Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Yes... but somehow there is some on the inside widow frame. Can't figure it out...

 

Caution: Rant in bound



So… I got caught yesterday. No biggie, but it did get me thinking some.


Wife and I had just finished a mountain bike ride up in the Chequamegon National forest near Ashland in an area the locals call the Barrons. Stopped at Long Lake which is on the way home and she took a swim across the lake while I went around to the other end of the lake in the truck and took a short hike on some new trail they put in to replace an ice damaged causeway. I got back first and sat on a bench by the lake and just spaced while she finished swimming in. Not long into this vegetative lull in my day a forest service ranger showed up to pick up the trash. We exchanged niceties and then I took the initiative to ask him about some of the road closures I’ve noticed in the area lately.


Guys was very friendly, but clearly a minion. I got the “we are about the logging industry not recreation. That is the Park Service agenda” spiel. Eventually we did get to some meaningful dialogue as he explained that the rangers go around all year and make notes about the apparent use of trails and roads. In the spring they meet and mark a map to show what they think should/could be closed and that information is translated onto the current MUV maps they then publish for the forest.


He also explained that the SUV/ATV width format is outdated because some of the really big SxS’s are the width of a small truck/Jeep etc He explained that what they are concerned with is weight and the potential for road damage. Had not heard that explanation before, and I said so. Also noted that if they were really worried about road damage they should look at what the Atv/UTV/SxS crowd seem to do to every road they use… Hell I wouldn’t have buried my truck later in the day if those fruckers could just ride a road without tearing everything to sheet.


Anyway, was an enlightening conversation. As we walked to his truck so he could give me the most current MUV map he asked if I had paid. This area is marked as a fee area. Caught. I said no, but that I would on the way out. This, however got me thinking. If they are so deeply in bed with the logging industry, and federally funded by my/our tax dollars why the fruck do we have to pay to use our infrastructure? Had the same thoughts way back when they instituted this BS in the 90’s. I was sitting on a bench put there probably some time in the 70’s and my truck was in a dirt parking area. Not much expense there. Yes they come and service the vault toilet and take the trash but it seems to me that that expense is the cost of doing business. I was going to be there 30 minutes tops waiting for my wife to swim the lake and I have to pay $5 for the privilege. How have we let this happen? I am bad-I seldom pay in fee areas-my bit of civil disobedience I guess. Must have been a bit peckish from the ride but it got under my skin a bit. Yes I paid on the way out. No I won’t pay next time I am up there.

Rant, if you will, is over…

 

I'd rather start Sunday. That leaves Monday to figure out and fix what we f'd up. Rich? What say you? I'm wide open. You make the call. Automotive electronics are really not my thing.

 

I'm good with that, what time do we want to start? Really not a lot of electric to do, just run cables to ground and the cutoff switch, and from cutoff switch to battery. Some of that can be done while the stock bumper is being removed. Back bumper shouldn't take an hour.

Tim @Pixeltim, there isn't and cutting that has to be done in front, is there?

 

Nice silver planter in the background...

 

Sunday is good. Just minor cutting on the plastic.

 

What time should the festivities start? It doesn't matter to me. Rich, you have a bit of a drive. Your call.
I'm 40 mins. away.

 

Should we shoot for 10? I'm about 2hrs. away (depending on how much I bruise the speed limit).

 

I'll be there.

 

10 Sunday it is!
I really appreciate the help!

 

Did someone say front camera? I can help with that

The missus is off that Sunday and I don't mind the drive. She'll probably just make me pick her up some Raising Cane's. Turns out the Milwaukee location isn't that great tasting already.....figures


I have a dremel kit and should still have some cut-off sanding discs left. Plus a bunch of heat shrink and electrical stuff. I could always haul my Husky jack too for another holding point.

 

FedEx man showed up! To quote @McSpazatron...."It's a boy!"

 

Outstanding!
Thank you!
Btw, I do have a floor jack and a pair of jack stands if needed.

 

I will be there.

PM your address

 

Outstanding! thank you!

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

The 4Runner got a little TLC this morning. I was hoping to beat the heat, but it was already hot when I got started. Changed the oil and rotated the tires.



I got to try out my fancy funnel, too!



Also, no pic, but I ran to the pay 'n' spray and hosed off some more mud that I missed in the first round after Tigerton. I also hit the engine bay with tire foam as recommended by @Stoney Ranger and am pleased with the results. Obviously, the above picture was taken before that.

 

That tire foam works pretty good in the wheel wells, too. The shocks and coils get saturated with it. Makes 'em look prettier. You'll also like what it does to your front grill.

 

I did the 5 tire rotation today and then handwashed the truck and the wife's Tiguan. First time using Mr. Pink from Chemical Guys and I like the results. Need to get my engine bay cleaned up one of these days. There's still TWArk dirt in there.

Found time for a dip in the pool, some reading on the deck and had hatch pepper steak fajitas on the grill with roasted corn on the cob. So, good Sunday.

 

A very good Sunday