Singer-Man

Good work on the truck. I enjoy seeing these older models returned to useful service. (I assume you didn’t just make the jump to Florida blindfolded and that you had a place to stay and job waiting for you.)

That’s coming along nicely. Have you kept a running total for parts? It is also a good idea to keep track of the hours you’ve invested in the project. Though it is difficult to quantify such – unless you’re a professional mechanic or auto-body man – doing so can give you a better idea of the ‘cost’ of the project

Nice, looks to be in good shape. What's the mileage?

I opened the garage door and we watched the blizzard for a bit, I washed her two days ago; there wasn't anything I needed out there, so I kept the salt and crap off her. I downloaded the Leap 42.3 iso. Mmm..bad checksum... No problem, I used touch and rsync to get the corrections. (Thanks, University of Waterloo.) Sha256summed it...all good now, Then I listened to some Stravinsky while I burned the image and installed it; that makes my daily driver a quintuple-boot system. Ha! With the snow coming in sideways, it was just the right kind of day for it.

I installed a couple of Bull-Rings on my rear Bed Rails. Ride 'em cowboy!

When I bought my Sierra I walked in and offered cash. They looked a little flustered and mumbled something about drugs dealers. They sheepishly asked me if I could give them a bank check instead.

I replaced my keyless entry / remote start unit, (Audiovox). For the last week it had been randomly refusing to start or lock/unlock. I had to use their override button to drive the truck. I got a new CompuStar unit installed.

I think it will look better on the upper grill mesh, right corner If you're feeling real bold, center it on the bow-tie.

We've got to build a wall!

You bet. As Howie Carr says: “Along with southern Vermont, it's the moonbat center of the Northeast.”

5-quarts of Mobil-1 and a K&N filter; then ran her through the state inspection.

You must have have had a non-functioning button or two, eh? That wheel looks like the one I got from AutoWoods; mine's in Cherry.

Too bad you didn't measure the ambient noise with a meter, in several locations, before and after. That would, of course, be a more useful and scientific journal entry; it's difficult to assess 'it feels quieter.' In a month or two I'll be installing a 700W 5-channel amp. I'm not sure if I need to add the sound-absorbent mat.If I decide to, I'll run that test. (I'm pretty sure there are no lobsters hiding in my cab though.) Anyway, nice work; the truck is coming right along.

Replaced my front airbag sensor. Pfffhht! All is well. Celebrated by doing some detailing.

Front airbag sensor: Autozone $89.00 + tax. Amazon $61 + $8 shipping and 'handling' + $3.81 tax (Illegal alien welfare service) .For a part that likely cost ~ $6.00 to manufacture. (Oh, that's the 'less expensive' Dorman part. So, in China, about $1.10 to produce) Yeah! Lets gouge the livin' hell out 'em because, after all, even with seat belts, --thanks to insurance corporation hirelings our busybody, invasive lawmakers -- they can't pass inspection with that airbag light on. BWAHAHAHA!!!

It's pretty simple. Mine wasn't very rusty, it didn't require grinding – just a little wire brushing. The manufacturer instructs you to leave a tiny bit of surface rust on it to help it bond to the fame. Then you need to degrease the frame – Simple Green is ideal – it cleans up with water. You then have to let the frame dry completely. (Overnight is best.) Two thin coats of the paint applied within 8 hours – if you let it set longer than that you'll have to sand it lightly with some 150 before you apply the 2nd coat. That's it!

I replaced the spare tire winch ($105) on mine when I pulled the bed and applied Chassis Saver to the frame. (Two winters and the frame looks as good as the day I applied it.) I've tested the winch a couple of times and it works like new. I like the spare under the bed!

I've been following your work with interest. It looks to be proceeding nicely. I'd like to see some clear photos of the exterior also.

I understand your feelings in both cases. The bad decisions: NAFTA, “Global Economy,”made by several administrations (cough Clinton cough) have helped to cripple the American economy including the once robust steel industry resulting in the use of mediocre steel products in the auto industry.. As regards your second humorous comment: Here''s little aside – one which can't be repeated often enough today. I visited Arizona for a month back in the early eighties, and liked it. As far as moving there right now goes, I'd wait; we need to take back our country first. Former Governor Jan Brewer tried to control the flood of illegal aliens entering there, among which, like everywhere in our country is a very high percentage of criminals. She tried to enforce the laws and save her state; this traitorous administration, principally the two creeps Obama and Holder, undermined her at every turn. Both are, in my opinion, criminally liable in several instances. Phoenix, for example, which is one-tenth the size of Los Angeles, is running a close 2nd to it in car-jacking and kidnapping – largely driven by Mexican and Central American gangs, Tuscon is similarly in trouble. If you can't control your borders, you no longer have a sovereign country. Far too many ignorant, lazy, stupid, greedy Americans are far too busy watching sports events and following the antics of dim-witted Hollywood punch boards to be able to engage intelligently with the extremely serious issues facing the country. But wait! There seems to be a rising tide of practical, intelligent, conservatives who love their country, and profoundly dislike Obama's reforging of America into a Euro-Socialist style state – non-rinos ready to engage in the next election. So if we can get several million more people to shut off the TV for a while and realize what's really being done to us, there may yet be one last chance to save our country.

A careful application of Chassis Saver, for instance, at around 100K would probably have saved the truck, Massachusetts or not. Regular paint won't do it. In the northeast, during salting season, you've got to wash the vehicle a couple of times a week, one of which should include an undercarriage spray. (It's costly, but body work is more so.)

I Put a set of Bilstein 4600s on the front; I did the rears earlier. They feel nice.

The truck is looking real nice. As to the Airiad: I'm seeing them listed at about $140.00 for what looks to be simply a plastic tube. What kind of performance gains do you expect from it?

Re-torqued my lugs It's been a hundred miles since I got my set of Michelin LTX-M/S2.

The eighth digit of my Sierra's VIN is “B” which identifies it as an L33. The L33: Aluminum engine block, new cylinder heads, flat-top pistons, and a high-lift cam – Increased torque and 315 horsepower..

Any further progress on the truck? I meant to ask how you got the bed off and moved without scratching or denting the fenders. Did you use a portable winch in your garage to lift it , drive under it and lower it onto the trailer? The bed is ~ 250lbs?