Well it has been a few months since I last updated this. So still no progress on the truck really but I have been putting in some shop time getting things organized.
Been also working on projects around the new house. The biggest project we tackled was geothermal HVAC. When we purchased the house last year we knew that it was in need of new HVAC. After getting a bunch of quotes we decided on geothermal for the reduced running costs and also because of great rebates offered by the federal, state, and county bringing the cost back inline with a high efficiency heat pump. We also did all new duct work throughout the entire house. I made a deal with the contractor to do all the digging. They drilled three wells 300 feet deep and I got to dig from the house and connect all the wells
Gave the old backhoe a workout and ran into a bunch shale but we got it done. Then I had drywall work to do in the house because of running the new duct work. Anyway, that project is pretty much done and we love the geothermal. The house is much more comfortable and an even temp in every room.
There have been lots of new additions to the shop in the past few months too. My uncle owns an RV dealership that is unfortunately closing mainly due to a location that is no longer in a good neighborhood. I worked there for my first job working summers and weekends for many years. When they decided to close I was given first pass at the tools and etc so here is a list of the bigger items:
Sweet 1970s Pepsi machine that is fully functional and keeps sodas ice cold.
Huge drill press made by the Buffalo Forge Company
No idea on the age of this thing but it works well and is nice and slow for metal fab.
Nice older Victor Torch set, bottles, and cart along with a triple stage transmission jack. We have put the transmission jack to good use as Nick's (newoldscottsdale77) truck is currently on my lift with no transfer case or transmission. He is in the middle of building an Ecobox and swaping in a turbo 400 trans.
Last but not least an old 10-10 Coats tire machine that is good for steel wheels and an Ammco 1030 balancer.
The balancer was unfortunately 3 phase power so I got to have the fun and cost of setting up a 3 phase generator. It is a 1986 model but it works great and will handle up to a 42" tire up to 140 lbs. Also got a 40' sea container out of the deal.
Well anyway my shop is now more equipt and I am hoping to get lots of time in the shop for the mule very soon.