The Adventures of Ash and Baby Taco

Those fat tire monsters are all over Fort Collins, very popular here. Funny thing is I see most hanging out the trunk of a car instead of actually being ridden. Kind of like a fashion statement around here.

 

Yeah they began to get popular here. Most the ones I see are on the back of an SUV looking like they just rolled out of the shop. The couple on campus are beat up and used.

I didn't get one a while back because I thought it was just a fad. Turns out they actually have a purpose haha.

 

While i was at work yesterday i saw a guy bombing down a gnarly downhill on a no suspension fatbike, it was pretty cool

 

The tires make up for a lack of suspension quite well. I wouldn't take this bike down a rough hill but I probably wont pay the extra coin to have suspension when I upgrade.

 

This semester I have a class that requires a short 10 page paper. It's basically teaching us how to refine our scientific writing skills. There is a 8 minute presentation to "show off" our findings. I dread these assignments because it never fails that people manage to pick boring topics. We get the freedom to choose any topic as long as it is in the realm of science and our discussion professor (we choose who they are) approve. My discussion professor specializes in invertebrates and more specifically snails/parasites. Well, I came across this cool parasite that eats and replaces the tongue of fish! I am rather excited to give a presentation on this lil guy.



In truck related news. I was sent a delivery confirmation for the valve holding tool I ordered. Ill probably finish up swapping out the valve seals I can access tonight and maybe begin reassembling the engine.

 

This is true..what i did for a whole year with Frank

 

This is a pain in the butt. Changed 3 of 4 seals in the first cylinder. The valve holding tools have to short of a thread to get started so I tried to fit a spark plug extension. Still couldn't thread it because the m18 thread got in the way of the m14. Out came the duct tape. That worked for a bit but never fully sealed meaning I had a very short period of time to have enough pressure.

Anyways, I have to start in on some homework for tomorrow. Ill try again tomorrow.

 

Today I broke down and ordered some snow shoes. I have been renting them from the university but its something like $10 for a weekend and the price has added up for the amount I have gone. For Valentines Day the girlfriend and I are going south near the Colorado border to snow shoe. Last time we planned to go the university rented all of them out and it was a huge bummer. This is going to be a fun weekend! Poker night on friday, truck/HW on saturday, Snow Shoeing/Deadpool on sunday. Then crunch time until spring break.

 

Why swap engines when you could do this?
http://www.lceperformance.com/Supercharger-kit-for-2005-Tacoma-2-7L-2TR-FE-4-Cy-p/7015241.htm Would probably be the same price in the end?

 

The URD SC kit brings his motor to 250hp.

Which really isn't a ton considering the amount a swap would get him. And more low end torque which is more important in this case.

 

It brings it up to 250RWHP. Which is RWHP is Rear Wheel Horse Power. 250HP to the ground is very appropriate for whatever you could want to do in a regular cab truck IMHO.

 

I think it simply comes down to best bang for your buck. I can do the SC and hope that the 250hp is adequate for me. Or I can spend a little more and know that I can easily have the power/reliability I want out of an engine. If the price of that kit was around 2-3k, I don't think I would question an engine swap and just do the SC.

 

I would do the SC too for anything less than $3,000!

 

Bumped the bike tires up from 10 psi to 15psi. Shaved 3 minutes off my time to get to school and saved my legs some pain haha.

 

Any progress on the Top-end work?

 

The dewalt is going back today. I was going to keep it but I am going to Denver tomorrow to look at/most likely bring home a land cruiser and could use the extra bit of cash to make myself feel better haha.

 

Murphy's law just hit me hard. Last fucking valve seal and something happen outside resulting in a nice bang. Maybe a back fire, but it sounded like a damn gun. I jump, smash my head on the hood and dropped a hammer a few inches above the engine. What does it hit? The head...made of nice, soft, shiny aluminum. Right at the edge where the cam sits. So now there is a tiny nipple where the cam is supposed to go. Fan- fucking-tastic.

Now what do I do? I am assuming a new head at the very least?

 

I would take it to get it machined, they probably can get that straightened out for you. Anyway good luck with the land cruiser, there is a 2015 used one by me for $69,000 with 5,000 miles.

 

Found a t100 reg cab v6 for 1200. Body is rough but it runs good. Idle is low for some reason. Took it for a for spin and I really liked it.

The guy is holding it for me until I see the cruiser. I think both are good deals but I would not keep the t100 in the long run. Probably could sell it for 2 grand when finished.

I sure am glad I have sustained a savings account. You never know when shit will hit the fan.

 

I have the exact same kind of luck as you , so I can relate.
Just proves the theory that , save a dime and end up spending a dollar !
Sorry to hear , but in the end you will be wiser. Hey ! A wise man didn't get wise by making all the right moves ... He got there by learning from his mistakes. Should have had your ear protection on

Couple weeks ago , while installing new leaf Pac's ... I get all done , torqued and all buttoned up. I'm standing there admiring the work , and notice the bushing sleeves are still on the workbench.... ....WTF