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...and nice 2 door lurking two spaces over. 
Fosscore's 2013 Suburban LTZ Build Thread
- Thread starter Fosscore
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Fosscore
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That 2 door rolled up and I forgot that somebody was talking to me......and nice 2 door lurking two spaces over.
she looked good from far...
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Evap system codes have been random on the DIC. We replaced the vapor canister and purge valve solenoid a while back at the shop. I replaced the solenoid again the other day, and this time no pellets on the used part. I put th new one in anyways.
I kept getting the Tighten Gas Cap message, so I replaced with an OEM gas cap that now does actually click the last bit when you tighten it. Hopefully that keeps the system happy.
My son's Camry had a full windshield washer fluid reservoir, wipers actuated but no spray to wash the windshield. Grabbed a new washer motor after checking the fuses (all good).
Should have had the young man help me, but he was sleeping, as it was early Sunday morning and he has been studying for final exams.
Pulled the front passenger tire, pulled back the fender liner and there it was, just like YouTube said it was. Pulled the plug, drained the reservoir and noticed a lot of gunk on the filter screen. Maybe that had burnt the motor out so I flushed the reservoir and toothbrushed as much as I could reach.
Swapped out the motor and reassembled. Worked as it should. Reinstalled everything and made the boy happy so he could wash off the dirt and salt from the sea breeze.
Been assembling his travel pack for the road. Have a small toolbox and got him one of those USB combo jumper/tire inflator packs, just in case. He used to be interested in this stuff during the early days of the NBS transformation (he was much younger), but not so much now. And my daughter even less, but she is pretty specific on what she would like to drive. Paint colors, interior, tech, model and what she doesn't like.
I kept getting the Tighten Gas Cap message, so I replaced with an OEM gas cap that now does actually click the last bit when you tighten it. Hopefully that keeps the system happy.
My son's Camry had a full windshield washer fluid reservoir, wipers actuated but no spray to wash the windshield. Grabbed a new washer motor after checking the fuses (all good).
Should have had the young man help me, but he was sleeping, as it was early Sunday morning and he has been studying for final exams.
Pulled the front passenger tire, pulled back the fender liner and there it was, just like YouTube said it was. Pulled the plug, drained the reservoir and noticed a lot of gunk on the filter screen. Maybe that had burnt the motor out so I flushed the reservoir and toothbrushed as much as I could reach.
Swapped out the motor and reassembled. Worked as it should. Reinstalled everything and made the boy happy so he could wash off the dirt and salt from the sea breeze.
Been assembling his travel pack for the road. Have a small toolbox and got him one of those USB combo jumper/tire inflator packs, just in case. He used to be interested in this stuff during the early days of the NBS transformation (he was much younger), but not so much now. And my daughter even less, but she is pretty specific on what she would like to drive. Paint colors, interior, tech, model and what she doesn't like.
adventurenali92
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Good to get the kid a Camry!! I had a 99 Camry XLE V6/5speed manual as my first car and loved it. So reliable and easy to work on. Hopefully his interest spikes soon and he takes after you in taking pride of ownership in rides!
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adventurenali92
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Somethin in the works…….
Tonyrodz
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Tease....
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A busy few weeks lately. My mum flew out for 3 weeks to see her grandson graduate high school back on 23 May. We are going with him for freshman orientation on 4/5 June at UCF in Orlando and then move him in for summer session on 21 June. 3 new roommates for 6 weeks, home for 2 weeks and fall semester starts again on 18 August. He's excited, nervous, scared and we are losing an everyday family member. Many of you know those feelings. Bittersweet excitement all around and other emotions.
My daughter is wrapping up her final exams and summer lacrosse tournaments. We did Wellington and just got back from a 575 mile round trip to Wesley Chapel/Tampa via SR 60 and the farm country of Polk Country (really nice drive across the state) and thru love bug blooms (see pics). The long body just crushes the road trips.
Managed 17.5mpg on the way up and 16.8mpg on the way back after driving around town. Nobody complains about the comfort and ride and with the girls, there is crap everywhere at the end, so a thorough cleaning was needed and the love bugs took some extra time to remove.
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I pulled all the tires and freshened up the rotors and calipers with some new paint and cleaned up the coilovers while I was there too. With all the rain, they are dirty again, but it looked nice for the photo in RED!
Found some wear on the rear shocks but could not see/find why the I still had some clunking from the rear suspension. Dropped it off at the shop for an oil change (report attached above), so my buddy gave it another solid look over on the lift and found that the drop shackle on the drivers side had a piece missing, thus allowing it to be not in the correct position and smacking against something else underneath. All this wear must have been attested to the wrong position of the drop shackle.
When you look at the picture of the drop shackle and the center section, something had worked its way loose or broken off, so he inserted a thick washer and bolted it back together. The clunking and noisy sounds going over bumps seems to have abated and the ride is much better.
The Service Suspension System notice on the DIC has been appearing occasionally. It's either the compressor not airing up properly or the rear load leveling shocks are possibly toasted and needing to be replaced.
I have not had any recent evap codes or DIC messages pop up since replacing the gas cap and the purge valve solenoid either and this recent long haul trip and good gas mileage seemed promising for now.
Found some wear on the rear shocks but could not see/find why the I still had some clunking from the rear suspension. Dropped it off at the shop for an oil change (report attached above), so my buddy gave it another solid look over on the lift and found that the drop shackle on the drivers side had a piece missing, thus allowing it to be not in the correct position and smacking against something else underneath. All this wear must have been attested to the wrong position of the drop shackle.
When you look at the picture of the drop shackle and the center section, something had worked its way loose or broken off, so he inserted a thick washer and bolted it back together. The clunking and noisy sounds going over bumps seems to have abated and the ride is much better.
The Service Suspension System notice on the DIC has been appearing occasionally. It's either the compressor not airing up properly or the rear load leveling shocks are possibly toasted and needing to be replaced.
I have not had any recent evap codes or DIC messages pop up since replacing the gas cap and the purge valve solenoid either and this recent long haul trip and good gas mileage seemed promising for now.
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I tried to lower the spare tire down to lube the mechanism and check the rim and tire, but alas somehow it had unlatched itself or some other unknown jam. I could not lower it and could not access it properly from the ground. Once on the lift, they were able to sort out the issue and got it back to working again.
That odd drop shackle issue also put some wear on the inner side of the drivers tires, both front and back. Perfect timing as they were on the wear indicator and it was time for some new rubber with the rainy season, hot summer temps and the wife driving it more. No need to have her with too little tread on the open road.
I asked my buddy to price out the best options/price for me and he came back with the General GMAX AS-07 UHP All Season. Pricing similar across the board and they don't make much on tires anyways. They do give me road hazard repairs for nails, etc...so that is worth buying from him.
Got it all aligned as well and just in time for that Tampa trip.
That odd drop shackle issue also put some wear on the inner side of the drivers tires, both front and back. Perfect timing as they were on the wear indicator and it was time for some new rubber with the rainy season, hot summer temps and the wife driving it more. No need to have her with too little tread on the open road.
I asked my buddy to price out the best options/price for me and he came back with the General GMAX AS-07 UHP All Season. Pricing similar across the board and they don't make much on tires anyways. They do give me road hazard repairs for nails, etc...so that is worth buying from him.
Got it all aligned as well and just in time for that Tampa trip.
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I put in some polish wheel time on my son's Camry one weekend after the lacrosse games. Set up the 10x10 shade tent as it was clear as a bell and hot and humid AF. Gave it an iron decon, wash and clay bar to be ready for some polish.
Now the roof is faded beyond polishing out, the hood is a bit better (may come back, but looks pretty good) and the trunk lid is a bit better still. The sides had plenty of fine line scratches from age, dirt and improper or no washing, etc...
My goal was to get the rest of the big panels cleaned up with some Meguairs Ultra Compound and coarse pad, step up with some Chemical Guys polish and then top coat it for some protection and water beading. My son is not as much into the cleaning and detailing as I am, no matter how many times I have tried to influence him. And knowing that the car will sit a lot at college or just not get it cleaned either. Especially after the 4 hours drive to get there.
I worked my way around the car, cutting and polishing, with the black popping pretty good. I was able to cut a bit of the hood (has some dime size chips to the metal), but not sure how long it will last and even more shine on the trunk lid after a polish and coat.
Something good to say about that 2010 paint and clear coat. The weird thing is the front and rear bumpers are a different shade of black (and plastic) and the paint reacted different to the polishing. Hopefully holds ok. The front bumper has some road rash but the grille polished up pretty good.
Alas, I was happy with the outcome and way better than when I started. Gave it a good vacuum and interior wipe down.
I offered to buy him some Husky liners as the carpeted ones are well used, with the driver heel pad worn through, a cable tie holding it in place to the seat base and one of the rear seat mats missing, with a random black waffle rubber one in place.
If he wants carpet, I can get those pretty cheap on eBay or Amazon. He's still rocking the OEM CD player with a USB to USB C for his phone to stream Spotify. Loves the CDs right now and didn't want to change the head unit just yet.
I pulled off the hub caps, hit the tight spots with some Formula 88 and a toothbrush to get some of the caked on brake dust off and painted the wheels with some matte black to cover the rust, reinstalled the hubcaps and looks a bit better. The undercarriage looks great, with no rust. Only the rear main seal weep to keep a look at.
What a great car though. Low, slow and very comfortable. Everything you want in a hooptie that will last for a long time, I hope, especially at 75k on the clock right now.
Now the roof is faded beyond polishing out, the hood is a bit better (may come back, but looks pretty good) and the trunk lid is a bit better still. The sides had plenty of fine line scratches from age, dirt and improper or no washing, etc...
My goal was to get the rest of the big panels cleaned up with some Meguairs Ultra Compound and coarse pad, step up with some Chemical Guys polish and then top coat it for some protection and water beading. My son is not as much into the cleaning and detailing as I am, no matter how many times I have tried to influence him. And knowing that the car will sit a lot at college or just not get it cleaned either. Especially after the 4 hours drive to get there.
I worked my way around the car, cutting and polishing, with the black popping pretty good. I was able to cut a bit of the hood (has some dime size chips to the metal), but not sure how long it will last and even more shine on the trunk lid after a polish and coat.
Something good to say about that 2010 paint and clear coat. The weird thing is the front and rear bumpers are a different shade of black (and plastic) and the paint reacted different to the polishing. Hopefully holds ok. The front bumper has some road rash but the grille polished up pretty good.
Alas, I was happy with the outcome and way better than when I started. Gave it a good vacuum and interior wipe down.
I offered to buy him some Husky liners as the carpeted ones are well used, with the driver heel pad worn through, a cable tie holding it in place to the seat base and one of the rear seat mats missing, with a random black waffle rubber one in place.
If he wants carpet, I can get those pretty cheap on eBay or Amazon. He's still rocking the OEM CD player with a USB to USB C for his phone to stream Spotify. Loves the CDs right now and didn't want to change the head unit just yet.
I pulled off the hub caps, hit the tight spots with some Formula 88 and a toothbrush to get some of the caked on brake dust off and painted the wheels with some matte black to cover the rust, reinstalled the hubcaps and looks a bit better. The undercarriage looks great, with no rust. Only the rear main seal weep to keep a look at.
What a great car though. Low, slow and very comfortable. Everything you want in a hooptie that will last for a long time, I hope, especially at 75k on the clock right now.
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Been a busy June on the road with the Camry and Suburban and my boy heading off to college to UCF in Orlando this past weekend, as we dropped him off for summer session on Saturday 21 June.
The Suburban made a return trip from near Tampa on 31 May and 1 June about 600 miles with the girls for a fun lacrosse weekend.
The Camry made the return trip to Orlando for UCF orientation, with my boy driving his mother shotgun and me in the backseat on 5-7 June. He did pretty good until it got dark on the final run into the city. An offramp and an 18 wheeler kind of spooked him, and we ran over the bumpy reflectors and nearly into the grass, but he recovered. Might have had to check his shorts! That was about 450 miles. That car is very comforable. Won't break any land speed records or off-the-line races lol, but 26mpg is pretty sweet. Love the simplicity of the interior and the lack of all plastic feeling. He's still rocking the OG CD player!
Orientation was an overload of info, but good. At the last minute, I decided to get Metallica tickets for Tampa night 1 and take my son. He had never seen them and I wanted to spend the night with him to share our love of music before we split apart for th summer. I have been a long time massive fan, having seen them many times since the 90s. I've lost count, but maybe near 10 times? Still have a 1994 t-shirt from the Desert Sky amphitheater in Phoenix, July 1994.
So when orientation was done on Sunday, we drove my wife to the Brightline station at the Orlando airport and we continued on to Tampa to make the show openers Ice Nine Kills (not really a fan, but they put on a a good show) and funny got to see Limp Bizkit. Now they put on a really good show. My son noticed how well he commanded the stage and could work the crowd. Hate em or love em, but you know the songs from 20 years ago that you sing along to whether or not you want to. They put on a good set in the 1900 time slot.
Now Metallica. My wife took me to the Pittsburgh show for my birthday back in 2022. Surprised me. Got on the plane, landed in Latrobe, PA in the trees and Ubered into Pittsburgh with the most cracked out driver. Had a great night, and flew home the next day. She had planned it for months in between work schedules. Thx wife!
Back to travels. Traffic was heavy getting into Tampa, with some stop-and-go.
I had gotten us a hotel (what a dump and $$) but, close to the stadium, so we could sleep for a bit, then drive home. He needed to be back by 0900 because he was going to the Keys and told them he would be back early. So another later night to bed and early call at 0445. I drove for 2 hours then had him drive the rest of the way, as I was wiped out.
METALLICA was awesome! I had waited 3 years to see them. I missed them in Boston both nights last year, due to a work conflict on both dates. We had a great time together. He was impressed, even though the no-repeat 2 night shows meant he did not hear a song or two that he really knew vs. me that knows all the songs from all the albums. Anyways, it was a great time together.
We even watched some of the Panthers game and all the people around were asking for updates. We got home and he passed out. I watched the game until they lost in OT and went to be, only to get up in about 4 hours.
The following weekend was in Raleigh, NC with my daughter's final lacrosse game of the summer. Good coach, nice parents and some of her friends from her school team on this team too. The did pretty well and even played a team that had flown in from Oregon. Massive complex with nearly 20 fields and a very well run event by the tournament company. We stayed in a well-dated Ramada Inn, near NC State University. Looked like a place from the 80s. I filled out the review email and the GM emailed me thanking me for the honest input. My dad had owned a Best Western motel since 1985 and sold it just before he passed in 2023 so I had some different perspective that I thought would be honest input.
I started out picking weeds in the parking lot, doing laundry, shampooing carpets, then to the front desk where I worked weekdays, weekends and summers, until I finished school. Invaluable experience and money earned to buy that first blue 4x4 Toyota and the 1994 Red Chevy Z71 4x4. Man what a sweet truck that one was! Still cherry when I sold it.
My daughter waited until the last minute to confirm she was going and we got hosed on tickets, but that time together cannot be quantified by $$. We had fun, but our flight times were tragic. Delayed out of FLL and ATL had a ground stop with lighting, so RDU ETA wasn't until midnight and finally in bed after 0130 by the time we picked up the new Hyundai Tucson and checked in. (not a bad little ride with all the newest tech, comfy ride and space. Daughter is next on the list so we have been looking at acceptable cars that SHE would be interested in.) Nice old boy at check in, and we talked about stone crab claws. Had to have my daughter at the field by 0800 and it was a 20 minute drive so an early call with short sleep time.
We grabbed some food then showered and crashed. She passed out and I watched the Florida Panthers win Game 5!
Sunday morning was an 0645 field call for the early game. This was only a 4 game tournament and they played 3 on Saturday in some heat. So we showered and checked out. We had decided to drive thru the NC State, then up to Durham and see Duke, then stop at North Carolina at Chapel Hill to get some food...because our flight wasn't until 1830. We had a great tour around and massive feed at Cosmic Burrito. Not on her list of schools as the tuition is $$$, but good to see other campuses. She did go to school with a girl that just got into Duke. Pretty exciting for her. Got to the airport and the flight was delayed until about 1930. We waited in line to check on the ATL connection and the lady also booked us on the 2300 flight just in case.
She caught up with friends in the terminal who got the earlier flight, that was also delayed. We finally took off for ATL (direct flight at 12noon would have been good but another $500 was not happening!)
Got to ATL and legged it to the train and the gate for ETD around 2005. It was originally in the same terminal a few gates away. Nope from A to E31. Delayed again by the time we got there, so more wait. We finally arrived to FLL a little after 2330 to my wife picking us up in the Burb. Home by 0000ish, then up early for work and her summer school. Long weekend of traveling, but grateful to have that time together. Irreplaceable.
Then next weekend 21 June was move in day for UCF at 1500. This was my son's go time. We were going to stay overnight, but my wife thankfully said let's save on the hotel and drive the boy up in his car and she would take the Brightline train back to FLL. At the time, I wasn't going to be able to make it due to work. Those plans changed and we were both going to train it back. She changed again...wife change of plans is OK, dad's change of plans means 20 questions, dad gets mad and blamed for being dumb dumb for questioning...anybody reading this laughing? lol
So we end up mum and son taking Camry, dad and daughter taking Burb. Another 450 mile return trip, in the same day. Got him into his dorm, met his roommates and 1 family, took him to Walmart (he forgot his pillow and got him a toaster and toastie maker) and some groceries and said goodbye. Yes hung out in the dorm room, hung his AUS flag, got him set up with the minimal stuff he brought, lots of hugs and time to go. No need to prolong it more. Had to get moving as it was getting on to 1900 and we had a 4 hour run home and I had to be to work at 0630 the next morning. Momma was sad and teary eyed, dad hugged him happy and sad too, sister hugged him and they laughed...good mates they are. She as we all are..going to miss him and his presence in the house. I told him during our tight hug, to not add to the population, not subtract from the population, watch the drugs, alcohol and fentanyl. And HAVE FUN!!
Then we drove home. I got about 2.5-3 hours in and had to make my wife drive the rest of the way home. I was toast. Got home, we all had to unwind on the couch for a few minutes and finally call it a full, long day.
So yeah some travel, miles, fuel, good family time, a few disagreements lol and numerous vehicles washed multiple times to get the road rain grime off, bugs from being baked on (hit the love bugs coming back from Tampa and they needed multiple wash mitt passes and fingernail to get them off the front end of the Burb.)
A busy June, but no real mods for the vehicles. Just cleaning usually before or after sunrise. I ordered some LED reverse lights for the Camry, but got the wrong base, so sent them back and ran out of time. Was going to get him some new carpeted floor mats, since the rear driver side is a random black rubber mat. But he wasn't fussed, so I didn't for now. Everything seems to be working on the car, just the right rear speaker wasn't playing music. Might be a connection, but didn't get time to check it. Fluids were all good before the two trips and tires were holding solid PSI, so other than the rear main seal slight weep, it is all good. Just keep monitoring. And what a solid car so far.
Oh and my daughter got her first ticket. B.S. really. She called me and said dad I got a ticket. They put those stupid sticky ones on the window. Thankfully she got it off before it melted the adhesive to the glass. The university, where she practices lacrosse, has the virtual permit tied to the license plate and a no back in parking rule, since Florida only runs with a rear plate. Remember the old days of the chalk on the tires? My daughter and wife back in most of the time too.
Even insult to injury... that might have been her last practice there for the summer. They took the time to to get out, take 4-5 pictures including the number plate, type the ticket and submit online to my email. $50!!! So I sent a nice appeal lol, sure to be rejected, but pleaded my case. Told them is was habit as we do it at home, that was likely her last practice, etc..blah blah. Sorry and please show mercy for the 16 year old. We shall see. The permit only cost me $16.
A busy June coming to a close...
love bugs plastered on the front
The Suburban made a return trip from near Tampa on 31 May and 1 June about 600 miles with the girls for a fun lacrosse weekend.
The Camry made the return trip to Orlando for UCF orientation, with my boy driving his mother shotgun and me in the backseat on 5-7 June. He did pretty good until it got dark on the final run into the city. An offramp and an 18 wheeler kind of spooked him, and we ran over the bumpy reflectors and nearly into the grass, but he recovered. Might have had to check his shorts! That was about 450 miles. That car is very comforable. Won't break any land speed records or off-the-line races lol, but 26mpg is pretty sweet. Love the simplicity of the interior and the lack of all plastic feeling. He's still rocking the OG CD player!
Orientation was an overload of info, but good. At the last minute, I decided to get Metallica tickets for Tampa night 1 and take my son. He had never seen them and I wanted to spend the night with him to share our love of music before we split apart for th summer. I have been a long time massive fan, having seen them many times since the 90s. I've lost count, but maybe near 10 times? Still have a 1994 t-shirt from the Desert Sky amphitheater in Phoenix, July 1994.
So when orientation was done on Sunday, we drove my wife to the Brightline station at the Orlando airport and we continued on to Tampa to make the show openers Ice Nine Kills (not really a fan, but they put on a a good show) and funny got to see Limp Bizkit. Now they put on a really good show. My son noticed how well he commanded the stage and could work the crowd. Hate em or love em, but you know the songs from 20 years ago that you sing along to whether or not you want to. They put on a good set in the 1900 time slot.
Now Metallica. My wife took me to the Pittsburgh show for my birthday back in 2022. Surprised me. Got on the plane, landed in Latrobe, PA in the trees and Ubered into Pittsburgh with the most cracked out driver. Had a great night, and flew home the next day. She had planned it for months in between work schedules. Thx wife!
Back to travels. Traffic was heavy getting into Tampa, with some stop-and-go.
I had gotten us a hotel (what a dump and $$) but, close to the stadium, so we could sleep for a bit, then drive home. He needed to be back by 0900 because he was going to the Keys and told them he would be back early. So another later night to bed and early call at 0445. I drove for 2 hours then had him drive the rest of the way, as I was wiped out.
METALLICA was awesome! I had waited 3 years to see them. I missed them in Boston both nights last year, due to a work conflict on both dates. We had a great time together. He was impressed, even though the no-repeat 2 night shows meant he did not hear a song or two that he really knew vs. me that knows all the songs from all the albums. Anyways, it was a great time together.
We even watched some of the Panthers game and all the people around were asking for updates. We got home and he passed out. I watched the game until they lost in OT and went to be, only to get up in about 4 hours.
The following weekend was in Raleigh, NC with my daughter's final lacrosse game of the summer. Good coach, nice parents and some of her friends from her school team on this team too. The did pretty well and even played a team that had flown in from Oregon. Massive complex with nearly 20 fields and a very well run event by the tournament company. We stayed in a well-dated Ramada Inn, near NC State University. Looked like a place from the 80s. I filled out the review email and the GM emailed me thanking me for the honest input. My dad had owned a Best Western motel since 1985 and sold it just before he passed in 2023 so I had some different perspective that I thought would be honest input.
I started out picking weeds in the parking lot, doing laundry, shampooing carpets, then to the front desk where I worked weekdays, weekends and summers, until I finished school. Invaluable experience and money earned to buy that first blue 4x4 Toyota and the 1994 Red Chevy Z71 4x4. Man what a sweet truck that one was! Still cherry when I sold it.
My daughter waited until the last minute to confirm she was going and we got hosed on tickets, but that time together cannot be quantified by $$. We had fun, but our flight times were tragic. Delayed out of FLL and ATL had a ground stop with lighting, so RDU ETA wasn't until midnight and finally in bed after 0130 by the time we picked up the new Hyundai Tucson and checked in. (not a bad little ride with all the newest tech, comfy ride and space. Daughter is next on the list so we have been looking at acceptable cars that SHE would be interested in.) Nice old boy at check in, and we talked about stone crab claws. Had to have my daughter at the field by 0800 and it was a 20 minute drive so an early call with short sleep time.
We grabbed some food then showered and crashed. She passed out and I watched the Florida Panthers win Game 5!
Sunday morning was an 0645 field call for the early game. This was only a 4 game tournament and they played 3 on Saturday in some heat. So we showered and checked out. We had decided to drive thru the NC State, then up to Durham and see Duke, then stop at North Carolina at Chapel Hill to get some food...because our flight wasn't until 1830. We had a great tour around and massive feed at Cosmic Burrito. Not on her list of schools as the tuition is $$$, but good to see other campuses. She did go to school with a girl that just got into Duke. Pretty exciting for her. Got to the airport and the flight was delayed until about 1930. We waited in line to check on the ATL connection and the lady also booked us on the 2300 flight just in case.
She caught up with friends in the terminal who got the earlier flight, that was also delayed. We finally took off for ATL (direct flight at 12noon would have been good but another $500 was not happening!)
Got to ATL and legged it to the train and the gate for ETD around 2005. It was originally in the same terminal a few gates away. Nope from A to E31. Delayed again by the time we got there, so more wait. We finally arrived to FLL a little after 2330 to my wife picking us up in the Burb. Home by 0000ish, then up early for work and her summer school. Long weekend of traveling, but grateful to have that time together. Irreplaceable.
Then next weekend 21 June was move in day for UCF at 1500. This was my son's go time. We were going to stay overnight, but my wife thankfully said let's save on the hotel and drive the boy up in his car and she would take the Brightline train back to FLL. At the time, I wasn't going to be able to make it due to work. Those plans changed and we were both going to train it back. She changed again...wife change of plans is OK, dad's change of plans means 20 questions, dad gets mad and blamed for being dumb dumb for questioning...anybody reading this laughing? lol
So we end up mum and son taking Camry, dad and daughter taking Burb. Another 450 mile return trip, in the same day. Got him into his dorm, met his roommates and 1 family, took him to Walmart (he forgot his pillow and got him a toaster and toastie maker) and some groceries and said goodbye. Yes hung out in the dorm room, hung his AUS flag, got him set up with the minimal stuff he brought, lots of hugs and time to go. No need to prolong it more. Had to get moving as it was getting on to 1900 and we had a 4 hour run home and I had to be to work at 0630 the next morning. Momma was sad and teary eyed, dad hugged him happy and sad too, sister hugged him and they laughed...good mates they are. She as we all are..going to miss him and his presence in the house. I told him during our tight hug, to not add to the population, not subtract from the population, watch the drugs, alcohol and fentanyl. And HAVE FUN!!
Then we drove home. I got about 2.5-3 hours in and had to make my wife drive the rest of the way home. I was toast. Got home, we all had to unwind on the couch for a few minutes and finally call it a full, long day.
So yeah some travel, miles, fuel, good family time, a few disagreements lol and numerous vehicles washed multiple times to get the road rain grime off, bugs from being baked on (hit the love bugs coming back from Tampa and they needed multiple wash mitt passes and fingernail to get them off the front end of the Burb.)
A busy June, but no real mods for the vehicles. Just cleaning usually before or after sunrise. I ordered some LED reverse lights for the Camry, but got the wrong base, so sent them back and ran out of time. Was going to get him some new carpeted floor mats, since the rear driver side is a random black rubber mat. But he wasn't fussed, so I didn't for now. Everything seems to be working on the car, just the right rear speaker wasn't playing music. Might be a connection, but didn't get time to check it. Fluids were all good before the two trips and tires were holding solid PSI, so other than the rear main seal slight weep, it is all good. Just keep monitoring. And what a solid car so far.
Oh and my daughter got her first ticket. B.S. really. She called me and said dad I got a ticket. They put those stupid sticky ones on the window. Thankfully she got it off before it melted the adhesive to the glass. The university, where she practices lacrosse, has the virtual permit tied to the license plate and a no back in parking rule, since Florida only runs with a rear plate. Remember the old days of the chalk on the tires? My daughter and wife back in most of the time too.
Even insult to injury... that might have been her last practice there for the summer. They took the time to to get out, take 4-5 pictures including the number plate, type the ticket and submit online to my email. $50!!! So I sent a nice appeal lol, sure to be rejected, but pleaded my case. Told them is was habit as we do it at home, that was likely her last practice, etc..blah blah. Sorry and please show mercy for the 16 year old. We shall see. The permit only cost me $16.
A busy June coming to a close...
love bugs plastered on the front
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New rims look great!!!
adventurenali92
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Love that you’re making such amazing memories with your family!! Metallica, college road trips, crazy hotels, love it!! New rims look fantastic on the burn!! Always loved that particular GM wheel.
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Thx man. Keeping it period correct!
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Yessir all good memories for sure. Thx it took me a moment when the new wheels were on...but glad I went that direction. @adventurenali92
They do look nice. I saw a set on an Avy the day I got them mounted. I put 3 coats of the Dura-Coating Wheel Armor Nano Coating before they got mounted.
Auto Detailing Equipment and Supplies | Dura-Coating
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Sheds the water nicely and easy to clean. Made locally in Naples, FL or Amazon. I've just got to find time to clean the tires and apply the Dure-Dressing tire dressing, so they stay shiny all the time.
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Heck yeah man!! Dura coatings makes such good stuff! Them wheels will be so simple to keep clean with a coating in them haha. That reminds me I need to our in an order for some stuff from them soon haha.Yessir all good memories for sure. Thx it took me a moment when the new wheels were on...but glad I went that direction. @adventurenali92
They do look nice. I saw a set on an Avy the day I got them mounted. I put 3 coats of the Dura-Coating Wheel Armor Nano Coating before they got mounted.
Auto Detailing Equipment and Supplies | Dura-Coating
Dura-Coating Technology provides auto detailing equipment and supplies to professional detailers as well as everyday car washers. Browse our collection today!
Sheds the water nicely and easy to clean. Made locally in Naples, FL or Amazon. I've just got to find time to clean the tires and apply the Dure-Dressing tire dressing, so they stay shiny all the time.
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Because pics needed of the 900. Met up with my wife and daughter (her first real food since lower wisdom teeth came out 1 week ago.
Eclectic little cafe that is just being waited on the lease to run out and will demolish and build condos and lose this charming little place. Bummer!
My kids used to come here when they were little running around after the chickens while the mums grabbed coffee.
Not many random spots like this around town anymore.
(took pics here a few months ago too on previous pages.
Situated on the train tracks and right next to a former chrome plating shop.
Hmmm….
Eclectic little cafe that is just being waited on the lease to run out and will demolish and build condos and lose this charming little place. Bummer!
My kids used to come here when they were little running around after the chickens while the mums grabbed coffee.
Not many random spots like this around town anymore.
(took pics here a few months ago too on previous pages.
Situated on the train tracks and right next to a former chrome plating shop.
Hmmm….
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