Ramp Truck Journey: Day 5

Marjorie Suddard wrote: Actually, Tim wanted to tow the truck to the next exit with the Spit. Rennie said no. They're good friends because they take turns being the rational one. Margie

Faith restored....At least one of them thought about it.

Did they at least secure to priceless Lotus quarter to the Spit so as to save it from marauding Loti Zombies?

Nah. They were D-O-N-E done with the entire show. It was still strapped on the back of the truck when the big wrecker delivered it Monday.

Margie

Tom Suddard wrote: This just in: I've been poking around the Spitfire, and there's absolutely no chance that the tailights were working for their drive home. The taillight harness is burned up and the fuse is blown. The headlights work fine, though. They didn't even notice the lack of taillights–4:30 a.m. will do that to you.

Therefore towing the ramp truck with the Spitfire is the logical choice... the ramp truck has tail lights and the Spitfire has its original headlights duct taped in place.

I would grade this "E" for EPIC, thanx for the memories.

tuna55 wrote:

Tom Suddard wrote: This just in: I've been poking around the Spitfire, and there's absolutely no chance that the tailights were working for their drive home. The taillight harness is burned up and the fuse is blown. The headlights work fine, though. They didn't even notice the lack of taillights–4:30 a.m. will do that to you.

Therefore towing the ramp truck with the Spitfire is the logical choice... the ramp truck has tail lights and the Spitfire has its original headlights duct taped in place.

I vote that Tuna go on all future such trips. His keen engineering thought process cuts straight to the chase.

Plus he could use some time away from the kids.

NOHOME wrote: And by the way, hope that no one send you a bill for the EPA clean-up on the gas spill.

I hope the EPA never finds that spot, because our esteemed publisher may or may not have crowned his defeat by dropping a deuce in the woods next to the gas spill.

There were several reasons he started showering down on the pedal just before the driveshaft blew. He really, really wanted to get home.

Margie

In reply to Marjorie Suddard:

Its a Superfund site!

Marjorie Suddard wrote:

NOHOME wrote: And by the way, hope that no one send you a bill for the EPA clean-up on the gas spill.

I hope the EPA never finds that spot, because our esteemed publisher may or may not have crowned his defeat by dropping a deuce in the woods next to the gas spill. There were several reasons he started showering down on the pedal just before the driveshaft blew. He really, really wanted to get home. Margie

I need a rag to wipe the monitor right now and a good explanation for the noise I just made.

Margie, some things do not need to be put on the message board.

And good thing we did not try to remove the exhaust manifolds to fix the gaskets and thus the leaks, as I have spent a few hours on this this week, and have only gotten a couple of the bolts out without snapping them. I did get a three piece driveshaft made from junk yard parts. The driveshaft that blew was two piece. I am trying to get the truck running again to bring something cool to the $2015 Challenge next weekend.

to bring something cool to the $2015 Challenge next weekend. you rang ?

I once had my F350 (crew cab long bed four wheel drive) die on me on I-77 just north of Charlotte. I was towing my 34' two-car hauler at the time. I called AAA, and told them that my truck had broken down. When the driver arrived, he told me my policy didn't cover trailers, or rigs that big, and a couple of other reasons he wasn't supposed to tow me.

I had my obviously-pregnant-at-the-time wife in the truck with me, and our dog, and mentioned to him that I had some cash. He then got on the horn and told dispatch he was towing "just the pickup", flat-bedded the truck, hitched up my trailer (which, incidentally, had no tag on it, because South Carolina) behind him, and towed us the ~100 miles home. For about $300.

Moral of the story: Always carry a pregnant wife, a dog, and cash.

Looking at the picture of the driveshaft in a puddle of gasoline, we should all be happy the driveshaft didn't spark on the ground and light off the gas.

THAT would have been an epically BAD ending to this story.

I'm thankful the s10 I lost the driveshaft in didn't puncture the tank, it just put a dent in it big enough to reduce its capacity 2 gallons.

Mine did similar things, ripping the yoke out up front, it became unbalanced from spinning too fast. Sounds like you had a similar thing happen. Throw a bigger diameter driveshaft under there when you put it back together and you should be good past 80mph.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Moral of the story: Always carry a pregnant wife........

It is getting harder than you think (no pun intended) - she just turned 53 years old.

You guys have earned this shirt:

Wow - you guys never fail to impress

Thanks all! We now have the new (now three-piece) drive shaft in. We are now chasing sending units and fixing the damaged fuel tank. Truck is now buffed, and the bitchin' seventies vinyl top is fixed. The wiring issues are all solved and we are getting a bit tired. Still breaking off exhaust manifold bolts (and got a few out without breaking them). I wanted to drive this thing to the $2015 Challenge as a support vehicle, but that is looking a bit unlikely.

Tow it with the Spitfire. We'll all be impressed.

Is the ramp truck within 2015 budget? Like to see it do the cones.

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

Next time maybe Rennie can throw a blanket under his shirt and make pouty faces to try and fool the tow driver.. because we all know there'll be a next time.

For future reference, you are aware that everybody including amazon sells 7" round headlights comprised of euro housings and h4 bulbs, right? Bright as day. For $70, any old car I plan to drive at night gets those things as the first mod. I have literally brought them along when picking up a Miata at night and installed before leaving.

In reply to RedGT:

Are those the annoyingly bright, usually-improperly-aimed blue lights I see on cars?

volvoclearinghouse wrote: In reply to RedGT: Are those the annoyingly bright, usually-improperly-aimed blue lights I see on cars?

No. What you're thinking of are aftermarket HID lights.

I bought three (or four) sets of H4 lamps and haven't installed them yet in my three LBC's.

One, I was unaware they didn't include the bulb sockets and I have yet to source them.

Two, H4 bulbs typically draw more power than standard sealed beams. Since my LBC's currently lack any sort of relay and all lighting amperage is pulled through a barely adequate light switch, I need to do a relay upgrade first.

Third, I'm still debating on getting 7" LED lamps instead, although the ~$300+ cost makes me hesitate...

Is autopal and hella still the top in the 7 inch sealed beam to h4 market?

I've got silverstar sealed beam in the duster, but they are nla and won't last forever.

The whole thing seemed so well thought out... Can't believe it didn't go flawlessly!

(Btw, I think we all need to do this kind of thing as often as possible)