting the table by myself, with the legs being as heavy and as far apart as they were, so I had to slide the sections of the couch forward, stand the table up and slide it in from the side. Little more time consuming, but it got the job done.

Much tighter gap with the shortened legs, keyboard for the HTPC and remote can move off the end table, and much less wiring in view.



With the cushions up, you almost can't see it. Decided for looks, I'm gonna find some gray woodgrain contact paper. Should blend in nicely, much quicker to apply than anything liquid, and no mess to clean up. Plus if I want to change it later, peel off and toss in the trash.

 

[BrianF]

On day 2 of 5 off. Got a Christmas party tonight with the new team. Got some rump roasts going for pulled beef. 5 hours on the smoker and being finished in the crockpot.

 

[BrianF]

Took a rip on the trails today. By the looks of it, the moose were not too far ahead.

 

[TollKeeper]

Didnt think you lived that close to @Mooseman

 

[BrianF]

Dribbly bastard didn't even stop in for a coffee, beer or even a fake beer!!

 

[Mooseman]

Didnt think you lived that close to @Mooseman

Not really, about 3000 km apart. That was my cousin Eddy

 

[Blckshdw]

Pulled the generator out for some tinkering. I've always had the plan to add an exhaust extension to it and vent the fumes farther away, as some of my friends have done with theirs. I had taken measurements before, but it wasn't until last night that I learned the spark arrester has a cap that comes off of the muffler. I won't go into detail about how complicated I was thinking this was gonna be due to the flared end. lol

So I got the heat shield off, Pulsar really must not want consumers messing with stuff, cuz they made some of the bolts difficult to reach. The 2 on the top didn't allow a ratchet, or even a swivel extension to use with my impact. My ratcheting wrenches barely had clearance, and scratched up the powder coat on one, so I went with a regular wrench for the other.



With the spark arrester out of the way, took some new measurements, and got much more expected numbers. ID of the pipe is right on 1", OD comes in at maybe 1.15".



So my question to the lug nut gallery, is should I go with a 1" flex tube, and try to friction fit it inside the muffler port? Probably cut a relief slit to allow some compression... Or go with a 1.25" flex tube, clamp it down and maybe apply some high temp silicone so it doesn't leak?

If I could weld, I'd probably have much more flexibility, but that exhaust port is pretty thin. Definitely not something to try "learning" on.

 

[Matt]

Pulled the generator out for some tinkering. I've always had the plan to add an exhaust extension to it and vent the fumes farther away, as some of my friends have done with theirs. I had taken measurements before, but it wasn't until last night that I learned the spark arrester has a cap that comes off of the muffler. I won't go into detail about how complicated I was thinking this was gonna be due to the flared end. lol

So I got the heat shield off, Pulsar really must not want consumers messing with stuff, cuz they made some of the bolts difficult to reach. The 2 on the top didn't allow a ratchet, or even a swivel extension to use with my impact. My ratcheting wrenches barely had clearance, and scratched up the powder coat on one, so I went with a regular wrench for the other.

View attachment 115426

With the spark arrester out of the way, took some new measurements, and got much more expected numbers. ID of the pipe is right on 1", OD comes in at maybe 1.15".

View attachment 115427View attachment 115428

So my question to the lug nut gallery, is should I go with a 1" flex tube, and try to friction fit it inside the muffler port? Probably cut a relief slit to allow some compression... Or go with a 1.25" flex tube, clamp it down and maybe apply some high temp silicone so it doesn't leak?

If I could weld, I'd probably have much more flexibility, but that exhaust port is pretty thin. Definitely not something to try "learning" on.

I'd go 1.25", slit it and clamp then high temp RTV.

 

[Mooseman]

Have you looked at diesel heater exhaust pipes and mufflers? It might just fit in there.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K47XNJV/?tag=gmtnation-20

 

[Blckshdw]

Have you looked at diesel heater exhaust pipes and mufflers? It might just fit in there.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K47XNJV/?tag=gmtnation-20

Yep, the diesel heater hoses are my main options.

I did come across some possible options, found some SS couplers to go inside the pipes, some silicone sleeves that serve the same purpose, but on the outside, and some exhaust band clamps that have sleeves, so an all-in-one type deal. Of course those are a bit more pricey.

Edit: The actual hose I've got on my wish list is marked at 1", but if it also has that .94" OD, then it would fit perfectly as is. So that may get ordered at some point, and then see how it mates up. At least I've got time before next hurricane season gets here.

 

[Blckshdw]

Almost forgot to post, got the vinyl put on earlier today. It was 15" x 20', and I should have measured and pre-cut it down to size first. Instead I lined up one end, and used a few clamps to hold it in place across the board. Started at one corner, peeled off the backing, stuck it down to get started. Peeled more backing at an angle and smoothed it as I went, which worked for the most part.

Cut off the excess at the roll, but still had a good 6" hanging off the front. Tried wrapping it underneath the front, but for some reason it didn't want to play nice with the front edge and would keep lifting in some spots. Hoping I can hit it with a heat gun to make the glue more tacky. Used an Exacto knife along the underside of the front and cleaned that up. Cut out the cup holder, and outlet holes with the blade. Located the screw holes with opened those up with a toothpick.

One more project off the list!

 

[BrianF]

Since we got some powder the last couple of days, I checked the trails for some fresh air. Then parked Shaky Mike in the shop to check the clutch out. As the name implies, there is a vibration felt again through the handlebars. Found the main clutch bolt loose so gave it a service and was extra careful on reassembly.

Then went to give it a shake down and no spark. Traced it to some corrosion in the kill switch connector. Cleaned it up and she ran like a top! So to have some fun, my youngest and I did a night ride!

 

[Mooseman]

Just got a new toy. An IR camera to use on the phone. For $139CAD with a $20 coupon, just couldn't pass this up:

Amazon.ca

Tried to upload a video, didn't work. I'll try some pics later

 

[flyboy2610]

Just got a new toy. An IR camera to use on the phone. For $139CAD with a $20 coupon, just couldn't pass this up:

Amazon.ca

Tried to upload a video, didn't work. I'll try some pics later

Looks like a fun toy!

 

[TollKeeper]

Had a very rough weekend...

 

[Mooseman]

Hope the driver is ok

 

[mrrsm]

@Blckshdw ... Re: the Pulsar Generator... I'd be inclined to use a Kit like THIS one... with enough length of Special Steel Flexible Exhaust Hosing in between the Take Off Point and the Spark Suppressor to make the distance needed for safety...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK6V39MK/?tag=gmtnation-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLK1B4BJ/?tag=gmtnation-20

 

[mrrsm]

Almost Forgot.... Thanks to Andrew Camarata's Yearly Visit to the Sussin Family Christmas Family Light Show and Walk Through The Wonderland for The Kids (Young and Old) :>)

Merry Christmas to All Who Dwell at ...and Visit... GMT Nation!

 

[TollKeeper]

Hope the driver is ok

He is ok.. Broke 2 bones in his arm.

After the weekend was over, he decided it was to close of a fate with the Reaper, and quit trucking.

 

[Mooseman]

After a half day at work, cleared the snow from the driveway from the overnight snowfall and prepping for a Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends.

 

[flyboy2610]

He is ok.. Broke 2 bones in his arm.

After the weekend was over, he decided it was to close of a fate with the Reaper, and quit trucking.

During my career I saw plenty of accidents. Many did not end as well for those drivers.
The accidents you see on the news and read about in the papers are the ones where the truck driver was at fault.
You never hear about the other 90% where the car driver caused the accident. And distracted drivers using their cell phones have only made the problem worse.

 

[flyboy2610]

Had the kids over for dinner and gifts. Got to see my grandson, he'll be 2 in March. His big thing to do now is to pick something up, take it over to someone else, and hand it to them. He's a sweet little guy!

 

[flyboy2610]

In about an hour going to be heading over to my older sister's house to spend the day with my mom, siblings and their families.
And seriously overeat!

 

[BrianF]

Had Christmas early due to my wife's work. So yesterday was a Traeger turkey and a scary movie. Today was sledding.

It was around 0C and sunny so conditions were great on the trails. My 14 year old and I put on many miles.

I got my 4th sled, Shitty Bill out from hibernation. Got it to run pretty quick but found some issues. Carb needs to be cleaned again as it won't idle well and top end power is non existent. Also found the outer clutch sheave wasn't moving all the way in. Found the outer bell had stripped splines. Popped in a spare from the parts sled and got the clutch moving well. Will get to the carb tonight or tomorrow.

 

[azswiss]

Replaced the ignition switch on the jeep ('85 CJ7). Noticed the volt gauge reading different voltages between Acc & On; jiggling the key resulted in 1-3V jumps on the gauge. Removed the old switch, took it apart, and saw lots of crud & definite signs of arcing (not surprising since this is likely the original). Installed the new one and now the volt gauge is consistent across all key positions.

 

[BrianF]

Weather was great today. Little to no wind, a few inches of fresh powder and -5C ambient. The kids, one of their friends and I put on a stack of miles. Had a blast!

Had to clean up the drainage area for the floor and wash bay drainage pipe from the barn. It froze again so the Blueberry got it going but we needed the skid steer to clean it up. Was a steep incline to access it. Got the thing stuck..... which sucked. After nearly an hour, managed to work it back up. No damage and minimal swearing.

Afterwards I rolled Shitty Bill into the shop to thaw. Cleaned a bunch of electrical connectors and then pulled the carb. It looked really clean but I think there was some crude blocking a couple of the low speed discharge holes. Got her buttoned up and then used some motoseal on the main fuel pump and impulse gaskets.

Tomorrow I'll roll her outside and see how she runs. After fixing the clutch and a quick spray of the carbon the other day, it ran somewhat better but still had garbage idle and top end.

 

[TollKeeper]

Christmas Eve - Got off early from work, and while heading home saw a kid, and his girlfriend on the side of the road in a ditch, one wheel missing from their Ford Escape. Turns out the kid took the wheel off, but didnt know how to fix the problem. The problem was he had a mobile mechanic come out a week or two prior, and replace the alternator on his 2004 Ford Escape with the 3.0 engine. You have to take it out the bottom. The mobile mechanic took off the spindle, and CV shaft to do the job. Likely something I would have done (I think, never worked on one of these).

He did not put it back together completely. And the tie rod castle nut was loose, with no cotter key. Tie rod popped off, and made the wheel almost turn 90* in the wheel well.

Tie rod was screwed as it had been bouncing around inside the spindle arm, and wore away all the threads, and then dragged on the ground when it popped out of the spindle.

Kid was telling me his family was on their way with a trailer, but they lived a couple hours away.

I told him I could have him back on the road in about an hour, as long as he was willing to buy the part. It took a bit of convincing, but he finally came around to my way of thinking.

Went to the local parts store, got the tie rod, swung by my house to pick up a jack, and my tool box.

Went back out to his Turd... I mean Ford, and replaced the ball joint, did my best for a visual alignment, made sure no other damage had occurred.

Asked him to follow me home so I could take it back apart, check the alignment the best I could on a flat surface.

He called me their Christmas Eve Miracle, shook my hand, and I sent him on his way.

I dont think any one else would have done it.

After my vacation got f-ed up because of my wife, she managed to get her drivers license cancelled. It was a good way to blow off steam. **next post**

 

[TollKeeper]

So I was planning a X-Mas and Birthday (December 26th) vacation. Already got the time off from work.

So 1 week prior to X-Mas I was planning to surprise the wife with a small 5 day vacation. Had everything planned out, but nothing reserved/paid for as of yet. A condo in the mountains, snowmobiles, skiing for the kids, etc.

I get home, and the wife heads to the store... She comes back like 25 minutes later complaining about how she forgot her wallet. She grabs it, and goes back to the store.

When she gets back, I tell her to give me her wallet and phone, so I can install the MyColorado app (app that lets you carry your license legally, without actually having it), and Samsung pay (so she can pay for things when she forgets her wallet again).

Getting her credit card installed on the app went fairly easy.

MyColorado is where shiz hit the fan. It installed ok, but when I pulled up her license, a big EXPIRED was written across it. She let it expire, BACK IN 2023!

Since it was over a year ago, there is no simple "renewal" process, she has to go thru the whole gambit... Drivers Permit, Driving School, Then she can apply to get her license. I needed her to get her permit as fast as possible, but the soonest appt locally was in February, however I could get a appt for the 26th (my birthday), at a location on the far southern border of Colorado.

So my planned vacation got shot down, so I could take care of my wife... Oh Happy Days.

Happy Wife, Happy Life?

 

[BrianF]

Damn!!!!!! Thankfully nothing crazy like that in my household....... yet!!

I had out quite a few miles on the old sleds yesterday so of course my hip and back were quite sore today. I still managed to put some time into Shitty Bill. What ever hits problems are, it seemed to work through them. Fattened up the jets, got it running great so I had to dial down the idle and she is back running great.

Tomorrow I am hoping to put a few miles on before the cold ass weather rolls back in.

 

[Matt]

Searching for a new electric wall heater for the basement. The old one wouldn't turn off when the thermostat hit temp, so I replaced the thermostat and it doesn't even turn on. The heater is gone. Trying to find one this size that is a vertical install is a PITA.

I think I've found one online, $190 plus about $30 shipping, which is cheaper than I hoped. A lot of the ones that won't work to well north of $250.

 

[BrianF]

Took Shitty Bill for a serious shakedown. Ran like a boss!! She sounds a bit ragged but really opens up. Fattened the top end and it kept going. Bombed it through plenty of powder on the flats and up hill. She never bogged down but the belt would slip a bit when she ingested powder but cleared quick.

Edit, from left to right: Shaky Mike, "The Evinrude," Bitchy Mike and Shitty Bill.

 

[Mooseman]

Son and his family went home to North Bay so this quieted down the house. It had been a steady stream of dinners, gifts, people, kids, noise since Dec.24. One more dinner here with some more family but just my son's MIL and friend, and him and his wife made dinner so neither one of use had to lift a finger, which was welcomed.

Tomorrow we head to work for half the day, then New year's day and back to work on Jan.2.

Last thing I have to figure out is a birthday gift for Mrs. Moose's 59th birthday on Jan. 6.

 

[Blckshdw]

I haven't been taking staged pics like I probably could have, but the brush that's been growing along side the retention pond behind the house has gotten quite overgrown over the years. To the point I can no longer see the fence at the rear of my property.

So I've been taking a few hours each week to do some bushwhacking, with my sawzall and hedge trimmer, cutting down the little stuff, like twigs, & vines, and cutting through the larger branches. Drag those out into the middle of the yard to clear the covered up areas and assess how much further I want to go, and then leave it. Come back a couple days later and break down however much fills the pair of smaller trash cans that I use for yard waste, and put those out on Fridays. Lather, rinse and repeat.

I've managed to cut back the majority of the brush, going back probably 3/4 of the way. Worked on the other side, along the new fence today where a number of shrubs and small trees had gotten damaged, or killed by that last storm. Pulled up a lot of stuff, and broke down some of the dread ones, so the fence line is cleaner. Still had a little energy and my hip wasn't bothering me as much as I thought, so I started back on the last 1/4 section of the brush at the far back.

It really would make a great scene for one of those DR Trimmer commercials I've seen those mini skid steers, that you can swap out the attachments, one had a brush cutter If I had the room to store one, and could afford it, I'd get one in a heartbeat!

 

[flyboy2610]

Today is cold and windy, but we didn't get any of the snow the weatherman said we were going to get. Lincoln hasn't had a measurable snowfall since January 18, 2024. Almost a year now.
I'm going to hang out down in the man-cave. I have a radiant heater down here. It's in use.

 

[Upsman]

Afternoon all, just to announce we have acquired a 2007 Escalade, 6.2l. The 2003 is parked and as am laid off, I am working to fix it up for an Ontario safety. 2003 has more electrical issues and blown brake at an multiple block, all rusted to he'll
anyways that's what I am doing today!