What did YOU do today?

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I cut some panels for the inside of the doors on my mini camper, probably going to lay out and cut the two other window openings this week if we get a long enough stretch of weather with no rain, the camper doesn't fit in the garage unfortunately.



I've gotta order some of those for my girlfriend's explorer, they're pretty junk. But 170k miles will do that.

We’ve been dealing with a lot of rain too. Hard to plan or do much like that.

Something like 243k and counting on this Malibu. No idea if the struts are original or not, but I’m pretty sure they’ve seen better days. I insisted on the loaded struts and just used my account at Autozone. I have better things to do than mess around taking struts apart and putting them back together or trying to find the cheapest price. Since its not supposed to rain until this evening, I guess that’s what I’m doing today.

 

[holyford86]

We’ve been dealing with a lot of rain too. Hard to plan or do much like that.

Something like 243k and counting on this Malibu. No idea if the struts are original or not, but I’m pretty sure they’ve seen better days. I insisted on the loaded struts and just used my account at Autozone. I have better things to do than mess around taking struts apart and putting them back together or trying to find the cheapest price. Since its not supposed to rain until this evening, I guess that’s what I’m doing today.

Bought this one with 161 on it and I knew one was starting to leak then, the situation has not improved, haha. It actually fits in my garage so I won't need to worry too much about that. I'm also going to go with the assemblies, there are at least two variations for her year though, so that's fun...

 

[Blmpkn]

Not to correct you, but here in the in the welding majors we call that b*tthole a "rosette weld".

She's a whole lotta' Rosie..

 

[racsan]

I prefer loaded struts too, after a while I think you lose some spring rate, my escape sits up higher now than the newer awd one (that has 45K more miles & original struts) The big thing with strut suspension is to watch the mounting towers in the engine bay, our awd escape is looking bad there, Really should replace it but its still a good runner.

 

[rumblecloud]

I spent $400 f-ing dollars on two pair of what I used to call sneakers - one pair for me and one for the wifey....
Not sure what they are called now...maybe something ;like Chapter 11.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I prefer loaded struts too, after a while I think you lose some spring rate, my escape sits up higher now than the newer awd one (that has 45K more miles & original struts) The big thing with strut suspension is to watch the mounting towers in the engine bay, our awd escape is looking bad there, Really should replace it but its still a good runner.

Yeah, you definitely lose spring rate to some degree or other. Plus when you add your time to take struts apart and putting them back together and the danger you run while doing it, it just really isn’t worth it. Just buy the loaded struts and call it a day. I took my time with it yesterday and still had them swapped in no time. Ended up having to replace a sway bar link too. Back of the car definitely could use springs and shocks now, lol. Lisa said it drove really nice. Oh, and the car has more like 263k apparently, lol.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I spent $400 f-ing dollars on two pair of what I used to call sneakers - one pair for me and one for the wifey....
Not sure what they are called now...maybe something ;like Chapter 11.

Good shoes definitely aren’t cheap. I gave up years ago buying cheap shoes, they just don’t hold up.

 

[sgtsandman]

I cut the grass, taking advantage of the unexpected dry spell and took some measurements of the 2019 bed so I can make plans on building a platform with drawers.

I am debating a bit on whether to go with a better wood than pine. Unlike the 2011, it doesn't get used much as a cargo hauler but it would still take a bit of a beating when loading an unloading camping gear. Either way, the side and front exposed edges of the top deck will get some protection with angle iron or aluminum.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I cut the grass, taking advantage of the unexpected dry spell and took some measurements of the 2019 bed so I can make plans on building a platform with drawers.

I am debating a bit on whether to go with a better wood than pine. Unlike the 2011, it doesn't get used much as a cargo hauler but it would still take a bit of a beating when loading an unloading camping gear. Either way, the side and front exposed edges of the top deck will get some protection with angle iron or aluminum.

I have a full selection of woodworking tools and a lot of metal working stuff so when you get a plan together, we can probably do something.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have a full selection of woodworking tools and a lot of metal working stuff so when you get a plan together, we can probably do something.

I have some myself. Though, with this being a bigger box, help might be a good idea. And bigger clamps. What I have won't work on a 43.5" x 60.5" box.

 

[Curious Hound]

I have some myself. Though, with this being a bigger box, help might be a good idea. And bigger clamps. What I have won't work on a 43.5" x 60.5" box.

Ratchet straps can sometimes be used as clamps for big things.

 

[sgtsandman]

Ratchet straps can sometimes be used as clamps for big things.

What do you think of using 1X6 for the sides and 2x6 for the center of the 2 drawers? Strong enough? Or should I go 2x6 for the sides as well?

I plan on using 15/32 exterior grade plywood for the bottom, deck, and end cap towards the front of the truck.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, my Stihl is temporarily off the workbench. I need a better resolution than what is currently available (IE, I need filter material that I don’t currently have here). Sawdust is getting past the air filter. Poor design in my opinion. I added some extra filter material that I did have to try and seal it up better until I can get something else. MS170 is the saw model.

Also did a few small things and some cleaning on my workbench, then I tore apart the Mac 3516 that I’m trying to fix for dad. It’s a little bit of a mess, apparently those have an oil pump with a bit of hose into the bar oil tank and apparently that hose broke awhile ago and flooded the bottom of the case with oil. I’ll get it hosed out a bit tomorrow probably. Cleaned out the muffler and some other stuff. Cylinder looks pretty good so I’m hoping that it won’t take much to get it running nice. Might buy a new bar and chain for it if it runs nice, but I’ll give it to dad.

 

[racsan]

Hit a small deer. on the way home from work. Light bar still works, didnt take out the a/c or radiator. Grill busted but Ive been considering changing it anyways. That bull bar may have done some good but its pretty mangled now.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Took care of some little things, ordered some stuff, then back to winching pine trees out of a pond and cutting them apart. Got the last two big ones winched out and chopped up. New chain on my big saw cuts faster but also loses it‘s edge fast. Might have to source an Oregon one.