bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Maybe one of my last updates in California!
After weighing a bunch of options on towing the blazer out to Knoxville, it was decided that just driving it out there made the most sense. Trying to add a 10k trailer behind a 1/2 ton suburban with 260k miles on it, driving 4 straight days with my daughters cat and pet fish in the back was just too much to deal with. So far, none of my kids want to ride in the truck with me.
So as part of my packing requirements, I had to reinstall the egg crate grill and headlight buckets rather than box them up.
I bought a pack of those plastic nuts that hold the grill on and I gave up after installing 3 of them. They just don’t fit right and I ended up breaking one of the grill mounting tabs. Long term plan was to learn how to TIG weld and fab an aluminum version anyway. These are the nuts I'm talking about.
Then I had to take care of the radiator issues. I sent the place an email asking if they had any idea on what might be happening to my radiators, and I’d even pay to ship it back and have them really diagnose it and buy a new one. Sent them all kinds of multimeter readings of the coolant while it’s running and they said they’d ship me as many radiators as it took to find the issue if I’d test out some ideas for them.
So I just got the first one back and it was supposed to come with a zinc electrode that was tapped for a ground wire, but they forgot to include the electrode. Rather than waiting, I tapped the one I had and installed it.
Also added a set of their fans and housing as an upgrade. These mount directly to the radiator rather than the core support. I thought that might help reduce any mechanical forces than might be causing a problem. Also heard that cheap fans sometimes aren’t grounded and can cause excess electrical charge buildup. These weren’t cheap, but they are crazy loud! So far measuring up to 0.3V in the coolant while running, but it goes down to zero after I shut the motor down. The previous setup just kept building up. I assume the grounded electrode is dissipating the voltage buildup. Will be keeping a close eye on it.
Had to take about 400 lbs of steel scrap to the recycler today to clean out the garage. I’m always disappointed with how little cash you get back from steel, given how much effort it is to recycle it. $16.40.
And looks like we’re finally about to close on this house. Got to visit some Nashville landmarks as well. Should be packing a trailer June 12, and heading out June 16th-ish. Hoping for 11mpg.
After weighing a bunch of options on towing the blazer out to Knoxville, it was decided that just driving it out there made the most sense. Trying to add a 10k trailer behind a 1/2 ton suburban with 260k miles on it, driving 4 straight days with my daughters cat and pet fish in the back was just too much to deal with. So far, none of my kids want to ride in the truck with me.
So as part of my packing requirements, I had to reinstall the egg crate grill and headlight buckets rather than box them up.
I bought a pack of those plastic nuts that hold the grill on and I gave up after installing 3 of them. They just don’t fit right and I ended up breaking one of the grill mounting tabs. Long term plan was to learn how to TIG weld and fab an aluminum version anyway. These are the nuts I'm talking about.
Then I had to take care of the radiator issues. I sent the place an email asking if they had any idea on what might be happening to my radiators, and I’d even pay to ship it back and have them really diagnose it and buy a new one. Sent them all kinds of multimeter readings of the coolant while it’s running and they said they’d ship me as many radiators as it took to find the issue if I’d test out some ideas for them.
So I just got the first one back and it was supposed to come with a zinc electrode that was tapped for a ground wire, but they forgot to include the electrode. Rather than waiting, I tapped the one I had and installed it.
Also added a set of their fans and housing as an upgrade. These mount directly to the radiator rather than the core support. I thought that might help reduce any mechanical forces than might be causing a problem. Also heard that cheap fans sometimes aren’t grounded and can cause excess electrical charge buildup. These weren’t cheap, but they are crazy loud! So far measuring up to 0.3V in the coolant while running, but it goes down to zero after I shut the motor down. The previous setup just kept building up. I assume the grounded electrode is dissipating the voltage buildup. Will be keeping a close eye on it.
Had to take about 400 lbs of steel scrap to the recycler today to clean out the garage. I’m always disappointed with how little cash you get back from steel, given how much effort it is to recycle it. $16.40.
And looks like we’re finally about to close on this house. Got to visit some Nashville landmarks as well. Should be packing a trailer June 12, and heading out June 16th-ish. Hoping for 11mpg.
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Maybe someday I can have a carport or small garage built in the back there. Unfortunately the kitchen is straight outta of 1998 with authentic 20 year old Formica countertops. Wife would never left me get away building a garage before doing the kitchen.
Will try and post some on the road pics as time allows.
