The Adventures of Ash and Baby Taco

Baby T has still never left me stranded! When I got off work I knew I was likely to have one shot at starting the truck and I wasn’t sure if the battery would last until I got home. When I got home I decided to try to start her back up and the battery died. She literally gave me her last drop of energy to make it home .

Looks like I’ll be installing an alternator this weekend.

 

Popped the alternator out but NAPA gave me the wrong replacement part and didn’t have the correct part in stock. So I just ordered a Denso and it’ll be here this week. Cruiser should be ready to pick up after work tomorrow.

Our kitchen oven had a mini electrical fire this weekend so I have been trying to fix that as well .

 

@BabyTaco Have you considered taking a trip to Rome, maybe?

 

Ha! Right now would be a perfect time to run away! I made some good progress on your tarp despite all the drama. It’s been a nice change in pace.

I will add some good news since this seems to be a huge debbie downer thread as of late. I have been trying to get a fly tying clinic started at the local veterans center. I finally have funding, willing volunteers, and the first date set. We will offer beginner classes through December and then host a 10-course long workshop that’ll teach participants how to tie any fly. Pretty cool to see it all come together.

 

Did you read my post on using heat to help getting the rusted pin out?

 

I did! I might have to give it a try. I don’t have a torch so I have just been spraying it with PB blaster. Still no luck. Might swing it by my mechanics shop and see if he has an idea. Worse case I can cut that part off and have a welder weld a new “latch system” on.

 

Engine pull party scheduled for May. Keeping an eye on car parts for an 2011+ engine sub $2k. My fishing buddy is coming for a 3-day weekend during high flows so we can get it done before we are at the river every weekend haha.

 

Wait so your keeping it?

 

Maybe, but I am not going to let this truck beat me haha. Fact is, by time I get it ready for sale I’ll probably fall back in love with it.

 

I think this truck would be a good candidate for the Cummins R2.8 diesel motor. I know of a few companies that are swapping them pretty easily.

 

Most likely haha

 

For a pretty penny. I remember reading that the warranty is super sketch or getting replacement parts specific to the engine was difficult. I sure do dream about this though.

 

That's kind of what I've read too but it would be a sweet swap on a single cab. I'm hoping they might have a little bigger repower motor option when my motor goes out.
Good luck getting the truck all running right

 

Just put an ls5.3 in it and call it good

 

Y’all are acting like I haven’t had trouble just swapping the same engine in it haha.

 

Go big or go home!!

And I thought you had a buyer for it as is. What made you decide to replace the motor?

 

Well I got the truck running again. Easiest alternator I have ever changed, just took a hot minute to get the correct alternator. Today was the last day of nice weather for about a week.

Tomorrow is dedicated to finishing @INBONESTRYKER ‘s tarp. Super excited to see the final product and get that out to him to enjoy. Soon as that’s done I have some flys to tie!

 

That' s fabulous, I'm excited to see the finished product. Am wondering how far South I'll have to go to get a stake in the ground. It is springtime in WY now... maybe 6 inches of spring tonight!

 

Well fixing or selling BabyT is on hold for now (again). I was told today that my job is being cut and I will be out of work at the end of September.

I am working to get transferred to a position with the Forest Service ~40 minutes away so all hope is not lost. Just pinching the pennies and seeing where life takes us. I feel confident I can drive BabyT to whenever the next job takes us and we can certainly use the truck bed and hitch to pull a trailer .

 

Man, I wish you the best of luck! The right job will prevail.