Mike's 50 shades of mud, and shenanigans every once in a while

sweet! so when do we go wheelin?

 

taking it to Gatlinburg next month though

 

So i battled a seized tie rod nut when i attempted to align my truck when i put the new tires on, so i said screw it and ordered inner and outer tie rods for both sides. So in addition to getting the alignment right again, i got rid of one of the noises the truck had and also the play in the steering.

 

Shotgun!!

 

small shenanigans:

I've always wanted a stubby antenna, but it's never been a priority. i could have ordered/bought one, but.... I had this little section of 3/16" steel bar left over from the rc trailer build, so I decided why not since I'm always tinkering with random parts?

I threaded one end about 3/4"-1" up (5mm x 0.8 die), soldered a wire to it, and wrapped the wire around. Covered with heat shrink and stuck a vacuum hose nipple on top for a cap. I used a couple of washers and nuts to shim for fitment at the mount and covered with heat shrink.

so once again, could I have bought one for cheap? sure... but why not go this route for the fun of it? plus the fact that it cost me nothing

 

But does it work?

 

it does. it picks up U of M's 91.7 clearly... that station is always weak and was nonexistent when i just had a bolt stuck in.

 

Nice!

 

did some shenanigans today... I got tired of having to pull out my air compressor from the behind the seat storage, unwind cables, unwind hose, clamp power clips to battery, use, let cool down (throw in the rear floor board temporarily), then put away later.... so i mounted it in the engine bay, wired to in cab switch with relay and all that jazz. cleaned up the switch wires while i was there.



before:



after:

self made mounting plate. note the 2 big holes... my marks were off and i realized after i drilled and went to mock it up so i made them freakin huge but it worked out, because it allowed it to be rotated to the desired position.



so i now call it a partial on board air setup


intention is to upgrade to a stronger/bigger compressor and tank setup eventually... I don't really use it all that much currently.

 

Do you think that compressor will survive a few splashes through mudholes?

 

i wanted to put it in a storage container, but couldn't find the correct dimensions that i need/want.... will still keep looking. and what i forgot to add is that one of the cables that i had previously fixed broke at the fuse housing, so i needed to do something.

 

*update*

I've had a few questions about water/dust/mud, and like i mentioned, i wanted to put it in a container. i found an ammo box at rAcademy for $15.xx. it's a tad bit tight, but it fits and works. outside clearance from the intake tube is good. all sealed up and grommeted for the wires. i won't lie, it was a bit of a PITA, and i was on the verge of regretting the whole project, but i powered through and i happy with the result. all i have to do is connect the hose and turn on.





i thought about painting it black, but I'm out of black paint and was really ready to be done with the project, so OD it stays.

 

lit bro...




and the house

 

Thought of you here...

 

Definitely needs googly eyes.

 

bought a Barrett.... didn't have the $12k for a real one, so i got an airsoft version. it's a licensed functional replica that has a certificate of authenticity. i used to play back in the day, but shoot them for leisure now.

 

Will this be coming to AOP?

 

unfortunately no. i will be missing out again this year

march has become a busy month for us within the last few years.