How's it going, Oppo?

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 08/01/2020 at 09:37 • Filed to: None

2

40

I’m just plugging along trying to dodge the ‘rona.

I dropped off my truck for an oil change/rotate the other day and decided to spring for an A/C service. Lately the A/C started blowing hot at stoplights but still worked fine at other times. I t’s usually a good idea to troubleshoot other things first before doing a recharge, but I figured my truck is 12 years old with 128k miles so it seemed like it could just be due for a recharge . Hoo-boy, did that fix it. Here’s what I looked like after using the A/C yesterday:

Now  it’s possible there could still be another problem or a slow leak, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I had no idea the A/C in this thing could get so cold. Before, it was similar to my Ranger. It was cool enough, but I’d say merely adequate and not fantastic. Now I can freeze a side of beef in it.

Also, my work van turned over 150k this week. I’ve only had it for 2 1/2 years. It was new when I got it. I guess you could say I drive a little. Thursday alone I did close to 800 miles. Apparently my company retires them around 200k, so I could be getting a new one in about 6 months at the rate I’m going. It gets rode hard and put away wet most of the time, and yet I’ve had only 2 mechanical breakdowns. Neither have left me stranded. One was the driver side wheel bearing that fried itself quickly in a day, and the other was the cooling fan bearing that disintegrated. This is a ProMaster, by the way. I’ve been expecting disaster the whole time and it just hasn’t happened. I can sense potential issues coming; I think the transmission might eventually decide to nope out, though there hasn’t been any real signs. More of a feeling, really. Also, the sliding door and rear cargo doors are a little sketchy. You have to really slam them shut or the van insists they are still open. One funny quirk this van has is that on really hot days where it’s been parked and the rear bumper has had direct sunlight on it, the parking sensors go haywire and think there’s always something behind me. This also happens in the winter if snow is piled up on it. It is sensitive like a mofo.

How’s everyone doing?

Hooker > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 09:47

4

Well, I keep making bad decisions. I am buying a $2K bicycle today that will  put me in more debt (albeit briefly). But I have been riding 250-300 miles per month so I know it’ll be worth it. Else, my personal life is in slight disarray. Probably should just leave it at that. Lol. However, work is tolerable, I still have a job so I am super thankful and my Crown obsession is growing with each time I drive the old girl. So, overall, not bad! I too recently had my AC serviced in my 2009 Silverado. Now it blows ice. Weird. 

Just Jeepin' > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 09:51

2

I just got the Jeep back from 1200 worth of repairs (motor mounts, control arms, primarily) and next week it goes back for 1700 worth of exhaust work, plus possible A/C or heater core work.

It never ends.

(Oh, and I need a new transmission, but I can live with that for a while until I recover from this round of damage.)

pip bip - choose Corrour > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 09:52

3

well i’m still above ground.

so that’s gotta be a good thing i guess.

Tripper > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 09:57

3

Also just fixed an 18 year old car w an evac/recharge! Also rang up the LEGO Ducati this morning.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 10:00

2

running errands for my parents.

AC also blowing cold after a long awaited cleaning.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-isnt-it-cool-in-here-1844553654

Car related, I ran over a tire rim in the volt , and I’m waiting for my stupid undertray and wheel well liner to arrive.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 10:04

1

still employed..still have beer in the fridge

shit could be worse

(on the employed side shit aint looking good tho......find out after august i guess...thats the deadline for the temps...once they are gone shit starts looking iffy for the proper contractors....)

sure doesnt look good yet tho

fhrblig > Hooker 08/01/2020 at 10:04

1

Enjoy the bike! As long as the debt is brief, it’s ok . I’m in my 40's and still digging out from the hole I dug for myself in my 20's. The difference is that I’m actually making some progress this time. I’m chipping away at my mountain of debt, and it’s slowly being whittled down to a hill. If I keep my plan going, in two years my truck will be paid off and my debt will be one year away from being gone.

fhrblig > Just Jeepin' 08/01/2020 at 10:05

2

Hey, who needs ALL the gears, anyway? 3rd and reverse. That’s all you need.

fhrblig > Tripper 08/01/2020 at 10:05

1

A/C is a wonderful thing.

fhrblig > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/01/2020 at 10:05

1

Here’s to remaining above ground!

XJDano > Just Jeepin' 08/01/2020 at 10:10

0

So there was this company that made some aftermarket motor mounts that were rebuildable using the upper control arm bushings.

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/motor-mount/products/bomb-proof-motor-mount-kit-97-04-tj-1

anyway they were ok, but transferred   the motor vibrations through the frame. So it was kind of worse. I may still have them on my Jeep I remember selling a set, but I’d rather a more smooth ride, so if I still have them I’ll be switching back to OEM style. 

fhrblig > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/01/2020 at 10:11

1

I’ve been fortunate, haven’t run over anything in a few years. I will say from experience that you shouldn’t try to drive over a mattress in the road in a Ford Ranger. Problem was, it wasn’t a mattress after all. I t was a box spring. I wasn’t going very fast but I was blocked in, and tried to go over it. LOL NOPE. I just ended up pushing it several feet. Had to get out, yank it out from under the bumper, and toss it to the side. No damage, but it wa s mildly embarrassing .

fhrblig > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 08/01/2020 at 10:13

1

Hopefully it will all work out for you. Fingers crossed!

No beer here, but I do have a few cigars around and that’s an acceptable substitute for me.  Might go for a drive later and fire one up.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano 08/01/2020 at 10:13

1

Given that the Jeep is too fragile to go off-roading much, this will hopefully be my last set of motor mounts.

I once upon a time had visions of driving to Moab to have fun with it; now I just want it to run well enough to visit southern Indiana regularly.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 10:16

1

cheers mate :)

have a good drive if you have one

My bird IS the word > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 10:27

1

The only part of my floor that is particularly rotted is right where the parking brake mounts, the bracket broke its welds and pulled one side through the floor. So now I gotta figure out a way to fix that.

phenotyp > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 10:31

2

Projects that seemed good to go either being put on hold or just plain disappearing, summer + online schooling meaning all day spent cooking/cleaning/teachering, and not designing stuff/working on portfolio/looking for work, plus it’s hot as balls and the pools are closed, so it’s pretty much all indoor time...

Feeling pretty down and hammered, these days.

fhrblig > My bird IS the word 08/01/2020 at 10:34

2

Just get some chicken wire and Flex Paste and you’re good to go!

fhrblig > phenotyp 08/01/2020 at 10:37

0

That sucks, man. Hope it starts looking up.

Also, I LOLed at your gif because my name is Bob.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 11:22

6

I’m currently trying not to shit my pants with excitement. I’ve commented about accepting a job offer with a significant income bump, well, I’ve just been told that if this goes well I’ll be made a part owner. This means I’ll get a shareholder payout from a company that consistently makes six figures of pure profit every year. I could be a homeowner within a year and a half, basically.

I feel like this:

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 11:23

0

Bobert?

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 11:27

1

Dude, that’s awesome! I hope you get it!

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 11:27

0

Bobstopher

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 11:29

2

I'm gonna have my own place! And cars that WORK!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 11:29

0

Bobathan

ranwhenparked > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 11:34

2

Just found out my Camaro needs two wheel bearings and a complete exhaust assembly, which is surprisingly expensive. If interstate travel is ever permitted again, I’ll have to make a note to try to avoid logging roads, forest service trails, and fording streams - can’t prove its from that type of driving, but probably didn’t help.

Also drove it 54,000 miles in the past 14 months, so I'm sure that added wear.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 11:43

0

Bobthony

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 11:44

2

You could even get a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage!

fhrblig > ranwhenparked 08/01/2020 at 11:44

1

I am in no position to judge you, because I’ve off-roaded  in a Chevy Celebrity.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 12:21

1

Woah, that is AMAZING! So much room for automotive she ninagans!

ClassicDatsunDebate > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 12:35

2

Enjoy your AC! I have a co worker that never uses his AC. In fact, he would drive  around in every season with his climate control completely off unless for defrosting/defogging. Now THAT is going all-in on Eastern European stoicism if I ever saw it.

I’m used to travel for business and this extended home stay has gotten tedious. I’ve completed most of my house projects...or at least the ones I feel like completing anyway. Just finished a small shed yesterday. I even resorted to a round of golf on Wednesday; a pass time I usually reserve for essential business relationships only. I must be really bored.

ranwhenparked > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 12:36

0

Run what ya brought. I’m not buying a jacked up off roader just because I occasionally go into remote places in the Blue Ridge a few times a year.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 12:55

0

Bobemiah

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 13:13

1

The week and half between finishing summer classes and starting college on campus for the first time is not long enough. I am nervous and excited and I have an annoying amount of stuff to do.

I have still found time to go hiking, which was fun. And I am Doordashing every night (except Mondays aren't worth it). So I kind of an glad I have the luxury of being bored. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 13:39

1

I’m gonna get the ultimate baller’s car:

2008 Nissan  Altima.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/01/2020 at 14:05

1

I thought the ultimate baller's car would be a V6 Dodge Journey.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 08/01/2020 at 14:08

1

Black Chrysler 200 (th e o ld Sebring-based one ) with illegal levels of tint

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > fhrblig 08/02/2020 at 00:19

1

a friend he hit what he thought was a cardboard box, only for it to be a wooden box. next thing he knows theres a woman flailing her arms pointing to the front of his car.He had been pushig it tll it caught on fire and started to melt  his bumper and caused a bunch of electical issues.

Hooker > fhrblig 08/03/2020 at 10:39

1

I’m in a similar situation. Made some really bad buying decisions as a younger person. My plan now is to be debt free by the time I’m 45. So, 10 years from now. The bike is only a year of debt so it’s doable! 

CaptDale - is secretly British > fhrblig 08/04/2020 at 11:50

1

Doing alright. I think I finished the big Vette projects and now it is fiddly things. Been really nice having my partner living with me while we are all shut down. Works out since we both have online classes so he doesn’t have to move back to school. Now we need to work on his Miata cause it is making noise that sounds like a failing wheel bearing .