San Antonio

Morning Linwood

Morning Mark

JUST an observation, because it was going to happen. On the way to San Marcos yesterday at 10, Valero gas had gone from $3.19 the day before to $3.59. On the way back in town around 2, it was $3.65. That's changing faster than my truck goes!

Good Morning SA! So, I did pick up the poolside furniture, but appear to have ruined my obligatory pic of it stacked up in the truck. Was a little upset that it took an HOUR at curbside pickup to get it, but mostly because I had another errand. Which was to get home, take the hydroponic rack off the fence, and truck it out to a little garden share place outside town. I took my Supervisor for the ride.





And here's a shocker. I asked Carol if she'd like to start her birthday early, and head downtown for a couple drinks, and then some wine & pizza - it's First Friday downtown. Shock #1 was YES. So, everything was absolutely PACKED! We went to the first place for some beverage, then across the street for pizza - 45 minutes wait, then 45 minutes for food! We ended up at the fancy place in town, the Bistro, where we actually got a table and a very fancy dinner. It's good, expensive stuff. Was all worth it for the fun of first time getting out in almost 2 years! And good to see the downtown businesses full of people!

 

Morning Kurt and nice, glad you all had fun.

 

This is sort of a rerun, but my handyman posted MUCH BETTER pics in the Lockhart FB pages to advertise himself than he sent me! Wife forwarded for me - shows what got accomplished with that chimney crown repair much better than what I had.










Just in case you are interested in what that stuff can do.

 

Hello San Antonio. I'm a new resident. Moved from H-town(born and raised) this past December. I normally do all my maintenance. Saves money. Where I am currently living I don't have space to do that.
I have checked with one local business and they want +$80 for an oil change with synthetic(Mobil 1 5w30). Big shock!
Any recommendations on a local business that does oil changes? I have owned my '08 Tacoma since she was new. I will check with Red McCombs for a quote.
I have all the tools needed plus the OEM Toyota oil filter with crush washer. Mobil 1 5/30 is available for less than $30.

Another option might be to find a fellow Tacoma owner who would let me use a driveway or garage space. I could throw in a 6-pack of beer. Maybe even some tools needed to perform other services.

 

Chris

Welcome to the group, as you I do most of my oil changes myself just because I can and like to spend the time doing it. Scott had a nice setup but it is for sale currently and myself I have the space but I'm 30 miles out of town so not necessarily convenient. @Mynameisbrandin has a place up on the NE side, you could always hit him up on what he would charge you for maybe doing that.

 

Welcome!

Let's set something up. I need to do my front diff soon anyway. I have a garage and driveway we can work in.

 

Welcome Chris....I'm even further away.

Well, after lengthy scientierrific evaluation this morning, tests of yet another "stubby" vs. OEM antenna are in! You were waiting, right? If you want a flexible, stubby for whatever reason, you know most are terrible. I had one more I was going to try, before I just cut my OEM down to a lower height. So, in the driveway; apples to apples.
I walked through the channel scan, logging everything that provided an identifiable radio signal. My radio is an HD radio, and I don't NOT even have AM.
(42) stations total on the FM band. I rated them as follows.
(2) Spanish language which don't help me at all....
(14) Weak signal; you might listen to the channel in passing, but you would never bother with a preset. Of these, STUBBY ignored all. No reception.
(16) Good signal; broadcast is clear and identifiable, minor interference heard. Of these STUBBY ignored (4), and picked up (12) same as OEM.
(10) Strong signal; powerful sound, instant ID, no interference. Of these, STUBBY got all (10).

So, of (26) channels good enough to put a preset on, STUBBY got (22) equal or better than OEM. This does not judge moving vehicle, which effects any antenna.
I have (15) presets available, and I used up (10) on anything I would "possibly" listen to if my satellite failed, or I wanted so local info. So, STUBBY stays on the truck. What is it?

$25 AntennaMastsRus Short Rubber 6 3/4" Antenna for Toyota Tacoma (1995-2015) - USA Stainless Steel Threading, Car Wash Proof, Easy Installation, Enhanced Radio Reception with Internal Copper Coil

Amazon.com: AntennaMastsRus - The Original 6 3/4 Inch Antenna fits Toyota Tacoma (1995-2015) - USA Stainless Steel Threading - Car Wash Proof - Internal Copper Coil - Premium Reception : Automotive

Now, mine didn't come with instructions (you don't need), or the extra hardware screws (I didn't need). No matter. The little mark identifies it as exactly the same as this, who I believe actually manufactures it. They might even be the same company; along with "the Antenna Source.com" - all in Wisconsin.

$25 Votex Black Short Rubber 6 3/4" Universal Antenna Kit - Car Wash Proof, Easy Setup, Enhanced Reception with Copper Coil, Stainless Steel Threading, Flexible & Durable Fits Cars, Trucks, SUVs

Amazon.com: VOTEX - The Original 6 3/4 Inch - Car Wash Proof Short EPDM Rubber Antenna - USA Stainless Steel Threading - Powerful Internal Copper Coil/Premium Reception : Electronics






So, there you have it. Was $5 more than the last junk I returned. Was $40 less than the only one I researched with better reviews.

 

Welp. The atx crawfish festival was a bust. Lol...

 

My tundra came with a stubby antenna, and I hate it. The reception is absolute garbage and I don’t think it looks very good, I’m going to have to order an oem to replace it.

 

Antenna mostly depends on overall length, which is why most stubbies suck. I tried 3 before this one. It has LOTS of windings inside. windings make up for length, but only so much. I only wanted short & flexible, because I use auto brush car wash 90% of the time.

 

Wish me luck…camping in the back yard with my 5 y/o son

 

MONSTERS!

 

All went well, but I woke up at 0330 and him at 0400…wide awake! All cleaned and packed up by 0500. Now I am exhausted with two cups of coffee in

 

Morning everybody!

 

Morning Linwood

Morning Chas

Good Morning SA! time for the Sunday Funnies! Enjoy the day before the next little front tomorrow.

 

Sounds good! Appreciate that. Not sure what I'm going to do. Still have a few hundred miles before my change time.

 

Sup gang, picked up 4 yards of dirt yesterday, first two are dumped into the flower bed... time to go finish the remaining.

 

If you paid for it, it's soil now!

 

Yep, good garden soil….better than miracle grow.

 

Lovely. Need to PM Scott a pic - he hates gardens!