Of happenings, many happenings

"blacktruck18" (blacktruck14) 07/25/2015 at 09:30 • Filed to: Lincoln

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We arrived in Illinois this past Saturday, the road trip was pretty fun. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to do anything extra, the movers took longer than they were supposed to and we had to haul ass here to get our new house. Mrs. blacktruck’s Volvo and Blacktruck both did great. I averaged 20.1 MPG with about 400lbs of stuff in the back of the truck, so that was pretty cool.

Utah is my 2nd favorite state now. It is absolutely gorgeous and, the speed limit is 80.

My new favorite state is Missouri. That is where I bought a carton of Kamel Red’s for $44. Smoking is horrible for your body, and a waste of money. But, if any of you youngin’s want to start, I suggest these cigarette’s because they are the best ever.

We are stilling waiting for the movers to get here with our stuff so our furniture right now consists of 4 folding chairs (2 in the living room and 2 on the back porch), a huge Rubbermaid container we are using as a kitchen table, and an air mattress to sleep on.

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I just bought a 1979 Lincoln Town Car.

I saw it at the Ford Dealership the first day we were here.

Thursday Mrs. Blacktruck and I went to look at it just for the fun of it, Mrs. Blacktruck told me if I wanted it I could get it. So.... I now own a giant Lincoln.

It is technically a 2 owner car but, the first owner was a dealership that used it as a demo/courtesy car for about 3 years. While the dealer had it it got about 4,000 miles on it.

After that it was bought by an older guy and his wife. They only put about 37,000 miles on it before the husband passed away. The wife didn’t like driving it so, she put it in their barn (“What’s that smell?” “Mouse piss.” “Oh, we should leave the windows down.” “Ya.”) where it sat for about 25 years. The wife is 90 and decided it was time to sell the car. She is a family friend of the dealership owner so, they did a consignment deal for her.

The dealership went through it and replaced the fluids, belts, and tires. However it was sitting on the lot for awhile and I think the tires might have flat spotted, it has a little shake in the steering at higher speeds. If that doesn’t go away soon I am going to get the tires re-balanced. If that doesn’t work I will get new tires.

It’s kind of hard to see in the pictures but, it has the factory CB option. The interior is almost perfect.

The back middle seat belt still has the protective bag from the factory

There is some some surface rust in a couple of spots and the valve covers could use a little touch up but, for the most part the engine bay is perfect.

OG Ducks Unlimited stickers, those are staying on. I might take off the Sheriff’s Association sticker though, I want to leave it because it is almost as old as me but, I would hate for the someone to think I support police.

There are some small paint blemishes, and a couple of spots of surface rust and one small dent on the back fender but aside from that the metal of the body is perfect.

I am going to try to clean up the vinyl top, it is a little rough. I am not sure if I want to replace it if cleaning it doesn’t work. I might try to dye it or something before I commit to replacing it.

I drove around it most of the day yesterday while we ran some errands. Mrs. Blacktruck followed me around in blacktruck with some jumper cables and the few tools I have here, just in case anything went wrong. Aside from being a little tough to start it was awesome.

It also runs a little rough at idle, I am thinking the gas in it might be old as hell. I am going to run a couple of tanks of gas through it before I worry about the idle and rough starting too much. If it doesn’t clear up after that I will start doing some real trouble shooting.

The only real problems I have found that I haven’t mentioned yet are, one of the interior lights is out and the power door locks don’t work on the front doors. They make noise like there are things going on but, the doors don’t lock. I have to lock them by hand.

Once our stuff gets here from WA I am going to give it a good wash, claybar, and wax. It is pretty obvious the last wax it got was done at the dealership.

I really don’t have any plans for it yet, I have a couple of ideas for a some stuff. But for right now, cruising around and feeling cool is plenty.

Bonus! 8 tracks FTW! Oh ya the trunk carpet needs a good steam cleaning.

I found this oil change sticker on the drivers side door, it is older than me.

Your car might be cool but, is it gold owners manual cover cool?

Nibby > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 09:36

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LAND YACHT

On a scale of comfy to pillowy-soft luxury, how comfortable is that interior?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 09:50

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Eh you’re not anywhere near chicago I wouldn’t worry about showing support for the cops haha

LongbowMkII > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 09:53

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That owners manual makes me want to develop a coke habit.

jkm7680 > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 09:59

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Leave the sheriffs association sticker!

Tohru > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 10:06

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Leave the police sticker. When you get pulled over for doing 40’ diameter donuts in it, it may help sway the cop. Like all those exotics in California with the 11-99 Foundation license plate frames.

blacktruck18 > Nibby 07/25/2015 at 10:18

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It’s pillowy soft, I want to take the front seat out and use it as a couch. It is so comfortable I don’t see how anyone could do a long road trip in it, I think if I tried to I would end up falling asleep and crashing.

blacktruck18 > LongbowMkII 07/25/2015 at 10:19

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Yes, I thought that too, the owners manual is perfect for doing blow off of.

blacktruck18 > Tohru 07/25/2015 at 10:22

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I don’t even know if it will do donuts, 159hp and many, many pounds might not be conducive to donuts. But, once I find a big enough parking lot I might try.

thebigbossyboss > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 10:24

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I love your new car and am insanely jealous.

blacktruck18 > jkm7680 07/25/2015 at 10:25

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I am still undecided. It will probably end up staying just because, I will forget it’s on their after awhile.

Tohru > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 10:29

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Give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around, Give me 40 acres, it’s the easiest way that I’ve found. Some guys can turn it on a dime or turn it right downtown, But I need 40 acres to turn this rig around.

blacktruck18 > thebigbossyboss 07/25/2015 at 10:30

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I know it’s so awesome, ridiculously underpowered awesomeness.

blacktruck18 > Tohru 07/25/2015 at 10:33

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I need to go through the 8 tracks in the trunk. It would be awesome if this song is in there.

Tohru > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 10:40

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Pretty sure you’re looking for this one.

shop-teacher > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 10:48

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Nice buy!

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 11:04

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Where’d you move to? I’m considering moving back to Illinois myself... Even though the roads are terrible, the government is ineffective, and the taxes are high.

blacktruck18 > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney 07/25/2015 at 11:10

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I am in Marion, I am going back to school at SIU. My family is farther north by Champaign. I haven’t lived close to them in about 12 years, that’s part of the reason for coming back.

Leadbull > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 11:59

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Utah Might be my favorite state, scenery-wise, and I've not even seen the northern part of it.

blacktruck18 > Leadbull 07/25/2015 at 12:02

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We drove through the far north, I-80 to I-84, it was gorgeous.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 12:24

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ah illinois. so flat. when i drive to tuscola every few weeks i can get about 21 mpg with a 450lbs wind break in the rear of my f350.

Thanks flat roads!

blacktruck18 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 07/25/2015 at 12:31

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That’s really good. I was hoping to see 21 mpg over the course of the trip. We drove through way too many hilly states and too fast for that though.

Spaceball-Two > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 12:43

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Nice job buddy! Love the ride. Glad you made it safe.

I haven’t been on Oppo in days. My wife had our son late Thursday night so I’m super busy right now. I’ll get back on soon. Stay in touch.

blacktruck18 > Spaceball-Two 07/25/2015 at 12:59

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Congrats man, that’s awesome.

I haven’t been on in about 2 weeks with the move and everything.

Spaceball-Two > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 13:17

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Thanks man. He sounds like a blow off valve when he cries. Ha ha.

I love the Conti. Totally reminds me of something out of Casino.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 13:36

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I am suddenly feeling inadequate about my material possessions.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 13:37

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Cool. I’m from Decatur. In NC now, but hopefully I’ll be back soon.

thebigbossyboss > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 17:25

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20/10 would cruise down main street going 20 mph.

blacktruck18 > thebigbossyboss 07/25/2015 at 18:11

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Yes, I never owned a car that feels so right just cruising along at the speed limit.

It like the car is saying, “No, it’s cool, we’re good here.”

blacktruck18 > Spaceball-Two 07/25/2015 at 18:36

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That’s funny.

You’re right, it is like a car out of Casino, it is out of that time frame.

blacktruck18 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/25/2015 at 18:42

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It’s just an almost thirty year old land yacht, nothing super cool.

blacktruck18 > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney 07/25/2015 at 18:45

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I haven’t been to Decatur in years, it used to be pretty rough. But, this was an awesome BBQ place I used to love there. I can’t remember the name of it, I think I could get there by memory though. A road trip might be in order.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > blacktruck18 07/25/2015 at 22:38

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Never went to any BBQ places there, but I have heard about a really cool place on south MLK. I would recommend a pizza place called Donnie’s, though.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 09:26

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She a Beaut! It’s so shiny I’m jealous.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 09:28

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It won’t don’t bother trying. 159hp + 5000lbs + 2.47:1 gear ratio = no donuts unless you are on dirt. Not that I’ve ever tried anything like that of course.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 09:30

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I think you have your math backwards. 2015-1979 = 36. Makes it almost 40 years old.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/27/2015 at 09:48

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You are correct. Almost 40.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/27/2015 at 09:50

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Have you tried power braking yours? I think it might be able to at least spin the tires doing that.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/27/2015 at 09:56

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Thank you, I absolutely love it so far. Except for the trailer hitch that I busted my shin on last night. That shits gotta go.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 10:05

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Mine doesn’t. But you mentioned a trailer hitch. You might have the towing package and that would give you 2.73 gears instead of 2.47 gears and that might be enough to get them to spin.

On the driver side door there should be a letter a,b.c,d and that would tell you gear ratio and if it’s equipped with towing package or not.

Mine is letter B which is 2.47 gears no towing package.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/27/2015 at 10:21

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I will have to check that out when I go outside later.

Have you found a list of all available options for these? I am really curious to see how optioned out my car is, it has many, many things that I have been surprised to find. I know it isn’t a “Collector’s Series” and it doesn’t have the fixed glass roof but aside from those I think it might have everything.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 10:58

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There’s this and it’s pretty detailed

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lincoln/c…

I can’t remember where exactly I found for the gear ratio lettering tho.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/27/2015 at 11:35

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Awesome I will check out the link when I get home later.

Here’s a pic of the sticker. It’s also a “B”, does that mean the hitch isn’t factory? If it’s factory I will feel bad taking it off, if it’s aftermarket I won’t feel bad at all.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > blacktruck18 07/27/2015 at 12:11

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Yup looks like you have the lazy 2.47 gear ratio too. and yes the tow hitch would be aftermarket then because the towing package had 2.75 gears which I believe was letter D but I’m 100% sure on that. but I am 100% sure on the letter B being no towing package and 2.47 gears.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 07/28/2015 at 00:00

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I am quite jealous of your yacht, it looks like a fine vessel.

Other than the slow movers, I hope the move has gone well?

blacktruck18 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 07/28/2015 at 00:35

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Yes, it is an awesome vessel. It might just be because I haven’t had a toy in a while but, I absolutely love it.

The move has gone well on our end, still waiting for our stuff to get here though. Hopefully, it will be here next week.

blacktruck18 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 07/28/2015 at 00:37

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Thanks, for all the info. I will be taking the tow hitch of soon, I didn’t like it before and after busting my leg on it I want it gone.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 07/28/2015 at 01:46

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I’m jealous, been really wanting a toy lately. Thinking something with two wheels might happen by next summer, currently looking into classes and licensure.

Good to hear, hopefully all the rest of your stuff gets there asap and in one piece. The waiting game is always tedious. How’s being back in Illinois?

blacktruck18 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 07/28/2015 at 11:37

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I always get the motorcycle itch in the summer. I not sure why but, I could never bring myself to buy one. That being said Mrs. Blacktruck keeps talking about wanting to take an MSF course together. If we do that it might change my thinking.

So far being back has been good, I need to adapt to the humidity though. I was walking around on campus yesterday getting my ID and parking pass and I thought I was going to die. I kind of wish we been able to find a house out in the sticks but, I did walk out in the yard a couple of mornings ago and found a deer chilling in the yard.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 07/28/2015 at 22:09

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I’ve been looking into the MSF courses, very tempted to take one in September since they are a lot less than I thought originally, only would need basic gear after with the class’ cost. It’s something my interest has definitely been building in the last few years and I think it’s time to act on it. Plus having a bike as a toy to wrench on would be nice since I have the Dart/blackcar as a reliable DD.

Midwest humidity buddy, it sucks. You like the house you got though? Southern Illinois is what you told me last time we chatted right?

blacktruck18 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 07/29/2015 at 00:53

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When I was about 20 or so I almost bought a brand new crotch rocket. I am glad I didn’t, I would probably be dead now if I had. Mrs. Blacktruck keeps saying she wants to buy a Harley 883 Low. If we do the course and, if she buys it I will probably just steal that every so often. Having a dependable DD is so awesome, it makes it so much easier to just buy a sketchy or impractical toy that you don’t have to rely on everyday.

I totally forgot how bad the humidity is. There is a creek/ditch right behind our house which doesn’t help, everytime I go outside to smoke it almost makes smoking unenjoyable. The house is nice, I wish it had a 2 car garage but, we are renting it pretty cheap so I really can’t complain.

We are in Southern Illinois. A little town called Marion. It’s about 20 minutes from Carbondale/Southern Illinois University, where I will be going to school.

Where are you at again? I can’t remember.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 07/29/2015 at 10:18

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I looked at that Harley and must admit that it looks very nice. I’m leaning towards something like a Suzuki GS550, I quite like the looks of that style of bike. My buddy who rides insists that I look at a Ninja 500 or Vulcan 500 as well. Gotta love having a good DD that allows for fun stuff.

Haha, maybe it’s the land telling you to give it up. That’s pretty annoying but I hardly notice the humidity and I have a creek right behind my new house as well. Just wait until you finish school and get a great job, you could possibly have a house with a barn or 3 car garage!

Not bad distance to school, I’ve got a similar commute. I live in southwest Ohio, small city called Kettering which is a suburb of Dayton.

blacktruck18 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 07/30/2015 at 00:02

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I like some Harley’s but, I pretty much hate Harley owners. I know that is a dumb reason not to buy one but, I don’t want to be seen as a “Harley owner.” However if my wife buys one I would ride it. I don’t know much about motorcycles but, every beginner bike article I have read says SV650’s are great starter bikes.

Ya know, I have been thinking about quitting more and more lately. I think I am getting tired of spending the money.

The creek is ridiculously close.

You can see edge of the patio in this pic the creek is in those trees.

Our plan when I finish school is to go back to Washington and after a few months start looking for land to build a house. That is of course assuming I can find a job there.

But we are thinking a 4 car wide garage with two of the bays being deep enough for two cars. I don’t think we will ever own 6 cars but at least one bay will be tool storage.

Ohio, I was thinking Missouri. Not sure why I was thinking that. But, I was.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 07/30/2015 at 00:27

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I know what you mean, kinda like Civic or WRX owners. Not all owners are jerks but the few that are create the negative image. I like the SV650 without the cowl, I’ve been also looking at a ton of Honda CBs and UJMs.

Wouldn’t hurt to at least try quitting, it is a ton of money per pack relatively speaking. I work at a drugstore and the costs add up when people buy a few packs, even in Ohio where I’m told tobacco is cheaper.

That is mighty close, how deep/wide?

Washington state? That sounds like a good plan, makes me a bit jealous your house ideas. Especially if/when they happen. If you make a portion of the garage tall enough you could add a vehicle lift.

blacktruck18 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof 08/02/2015 at 00:12

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I don’t know, I am going to go with 90% of Harley owners are jerks. I shouldn’t be able to shit on my back porch and hear Harleys driving on the main drag 3/4 of a mile away. They don’t even sound good, they are just loud for the sake of being loud.

Yes it is way too expensive. I am showing my age here but when I started smoking a pack of Marlboro’s was a $1.85 and, Camel used to do buy 2 get one free deals all the time. That was 3 packs for about $4. When we were driving here and I bought those Kamels for $4.40 I almost gave the dude at the gas station a hug.

I am not sure, one of these I am going to walk to the other side of it and try to look at it. The trees and stuff behind the house are too thick to see through. I honestly have no idea.

My own lift would be amazing. I had half ass thought about that but they are pretty expensive.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > blacktruck18 08/02/2015 at 18:09

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I have to agree after today, a ton of Harley riders loudly passed in front of my store. Loud, slow, and annoying.

I’ve watched tobacco prices jump twice in Ohio twice in 12 months. Perks of working for a drugstore, as well as hearing people complaining about cost. It is legitimately cheaper to get the gum/patches/pills and quit than to smoke now, a cashier and I figured it out based on the store manager’s smoking habits.

A lift in your garage would be phenomenal, just get your degree and start making that big money!