Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The "Glendora Garage"

[xtremek]

I like the stance, looks flat. And those wheels remind me Keystones, or polished Torq Thurst

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks but the stance is too flat for me. I guess I’m old school but I’ve got to have the rear SLIGHTLY higher than the front.

You cannot see the rim entirely in the rear but you can in the front. Front wheels rub slightly at full lock. I’d like to fix that. I’ve got the spammer wrenches for the coilovers and I’ll raise it maybe 1/2” to 1”. Then because I flipped the rearend on top of the rear leaves I’ll have to use air shocks to adjust the rear height. I HOPE they hold well enough!

 

[Bob Heine]

Dan, I agree with you on the slight rake. I also like the tires to fill the wheel wells as much as possible. Our PT Cruiser stock suspension showed way too much space above the tires.

One of the first things I did was install Eibach springs that lower the car 2 inches up front and 1.5 inches in the rear. Around the same time I replaced the stock grille with billet aluminum.

Overshot the lowering on the front by about a half inch because the little chin spoiler caught on every parking curb and Liane ripped the front bumper cover off a half dozen times. Last year (or maybe three years ago?) I replaced the shocks all around and added a half-inch shim to the front struts. It lost the rake I like but the bumper cover is safe. I replaced the stock 205-55/16s with slightly wider 225-50/16 tires but they have the same diameter as stock. I would really like to get some 18" rims and slightly taller tires so I could take the spacers out and get the rake back. Not perfect but good enough (and no cost). I also painted a new front bumper cover and did the side view mirrors at the same time.

 

[don long]

Truck is lookin gooood.
It's always fun to pull a hotrod out and go for a spin around town. Even more fun with a grand child with you

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Don and you're right. My grand daughter was telling her mom at brunch yesterday, "Did you know Papa's red truck is really REALLY fast?!" I had to smile. Bob, the Cruiser looks much better as you have it set up and with the new grille. For me stance is everything and mine just isn't right for me.

I'm driving to Seattle Mon - Wed to help a nephew who just retired early and is moving back to California. I'll be taking my time cause we're gonna turn right around and drive back Fri, 7/1. I'll be towing his new 16 ft. enclosed trailer with my Gladiator and he'll be towing his restored canned ham oldie travel trailer with his 4Runner. He's been there since he graduated from UC Santa Barbara many years ago.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

My poor Joey, I JUST picked him up from the veterinarian's office. He had oral surgery for periodontal disease. Turned out it was severe. He'd already lost 14 teeth and they had to remove the remaining 27. Yikes.

We knew his teeth needed cleaning but had no idea he was this bad off. He never acted like he was pain. I feel terrible. He'll be on pain meds & antibiotics for 10 days or so. I'm hoping he's one of the little dogs that live to nearly 20 years - my stupidity almost got him killed. He was just groomed yesterday and yet he looks very disheveled in this picture. He's still woozy with pain meds, won't eat or drink so far. Poor Joey. Entirely my fault.

Be (a LOT) smarter than me guys and have your dog's teeth cleaned regularly, ESPECIALLY the little dogs. I've always owned big dogs so I didn't know but Vet says the little ones don't have the bite strength to truly gnaw chew toys to clean their teeth themselves. Sorry, Joe.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Poor Joey. A ways back, I decided the dogs need dental coverage, too. Coincidentally, Harry n Otto go in for a cleaning Friday.

 

[don long]

It sure hurts me when my pets are in pain. I don't like it at all and I have a pretty hard shell when it come to my own pain but the animals can't help themselves. So sorry to hear about Lil Joey.
Tank is going in on thursday to get his nut cut

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

It sure hurts me when my pets are in pain. I don't like it at all and I have a pretty hard shell when it come to my own pain but the animals can't help themselves. So sorry to hear about Lil Joey.
Tank is going in on thursday to get his nut cut

I totally agree. They don't understand why they're in pain and they look to us to help them.

As for Tank, it's a good thing longer term that he's neutered because he'll be less likely to take off looking for the female he undoubtedly will smell. But he's going to HATE wearing the cone after.

I saw online somewhere people put the bigger, fat pool noodles around their neck so they can't reach where they want to lick but it's not as cumbersome as the cone. (Plus, the damn vet charges a lot for those dumb things!). Just found this. A flight neck pillow with a strap of velcro on it. Good idea.

 

[captain14]

That’s a good idea for the collar. I would never have thought of that.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

....I'm driving to Seattle Mon - Wed to help a nephew who just retired early and is moving back to California. I'll be taking my time cause we're gonna turn right around and drive back Fri, 7/1. I'll be towing his new 16 ft. enclosed trailer with my Gladiator and he'll be towing his restored canned ham oldie travel trailer with his 4Runner. He's been there since he graduated from UC Santa Barbara many years ago.

....Greetings from Seattle. 1187 miles and three days away from home. Not up for the death march 18 hours drives I could once do, ha ha. Spent the first night in Sacramento, 2nd in Grant's Pass, Oregon.

Gladiator averaged 21.8 mpg on the way up here even though I was mostly trying to do 70mph. I do NOT expect to do nearly as well coming south starting Friday. I'll be towing a big *** enclosed trailer that will be a huge wind blocker.

Here's the view of the city from a block away from nephew's house and a beautiful "flower house" right across the street from "Alki" Beach(?). Nephew has lived here 30 years and says he's never known it NOT to be this profuse with flowers.

 

[kaymccampbell]

That house must be someone's full time job.

 

[Jayman17]

I’m glad your visit is during a “sunny” day.

Jay

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

That house must be someone's full time job.

Well, whoever it is they don’t have to water them!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I’m glad your visit is during a “sunny” day.

Jay

Been a terrible hot spell out west. Was up to 102* until I got to Grant's Pass then started going down. About 66* in Seattle today and perpetually cloudy. As beautiful as it is with all the water and the islands I could never live here. The cold and rain would be depressing to me.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Well, whoever it is they don’t have to water them!

Are they plastic?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ha, no plastic. Rains so much in Seattle it's never an issue. I'd think deadheading would be an ongoing thing but if you know enough gardening to have this profusion continually you probably know which plants to use that don't require deadheading...much.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Friday morning I'll start towing this packed to the gills with a house full from Seattle to Atascadero, CA. I'll be caravanning with my nephew who will be towing a vintage "canned ham" trailer with his 4Runner.

I averaged 21.8mpg doing 70 mph as much as I could over 1187 miles. I think that's outstanding mileage. That's going to fall a helluva lot with the trailer. Trailer weighs 2200 lbs empty. We're going to try to weigh it loaded before we go. I'm thinking it'll be somewhere between double and 5000 lbs.

My Rubicon is totally stock. I bought airbags for it but ran out of time to install them so I brought them along. The rear only squatted about an inch once I installed the trailer so I don't really thin the bags are necessary. Yeah, I should have measured & taken pics of the squat, sorry.

 

[captain14]

Take it nice, slow and easy on the trip back.

What’s the projected weather for your trip back?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Take it nice, slow and easy on the trip back.

What’s the projected weather for your trip back?

74* in Washington on Friday,
84* in Oregon on Saturday and
77-81* in Northern Cal Sunday and Monday.

Waay cooler than the trip coming up here. It was 102* in CA and still 95* in Oregon.

Since his travel trailer is vintage with a single axle we've discussed just keeping it about 60 - 65mph tops. But there are a LOT of climbs and I'm sure I'll be slowed down to 50 or 55mph. Maybe worse.

 

[PugetDude]

Only really bad climb with a trailer is Siskyou Pass at 4310'. The rest is pretty manageable with fairly long inclines. The road does wind it's way through the mountains in Southern Oregon North of Grants Pass.
Enjoy the trip, I've driven it many times. Watch for CHP, though- they love to hammer you for 55+ if you're towing.

 

[Jayman17]

Dan, you just missed some of our very rare 90* days in Seattle. It hit 90* Sunday and Monday but Tuesday was back below average and only mid 60’s. No complaints from me, I have no love for 90*+ temps. Hope you trip back goes well.
Why is your nephew moving to CA?

Jay

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Only really bad climb with a trailer is Siskyou Pass at 4310'. The rest is pretty manageable with fairly long inclines. The road does wind it's way through the mountains in Southern Oregon North of Grants Pass.
Enjoy the trip, I've driven it many times. Watch for CHP, though- they love to hammer you for 55+ if you're towing.

Excellent head's up, thank you PD!

I was watching the coolant & trans temps on the way up so I'd know when to be concerned once I had the trailer. Seems like they kept right about 200*+/-. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks again!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan, you just missed some of our very rare 90* days in Seattle. It hit 90* Sunday and Monday but Tuesday was back below average and only mid 60’s. No complaints from me, I have no love for 90*+ temps. Hope you trip back goes well.
Why is your nephew moving to CA?

Jay

He's retired young @ 54. Moving "home" - hasn't been home since he graduated from UCSB in the 80's but the rest of his family is here so he's coming back. Leasing out his house in Seattle and will decide later about possibly selling it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

B!tchfest Warning:
So we’re leaving for LA tomorrow AM and I find out nephew’s been having an intermittent brake/signal light issue on the vintage trailer. He thinks a wire has come loose in the connection to the tow vehicle and asks me to look at it.

I’m in the middle of that and nephew says the “check brake light” has been coming on in the 4Runner since he picked up the new enclosed trailer a few days ago. He goes off to his mechanic and they find a leaking caliper but since they’d done a recent full brake job on it mechanic stands behind his work and will redo it today when parts arrive. Ok, it’s the day before launch but at least they’ll get it done. Fingers crossed.

Mean time I start disassembling HIS wiring of the trailer wiring to find a solderless connector not properly crimped. I redo it, still not working. I take apart the 7 wire connector to find it absolutely corroded to hell. I don’t KNOW that’s the issue but certainly could be.

All this while the full extent of his tools is what the pic shows. Even as a tool guy it’s amazing what un-mechanical guys (do not) have in the way of tools! Not even a cheap but complete set of Chinese tools or a little plastic tool box. A hodge podge of ****.

I intentionally brought no tools because he’d told me he was fully ready to go and honestly? I didn’t want to become the default mechanic on a 2300+ mile round trip. Ok, b!tchfest over.

 

[racer-john]

Hope you and your nephue have a uneventful trip back to california.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hope you and your nephew have a uneventful trip back to california.

Me too. I don't even want to THINK about what he could have/should have done with his 60 year old travel trailer before this long tow.

If I were towing it I'd be asking. But he seems perfectly certain it will be an easy trip. We do plan on taking it easy on speed but still a very long way to go.

 

[captain14]

I see the tool selection shows all three primary colors I learned about in grade school. Red, yellow and blueish.

As I said earlier, take it slow and easy. Don’t push it. What do all the trailer tires look like? Spares and proper jacks?

Who is the lead vehicle?

What was his chosen profession he just retired from?

Good luck.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I hesitate to call those tools. I have a friend who always wants to do things "with the tools I have here". I say, fine, enjoy yourself. Then he says, fine, we do it your way. And he sulks. At least he's never tried to take credit.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I see the tool selection shows all three primary colors I learned about in grade school. Red, yellow and blueish.

As I said earlier, take it slow and easy. Don’t push it. What do all the trailer tires look like? Spares and proper jacks?

Who is the lead vehicle?

What was his chosen profession he just retired from?

Good luck.

I checked all the tires. The ones on the vintage trailer are new but they're car tires not trailer tires. Yes on spares and he's carrying a floor jack. I had planned on bringing mine but he told me he had one so....

He will be the lead and doesnt want to push it - fine with me. He'll have no brake lights for first hour - wants to stop at his "trailer guy's" place to have him check the issue, also fine with me. I don't need to crawl around under there with the spiders, etc.

He ran the City of Seattle's recreation programs for kids for many years - hiking, outdoorsmanship, etc. A couple years ago he transferred to their financial arm to write grant applications. He's been very successful at it too. He wanted to get his final two years in a job that paid a lot more so his pension would be calculated on it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I hesitate to call those tools. I have a friend who always wants to do things "with the tools I have here". I say, fine, enjoy yourself. Then he says, fine, we do it your way. And he sulks. At least he's never tried to take credit.

His dad is one of those guys that literally looks odd just picking up a screwdriver! So he's much better than his dad. The spirit is willing but he's had zero example set for him. There's no family up here but we would see him yearly. He has a vERy large family down here but has been in Seattle his entire life since college so I am almost a little surprised he decided to move south. But his parents are getting up in age, all his aunts/uncles and even cousins too. Of course when he visits he's not doing things mechanical so I wasn't aware he's not well equipped for it.

Unrelated but KINDA related: my son-in-law seems to be developing a GJ type personality. He likes my garage, my '55 truck and tools/toolboxes. He's just recently totally cleared out his garage, got Craftsman tool boxes, matching Craftsman cabinets. Yesterday he sent me a pic of a sort of mezzanine storage area in their garage that was in his garage when they moved in. He's cleaned it out and was asking me how to build sliding doors to enclose it and what color to paint it so it "goes" with the rest of the garage. He's got a Gladiator like me and even bought a "Jeep" garage stool. It's happening! Of courseI contribute by replacing his lousy chinesium cordless drill with a Milwaukee M18 Fuel one, got him a nice compressor, an assortment of various good tools over the years. He tells me, "those tools you gave me work a lot better than the ones I had." EXACTLY, you are falling under my spell!! Ha ha

 

[rharman]

My wife has a better tool kit in the house than that! And, she knows how to use them!

 

[PugetDude]

B!tchfest Warning:
So we’re leaving for LA tomorrow AM and I find out nephew’s been having an intermittent brake/signal light issue on the vintage trailer. He thinks a wire has come loose in the connection to the tow vehicle and asks me to look at it.

I’m in the middle of that and nephew says the “check brake light” has been coming on in the 4Runner since he picked up the new enclosed trailer a few days ago. He goes off to his mechanic and they find a leaking caliper but since they’d done a recent full brake job on it mechanic stands behind his work and will redo it today when parts arrive. Ok, it’s the day before launch but at least they’ll get it done. Fingers crossed.

Mean time I start disassembling HIS wiring of the trailer wiring to find a solderless connector not properly crimped. I redo it, still not working. I take apart the 7 wire connector to find it absolutely corroded to hell. I don’t KNOW that’s the issue but certainly could be.

All this while the full extent of his tools is what the pic shows. Even as a tool guy it’s amazing what un-mechanical guys (do not) have in the way of tools! Not even a cheap but complete set of Chinese tools or a little plastic tool box. A hodge podge of ****.

I intentionally brought no tools because he’d told me he was fully ready to go and honestly? I didn’t want to become the default mechanic on a 2300+ mile round trip. Ok, b!tchfest over.

That’s not a tool kit. It’s missing the high heel shoe/hammer and butter knife/screwdriver.

Good luck on the trip home. It’s going to be interesting…

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

My only concern about this trip is the condition of the vintage travel trailer HE’S towing. As long as no issues it oughta go smooth.

I’ll keep an eye on the trans & coolant temps since I’ve not towed anything w/Jeep yet. On bigger hills I expect to use right lane & maybe hazard lights if I’m REALLY slow. Since Gladiator is pretty new and trailer is brand new I’m hoping for the best - fingers, eyes & toes crossed.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Greetings from someplace called Wilsonville in Oregon.

The "trailer guys" really struggled to find the short in the vintage trailer wiring but ultimately did and got the brake/signal lights working fine. They also noticed the welding on the hitch was pretty bad. I'd already noticed it but I figured it hadn't failed in 60 years and I didn't want to bring it up and cause yet a longer delay. Trailer guys suggested they grind and replace the welds which they did but all in all this work cost us most of the day. Finally got out of there about 3:50pm, sheesh.

I've never been through Oregon before so I've been impressed that it is very beautiful. Very green, lots of waterways. Tomorrow will Riley be a long haul to TRY to make uo for a lot of the delay today. We'd said only 6 hours a day but I'd like to be home for the 4th of July so we'll see if that's even possible.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Got home to Glendora today about noon from Atascadero, CA. All in all my odometer says I did 2,502 miles and 51+ hours drive time in the space of 8 days. Tiring but I'm glad I did it. The Jeep performed admirably for what it is; a midsized V6 truck. Nothing at all like my late 2008 Chevy 3500HD dually or my 2014 GMC Denali 2500HD but still an adequate performer for an occasional tow.

The real story is in the mileage. Going north at about 70 mph - 21.8 mpg for 1187 miles. Coming back - 11.5 mpg over about 900 miles - I dropped the trailer in Atascadero. In the diesels towing was nothing no matter the weight. The Jeep does it fine but is WORKING.

This week will be honey-dos. My two sister's and my family used to vacation every summer to Kernville, CA to camp and play in the river. Later we "moteled-it" since our parents were older. But now all our children are in their 40's (Well, I have a daughter turning 40 in Nov.) with kids of their own so we're having a beginning-of-summer pool party and hope to make it a yearly tradition. The first time many of them have been to this house so there'll be plenty to do to get ready.

Someone (newish adoptee, Max) was very happy I am home. It's nice to be missed.

 

[PugetDude]

Glad you made it back safe and sound. How did the Jeep do pulling the trailer over Siskyou Summit?
What's the backstory on the newest pup?

 

[don long]

Happy to hear that you've made it home in one piece. Enjoyed your travel log and agree that oregon is a pretty state.
(I've made the trip a few times when I owned body shops in Seattle) Having family over is always fun. I'm cleaning up the party garage for a wedding on Friday evening here today.

 

[xtremek]

Sounds like you've had some adventures during the last few weeks. THey seem like for the most part, they were enjoyable.