Bucketlist & DIY

[Trinityz1]

that sucks.........At least you don't have 4-6 feet of snow to deal with
and hopefully....it doesn't rain on you.......

plus then you get the fun of gov't AND a pita neighbor....
of a client and likely.....small claims court

some people just have to show their ass.....think it's inn (pun intended)
their nature..........just heard they're gonna raise our rates AGAIN
they asked for input

told 'em they just made the most expensive form of alternative affordable
that I could solar and pay it off in 10 years and be off the grid without them
yeah...our local coop went bonkers with alternative crap
put up a wind generator that will take 85 years to pay off
it runs on avg at 110% and there will be maintenance on top of it...

can't fix stupid

[Seminole Red]

LOLOL, went to home depot today got 1- Metal 4 way gang, all they had . went to lowes got another, have to go to ACE in the morning , hope they have another, needed 3....with locks......neighbor of a B&B I do mait. work for was stealing electricity.....had the city come down and take pic's.......fun day

[Trinityz1]

Backhoe fuel pump was weeping and part came in couple days ago
so got the fuel pump done, replaced and primed on the backhoe
plus a couple other things, got 'er fired up, then fueled up...
had a brand new can of ether to go in it...has the do-hick'em
push the button for a dose.....even with priming it, took a shot
last can was used in 2012 and lasted till this winter, it's just for emergencies..
found a loose bolt that was about to fall out, took 1/6 of a turn ALL the way
to get that bastard in......but it's done....saved myself at least $750 in labor.
If the service truck comes out....it's pretty dang pricey even when you get a deal
and combine with a trip for someone else...

then, got the battery out of Big Betty Boop 'Burb (8.2 litre, 496 cu in stroked 454)
what a MFer!!!!
no room and no handle on it and no way to get my battery
pick 'em up tool on it....back of the finger scraping SOB!!! situation
if I EVER meet the dumbshit engineer that designed that stupid setup
gonna smack him so damn hard his momma will yell OUCH!

At least am putting best one can put in.... NAPA's best AGM
with TOP and side posts....

if you've ever tried to hook jumper cables or cables on a big charger
on those little fucking stupid side nubs AND without grounding the +
it's a pita....so I always get 'em with top posts as as well....wasy peasy that way

guess how much the new one is.....last ones I bought were $180
this one.....$240....I about choked.....but they gave me $20 off
when the boss heard me kinda loud say WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!

Bellered: Last 2 batteries I bought were $180!!! each a couple months ago!!
then I yelled FUCK JOE BIDEN!!!!! and FUCK THE DEMOCRATS!!!!
that got me a $20 discount........better than a sharp stick in the eye.....anywho

new one should have a handle as well and go in quick tomorrow.
got the battery disconnect switch set and ready to hook up on the Negative side
when these newer vehicles sit, they drain the battery.......
so that switch will save you a battery....always get one with brass connectors.
got 'em on everything but the Backhoe.

[Trinityz1]

yeppers.....!

the snow is about 5' deep into where that hooks up
should be FUN!!!!!!! and......................BRISK!!!!!!

only want to do this ONCE

[SkeBallLarry]

" Heey now .........Progress ... !!!

[Trinityz1]

well whaddya know....there's a ready made hose
coming here this evening..........well that solves one problem at least

solving the world's problems one at a time........

[Trinityz1]

DIY....?...well yeah, but what to do....choices ya know

dang hose cracked and sprang a leak up at the top just this side
of the shut off valve....weather is shitty

would mean a trip to town....I do have some flex tape that would probably hold it
but I really don't like baling wire type fixes as they bite you in the ass
when you least need it, cuz you forget that was on the Preventive Maintenance list

and I despise going to town.....trying to keep it down to 2x this year at most

and am gonna need at least one more fill up before can send it to town
next week to match a replacement
was not having a good day yesterday or would've removed it and
sent it today.....as cold as it's been, if it just snaps off today, I'm kinda screwed...

hmmm....and now thinking about it....I might just have an alternative in
a plastic fitting or piece of pipe and hose clamps to get by....
cuz the black flax tape will pit it outta sight and outta mind....

need more coffee and the cool awakening provided by more chores.....

[Trinityz1]

Here's a DIY screw up...and in my case....
just getting old.....and forgetful

so changed the Alternator and belt on the backhoe

but didn't change the damn Idler pulley and tensioner....
dumb dumb dumb....

Normally I would have....Belts last for years....and when they're
as old as this one was.....and the tensioner was one of the easiest
I ever pulled back that still worked....it's weak in other words

ergo....with the new belt.... either pulley is squealing......
or the pulley on the tensioner is....either way, should have replaced them

BUT, the good news is....parts from JDeere would've been around $500
I just got them online for $230 with the shipping.......
and they'll be here sooner........it's just good preventive maintenance
and will make the belt last....at $55....need the belt to last

it's like measure twice cut once.....at least in this case, it saved me some $
AND I found just the seals I need for the brake pistons....
$17........and got backups.......so $248 total....vs

almost $1300 with JDeere......so not feeling too bad about it
as long as the belt holds up until I finish the job I should've done.

when I did the same for the 1 ton chevy....the damn new tensioner
liked to kill me getting the belt on....so am sure the new backhoe one
will be a MF'er

[Trinityz1]

well I'm happy to report, I have brakes again...sorta
no slamming on them
there's a relief valve that jammed the piston
I got it where it won't do it unless I have to really slam on the brakes
I'll only get once
I cannot get the relief valve out though I have a replacement

I'll have to make a tool to do it...the sob has probably been in there since '98
I'll probably take a big grade 8 big bolt, cut a slot in it and weld in what I need
then can put an impact socket and driver on it....I have the old hammer type
which is probably what I'll use that includes short impact sockets

it seemed fine last time I replaced the seals
so I know when it happened....
I'm usually very light on brakes on anything I drive....
and they are a MF'er to replace on that unit
you literally have to pull the axles out from under the machine
one of the most stupid things I ever saw

If they ever have to be done....I'm removing one or both axles
and taking them to John Deere to do....no fucking DIY on that job
but will save a gob of money just removing the axles and taking them in
otherwise would be around $2000 to have it taken there and back.
I don't mind saving $2k plus the removal labor and reinstall labor.

tomorrow will put new foam on the cover so it seals nice
and put it on if the white pooh stays away

at least it warmed up some . Saved me about a $1200 service call today.
and whoever was sent out.....would've run into the exact same problem
I'm going to have to make a tool I can put an inpact on that fits super tight
in that relief valve.....that's for next summer.

but I got BRAKES!!!!! I can tell ya, sittin' on top of 22,000 lbs and
NOT being able to stop on ice and crap.....NOT FUN!

[Seminole Red]

yep, getting older is as rough as hurting yourself, takes longer to heal

[Trinityz1]

well it's amazing how a NOT fun tumble off a backhoe
can change your perspective on that you're gonna get done

Did get the alternator swapped....was a little bit of a pita
now the tack works perfect, everything's good
and no spare parts....had to pull the pully and the fan assembly on the front though
and it was supposed to be keyed on the new unit....
they didn't give me a key...so said fuck it and put it on like the old one
it has a weird kinda split spacer that I noticed takes the place of using a key

so was sitting here typing this thinkin' about what I'd done
and thought damn did I remember to tighten that one bolt
so I run out and SOB! I didn't, so grabbed the tools and just got that done

so got the outside cover off the brake valve and man....it was a mess
so spent a while cleaning that in prep...
and damn if I didn't fall off the damn backhoe....
now hit my shoulder on the opposite, the back side
and feels like I popped it back where it belongs from bus day

but the rest of me that took a hit....is just downright unhappy
So...
tomorrow's another day.....hope it's decent....
cuz I put everything away and came in to lick my wounds

you know, when you hit your shins when you get older
they take FOREVER to heal up......

[Trinityz1]

So here I go with another DIY and go out to fix the backhoe brakes

have to put the charger on the batteries since still ain't got to the alternator

I get the cover off, start figuring my tools....etc...
got my game plan...

and it started fucking snowing on me....
put the cover back on and put everything away
take the charger off...pàrk the damn thing and then put the charger back on

come inside and bitch and cuss....damn but there's times
I really do miss my shop.......

I actually had a plan to have an out of the weather situation
buy 2 ---40' shipping containers....got a cover to go over them...
and then the price of containers went stupid....

wonder if I can get a couple of those out of AZ cheap....
that dummy dem gov would probably give them away

[Trinityz1]

here's to all the DIY'ers who say....
damn it's cold out there or too hot out there
and say
tomorrow's another day!

[Trinityz1]

well new alternator for the backhoe got here today
and I have a spare kit to fix the brake cylinder that puked yesterday
just as it seemed to warm up some

while it's true I'm a bit tuckered and sore and worn out
I figgered what the heck....
went out to start on it.....and about a 15 mph COLD wind came up

and it was just that quick...how that wind came up
while I hooked up my big charger to the backhoe
and cleared snow to access my tools

and just that quick....I said screw it.....came in and turned the furnace up a notch
and called it a day

[Trinityz1]

well, ever eat the meat from a tensed up animal?

I'm hoping he was stunned, but by the way his heart was pumping
it'll be tainted from the adrenaline......
and will have a shitload of it to eat

should just done it myself........
so called shooters..........................................

next time...I DO THE SHOOTING
I can ALWAYS have plenty of meat.......but I'd prefer the animal not suffer
and it be quick........

just glad I didn't let him shoot the sheep
meat would've tasted like shit

[Seminole Red]

at least ya got plenty of meat

[Trinityz1]

Here's what happens when you trust someone to
do something you can do....

Someone didn't want to help butcher a steer....
so one to the butcher for and one for a customer
well this highly recommended outfit comes out and kills
then guts, removed the head and hide and quarters the beef
and then takes it to the botcher for $250

and they are suck expert marksmen, they just shoot 'em with a .22 mag rifle

Rocky a Highland did go down with one shot.
back to that shit later

shot him for like 10 yds away from his pickup
I told him his shot was high....and to adjust....

then came Sundance, a whiteface with no horns who lost an eye recently
fighting with a Highland with horns
had this happen once before, had a vet clear the animal
and it only brought $100 at auction and that was for PRIME grassfed beef
so fuck that, I'll eat him....

from the same distance....same thing only Sundance stayed up
started taking off....I got him stopped...shoots again...Sundance staggers
and takes off....runs into the middle of the herd
so he goes down near the top of the hill in 2 feet of snow
then he gets up....the guy goes up 5 feet from him then Sundance gets up
trying to go over the hill and a bit stunned so not moving fast
finally 3 shots later he goes down....
I have to go get him with the backhoe and drag him 1/8 mile back

so I kept both hides and Rocky's head for the cheek meat and such
so I took the hide off his head
that shot was 3" high and 3/4 inch left JUST barely under his horn cap

the bullet must've gone in and rattled around and we got Lucky
I had offered to do it with my .44, but they insisted and SOMEONE
had said, LET THEM DO IT......fucking supposed sharpshooters....

when you shoot a cow in the head, you imagine an X between the horns
and the eyes.....anywhere close to that will do it good......heart will still
pump, you cut the throat and bleed them out.......

it looked like about 6 gallons of blood came out of Sundance
which means his meat might just be a bit messed up from tension....
your best meat comes from a good clean kill....

One thing...I don't care for ANY animal to suffer....
if it has to be done, do it and do it clean.

it's probably going to cost $1000 for the processing....
$1250 could've kept in my pocket and one shot is all I ever need.
No matter the distance.
I usually just use my .44 mag Ruger when I do one......
just gets it done, quick and painless.

[Trinityz1]

Duct Tape....100 mile an hour tap....

so there's a hose to the left front cylinder for the loader bucket
that is held on top of the hydraulic cylinder with this schnazzy
rubber piece and a stainless steel hose clamp

well when I slammed into that big rock the other day
the clamp broke....piece is gone

now you don't want the hose right on the cylinder
so I found an old tennis ball with the fuzz chewed off by the pups
cut it in half, and got my pretty dang good T-Tex duct tape
put the 2 ----1/2s together, pushed the hydraulic hose down into it
and taped it on....it's working pretty dang good....
same thing happened on one of the rear supports a couple years back

and I took some flex seal tape, and taped it on.....worked good.
I actually want to fix the quick fix properly next year
and so used the duct tape which will be easier to get off

[Trinityz1]

well new backhoe batteries died again today
do believe it's charging....at the altenator
but there's another loose wire somewhere

20+ mph wind and blowing snow all day
so just charged it and hoping tomorrow is calmer
to look for a loose wire

[Trinityz1]

Chicken feeders....store ones are expensive imo

I took some 35 gal or whatever plastic garbage cans
that only cost me like $8 bucks at Walmart when I bought them
and drilled holes in the sides with a doorknob bit
like 2 1/4 inches...ones with combs can get in and eat

I put about 15-20 lbs gravel in the bottom so the wind couldn't move them
put some old hay on top of that for filler
and each day, I just dump in feed..... and the other day unloading the bus
didn't get ANY of the critters fed with the storm and circumstances

well chickens still had plenty, horses had plenty from the day before
and the chickens rewarded me with more eggs than normal
I do let them clean it all out mostly ever so often
but in a pinch.....it got me by

only the cows didn't get fed that day
and the storm was so bad.....all but 2 just hunkered down
and those two said screw it and laid with the others

[Trinityz1]

I want to grow some taters this summer
I love potatoes...store ones have been terrible last 2 years
fresh taters....can't beat 'em

so I have the plastic cow lick tubs
and old trick was to use old tires up in this country....
when the plants popped up, you added a tire to the stack
and added dirt....how the miners up north of here used to do it....

[Trinityz1]

since 1987, I've wanted a pickup that was setup like a semi in the cab

originally I would've put in a tall block 454...BUT...have switched since
to wanting a diesel since it's to be a work truck

I actually want a small sleeper on it, not just for me, but for a dog or 2
to travel with me ....1 for long trips, a couple 3 on short trips like to town
or to get feed, etc

and gives them some place to be while I'm driving
Basically I want a mini-semi....I do NOT want a F*CKING computer in it
I want more power than I need and a real Jacobs Brake
I want to be able to haul hay when I need to and the power to do it
or if I need some steel, or RR ties, or whatever and I get a deal
of buy something at an auction, so I can save on freight

and I want a Flip FWD hood like a conventional
so I can flip the hood Fwd and just step in to work on it
I'm totally sick and tired of leaning over a hood or fender....

After watching Phantom Works enough times and other projects on
Motor Trend -MT- channel, I was inspired to bring this project back
to my to do list...I want 4x4, a BIG fuel tank....enough to go 1000-1200 miles
without stopping

I want a drive train tough enough for the power but set up
and geared for some bad ass economy
Depending on the motor I get put in
I might even go for air ride and train horn on top
I want gauges for everything
the tranny, the rear axle,, the front axle, for temp
Pyrometer, oil pressure, Tach, water temp....air pressure....
there's some good stuff on that bus I just bought

Front seat might even be usable....and I want tilt wheel and cruise control
I want the top of the cab raised.......taller than norm like in a Kodiak
power window on the R side and manual on the left
I want big ass side mirrors and a serious backup light
for assholes that ride your ass at night with brights on
or maybe even a spotlight

I figured out how to do it in '87....with a tall block 454
scavenging what I needed from a used Ryder truck

I actually built a short block 454 that could run with a 350 Cummins
loaded at 80,000....while I was loaded at 40,000.....
I got 7 mpg loaded and 9 mpg empty....it was not too shabby
had a rear axle from a motor home under it with a 10' flatbed
and used an inverted smaller 5th wheel.......with a 40' gooseneck trailer
I had special built, but had to rebuild since Sundowner did a shitty job
had to redo the roof and double the rivits , had a 10' deck and inside
was 10' from floor to ceiling with vacuum over hydraulic brakes
with vacuum hoses that ran to a 2nd booster on the trailer.....

one big downside was the bench seat....I added a reefer tank
on the flatbed that held like 120 gallons plus the tanks with the truck

I don't need schnazzy.....I want the ultimate work truck
that is comfortable...but with rocker switches like I had in may last KW
and room to add as many as I want.....
a kick ass stereo and speakers and my badass old CB with a linear

and a minimum 2000-2500 watt power inverter that I can run 120 off of
and make my own coffee, have a small micromave....
I want to be comfortable on a road trip......

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/221220/item/DF8193/2000-Orion-Transit_Vehicles-Bus-Colorado

I had 3 minutes to pull the trigger on the bus....
quick looked up the weight and all I could find was one of the engines
for sale with the weight listed at 400 lbs....

guess what.....WRONG.....try over 2100 lbs....
so might just be selling that motor....unsure about the Allison tranny
not having to shift...might be nicer than having a 7 speed spicer with overdrive
you need 7...NOT 6 gears in a truck
you need a really low 1st on the bottom and an OD on top
with 5 in between

ok so that's my current bucket list item that has my boss in a fit....

that bus.....it's cool.

[Trinityz1]

Welcome to the Bucket List and Do It Yourself Board

I have a bucket list and am a DIY'er....
as are many of us older farts......

But if it's just a project you need advice on or want to talk about
and let us know what you're building...have at it

Always add a link if possible....

I just bought a 40' bus that should make for some kind of DIY stuff
I wanted the motor and tranny for my Bucket list truck
BUT....that might not be working out.....

I mostly DIY because I want something done right
there are few things more aggravating than paying good money
and getting a shit job that you have to fix ......