A Tree Falling in the Forest

Saturday morning we woke up to a gray rainy day. So after some Thomas the Tank Engine, we set out to get one of my "new-to-me" trailer tires repaired. The valve stem needed to be replaced so we headed to one of the "used tire" stores on Hull Street near the city of Richmond.

I've never before been a patron of one of these used tire places, but there are several, so I figured one would be open to help me. We stopped at the first one we came to and were greeted by a guy that looked remarkably like Danny Trejo.

I am often interested in learning about unusual small business models. While OBB and watched our tire getting repaired, we saw no less than four other patrons come up with tires that needed to be replaced. One drove in with the front tire riding on the rim. Based on the wad-o'cash "Danny" pulled out of his pocket (including a 50 and 100 dollar bill on the outside for good measure) I think he has found a way to make it work. In the two garage bays, stacked high with used tires, he also had no less than five tire machines and a brand new air compressor. Who new? I suspect the IRS for one doesn't know.

Anyways, the tire is fixed and on the trailer. Still need to test the ramp, but its pretty much a finished project.

The memories come flooding back with a look at this eBay item. $1,000 seems like a bit much. I might consider it for $500. This one looks a little more worn than mine was when I let her go.

The paint is done and the lights are too. In addition to switching over to LED taillights, I added new clearance lights to the sides and back. All this was accompanied by a new wiring harness.
Next up I need to put on the new wheels and tires and mount the spare tire. First, I need to fix the valve stem of one of the new wheels.

I started applying some paint today to the beloved trailer. Using a spray can and a roller I painted the sides, gate and fenders. I used a hammered finish Rustoleum. I used a spray can for the tight areas and a roller for the large areas of mesh.
One unexpected side affect of using a roller on the mesh was a cotten candy like web of paint that would form as the breeze blew over the mesh when it was being rolled. It was mostly harmless, but still annoying.

I'll have to pick up some more paint to finish the inside of the new fender and the floor of the trailer, but at least the new welds won't rust and I can move forward with mounting and wiring the new lights.

How do you change a toddler's diaper in the back of a Mustang GT? Very carefully.

He actually seemed pretty comfortable, but I was a little tense.

The fender and the gate are repaired. The welding is complete. I like welding. I wish I were better at it. There is something cool about clamping two pieces of steel together and joining them with an electrical arch and molten metal.

It hurts when you get a burning spark or ten on your skin. Especially when it lands on your scalp. I am supposed to give blood this week. I wonder what they are going to do when they see my forearms.

Next up... paint. I think I'm going try to use a roller on the mesh parts.

After 8 or more years of dutiful service hauling ATVs all around Virginia and the east coast, it is time for a little refresh of the old trailer. This became all the more urgent after last year's trip to West Virginia when it blew a tire doing about 75mph down a monster hill on I64 west of I81. As a reminder, the fender got bent up like a pretzel and the right taillight bid us adieu never to be seen again.



Starting during the summer, I began collecting parts from Craigslist, yard sales, Northern Tool, and Tractor Supply to facilitate the restoration process.

So far, I have: two Ford Ranger wheels and tires (freshly painted); new LED taillights; new corner and rear clearance lights (also LED); a new wiring harness; a new fender and fender mount; and new hardware for the rear gate.

Today, the disassembling process began. Surprisingly the steel in the fender broke and my novice weld stayed solid. I am as shocked as you are.



Nothing was lost on OBB who commented, "ahhh boo-boo tire."

Today we got gas for $2.99 a gallon.

For the last couple days, my truck has been up on jack stands in the driveway. "Why?" you ask. Well, it was time for an inspection sticker and that is the way it goes when you have a truck with 150k miles.

So, to get the essential little square sticker on my windshield. I had to 1. replace a power steering line and 2. replace the inner tie rod ends. It was also suggested that I change the transmission filter and change the brake fluid. In the process I also found the upper ball joints needed to be replaced.



All this wasn't going to happen in a couple hours. So for a few days it sat while I made progress during nap times.

Each time OBB came outside he would look at the truck and in a sad tone say, "boo boo truck. Ah, boo boo truck." It was funny, but after a while I think he was mocking me.

Well, after today's nap time he came and yelled "done, yaaaa!" He made up for making fun of me.

Ford is preparing to release images of the 2010 Mustang soon. Based on the sneak peaks Ford isn't going to be content with letting the Camaro and Challenger get all the press.

It'll be interesting to see what they put together under the hood ala the HP.

Some rust? I need a tetnus shot just looking at it:
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/867101904.html

Gagknee could take a ride down memory lane in this bad boy:
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/867682919.html

The Big A mobile:
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/866866415.html

Okay... finally the treasure part:
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/857144329.html