HOT DAMN, IT'S BACK!!!
MY CROWN VICTORIA IS BACK, AND IT'S SOOOOO AWESOME!
I was able to pick it up just before they closed at 5pm tonight, and it's looking GREAT!
No pictures at the moment - I'm going to try to find someplace this weekend and snap a few shots, but it's looking SMOOOOOOTH.
I've only driven it about 25 miles so far, but things seem pretty good, so far. The only major issue is that I snagged my faceplate and remote tonight, and I've apparently lost my remote.
Just fucking awesome.
At least I've got my car back!
I want a trailer.
There's one for sale locally.
Hopefully, my car will be done soon, the cash-out for the rental will be here soon, and I can snag it.
There's something wrong with me, though - I'm sitting here, already thinking about how I'm going to mod my trailer - lighting, ramp, etc.
I must be stopped! :)
Right, so...
Stopped by to check out the Vic today - it's virtually done, but there's no bumper cover.
Turns out, the "LKQ" bumper cover (Like Kind & Quality - essentially, wrecking yard parts) was all fuckered up, showing tons of cracks and stuff when they primered it, so they had to order a new bumper.
This means that they've ordered a new bumper cover, and that's supposed to arrive soon. As soon as they get that prepped and painted, we should be good to go - hopefully this week.
Something that cracks me up about all of this - the price for the used bumper cover was $50 cheaper than a new one - pocket lint, considering the overall price of the repair. The used headlamp lens that the other insurance company tried to pawn off (yellowed horribly) was less than $10 cheaper than the NEW headlamp lens the body shop installed.
I mean, I understand that if they save $50 on a lot of cars, they save a fair amount of money, but, dammit, I shouldn't have to be inconvenienced for someone else's stupidity, and that person's insurance company being a cheap-ass.
Lame.
Especially when it appears that they eat the cost of the shitty parts that they quoted - now they end up losing far more than they would have saved in the first place.
Karma's a bitch, I suppose.
The car is looking good, though - with any luck, I'll have it this weekend!
So, the Vic is sporting some new threads!
A maroon hood, a white fender, and a black bumper.
It's so freaking white-trash cool!
Bumper isn't on in that particular picture, but you get the idea.
Someday, I'll have it back, and it'll be all nice and silver again.
So, regular unleaded is topping $3.00/gallon in some places around here.
Obviously, nobody wants to pay more for gas, but I've been spoiled by the Vic - a full tank on the Vic gets about 25 miles more than a full tank on the Explorer (325-ish vs. 300-ish), but the Vic's tank is only 17-18 gallons, compared to the Explorer's 21-22 gallon tank.
That translates to roughly $10-$15 less per fill-up of the Vic over the Explorer, which I haven't gotten used to, so it's always a pleasant surprise when I top off the car, as I'm expecting the normal $55-$65 price tag.
Of course, with my car in the goddamned body shop (hopefully done in a couple weeks), and what's been turning into some regular trips to the coast in the truck, I'm finding myself dumping that much more into the tank lately.
Totally awesome.
The other part of driving the Explorer that currently sucks is that I desperately need new tires. About three years ago, I put some Les Schwab "Wild Country" Mud/Terrain style tires on the beast, and they were pretty damned fun for a while, but they've progressively gotten louder as they've worn, and I think they've worn unevenly.
The uneven wear appears to be causing an awesome shudder in the vehicle, varying in magnitude depending on the quality of the road being driven on.
It's also possible that it's got an alignment issue...
I could go buy new tires for the pig, or get it aligned,but I have some plans for the Explorer.
Ultimately, I want to put a 4" suspension lift on it, which would require an alignment, and which would enable me to put 33" tires on it - a size that won't fit right now.
Knowing how things always work out, as soon as I spend the money on an alignment and some new 31" tires, I'll have an unexpected windfall, and be able to get the suspension lift, having essentially wasted the money on the alignment and smaller tires.
Hence, I'm suffering with how things are.
The Vic, it doesn't have any of these problems. It's got decent tires on it, and it drives all nice and quiet and smooth. It's an EXTREMELY nice ride over to the coast and back in that thing.
I hope I get it back soon...
So, the other insurance company sent someone out to the body shop that has my car, to perform an estimate.
The estimate is missing a fender and the associated labor/paint there, but even without that, we're up to about $4600 damage.
Awesome.
They haven't accepted liability yet, so my car continues to sit.
Lame.
So, I changed the oil in the Vic for the first time today.
Wow, if that isn't a bit of a pain in the ass.
Jacking up the Explorer is easy. I can get my jack under the Vic easy enough, but I have virtually no swing for the lever, so it takes forever to jack it up.
The drain plug is accessible, easily enough.
The filter though - wow.
So, I bought the new filter, and was surprised that it's about half the size of the Explorer.
Explorer = 4.0L V6
Vic = 4.6L V8
Wouldn't you expect the car to have the bigger filter?
Then, when I get under there to replace it, I discover that it's mounted sideways.
Who's brilliant idea was that?! It's always been my habit (and I thought it was recommended) to fill the new filter with clean oil before installing it.
Kinda impossible with the way it's mounted.
Then, there's suspension/steering components in the way, and there's little clearance at the end of the filter. Conveniently, the only filter wrenches I have are the end-cap style, not the traditional, so it's going to be a pain to get a ratchet/breaker up in there.
Thankfully, I went on a ratchet-buying binge a few months back, and the awesome Craftsman Offset-Handle Flex-Head ratchet was just the thing to get up in there with my filter tool.
Once that was loosened, I had to do the Hokey-Pokey with the filter, and jockey it around the components to get it out of there.
Wow.
All in all, it didn't take THAT much time, it was just annoying.
On the plus side, the Vic is now running on Mobil 1 Synthetic, just like the Explorer - it should be MUCH happier now.
Now, it's time to do laundry in preparation for packing, for yet another week at the coast.
Yeehaw!
I got my Explorer back today!
She purrs like a kitten now, which is sweet.
Damned if I didn't forget what it was like to drive this thing...
Obviously, a car and a truck drive completely differently, but apparently three weeks is enough to wean me completely off of the Explorer.
It's high, it's bulky, it's rough and it's loud. Oh, holy hell, is it loud. I was just marveling yesterday about how quiet the Vic was, driving home from the coast on some horribly rough road, and not a single peep inside the cabin of the Vic.
The Explorer? Those tires are fucking obnoxious. I really REALLY need to get new tires, but now, do I buy the 31" tires that fit on it, or do I suffer for a while longer, so that I can get the lift purchased and installed, and buy 33" tires (and not have to replace a virtually new 31" set...)??
I bought a new Impact Wrench yesterday, to replace my flaky Craftsman one that I picked up at a hawk-shop. It's a Harbor Freight-sold Central Pneumatic Earthquake 1/2" Impact Wrench.
It's pretty sweet.
It's so sweet, in fact, that it broke my Vic.
I decided that, due to the one-wheel burnouts that the Vic's unlocked rear-differential loves to produce, to rotate my tires.
Now, I've always replaced lugnuts by hand threading them, running them tight with an impact wrench, and then manually torquing them.
Tonight, though, things didn't go as planned, and one of the lugnuts crossthreaded.
Fuck, right?
So, in my effort to remove the stupid thing, I pulled out my breaker bar, and, well, broke it - the stud, that is.
So, one of my Vic wheels is riding on 4, instead of 5, lugnuts/studs until I get this fixed, which means, I'm driving the Explorer.
It's a damned good thing I got the truck back yesterday.
The overall fix doesn't look that hard - I'm going to attempt to give it a go tonight, and wee what I can do - otherwise, I'll button everything back up, and take it to the dealer or a tire place to do it.
Fun times, fun times!
So, my truck is back together.
They got it back together on Monday, but it wouldn't start.
Turns out, they pinched/severed a wire that allows the fuel pump to work.
They got all of that fixed, and got my truck started, but now it's leaking coolant out the timing cover or some such shit.
Apparently, it's a faulty part - and the part isn't in the state, so it's going to be another fucking week until I get my truck back.
Obviously, I'm not going to be charged for any of this labor, but this is ri-goddamned-diculous.
What, three weeks we're going to be?
Fuck.
ARGH.
So, they're "ALMOST" done with my Explorer, but they're not going to have it completed tonight, and since those specific mechanics don't work the weekend, it's Monday at the earliest that I'll get my truck back.
I'm seriously not happy about this.
They better not try to pull some bullshit on the labor rates.
This is so damned aggravating.
Back in January, my Explorer started making a funky-ass metallic rattle.
Without ripping the engine apart, I diagnosed it as best as I could - either the cam chain tensioner, or one, possibly both, of the front timing tensioner cassettes.
I gleaned this knowledge from http://www.explorerforum.com, quite probably the best Ford Explorer resource online.
Thousands of Explorer owners congregate there, and based on my description of the issue, we were pretty convinced that this was the problem.
I was finally able to pony up the dough for the repair - a significantly costly one, in the neighborhood of $1200-$1500 - and I dropped off my Explorer at the dealership on Tuesday (06/26/07), for it's scheduled repair at 8am on Wednesday.
Now, I've spoken with the service manager and the service writer I dropped the Explorer off to regarding what I believed the problem to be.
Wednesday, I get a call from the service writer telling me that the cam chain tensioner repair has already been done, and they're looking elsewhere for the rattle.
I enquired about the timing tensioner, and was told that they don't believe that's the issue.
Later on Wednesday, I get a call from the service manager himself, with "good news".
Apparently, in their attempt to diagnose, they pulled the serpentine belt, and the noise/rattle went completely away.
They started examining the belt tensioner (which I just replaced) and the various pulleys, and discovered a rattling pulley with shot bearings.
Cost? $37 for the part, maybe a couple hours labor (diagnosis + fix).
I'm going to get out of this with a bill of about $200 - SWEET!
They have to order the pulley, and it'll be in on Thursday morning.
Well, Thursday comes, and at 3:30pm, I'm leaving Lincoln City, on my way back to the valley, and trying to book ass, so I can get there before the service department closes at 5:30pm.
I call ahead, and am told that the pulley didn't fix the problem, and they think it's in the transmission now.
On the good side, they're only going to charge me for the part, not the labor to do it (since it wasn't what was causing the noise, and therefore, wasn't "broken", exactly).
On the other hand, they're going to keep my Explorer for at least another day.
Fucking lame.
Friday comes.
I hear nothing. The service department closes at 5:30pm. I call at 5:15pm, knowing my Explorer isn't done, but wanting a fucking update.
Oops. They've all gone home for the night - leaving early on Friday.
Today, I call at 2pm. I speak to a service writer, who informs me that there's nothing wrong with my transmission, and that they believe the problem is likely the timing tensioners.
WHAT THE FUCK?! DIDN'T I ALREADY FUCKING TELL YOU THAT?!
I'm not a fucking mechaninc, and I diagnosed the most likely problem - TRAINED FUCKING FORD MECHANICS TAKE FOUR DAYS TO FUCK AROUND WITH A BILLION THINGS, AND FINALLY COME BACK TO WHAT I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IT IN FOR!
Well, yup, they're going to have to keep my Explorer over the weekend - see, the mechanics that do the hard shit, like this, don't work on Saturday.
So, when they left early on Friday, they knew that I wasn't getting my fucking truck back until Monday, at the earliest, but there's no fucking courtesy call to tell me that.
Today, I hear nothing until *I* call them at 2pm.
Seriously, what the fuck has happened to customer service these days?
God DAMN, I'm pissed. I mean, it's not like I'm having to deal with rental car fees or anything - I've got another set of wheels, but, shit, man, this is ridiculous.
Not to mention that they got my hopes up on Wednesday with the pulley misdiagnosis - I thought I was going to be able to get my Explorer lifted with the repair money.
ARGH.
So, yesterday evening, I took the Vic up to Car Toys, and had them install an Alpine CDA-9885 and an XM Radio setup.
Good God, that was a wise investment.
Not only do the stock speakers have a LOT more range and capability than the stock deck pushes, but I can actually switch CD's on the fly, instead of dealing with the slow, crappy changer in the trunk, but I can also rip MP3 CD's now.
The XM Radio doesn't hurt, either.
I'm going to be real disappointed if XM ever dies.
Dude.
Seriously.
I am getting real tired of my stock audio.
The Explorer is getting driven at least once a week to keep everything operational, and each time I'm re-introduced to the audio system I've got in there, I giggle with delight.
On the other hand, each time I go back to the Vic, I shudder.
I *really* need to get a decent system in there.
So, I picked up the Vic, and I'm having to deal with two remotes and two fatass PATS (security) keys now, along with everything else that was on my old keychain.
So far, I've kept the Vic remote and key on it's own chain, and the Explorer and the rest of the stuff on the original.
I want/need to consolidate, though - I don't want to be carrying around two seperate keychains, and I want all the stuff with me.
Any suggestions?
I was thinking about those coupler-chains, something like this:
Which would keep the fobs and PATS keys from sitting right next to each other and bulking up, but that still requires a lot of crap in my pocket.
Does anyone make a universal remote?
I'm also curious if I can re-key my Explorer and Vic to the same key/remote.
That'd be quite handy.
Welp.
I did it.
Yesterday, I became the owner of a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX.
At the dealership...
It's big, it's silver, and it's sexy!
I'll post more pics as soon as I'm able to get a decent backdrop - the scenery around here looks like shat, and I don't want it in the picture.
I decided to go with a sedan, instead of an upgraded SUV.
I didn't want to buy an SUV that I wasn't going to be happy with, and I've been wanting a Vic for a while.
Good old Nissen Motors had this offered for a hell of a deal, and it was calling my name.
Now, of course, I just need to replace the grille and some trim with the Police Interceptor stuff (matte black > chrome), and we're golden!
You know you're jealous.
You know, I just can't find the right SUV.
I really like the Explorer, and I really wanted a Expedition, but the issues I posted earlier scared me off.
I can't find a Chevy Tahoe that I like, and Dodge Durangos don't do it for me.
So, what to do now?
There's always the newer Expeditions, with the independent rear suspension. I don't like it, but if I was ever going to upgrade, I'm pretty much going to have to get something with it, because there really isn't anyone making anything with a live axle any longer.
Gah.
Fucking soccer moms and their influence. Current model SUV's are no longer Sport Utility Vehicles. They're the new minivan. It's no longer about a passenger vehicle with capable off-road handling, it's all about highway ride quality.
:(
Wow.
So, I didn't really care for the lines of the GMC/Chevrolet trucks/SUV's, but this has changed my mind:
Clicky for big picture.
Get rid of the homo-huge dish on the roof rack, and that thing is HOT.
I love the almost-complete black-out, including the Chevy logo. Too cool.
What do you think?
What to do, what to do?
I've outgrown my Explorer, and it's getting to be about time to get rid of it before something major breaks/malfunctions, and costs me a couple grand to fix.
I want something bigger, and I want something newer.
An actual truck really doesn't fit the bill right now. I'd really like another SUV, but I don't really care for anyone else's full-size stuff but Ford.
I really dig the Expedition.
2002 Expeditions are priced pretty nicely right now, and they still have a live axle up until the new body style that came out in 2003.
The engines are a problem, though.
The options are either the 4.6L V8, or the 5.4L V8.
The 4.6L, a great engine, is woefully underpowered for a big SUV that's going to see quite a bit of time fully-loaded and towing stuff.
The 5.4L has more than enough power, but comes with a major risk - spark plugs going "kaboom".
Apparently, Ford, in all their infinite wisdom, decided that with the 5.4L engine, rather than the normal 8 or so threads on the spark plug/head, they'd save money (or something) and cut the threads down to 4.
This has resulted in a number of plugs rocketing out of their sockets, stripping the threads on the aluminum heads, forcing a helicoil-style repair (at the minimum) or a replacement of the heads or the engine itself (which still has the same potential problem).
Now, it's a toss-up whether or not the lack of threads is the main culprit, or improperly torquing the plugs when replacing is the issue (something that's more pronounced with less threads, as there's less loosening/unscrewing that needs to be done to allow the gas to escape and blow the plug).
There seems to be some success with people Loctiting the plug threads, and then torquing them down to spec, but, there's the risk that dry loctite could flake off of the plugs and fall into heads, causing problems itself.
Now, even adding up all reported instances of blown plugs, we're talking less than 1% of all 5.4L V8's on the road.
Overall, my chances of getting one without the issue is low.
However, even less than 1% of these engines is still well into 100,000+ engines - do I really want to take that risk?
Another option I've been considering is a Crown Vic. I haven't had a sedan for a while, but the newer body style is out there, and one with low-miles can be had for pretty cheap.
With my 6'9" frame, a full-size sedan makes a lot of sense. I wasn't particularly cramped in my Taurus SHO, but it could have had a bit more room - I know my backseat passengers would agree with that.
The Vic seems to accomplish that, and it's a V8, which would be nice after several years of 4-cyl and 6-cyl engines.
God, I wish someone else made a larger SUV that looked decent.
So, my pops and I just completed about $500 worth of maintenance to my Explorer.
My front differential, transfer case, and rear differential have all been flushed and filled with Mobil 1 full synthetics. Coupled with the conversion from dino-oil to Mobil 1 full synthetic engine oil, and the only thing left is flushing the transmission (and of course changing the tranny filter).
Of course, it wasn't the easiest of processes to complete - especially the front diff - but it's nice to have them done, and done for a cost significantly cheaper than any of the tardshops would have charged for non-synthetics.
Of course, I still have that funky rattle that may or may not be the cam chain tensioner. I've been reading what amounts to a horror story of the timing chain system in my particular engine, and it looks that if I'm going to get any piece of mind of my engine not going kabooms, then I need to find myself a cheap car to drive for a couple weeks, and work on pulling my engine out of the Explorer so I can do things right.
Or spend $2500-ish at the dealership and have them do it (with no guarantee that they do it all, since I won't see it, and even the dealership doesn't want to pull the engine out).
Sooooo...
What to do?
Buy a cheap car? We're talking REAL cheap, like $500-ish, max $1000.
Or should I finance something cheap, but newer and more reliable?
Holy shit.
So, I noticed a crack in my windshield last week.
Started down near the wipers, and had come up about 3-4 inches.
Over the last week, it's doubled in size.
This morning, on my way to work, I watched it grow another 6 inches.
I'm assuming the rapid growth this AM has to do with the 30-ish temp outside, and the defroster rapidly heating the windshield, but, still, that's pretty fucked up.
Now I have to go get a new windshield on Saturday.
DAMMIT.
I want this:
Not that I'd have to pay retail, as I've got a local hook-up, but $300?
Do I really need to spend that money on something like this?
It's a tough call. There's all kinds of techie-geeky-nerdy things that this would facilitate, but there's really no ROI...
Oh well.
I'll sleep on the matter.
So, my parents came over today, and brought their Lincoln Town Car.
A stock Town Car has an "Air Ride Suspension" - basically, the rear suspension, instead of springs, has these inflatable airbags that constantly change their level of inflation for a different ride.
In theory, a nifty concept.
In practice, of just about every vehicle ever equipped with such a system, it's a goddamned gimmick that ends up breaking after the car is 8-10 years old, and since it's a non-standard suspension, everything costs a ton of money to replace.
In my parents' car, it was the computer control module that failed - probably the most expensive piece.
Fortunately, the free market comes to the rescue!
Dad found a company selling a conventional suspension conversion kit. Today, we ripped out the airbags and installed real springs.
Every single time I work on a vehicle and complete a project, I like more and more the concept of leaving the IT field and becoming a mechanic...
Of course, this would require a significant investment in training, since nobody is going to hire a no-experience no-education mechanic apprentice.
I'd also probably make nothing close to what I make in the IT nerdworld.
Oh well. One can always daydream.
Woot!
My Explorer has been upgraded.
M and I went up to Car Toys in Salem yesterday, and we both got an Alpine CDA-9857 for our respective vehicles.
My CDA-7875 was great and all, but it was getting old, and didn't have the nifty function hookups that I wanted in this deck (iPod, Bluetooth, HD Radio, etc.).
This new one kicks quite a bit of ass, and while I'm not thrilled with Alpine getting rid of the motorized faces, I must say, I really really prefer the display on this one.
If Alpine would get on the ball, and come out with colored LCD's and what not, they'd kick everyone else's ass.
Oh well. I'll just have to comfort myself with superior sound and quality.
:(
I want my Explorer lifted, dammit.
Not like, all Monster-truck lifted - at least, not yet.
Just something a bit beefier looking, something more aggressive and more suited to the occasional off-roading than a stock Explorer.
Check out these before and afters:
Clicky For Biggy
Clicky For Biggy
See how much more of a badass truck that is?
4" Superlift, with 33x12.50x15 rubber.
I've got a 0" Nolift with 31x10.50x15's under it. The new shackles in the back, and the bigger-than-stock tires are definitely an improvement, but it still isn't mean enough.
I wants some real lift.
I wants it now.
...to work at Jiffy Lube.
Yes, that's right, I changed my own oil. Woooo!
The Explorer is now running on synthetic motor oil.
Eventually, I plan on getting the differentials, transfer case and transmission over to synthetic as well, but that's a project for another day. Already tried the front diff once, and that didn't go so well.
I also got my Fumoto Valve installed, so the next time I do the oil, it's going to be a LOT less of a mess.
I just need to find a source for cheaper Mobil 1 oil filters, though. I really don't mind spending the extra money on motor oil, but I don't want to be spending $11.00 on a filter each time, too.
Someone buy me one of these for Christmas:
So damned hot.
I need want new bumpers.
Well, kickass.
When people think about German automobilia, they usually think of quality stuff, right?
Right.
Now, not that I'm particularly insecure about my choice of vehicle, but Ford (and just about any American manufacturer of automobiles) gets a bum rap when it comes to overall quality, reliability, etc.
As such, I'm always quick to defend my ride, and I love finding out cool little tidbits of information about it.
Which brings us to today's topic.
The "codename" for the 4.0L V6 engine in my Explorer is "Cologne" - as in, Cologne, Germany, where the engine is engineered and built, prior to being shipped to the United States for installation in the Explorers and Rangers.
Wanna know something else that's nifty?
Turns out that the new Mustangs (2005+) utilize the same exact engine in the base model.
That's pretty sweet.
Even sweeter? For the 2006 model year, Carroll Shelby was tapped to modify the SOHC V6 engine, bolting on a Paxton supercharger (among other things) squeezing out 350hp.
Feasibility, practicality, and expense aside, it'd be pretty damned sweet to drop that engine, along with the 5-speed automatic that's available for the 2005+ Mustang, into my Explorer.
That thing would be a fucking off-road rocket.
And ultimately badass.
It'll probably never happen - Shelby Automobiles, Inc. sells the CS6 upgrade "kit" through Hillbank Motorsports for $14,999, which means that the thing will be damned rare, not to mention that the production CS6 will be "limited edition" sold through a select group of dealers.
Oh well.
For now, I'll cry myself to sleep, and dream about finding a rear-ended/totaled CS6 at a local wrecking yard for cheap.
Yeah, right.
So, Radigast and I rolled down to Eugene/Springfield yesterday to look at the Thunderbird.
I'm fucking pissed.
I called down there and talked with the salesperson at great length about this car.
I had very few specific questions, which he answered:
Q: In the pictures, the body/paint looks pristine. Is there anything the pictures aren't showing?
A: Two dime-sized dings in the side, and some small scratches behind the passenger door. The paint is perfect (for a 12 year old car), and those are the only major blemishes.
Q: Is there a stereo installed?
A: No. The previous owner removed the deck.
Q: Are the speakers still there?
A: Yes, all he removed was the deck.
So, we get down there. First thing I notice are seven or eight large dents in the hood, where it rolls/folds down on the bumper. It looks like someone took the end of a baseball bat and slammed it across the hood.
The front fascia has obviously been replaced with a fascia of a different color, then apparently rattle-canned to "match" the body.
The paint on the roof of the car has some severe clearcoat problems.
Oh, and the speakers? They're ALL missing.
Why am I outright lied to about shit like this? I can understand not volunteering information, but when I specifically ask about stuff like this, why lie?
Stupid assholes.
So, I'm going to go down to Eugene on Friday to check out that '94 Thunderbird.
I'm still looking around, but I'm noticing a pattern - I don't like most non-Ford vehicles out there, and I have very few problems with the majority of Ford vehicles.
I wonder why that is?
I suppose it could be brand acclimation - my current vehicle is a Ford, my last vehicle was a Ford - that kind of thing - but I don't think so.
I mean, I've had other non-Ford vehicles. I absolutely loved my Chrysler Laser (upscale Dodge Daytona), and if I could find a decent condition Daytona or Laser with the right engine, I'd be all over it.
Even with my Laser-lust, I'm not a huge fan of much other Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth stuff.
Prior to buying my Taurus SHO, I had actually attempted to get a Chevy S-10 Blazer 4x4, and I still dig the Vortec 4.3 Blazer/Jimmy deals, but there's not much other GMC/Chevy stuff.
Ford, though, I pretty much consistently like (or at least, like more than the competition) everything they've got, or everything they've had.
It's weird.
What is it with all of these used-car dealerships being open only Monday through Friday, and closing by 5pm?
I've long had this issue with just about any business with hours like that.
The majority of people in the country work Monday through Friday, and don't get off work until 5pm.
You'd think smart business owners would extend their hours a bit.
At least, the banks have finally wised up.
ARGH.
Found a '94 Thunderbird with the 4.6L V8 in it down in Eugene. Looks to be in pretty nice shape, so that's now on the list of something to get. We'll see what else there is, as of tomorrow.
So, I'm shopping around for a second vehicle.
Something cheap, and something that fits my 6'9" frame.
The two biggest reasons are so I have a backup vehicle in case my Explorer breaks down, and to keep some of the miles off of my Explorer.
Of course, fuel economy would be great, but unfortunately, I just don't fit well in a lot of 4-cylinder econoboxes.
I will say that I've been shopping quite agressively for a Dodge Daytona or Chrysler Laser, something I used to have, gets great gas mileage, and fits me quite well.
One big problem with that - anyone that has them doesn't seem to be selling them.
I've found a couple that are around, but one's not in the best shape - it "smokes a lot", and the other has no details, so I'm still waiting to hear if it's the shitty non-turbo 2.5, or if it's a turbo or V6.
With my luck, it's probably the non-turbo variant with an automatic, which would seriously blow some ass.
One of the local places has some cheapies - a 2WD Explorer Sport (2 door Explorer), and a black Ford F-150 that looks nice, but they're now closed, so I gotta wait until Monday to find out more about those.
Oh well.
Stay tuned for more.
Augh!
Being on a rather fixed income limits what I can and can't buy.
Any "sizable" purchases have to be made after saving up for a while.
I have expensive hobbies, dammit.
My video game stuff isn't cheap. My gun stuff makes the video game stuff look like pocket change.
And then there's car stereo stuff.
Don't get me wrong - I have a great stereo, and most of the time, I'm hard pressed to justify upgrading my stereo system.
Then, I go and look at what's new from Alpine, and I find that they've got a new batch of headunits that are Bluetooth-capable.
With the new headunit, and the addition of the not-very-expensive Bluetooth module, a Bluetooth-enabled cellphone will link with the car stereo and use it as a big hands-free unit.
That's fucking badass.
Not only that, the latest Alpine decks are cheaper than ever.
When I purchased my deck, it sold for $400, and it wasn't the top of the line CD deck, by far.
Today, the top model Alpine CD headunit goes for $350. They've got more expensive ones, but those are DVD headunits.
Of course, if I got this Bluetooth deck, I'd also have to buy a new cellphone, and those aren't really cheap anymore.
I'm also toying with the idea, of once the above is completed, adding an LCD and a DVD player to the Explorer.
Augh, I need a job.
So, somehow, my stupid self spaced out on my auto warranty.
I thought I had up to 100,000 or 4 years from date of purchase, whatever came first, on my extended warranty.
I take the Explorer in today to get a couple issues checked out and fixed.
My mileage is 95206.
The call me a couple hours later to inform me that they spoke with the warranty company, and the warranty expired at 93452.
4 years, 48,000 additional miles.
The sad part is, I knew this.
Looking back, I remember that exact figure, 93452, in my head, as when the warranty expired, and I completely spaced it about 1500 miles ago.
God dammit.
One of the issues this stupid thing is having might end up actually being expensive, too.
This is not a good day.
Well, it's goodbye to the last of the SHO remnants!
Pretty much everything has been spoken for, so not only is that less crap kicking around, but it's also no more reminder of what was quite possibly the coolest car I ever owned.
:(
Ah, well.
Someday, I'll have a cooler car with which to replace it.
I must say, I'm quite envious of my brother's 2004 Mitsubishi Galant GTS...
Perhaps, when I start a new job, a 2006 will be my reward to myself - that, or an Expedition to replace (or augment) the Explorer...
So, my biggest grip every time I take the truck in is this rotational whine sound coming from the front driver's side.
They claim they heard it this time, and got it fixed - but I heard it again today, the day after I got the truck!!
This is getting really old!
So, my truck finally got done today, at about 1:30 or so.
As such, I decided that I wasn't going to go into work today, being as late as it is.
Sucks. I mean, it's not like I wanted to go to work today, but I didn't start doing anything important this AM, because I was intending to go to work at a reasonable time.
So, pretty much, today was wasted.
YAY.
So, my Explorer was in the shop yesterday and today.
They got the main issue fixed, which was the ABS.
However, once again, stupid lazy mechanics abound.
I told them that the driver's front wheel whine/squeal was back. Described the sound, location, conditions the sound appear in, conditions that make the sound go away, etc. Something I've been describing since a month after I got the car!!!
"Well, our technician couldn't get it to make that sound."
Goddammit.
So, I pick up the car, and I'm about a half mile away, and I hear that sound again.
So, I call them up, tell the service goon to have his ass outside, and I drive back in, and lo, he hears the sound!!
He gets in and drives it around, and verifies that I'm not a goddamned idiot.
"Wow, I can't believe the technician couldn't hear that!"
Yeah, no shit Sherlock - that's what I've been saying for a damned year!!!
So, I take the car back in on March 5th for a CV boot replacement, and they'll HOPEFULLY fix it then.
What a pain in the ass, you know?
So, Enterprise hooked me up again - Cadillac DeVille.
Base model DeVille, but so freakin' fun to drive.
I've never driven another car that moved so smoothly and so silently - if you're not paying very close attention to the speedometer, you're at 90+ before you realize it - and you only feel like you're at about 45.
Amazing, amazing machine.
My ABS stopped working yesterday.
In some respects, it's kinda cool, because big screechy smoking stops are kinda neat, but not particularly safe.
So, it's off to the dealership tomorrow, woohoo.
Enterprise better have something nice and cheap for me.
So, I'm looking for a center console replacement for my Explorer, and a laptop mount.
Something like the cop cars or fire trucks have for all their radio gear.
Why can't any of these online supply fuckers have a "search by vehicle type" option in their catalogs? They sell several thousand different parts for cars, but no "what fits my vehicle?" search function.
Crutchfield should take that shit over.
So, I stop by a couple tire places today, to price the mud/off-roadish tires that I want.
Last stop before leaving town is Les Schwab.
Didn't end up getting the BFGoodrich tires that I wanted, but they had a VERY nice comparable tire package for about $250 less, and they got them installed in about 30 minutes.
Kickass.
Not only that, I went down to my parents place today, and my dad and I (well, mostly my dad) installed my rear lift shackles in the Explorer.
Now the thing sits about 2" higher, due to the lift and the tires. It looks soooo much better than it did, and the tires look real good on it - an actual mean looking truck tire, instead of sissy road tires.
Life is good.
So, my brakes are getting flaky on the Explorer.
I need to get new brakes, and I've been putting it off for a while.
I decide to call up Les Schwab today to make an appointmet.
Guess what? They have an opening for 3:00pm today.
Sweet. I'm there.
I tell them to replace it if it needs it - front, rear, parking brake, etc.
They call me about an hour later to let me know that not only is it done, but only the front needed the work.
New rotors, new calipers, new pads for the front, all installed - a little over $300.
That's awesome. Most places would fuck you, and replace it whether it needed it or not.
These guys are telling me that I won't need to replace the rear components for at least another 25,000 miles.
Yet another example of a trustworthy company.
(P.S. - Blade: Trinity isn't a BAD movie, it's just not a GOOD movie.)
I want to jack up the Explorer, and make it all off-roady, but then I'll probably kill my gas mileage.
Why do Crown Vic's have to be so expensive?! =(
Hell, even the Impala's that I like are spendy.
DAMMIT.
Dammit, when I finally decide to spend some money on enhancement, like the 2" lift, or the 31" tires, or something like that, my brakes decide to get markedly worse, and now I need new ones.
DAMMIT.
OK, so part of me is pissed off that I was sold the components I was sold, since I wouldn't need them.
Even with the sub I bought, all maxed out, there's no reason I needed an 800W amp.
The 400W MTX amp with a single 12" 4-ohm DVC would have been just fine.
I'm a bit unhappy with the sales team, but hey, it's a lesson learned. I know a bit more about stereo stuff, I know a lot more about what I want out of the stereo, after this whole debacle, so I know what to go in and look for/buy.
In other news, the stereo sounds a WHOLE lot better. The bass isn't overpowering, it's nice and accompanies the rest of the sound nicely. It thumps when it should, and it does get loud, depending on the song.
I'm happy again.
Here's what it looks like:
Still have a maximum of cargo space, with no gigantic box taking up all the space, and having to be removed whenever I want to lug something around.
Sweet, huh?
Seems I was all excited about finally getting some bass back.
There's too much. Oy!
Not only that, everything is just jumbled together. There's no nice, tight fast respose like I used to have in my SHO.
It's going back Friday to get the vinyl work done, and we'll see if they can tune it better.
=(
So, got the Explorer back. There's so much bump, the CD's are skipping.
Wow.
Gonna have to get adjusted!
WOOOOO!
Picking up the Explorer tomorrow from the stereo store!
Finally got bump back in there!
So, here's the breakdown:
Alpine CDA-7875 Headunit
Focal Polyglass 165V2 Front Speakers
Focal Access 130CA Rear Speakers
- Driven by MTX Thunder 564 4-channel amplifier
MTX Thunder 7500 12" subwoofer in a custom hidden box
- Driven by MTX Thunder 801D mono amplifier
It's gonna kick so much ass! I can't wait until tomorrow morning!!
SQ is definately there. I need bass, though.
I gotta have more thump.
And cowbell. Gotta have more cowbell.
Is this not the sexiest thing you've seen?
http://www.veilside.com/veilsideusa/aero/nissan/s13ei.html
I'm thinking a silver 240SX/S13 Silvia conversion, and slap that bad boy on there with some sweet wheels?
Oooohhhh, baby.
Now if I can only find someone with a good reputation on 240SX engine swaps, we're golden. I just located a replacement for my S13 clip up in Washington, along with the silver 240SX, all for a sweet-ass-sweet price.
Of course, we can say good-bye to my savings!
Gotta call the guy with the car, see about going to get it this weekend or next.
New speakers, front and rear. New amp for those speakers. XM gear professionally installed, which means no visible wires!
Of course, I'm now poor.
But, I do have to say, I think it was worth it.
Now, I'm just going to have to go over to Dallas, to what is apparently one of the last (there's only 4 left, goddammit) drive-in theatres in the state, so I can watch movies in my awesome Explorer!
Well, in the vehizzicle or something, I mean.
I just looked at my bank statement, and realized that I was being billed for another 6 months of XM Radio.
What the fuck? I forgot to suspend my subscription - FUCK!
That means I've been paying for it for over 9 months, and not using it.
Holy Jesus.
So, what did this cause Brian to do?
Well, he got off his ass, and installed his old Alpine deck into the Explorer, and jigger-rigged the XM gear so he could use it in his car.
So addictive, this XM Radio.
So addictive, that I went out and bought a Delphi XM Roady.
This little bastard kicks ass.
It's on special a few places right now - I got mine at Best Buy -, which means that in addition to the normal Roady package (Roady, Cassette Adapater, Cigarette Power Adapter and Mini-Magnet Mount Antenna), you instantly get an FM Modulator kit - this is a Cigarette Power replacement, with built-in FM Modulator, so you don't need the Cassette Adapter anymore.
In addition, there's a mail-in deal for the Roady home kit - an AC Adapter, Stereo RCA cable and home antenna.
And, Best Buy also has a $19.99 mail-in rebate.
Fucking SWEET.
If you go to http://www.xmfan.com, you can get the normal Roady package, your choice of either FM Modulator, IR Remote or Carry Case - and, you still get the mail-in deal for the home kit.
God, I've missed XM.
If you've never used it, you don't know what you're missing - over 100 channels of digital audio.
They've got virtually every genre of music, and all music channels are commercial free!
My deck has 6 presets, so I've got 3 Dance/Techno channels, the Top 20 channel, the '90's and Today channel, and "U-Pop", which is a world-wide Pop station - you get England, Japan, all over the place - lots of cool stuff.
Anyhow, if you're local to me and you're a friend of mine (there's a few that read this), and you're seriously interested in XM, let me know, and I'll loan you the Roady for a day.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled something or other...
I have decided that I want a Deuce-and-a-Half.
Oh baby oh baby.
It'll fucking ROCK!
Gonna get it, baby.
Just need to find financing, now...
MTX Thunderform, JL Stealthbox, or Q-Logic Q-Form with what inside?
Someone help me pick a sub+enclosure for my Exploder.
Found the fender flares, factory new, for hella cheap.
Found a guy with a '99 Explorer Sport that looks like he wants to trade bumpers, so sweet-ass-sweet.
I may end up getting my XLT XLS'd here sooner and cheaper than I originally thought!!
So, damn - I'm gonna have to paint my bumpers and chrome crap.
Can't find the grey bumpers cheap enough.
Dammit.
So, my Exploder got fixed Tuesday. I forgot to comment on that.
Seems the dust seals were going bad, and allowed some crap into one of the bearings, hence the squeal.
Now my rig ain't a humongous embarrassment to drive.
Yay Exploder!
Still gotta get the sound system installed, however...
AUGH!
So, I get my Explorer.
I like my music, so one of the first things I'm doing is upgrading the sound system.
The SHO had some decent Infinity speakers, my amp & subs, and my nifty Alpine deck.
At the very least, the deck, subs, amps and new speakers are going into the Explorer.
I'll probably add this 6-disc changer which decodes MP3's along with my XM Radio gear, and be done with it.
Anyhow, an SUV doesn't have a trunk. A trunk hides a subwoofer box.
I'm scouting around online for ideas on how to mount subs in the truck (the box I have would work fine in a trunk, but I don't like it in the Explorer), and I find http://www.sounddomain.com.
Cool, I think. It's a webpage for people to show off their custom systems and stuff, broken down by year, make and model.
Cool in theory.
I find shit like this idiot:
LET ME START OFF BY TELLING U IM ONLY 16 AND IM ROLLIN ON DUBZ HOW THAT SOUND
Sounds like you're a little bitch who got mommy and daddy to give you their old car when they decided to upgrade, and then spend too much money on some ugly-ass fucking wheels.
Fags. They've taken what could have been a cool site, with people trading information and ideas about how to do some tight custom audio work, and turned it into a fucking "Fast and the Furious" poser world headquarters.
The worst is the guestbook on the site. If you thought the "owner" of this ugly fucking Explorer was illiterate, check out the people who think his ride is "phat".
"Dandruff" and a "crushin" system? I swear to God, I'm going harm somebody.
Not bad for a 24 yr old just outta school!!!
OK, so you bought an Explorer. Yay. I like my Explorer, but by no means is it indicative of any kind of success or status. It's a fucking Explorer, and it's a 4-5 year old Explorer, at that.
Oh, and apparently that grille-guard/brush guard (which I dig, don't get me wrong - I was looking at the same one) makes his otherwise stock vehicle "the hottest Explorer around".
And will someone please tell me what the fuck is up with all the fucking ghetto gutter slang? Whips? Give me a goddamned break.
Awww! Check out the do-rag on page 2! He's a real playa!
Why do I even bother?
Here are the pics of my Exploder:
Yes, I know it's dirty, and needs a bath.
Yes, I know it rocks. Thank you.
So, while I love my new ride, the stock wheels on it suck.
They're ugly. Butt-ugly.
So, I've gone out looking for new wheels. Man, there aren't a whole lot of options for truck/SUV wheels, and the ones there are, those are ugly, too.
I got it narrowed down to a couple of style that I dig, and look a whole lot better than the stockers, and then I drop by the dealership to deliver a form my daddy had to sign (he co-signed on the last car).
Sitting on the lot is a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 Level II (yeah, that's a mouthful).
It has the wheels that I must have for my Explorer. The tires are nice too.
15" Alcoa forged aluminum blah blah blah dressed with BF Goodrich KO's.
I don't have a model name for the wheels, because, they apparently don't exist save for direct from Ford as an OEM replacement.
This sucks. Dealers charge assloads for OEM wheels. These things are probably going to run like $400 EACH (as opposed to $88 each for the next choice).
I'm going to have to find a wrecked Ranger, or steal the wheels off the dealership's Ranger under cover of darkness...
Still no pics of the car. I'm always busy when it's light outside. I'll get them by this weekend.
