Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Those Excel shocks are garbage. I threw a set in the garbage, and I don't think they were more then a few months old.
Enjoy the R&R, you've earned it.
02 Base for my son
- Thread starter Snowbound
- Start date
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Enjoy the R&R, you've earned it.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Made it to the Smokey mountains without issue. I heard a noise in my rear drivers side hub bearing when we were pulling in. I hope it’s nothing major. Gonna check it out in morning. We are a ways from town so I hope I it just needs to be adjusted and it’s not a bad bearing.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
Last night I ordered bearings, races, seal and gear oil. Paid an extra $60 to have it delivered same day. It showed up this morning at the cabin 8am.
Got started on it at 7:30am after only 4-1/2 hrs of sleep. What else is new.
Got the caliper off and pulled the rotor and thankfully the issue was only a broken parking brake spring!!
Back together and off and running. Now I can enjoy my time and so happy I didn’t have to dig into it.
Got started on it at 7:30am after only 4-1/2 hrs of sleep. What else is new.
Got the caliper off and pulled the rotor and thankfully the issue was only a broken parking brake spring!!
Back together and off and running. Now I can enjoy my time and so happy I didn’t have to dig into it.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Wednesday and Thursday we put on some miles going to and from cabin and town. Run for dinner, back to Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge, we even went back up the mountain to show Julianna where Jess and I stayed last time we were there.
I can’t believe how crowded it was for October. I seen on the news that Seveirville brought in 3 billion in revenue for the state. Made me realize that post Covid tourism boomed which explains the crowds. 6 years ago September was when we were there last and it wasn’t anywhere near the crowds or traffic as this time. Coming back down the mountain I couldn’t believe how many new houses they are building.
So Friday we left the cabin and went to ride a mountain coaster before we left town and headed toward Cleveland.
After that it was early enough so I decided we would take 441 over the smokies and into North Carolina. Ran thru Cherokee and down 74 to the far end of 129, the very beginning of the Tail of the Dragon.
Near the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is a place called Deals Gap and that marks the beginning of the Tail where it’s 318 curves in 11 miles.
I can’t believe how crowded it was for October. I seen on the news that Seveirville brought in 3 billion in revenue for the state. Made me realize that post Covid tourism boomed which explains the crowds. 6 years ago September was when we were there last and it wasn’t anywhere near the crowds or traffic as this time. Coming back down the mountain I couldn’t believe how many new houses they are building.
So Friday we left the cabin and went to ride a mountain coaster before we left town and headed toward Cleveland.
After that it was early enough so I decided we would take 441 over the smokies and into North Carolina. Ran thru Cherokee and down 74 to the far end of 129, the very beginning of the Tail of the Dragon.
Near the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is a place called Deals Gap and that marks the beginning of the Tail where it’s 318 curves in 11 miles.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
We got some good pics along the way and at the Tail.
And I even looked up a few that they take as you’re driving the tail.
Found a couple when I had my light bar on.
And I even looked up a few that they take as you’re driving the tail.
Found a couple when I had my light bar on.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
I have a dashcam video of the drive on the tail. I downloaded it but I want to speed it up before I finish loading it.
But I know you guys didn’t come here to see how my vacation went. You want updates on what the idiot from Illinois had to deal with this week. I’m sure it makes most of you feel like you don’t have it so bad when you can see what I have going on in my soap opera of a life. Lol. Well, I try not to disappoint.
Right after we came out of the twists and turns of the Tail and are driving along the river, I hear this god awful grinding noise from under the truck! It doesn’t get any worse or better when I swerve or brake so I hit the shoulder along the river and got out and looked under the truck. I don’t see anything. It has to be the front because there is no parking brake in the rear and applying the brake did nothing. Everything looked fine up front. I jump back in and drive forward 10 feet and it’s definitely coming from the rear.
Tools come back out and tire comes back off. Caliper removed and when I pulled the rotor the metal pivot bracket that engages the parking brake fell out in pieces. That was attached to the parking brake cable and I didn’t think it would ever come loose because it was a pain to take off the cable and spring. But it did. That’s how my luck works.
Back together and on the road once more. Ended up not having another issue the rest of the trip to Cleveland and home.
But I know you guys didn’t come here to see how my vacation went. You want updates on what the idiot from Illinois had to deal with this week. I’m sure it makes most of you feel like you don’t have it so bad when you can see what I have going on in my soap opera of a life. Lol. Well, I try not to disappoint.
Right after we came out of the twists and turns of the Tail and are driving along the river, I hear this god awful grinding noise from under the truck! It doesn’t get any worse or better when I swerve or brake so I hit the shoulder along the river and got out and looked under the truck. I don’t see anything. It has to be the front because there is no parking brake in the rear and applying the brake did nothing. Everything looked fine up front. I jump back in and drive forward 10 feet and it’s definitely coming from the rear.
Tools come back out and tire comes back off. Caliper removed and when I pulled the rotor the metal pivot bracket that engages the parking brake fell out in pieces. That was attached to the parking brake cable and I didn’t think it would ever come loose because it was a pain to take off the cable and spring. But it did. That’s how my luck works.
Back together and on the road once more. Ended up not having another issue the rest of the trip to Cleveland and home.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I did it. I didn’t want to but I’m not shoveling or snow blowing this year.
I have a few wiring harnesses from installing and collecting over the years. I was gonna buy a new truck mount but then realized it’s the same mount that was on my 05 so I removed that and put it on this one.
This is one of the plows we have at work. I put it on just to test the wiring. I had to modify the headlight harness because it wasn’t for this truck but I bought some HB3 and HB11 male and female plugs and hardwired them to the Western harness so it’s still plug and play like it comes from Western.
I have a few wiring harnesses from installing and collecting over the years. I was gonna buy a new truck mount but then realized it’s the same mount that was on my 05 so I removed that and put it on this one.
This is one of the plows we have at work. I put it on just to test the wiring. I had to modify the headlight harness because it wasn’t for this truck but I bought some HB3 and HB11 male and female plugs and hardwired them to the Western harness so it’s still plug and play like it comes from Western.
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
I bought a used Western 8’ poly plow from a guy on marketplace. I’ll pick it up Friday after work.
I decided to go poly because the board won’t rust and also I like the way snow and ice just slides off and doesn’t stick to it like steel.
Poly plows are a little heavier. Most think they’d be lighter but there’s more ribs supporting the poly pusher which makes it heavier. Also it’s a pro plow which means it has 4 trip springs and a heavier duty shock and a frame.
Bought new cutting edge, guide sticks and a new pivot support bracket because the one on the plow is rough and there’s an updated part that has grease fittings built in to it. I wanted a plow with these better light housings too. The cheaper ones bounce, have bad light output and need to be adjusted frequently from getting banged around. LED lights will be installed too.
I decided to go poly because the board won’t rust and also I like the way snow and ice just slides off and doesn’t stick to it like steel.
Poly plows are a little heavier. Most think they’d be lighter but there’s more ribs supporting the poly pusher which makes it heavier. Also it’s a pro plow which means it has 4 trip springs and a heavier duty shock and a frame.
Bought new cutting edge, guide sticks and a new pivot support bracket because the one on the plow is rough and there’s an updated part that has grease fittings built in to it. I wanted a plow with these better light housings too. The cheaper ones bounce, have bad light output and need to be adjusted frequently from getting banged around. LED lights will be installed too.
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Snowbound
Jim
I’m also seriously thinking about buying another house. With the market the way it’s been I pulled some money out before I lost anymore and I was going to load up on gold and silver. But the price is up pretty high and I think I missed that train by 18 months. Had I jumped in then, it would have been a great investment but I’m afraid it’s gonna taper off. I think I can make some money if I buy another house and sell the Wisconsin house in the spring or rent it out.
I’ll make it quick, I found a 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath in the you pee of Michigan. They have a longer snowmobile season than Wisconsin and get more snow. I was concerned about driving farther but actually close to the same amount of time, just a different route.
Current Wisconsin house
Michigan house
The house has new water heater, newer furnace, updated electric panels and is on natural gas and city sewer and water. No propane to fill or septic and well to maintain. New metal roof although I hate the color and it’s a 1.4 acre lot that has thousands of acres of state land behind it.
I’ll make it quick, I found a 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath in the you pee of Michigan. They have a longer snowmobile season than Wisconsin and get more snow. I was concerned about driving farther but actually close to the same amount of time, just a different route.
Current Wisconsin house
Michigan house
The house has new water heater, newer furnace, updated electric panels and is on natural gas and city sewer and water. No propane to fill or septic and well to maintain. New metal roof although I hate the color and it’s a 1.4 acre lot that has thousands of acres of state land behind it.
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Snowbound
Jim
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Snowbound
Jim
This bathroom is upstairs.
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Snowbound
Jim
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Snowbound
Jim
Full basement
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
Garage with heater
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Snowbound
Jim
And here is house in comparison to where the snowmobile trail is. That’s important!
I talked to realtor and was planning on going up Friday but now I have to work so I’ll go next weekend. Being a cash buyer she said they would most likely accept an offer of $52k. Taxes are $800/year and preliminary insurance quote came out to $241/year. As long as this house has good bones, there’s no foundation issues, mold or termites I am most likely buying it. Wife is on board too so that helps that I won’t have to sleep on couch for making the purchase. Lol.
Roof is getting put on Wisconsin house now. They started on it yesterday I guess. I called the guy because I haven’t heard anything and he tells me he started on it. I told him he was suppose to call me because I wanted to be there and he gave me some story about his truck and he wasn’t sure blah blah blah. So I called my brother and he couldn’t go up yesterday so I asked my dad. I hate having him take the drive up there by himself but he did. Left yesterday at 5pm and he called me at 11:30 and said he made it and they indeed did start on it. Also said heat was down to 41° and I told him I thought I set it for 46°. Turns out the thermostat battery was low and then furnace kicked on. I just wanna make sure they do the ice and water how I want and they seal up the new skylights when they install them. I feel better that he’s there but I hate that he’s alone. My brother said he’s gonna shoot up Friday after work with his son to dig trench and put in the electric for garage so I feel better about that. But I know my dad, he won’t leave until Monday or Tuesday instead of following Randy back home. I’m glad the garage is moved and roof is getting done finally.
Side note: supervisor at work texted me today.
Can you tell they made me mad? I was planning on going north this weekend but they told me I had to work to get this million gallon shore tank back in service. They brought in this Christine safety **** corporate suck up that criticizes everything we do and makes sure everything is done “safely” but then they’ll ask me to do stuff on nights that they couldn’t do during the day because it’s not safe. It’s mainly my fault because I normally do it but I was mad about having to work. I originally told them this isn’t Russia and I’m going north but they dangled the carrot and gave me an $1800 bonus so I took it. But I can still be mad about it and give them shit.
I talked to realtor and was planning on going up Friday but now I have to work so I’ll go next weekend. Being a cash buyer she said they would most likely accept an offer of $52k. Taxes are $800/year and preliminary insurance quote came out to $241/year. As long as this house has good bones, there’s no foundation issues, mold or termites I am most likely buying it. Wife is on board too so that helps that I won’t have to sleep on couch for making the purchase. Lol.
Roof is getting put on Wisconsin house now. They started on it yesterday I guess. I called the guy because I haven’t heard anything and he tells me he started on it. I told him he was suppose to call me because I wanted to be there and he gave me some story about his truck and he wasn’t sure blah blah blah. So I called my brother and he couldn’t go up yesterday so I asked my dad. I hate having him take the drive up there by himself but he did. Left yesterday at 5pm and he called me at 11:30 and said he made it and they indeed did start on it. Also said heat was down to 41° and I told him I thought I set it for 46°. Turns out the thermostat battery was low and then furnace kicked on. I just wanna make sure they do the ice and water how I want and they seal up the new skylights when they install them. I feel better that he’s there but I hate that he’s alone. My brother said he’s gonna shoot up Friday after work with his son to dig trench and put in the electric for garage so I feel better about that. But I know my dad, he won’t leave until Monday or Tuesday instead of following Randy back home. I’m glad the garage is moved and roof is getting done finally.
Side note: supervisor at work texted me today.
Can you tell they made me mad? I was planning on going north this weekend but they told me I had to work to get this million gallon shore tank back in service. They brought in this Christine safety **** corporate suck up that criticizes everything we do and makes sure everything is done “safely” but then they’ll ask me to do stuff on nights that they couldn’t do during the day because it’s not safe. It’s mainly my fault because I normally do it but I was mad about having to work. I originally told them this isn’t Russia and I’m going north but they dangled the carrot and gave me an $1800 bonus so I took it. But I can still be mad about it and give them shit.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Nice house. Is that cedar flooring? I've never seen cedar used as a floor before.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
I be itch and moan but then I go and do it anyway. I’m my own worst enemy and this is why they ask me to do this stuff. Maybe I’ll learn when I get seriously hurt and out of work.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
It almost looks like it. I won’t know until I can see it in person. It’s an old home, built in 1913 but for how often I’ll be there and what I need it for, it’ll work and the price is right.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Def a great price--compared to NJ home prices.
OP
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Snowbound
Jim
I don’t know why I always take things to the extreme. I don’t have it in me to leave well enough alone.
I waited around Friday morning for the guy to give me an address and a time to come get that plow on Friday. I mentioned in previous post that I knew the pivot bar on the back of the plow needed to be changed but I wanted that plow because it has the headlights I wanted. The guy was asking $1950 for it but when I said something about the pivot bar he agreed that it was bad and we agreed on $1400. It was between that plow and another poly but the guy was asking $2400 and when I messaged him asking if he would come down he said he’s gonna hold firm at $2400. That one didn’t have the lights that I wanted but the pivot bar was in good shape and didn’t need to be replaced. The plow has to be taken apart to get that bar off so I threw it out there that I would give him $2000 for it and would come anytime to get it but he said no.
Here’s the $1400 one with the rusted out pivot bar.
Here’s the $2400 one but notice it has the lights I don’t want and still needs a cutting edge but it’s in good shape and pivot bar is solid.
Thursday night I get a message and he tells me he will take the $2000 because he needs to get it out of there so he can get his other plows ready for season and not have to keep moving this one around. I said I was going in the morning to buy one already but if it was rough and I passed on it I would let him know right away and we can figure out a time to meet.
Well, I waited until 11:30am and never got a reply from the first moron so I messaged the second guy and went and grabbed it.
I waited around Friday morning for the guy to give me an address and a time to come get that plow on Friday. I mentioned in previous post that I knew the pivot bar on the back of the plow needed to be changed but I wanted that plow because it has the headlights I wanted. The guy was asking $1950 for it but when I said something about the pivot bar he agreed that it was bad and we agreed on $1400. It was between that plow and another poly but the guy was asking $2400 and when I messaged him asking if he would come down he said he’s gonna hold firm at $2400. That one didn’t have the lights that I wanted but the pivot bar was in good shape and didn’t need to be replaced. The plow has to be taken apart to get that bar off so I threw it out there that I would give him $2000 for it and would come anytime to get it but he said no.
Here’s the $1400 one with the rusted out pivot bar.
Here’s the $2400 one but notice it has the lights I don’t want and still needs a cutting edge but it’s in good shape and pivot bar is solid.
Thursday night I get a message and he tells me he will take the $2000 because he needs to get it out of there so he can get his other plows ready for season and not have to keep moving this one around. I said I was going in the morning to buy one already but if it was rough and I passed on it I would let him know right away and we can figure out a time to meet.
Well, I waited until 11:30am and never got a reply from the first moron so I messaged the second guy and went and grabbed it.
