Above 1200 Sq/FT Aces High Speed Shop's New Home - 36x40x14

[loganb]

For the dollars I can drive it for 5+ years and still probably sell it for more than I paid!

I hear you on that one. My brother has a friend in charge of the upfitting dept for one of the larger county sheriff's depts in Kansas and they're buying more and more Tundra's as the fleet discounts from corporate are bigger and they're selling them for more then they paid after 3 years and 50-60k miles of service! In conjuction with me being annoyed as something about my Chevy cab corners in my 2014 that I didn't treat great(no fluid film) but did get washed frequently showing significant rust when the time comes for the next new to me I'm going to have to look harder outside of the GM family...

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I hear you on that one. My brother has a friend in charge of the upfitting dept for one of the larger county sheriff's depts in Kansas and they're buying more and more Tundra's as the fleet discounts from corporate are bigger and they're selling them for more then they paid after 3 years and 50-60k miles of service! In conjuction with me being annoyed as something about my Chevy cab corners in my 2014 that I didn't treat great(no fluid film) but did get washed frequently showing significant rust when the time comes for the next new to me I'm going to have to look harder outside of the GM family...

I grew up GM, I married into Ford. I have no desire to own a direct injected DOD/AFM engine, no thank you. The new Chevy/GMC grills are HIDEOUS ...and with GM's pledge to go all electric, I'm left wondering what will become of my beloved GMC's.

I'll always be a GM guy, but man, Toyota makes it so easy. I've done a ton of research on Tundras, my next half-ton pickup(**if I buy a newer one**) will be a 2014+ Tundra. At this point, my K2500 big block 'burb and the green turd will cover all my needs!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Well the Z28 headliner saga continues...

FINALLY received the replacement material for the botched first shipment....guess what, its wrong too!

At this point, after the communication I had with the company, I'm done with this transaction. I'll be shipping both rolls of material back on their dime and I explained I expected a full refund when received. Turns out, they knowingly sent me material that was "close" in color to the sample I was sent...because, "you were in a hurry". Like that makes it ok? Oh...and they don't have any in stock to match the sample they sent me (which they stated the did in the beginning when I ordered), but if I'm willing to wait longer, they will try and get a closer match...haha. I have a feeling I'll be filing a grievance with the CC company in order to get all my money back.

Should you ever think about purchasing from SMS Auto Fabrics...don't.

 

[rattle_snake]

Sorry to hear that Marc, good luck finding something acceptable.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Sorry to hear that Marc, good luck finding something acceptable.

Not sure if I will be able to find a direct match Justin. I may have to go American Flag, have somethign custom dyed, or use a different material than foam backed headliner.

Honestly, I'm more frustrated with the nonsense from the company, I'm 3mo into this deal, and when I ordered, I was told I'd have 3yds of the sample material sent out in 2 weeks.

Oh well...On to the next project!

 

[rattle_snake]

.....Oh well...On to the next project!

I hear LS engines respond well to nitrous?

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I hear LS engines respond well to nitrous?

I was actually told by Alan Futural from FMS, that the F13 cam in my car LOVES a 75hp shot...



Another slow weekend, we had some beautiful weather however, it was in the low to mid 80s all weekend and cooled off into the low 60s at night. Saturday afternoon I was getting restless, so I went out in the shop built a new rifle target stand. Made it free standing and used scrap lumber I had laying around, turned out well and works perfect for the paper targets I use. Sunday we drug a couple of the long guns out and threw some lead down range. I finished dialing in my .308 build from last summer, have it shooting very well with Nato 7.62x51 Winchester bulk ammo. Not a bad little weekend of not getting things done, haha!

The new frame standoffs for the crash bar on my Tacoma came in, so I can get the front of it looking proper again. At some point, someone has ran into a tree stump or a cement post. The crash bar is V'd up towards the top of the bumper. Timing belt, water pump, ****** service should hopefully be done by the end of this weekend as well. Then it's time to see how many miles I can put on it until I decide to part with it! (been daily driving it for a few weeks now, and enjoying it)

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Well, another weekend gone.

I was up early on Saturday to beat the heat, and replaced an end post in my split-rail entry way. The years and nature had finally rotted off the bottom.

My Tacoma has all mechanical maintenance work finished, just need to get the crash bar replaced at this point.

Remember that 1955 Chevy Bel Air I was rewiring a bunch of pages back? Well it has returned to be finished, owner dropped it off yesterday afternoon with all the sheet metal hanging on it this time and jamb'd in a different color. I'm hoping between labor time and parts ordering, I can have it done in about 3-4 weeks. When it left, the harness was roughed in, ran through the firewall, and to the trunk. Now the rest of it needs finished, gauges, lights, battery cables, stereo, etc.

Also managed to make a few pounds of beef jerky yesterday and we spent the evening washing and vacuuming the fleet.

 

[rattle_snake]

Getting all the electrons (or holes) to go only where they are supposed to is always fun.

How much meat did you start with to yield a few pounds? Now I'm hungry for Jerky...

 

[OutlawDrifter]

How much meat did you start with to yield a few pounds? Now I'm hungry for Jerky...

I guess I should be more clear, gross weight of meat was a few pounds, 3.5ish, when I started. I did not take a net weight after the process. Approx. a 1gal freezer bag full after.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

'55 Bel Air is wired as far as I can take it. New harness from front to back, new battery cables, etc. They did not replace the harness in the steering column when it was out, and as I had suspected, all the internal wiring is garbage. I've got everything terminated so all they have to do is plug it in once its finished. I'm happy to get this one out of the shop, spent 30min after I was finished, checking all the wires to make sure things were functioning as desired.

**Plug wires were not part of my job, haha, and will hopefully be replaced with the correct set. I also gave some unsolicited advice on how to route the heater core hoses and PCV hose to clean things up. Car will be a fun driver when finished up!






















Not much else has been going on, I was informed last night about a potential collaboration on a Nash Metropolitan project. The guy back home who is like a second dad to me (yellow C10, red Z28, the farm I go "home" to now), has this little Metropolitan out back that we have been discussing an LS swap project...well, he sourced the frame we needed, so now this thing might actually happen. Nothing EXTREME...but we've talked about doing a 4.8l which will more than motivate the car. I'll assume the most we'll do with it, is destroy tires for exhibition and stress relief

 

[zmotorsports]

Great job on the '55 Marc. It's coming along nicely.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Great job on the '55 Marc. It's coming along nicely.

Thanks Mike!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Not much going on in the way of "fun" stuff in the shop. Last few weekends have been fall duties around the yard. Moved, cut, and split a bunch of logs a couple weekends ago. Cleaned up the shop, rearranged the shelves, and purged some items that needed to go.

I took Friday off last week and knocked out some to-do's on the green Tacoma. Replaced the crash bar and mount bracket that was bent up in a V-shape, now I need to replace the lower plastic piece on the bumper. Also installed fog lights (same units used on the 'burb) and a compass/temp mirror.

The switches were purchased from OTTRATTW, so far I'm pleased with the function and looks. Time will tell on durability. The amber color is a perfect match for the Toyota interior lighting color. I also had the screen changed out in the Gentex 177 mirrror to match the amber color.

1st Gen Tacomas have 2 blanks to add switches to, or at least mine did.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice Marc. That fall yard work is sure getting in the way of shop time isn't it?

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice Marc. That fall yard work is sure getting in the way of shop time isn't it?

Thanks Mike! Funny how that works for sure!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

A few things to report on, nothing too exciting.

My headliner debacle was finally put to bed 10/31. The credit card company finalized the charge back I initiated 9/15 and I have still not had any communication from SMS Auto Fabrics since 8/4. *Please steer clear of this company!*

Better topic, my 1999 GMC Suburban. One and a half years of ownership, and it still gives me great joy to get in and turn the key. I would venture to say, this is by far the best automotive purchase I have made in the last decade. After a quick hand wash on Saturday, about 10min before I took this pic, the sun mad the whole rig look orange, the metallic was absolutely blowing up.





Our "warm" days are winding down, so I've been knocking out as much outdoor stuff as I possibly can. Cleaned out the wife's garage and thinned out some parts I've been holding on to for 10+ years. The Mach 1 fits much better now, especially after moving some stuff out that my daughters thought they needed to store at our house.

 

[zmotorsports]

The Suburban looks great Marc. I loved my 1986 Suburban as well and made me smile with every turn of the key as well. I had mine for 15 years before selling and buying my 2006 2500HD Duramax in spring of 2009.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

The Suburban looks great Marc. I loved my 1986 Suburban as well and made me smile with every turn of the key as well. I had mine for 15 years before selling and buying my 2006 2500HD Duramax in spring of 2009.

Thanks Mike! The Tacoma may eventually get swapped out for a straight axle 'burb if I can find the right one. My biggest issue is the Tacoma fits all my needs and is just rough enough I don't sweat using it like a "work truck". The 17-18mpg avg fuel economy isn't a terrible thing either back and forth to work.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Marc,

Just perused your thread, nice work on the shop and it's fun to follow along on the projects. I really like the first gen Tacoma, they're damn near unkillable. My buddy has one with 225k on it and you'd never know it from inside. Outside, the previous owner crashed the thing like three times, but it keeps on going.

The Suburban and K5 were bringing back memories for me. I cut my mechanical teeth on square body Chevy trucks. My first rig was a 1990 GMC Suburban with the TBI 350. It was mint when my dad bought it for $750. Let's not talk about how it looked once I got rid of it. Second vehicle was a 1979 Chevy 3/4T pickup, which got lifted and had a sweet little 350 built for it. Eventually I got into other things, but I'll always have a soft spot for the square body. I may even own another one someday.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Marc,

Just perused your thread, nice work on the shop and it's fun to follow along on the projects. I really like the first gen Tacoma, they're damn near unkillable. My buddy has one with 225k on it and you'd never know it from inside. Outside, the previous owner crashed the thing like three times, but it keeps on going.

The Suburban and K5 were bringing back memories for me. I cut my mechanical teeth on square body Chevy trucks. My first rig was a 1990 GMC Suburban with the TBI 350. It was mint when my dad bought it for $750. Let's not talk about how it looked once I got rid of it. Second vehicle was a 1979 Chevy 3/4T pickup, which got lifted and had a sweet little 350 built for it. Eventually I got into other things, but I'll always have a soft spot for the square body. I may even own another one someday.

Thanks for stopping by Tom! I'm in the process of internal debate on the next project. I'm torn between an LS swapped squarbody Suburban, a 4th gen 4Runner, or an 80/100 Land Cruiser...good arguments for each, I'll just have to see which one shows up in my desired color scheme first I guess

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Thanks for stopping by Tom! I'm in the process of internal debate on the next project. I'm torn between an LS swapped squarbody Suburban, a 4th gen 4Runner, or an 80/100 Land Cruiser...good arguments for each, I'll just have to see which one shows up in my desired color scheme first I guess

Obviously I'd suggest the Yotas, but that's me. I really like the Land Cruiser platform (obviously), and the 80s and 100s are excellent renditions of the platform, with the 80 being the "quintessential" Land Cruiser depending on who you ask.

As a project, believe it or not I'd not suggest hunting for a 100 Series right now. They're scarce and the departure of the badge from North America is driving the prices of 100s and 200s sky high. Finding a decent one for a reasonable price is a bit of a mission, I think mine took me 6 months to buy. If you come across a deal, they're an awesome rig though. Every time I drive it, I can't believe how much of a tank it feels.

The 80 Series seems to be holding steady in value, if somewhat inflated. There's just a lot more of them on the market compared to the 100 since they imported more, and most of them are in reasonably good shape as they're less prone to rust. The I6 is basically invincible, and there's something to be said for solid axles. The later years have all of the kinks thoroughly worked out, though the earlier ones are pretty solid too.

I've heard great things about the 4th gen 4Runner, though I've not dealt with any personally. Most came with the same drivetrain as the Tacoma, which has proven to be extremely robust, but some came with the 4.7 from the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra. Those are pretty sweet. Bit of a soccer mom aesthetic, but that can be fixed.

All that being said, I'd love to see an LS-swap squarebody. Like I said, I've got a real soft spot for those guys. My BIL actually bought his son (9 years old) an 80's 3/4T sqaurebody. Factory rust, 4-speed, 350, all of it. They're going to build it together and I'm sure I'll be involved in that project to some degree. Should be fun!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Obviously I'd suggest the Yotas, but that's me. I really like the Land Cruiser platform (obviously), and the 80s and 100s are excellent renditions of the platform, with the 80 being the "quintessential" Land Cruiser depending on who you ask.

As a project, believe it or not I'd not suggest hunting for a 100 Series right now. They're scarce and the departure of the badge from North America is driving the prices of 100s and 200s sky high. Finding a decent one for a reasonable price is a bit of a mission, I think mine took me 6 months to buy. If you come across a deal, they're an awesome rig though. Every time I drive it, I can't believe how much of a tank it feels.

The 80 Series seems to be holding steady in value, if somewhat inflated. There's just a lot more of them on the market compared to the 100 since they imported more, and most of them are in reasonably good shape as they're less prone to rust. The I6 is basically invincible, and there's something to be said for solid axles. The later years have all of the kinks thoroughly worked out, though the earlier ones are pretty solid too.

I've heard great things about the 4th gen 4Runner, though I've not dealt with any personally. Most came with the same drivetrain as the Tacoma, which has proven to be extremely robust, but some came with the 4.7 from the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra. Those are pretty sweet. Bit of a soccer mom aesthetic, but that can be fixed.

All that being said, I'd love to see an LS-swap squarebody. Like I said, I've got a real soft spot for those guys. My BIL actually bought his son (9 years old) an 80's 3/4T sqaurebody. Factory rust, 4-speed, 350, all of it. They're going to build it together and I'm sure I'll be involved in that project to some degree. Should be fun!

Thanks for your input! I think I mentioned in your thread, if I end up with an 80 series, its getting LS swapped also. If I'm going V6 4Runner, it will be a 3rd gen, only way I will own a 4th gen is with the 4.7l, I'll always take more power. The 4.0L in my wifes Baja T/X Tacoma has been pretty impressive and she generally kicks my **** weekly in the MPG game we have going, even though shes rolling heavy wheels/tires, 4WD, and a 2.5" lift.

If I do end up with something different, it will replace my Tacoma, so daily driving will play a big roll in what it does, and I don't need it to handle more than easy trails.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Slow weekend, did more piddling than anything productive.

Haven't been doing much automotive stuff lately, I guess I'm in my burned out phase for this year.

Again I'm focusing on some of my other hobbies and considering getting back into some that I've let slip for quite some time. Shooting sports seem to occupy more of my time anymore, and I've been building a bigger supply of steel targets to shoot. Paper is fun to poke holes in and great for dialing in your platform, but its way more fun to hear the steel "ping".

Wife and I spent some time today blowing big dollars...I mean shooting . We recently traded carry pistols. I've been carrying a Sig P356XL for awhile now in a Blackpoint Mini-Wing holster. I appreciate the simplicity of a striker fired pistol, but my size XL hands don't handle a "sub compact" well. Wife decided she wanted less weight and a "smaller" gun. So I took over her CZ P-01...a trade I was totally fine with making. CZ's are awesome guns, do yourself a favor and don't pick one up, especially something in the 75B line (SP-01, 75B, P-01, 75BSA, etc), cause you'll end up owning it. The Sig definitely shoots well for a small gun, and conceals VERY well. The P-01 is in a completely different class, however. This gun even carries a NATO certification, in testing it only had 7 failures in 15,000rds. Trying to get my IWB setup figured out at this point, tried a Crossbreed Freedom, but I'm not sold on it, have a Vedder LightTuck on the way, should be better. All of my off-the-shelf CZ's get TruGlo TFX Pro night sites, they are awesome and worth the money for sure. The dual action trigger isn't terrible and single is nice for the follow-up shots...all of it is still better than any striker fired gun I've shot.





Last weekend I finished up a woods project my younger daughter started her junior year and wasn't able to finish due to the 'rona stopping in-person classes in Spring 2020. She brought it home, put it in the 2 car garage, and it's been there since. Well, momma wanted more room for the Mach 1, so I brought it over to the shop and got it finished up. For her first project, it wasn't too bad, I ended up fixing the 2 drawers she had done, and completing the other 2. It's now at her new appartment waiting to be stained and sealed. My wife likes to joke that this particular daughter has me wrapped around her little finger, I will neither confirm nor deny that accusation !

 

[Woffski]

Just went through your thread!!! Great!!! A lot of knowledge and awesome work!!!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Just went through your thread!!! Great!!! A lot of knowledge and awesome work!!!

Appreciate the kind words, thanks for stopping in!

 

[jbmatth]

Daughters have a way of doing that at times, I know mine sure do, but I try not to let them know that.

JB

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Had a most beatiful harvest sunset the other day. Been awhile since I've witnessed one this vivid around here.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Plan to have some updates after the holidays...in the meantime.

Merry Christmas to everyone following along!

 

[zmotorsports]

Merry Christmas Marc. Hope you and your family have a nice relaxing holiday.

 

[MacTexas]

I can't believe I have missed your thread. I like to follow all Kansas threads because I am from Kansas (Prairie Village).

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I can't believe I have missed your thread. I like to follow all Kansas threads because I am from Kansas (Prairie Village).

Welcome aboard and Merry Christmas Mac

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Christmas Eve, the oldest son and I put a new waterpump on his '99 Sonoma. This pickup was purchased without my blessing, and ended up leaking coolant...well, water, cause the PO was just dumping tap water in it to top it off. Turns out, one of the waterpump bolts had snapped off with a prior "repair", and instead of fixing it correctly, they slathered an entire tube of black RTV around that area thinking it would contain the pressurized system...we all know how well that works. This turned our 30min job into a full afternoon. Pulled the alternator and bracket for better access and drilled the waterpump bolt out. Son #1 and I had a long discussion about why you take time to look a vehicle over and have a second set of eyes when you're not sure. Hopefully he learned something that day.

Christmas came and went, had all our kids home. Wife was happy, kids were happy, it was a good day.

I've been in a bit of a funk lately, haven't been keeping myself busy enough in the shop or around the house. I don't sit idle very well and for some reason have slipped into the habbit of just sitting on my *** being grumpy. Too much negativity in the news doesn't help either. I've been looking for another project to build up as a DD. Have considered a 91-96 Buick Roadmaster, regular cab short bed 88-98 1/2T GM pickup, LWB 2wd squarebody pickup...etc. This would ultimately replace the Tacoma when completed. Tacoma has been a great pickup, but it doesn't have V8 sounds...no bueno for my morale Thought I had a line on the perfect 4WD RCSB pickup, but alas, the person selling aparently doesn't really want to sell. In the meantime I've considered a few things, building a 5.3l setup to swap into whatever I may find or trying to shift my focus on to what is in the shop and catching up on things that "need" done there.

Z28: headliner replaced, steering gear rebuilt, LS1 brake upgrade for the front, maybe C4 ZR1 wheels to move up to 17" rolling stock, change the rear diff fluid

'49 GMC: AC system built/installed, extra weatherstripping on driver's door, possibly more speakers behind the dash, ****** pan gasket

Suburban: Front brakes(rotors/pads), ****** temp gauge installed, drawer system for the rear cargo area, oil cooler lines(starting to weep when it's cold outside)

Just need to realign my focus and find some joy in the projects that need done I guess!

 

[zmotorsports]

Christmas Eve, the oldest son and I put a new waterpump on his '99 Sonoma. This pickup was purchased without my blessing, and ended up leaking coolant...well, water, cause the PO was just dumping tap water in it to top it off. Turns out, one of the waterpump bolts had snapped off with a prior "repair", and instead of fixing it correctly, they slathered an entire tube of black RTV around that area thinking it would contain the pressurized system...we all know how well that works. This turned our 30min job into a full afternoon. Pulled the alternator and bracket for better access and drilled the waterpump bolt out. Son #1 and I had a long discussion about why you take time to look a vehicle over and have a second set of eyes when you're not sure. Hopefully he learned something that day.

Christmas came and went, had all our kids home. Wife was happy, kids were happy, it was a good day.

I've been in a bit of a funk lately, haven't been keeping myself busy enough in the shop or around the house. I don't sit idle very well and for some reason have slipped into the habbit of just sitting on my *** being grumpy. Too much negativity in the news doesn't help either. I've been looking for another project to build up as a DD. Have considered a 91-96 Buick Roadmaster, regular cab short bed 88-98 1/2T GM pickup, LWB 2wd squarebody pickup...etc. This would ultimately replace the Tacoma when completed. Tacoma has been a great pickup, but it doesn't have V8 sounds...no bueno for my morale Thought I had a line on the perfect 4WD RCSB pickup, but alas, the person selling aparently doesn't really want to sell. In the meantime I've considered a few things, building a 5.3l setup to swap into whatever I may find or trying to shift my focus on to what is in the shop and catching up on things that "need" done there.

Z28: headliner replaced, steering gear rebuilt, LS1 brake upgrade for the front, maybe C4 ZR1 wheels to move up to 17" rolling stock, change the rear diff fluid

'49 GMC: AC system built/installed, extra weatherstripping on driver's door, possibly more speakers behind the dash, ****** pan gasket

Suburban: Front brakes(rotors/pads), ****** temp gauge installed, drawer system for the rear cargo area, oil cooler lines(starting to weep when it's cold outside)

Just need to realign my focus and find some joy in the projects that need done I guess!

Sorry to hear you've been in a funk lately Marc. I get that way at times when I get burned out and then have to snap out of it and look at how blessed I am to be able to work and provide. This usually snaps me out of it. I have been looking at various projects differently lately and looking for new vigor and way to spark enthusiasm back into them.

I too have been thinking about another project. I actually have been thinking about how bad I miss that slammed 91 Chevy I had and have been thinking about replacing it with another 1/2 ton shortbed GMT400 truck in which to slam and use as a daily driver.

I saw a 2002 white Sonoma last week on the way home. I really am not looking for a mid-size but stopped to look at it. It had a few bumps and bruises but they were all along the bottom and the white paint from the belt line up was in decent condition, just needs some TLC. I thought I could two-tone it and fix the dings along the bottom. I drove it and determined it has some transmission issues. Went back and made the owner an offer. He wouldn't budge but left him my card if he changes his mind as I wasn't budging on my offer knowing it would need a lot of work to get it where I wanted it.

Well he called me yesterday to come much, much closer to my original offer. Then it shocked me to reality and I had to decide between having another project or staying the course on dumping money in the bank. Still undecided but thinking I am going to stay the course and I really don't need another project. I'll just keep doing side work, bringing in some extra money until I start traveling again in the spring then that will rid me of my insane idea of spending money on another project.

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Marc,

Glad to hear your Christmas went well, always a good yet stressful time of year.

Ha, I can relate to the story about your son's Sonoma pickup so much... I was that same rebellious kid back in high school, and bought an old farm truck to turn into a sweet runner. A 1979 Chevy K20 with all manner of rust, broken ****, and general badness everywhere. I did a lot of work fixing it up and making it something driveable, but it was still a janky farm truck when I sold it a couple years later. My dad hated that I bought that thing. It was an endless source of problems for my transportation needs, his wallet, and our relationship. What a mess that turned out to be.

Luckily things changed and I learned my lesson, but I'll always reminisce about that ****** old truck with my dad.

Sorry to hear about your recent lethargy, I get that way around February to April. Winter clings to Montana like the perfect little black dress, and being an active outside guy, it's tough on me almost every year. I'll even stop tinkering in the garage as much, and that's never good. Do whatever you need to keep your spirits up and the gears turning. Find a small project that needs a little work to be finished to get the ball rolling. Even if it's something tiny. The accomplishment will give you that needed kick and get you going again.

 

[cros13]

It seems to me that the only rational solution is to LS swap the Tacoma. You keep that sweet sweet Japanese reliability and you get your V8 noises too!

Rudi.

 

[jbmatth]

I completely understand Marc, it is tough to get motivated to go out to the shop and work when it is below freezing for me even knowing the project I have going is so much fun.

I too was an unknowing kid that bought a truck that needed more work than it was worth, story for another day but it kept my bank account empty the entire time I owned it.

JB

 

[loganb]

Borla makes catback systems for Taco's.... but in true GJ fashion a LS swap with a worked over small block is the true answer!

And right there with you on motivational challenges this time of year. Short days never make me happy, then combined with a flood of misc **** the last couple weeks putting us in a feeling of being perpetually behind has the wife and I irritated and stressed with work ****. It does get better.... March isn't that far away!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Sorry to hear you've been in a funk lately Marc. I get that way at times when I get burned out and then have to snap out of it and look at how blessed I am to be able to work and provide. This usually snaps me out of it. I have been looking at various projects differently lately and looking for new vigor and way to spark enthusiasm back into them.

I too have been thinking about another project. I actually have been thinking about how bad I miss that slammed 91 Chevy I had and have been thinking about replacing it with another 1/2 ton shortbed GMT400 truck in which to slam and use as a daily driver.

I saw a 2002 white Sonoma last week on the way home. I really am not looking for a mid-size but stopped to look at it. It had a few bumps and bruises but they were all along the bottom and the white paint from the belt line up was in decent condition, just needs some TLC. I thought I could two-tone it and fix the dings along the bottom. I drove it and determined it has some transmission issues. Went back and made the owner an offer. He wouldn't budge but left him my card if he changes his mind as I wasn't budging on my offer knowing it would need a lot of work to get it where I wanted it.

Well he called me yesterday to come much, much closer to my original offer. Then it shocked me to reality and I had to decide between having another project or staying the course on dumping money in the bank. Still undecided but thinking I am going to stay the course and I really don't need another project. I'll just keep doing side work, bringing in some extra money until I start traveling again in the spring then that will rid me of my insane idea of spending money on another project.

I've considered an LS swapped Sonoma as well! Thanks for checking in Mike.

Marc,

Glad to hear your Christmas went well, always a good yet stressful time of year.

Ha, I can relate to the story about your son's Sonoma pickup so much... I was that same rebellious kid back in high school, and bought an old farm truck to turn into a sweet runner. A 1979 Chevy K20 with all manner of rust, broken ****, and general badness everywhere. I did a lot of work fixing it up and making it something driveable, but it was still a janky farm truck when I sold it a couple years later. My dad hated that I bought that thing. It was an endless source of problems for my transportation needs, his wallet, and our relationship. What a mess that turned out to be.

Luckily things changed and I learned my lesson, but I'll always reminisce about that ****** old truck with my dad.

Sorry to hear about your recent lethargy, I get that way around February to April. Winter clings to Montana like the perfect little black dress, and being an active outside guy, it's tough on me almost every year. I'll even stop tinkering in the garage as much, and that's never good. Do whatever you need to keep your spirits up and the gears turning. Find a small project that needs a little work to be finished to get the ball rolling. Even if it's something tiny. The accomplishment will give you that needed kick and get you going again.

I'm sure I was the same way when I was that age! Thanks for stopping in Tom.

It seems to me that the only rational solution is to LS swap the Tacoma. You keep that sweet sweet Japanese reliability and you get your V8 noises too!

Rudi.

If it didn't run so damn good, that would for sure be the right option! Thanks for stopping in Rudi.

I completely understand Marc, it is tough to get motivated to go out to the shop and work when it is below freezing for me even knowing the project I have going is so much fun.

I too was an unknowing kid that bought a truck that needed more work than it was worth, story for another day but it kept my bank account empty the entire time I owned it.

JB

Yes, the cold is no bueno. Thanks for stopping by JB.

Borla makes catback systems for Taco's.... but in true GJ fashion a LS swap with a worked over small block is the true answer!

And right there with you on motivational challenges this time of year. Short days never make me happy, then combined with a flood of misc **** the last couple weeks putting us in a feeling of being perpetually behind has the wife and I irritated and stressed with work ****. It does get better.... March isn't that far away!

Unfortunately it runs too damn good to swap it! Thanks for stopping by Logan.




Appreciate the sounding board here guys, nice to be able to express our wins and our frustrations with other like minded individuals!

I've still got my feelers out for a different DD, but I think I'll focus on the Z28 this winter. I've been researching the front brake swap, currently trying to decide between LS1 (98-02 F-body) and C5 Corvette brakes, both are similar but have their separate strong points. I've also sourced a place to rebuild my steering gear, he specializes in older GM stuff and is about 4 hours away in MO.

 

[loganb]

If you really want a different project....I've got the source for a numbers matching, approx 52k mile '69 Chevelle SS 396/325 HP with the Turbo 400 automatic that needs someone with more time. It runs and drives, looks great, interior(bench seat) needs some work(couple small tears) but is original. Factory AC(complete but not working at this time), power steering...just a joy to drive! Owner just doesn't have the time anymore to work or drive it and it's been sitting in the garage for long enough he's ready to part with it. Not listed publicly for sale yet but probably will in January

Just guessing it's about a 3-4 hr drive away from you!