They Quit Making It

[Lassen Forge]

We used to get nothing but Manuals for our fleet trucks, those running Allisons were rare as hens teeth. What changed was the people we were hiring as "equipment operators" who, regardless of their claimed skill level driving, wouldn't learn (or couldn't be taught) how to use a manual transmission to save their asses. Then we realized their cars were all automatics - whereas we had a point of reference on how a standard transmission operated from when we were in drivers ed, and our first cars, these people lacked that.

Trying to teach them - was an expensive joke. When we switched the fleet from 5&2's, 9 or 13 speeds, to "those %@&# Allisons", we recouped the extra cost within 1 or 2 purchasing cycles easily. Before that, our stuff was down for cooked or cracked clutches, blown out rear ends, whangered U joints, and transmission failures pretty regularly. that went to near zero since the changeover.

I hate them, but it seems that's all the kids can drive anymore.

 

[Two Speed]

Sharpies that are true black and will write on anything. I have aluminum panel covers at work I write a date in when I go into them. I have writing from 5-10 years ago that is still pitch black, new sharpies, have a transparency to them, regular sharpie, industrial sharpie, doesn't matter, same transparent not pure black marker now.

 

[tyyost]

Sharpies that are true black and will write on anything. I have aluminum panel covers at work I write a date in when I go into them. I have writing from 5-10 years ago that is still pitch black, new sharpies, have a transparency to them, regular sharpie, industrial sharpie, doesn't matter, same transparent not pure black marker now.

Time to switch to paint pens....

 

[dubdoc]

SMALL pickup trucks. NOBODY needs a behemoth 10 liter, 4 door pickup with a bed floor 5" off the ground.

 

[CJM8515]

SMALL pickup trucks. NOBODY needs a behemoth 10 liter, 4 door pickup with a bed floor 5" off the ground.

So I know you like VW, but that is a car with a bed on it, built off the Rabbit chassis and a unibody. The Aussies call them UTE's. its closest relative is the honda ridgeline. Which for people who want a small bed and more of a car-is perfect.



What I think most would like is say an older toyota truck or ranger sized truck, but it doesnt sell. People want bigger. I feel the best compromised in size was the old Toyota T100 or smaller Tundra. Just large enough to do most tasks but small enough to go wherever.

 

[Wakefield]

C10s from 1970 and earlier (shortbed?) looked about the size of a new Toyota regular (not the giant) pickup.

 

[Craigstereo]

Super-specific, but...

Quite a few vintage Suzuki motorcycles use NGK B8-ES spark plugs, stock number 2411. There's a pretty active community of vintage Suzuki owners, and we've found over many years and miles that these OEM plugs consistently function the best.

They were cheap, available just about anywhere, and worked beautifully.

Aaaaaand of course they seem to have stopped making them. There are a few still on shelves here and there, so I have a few sets stashed.

What's a bit irritating is that NGK is now specifying the BR8-ES, a resistor plug. It fits and works, but it's not correct. There's also an OEM correct Denso (ND) plug, W24ES-U, that also seems to have been discontinued. It's also gotten pretty hard to find, anyway.

I'm sure lots of other vintage machinery folks feel a similar pain, and probably worse.

Damn!
Been a lurker here for years. I used to ride 2 stroke motorcycles and also used to work at an independent bike shop in the late 80’s. B8ES plugs were probably the #1 item we sold.

 

[Monte]

El Caminos...

 

[Ton ton]

SMALL pickup trucks. NOBODY needs a behemoth 10 liter, 4 door pickup with a bed floor 5" off the ground.

I think you meant 5 feet not inches. LOL.

 

[finn]

So I know you like VW, but that is a car with a bed on it, built off the Rabbit chassis and a unibody. The Aussies call them UTE's. its closest relative is the honda ridgeline. Which for people who want a small bed and more of a car-is perfect.



What I think most would like is say an older toyota truck or ranger sized truck, but it doesnt sell. People want bigger. I feel the best compromised in size was the old Toyota T100 or smaller Tundra. Just large enough to do most tasks but small enough to go wherever.

The upcoming Ford Maverick is a small unibody, front wheel drive pickup.

We’ll see how it sells when and if it eventually hits the marketplace.

 

[dubdoc]

So I know you like VW, but that is a car with a bed on it, built off the Rabbit chassis and a unibody. The Aussies call them UTE's. its closest relative is the honda ridgeline. Which for people who want a small bed and more of a car-is perfect.

What does the normal person ever carry in a truck? A couple of 2x4s maybe. I've had 18 bundles of roofing shingles in my 5 foot bed. I've carried a wack of lumber and, on most days she gets 65 mpg (Canadian). A front drive truck (worth their weight in gold in Canadian winters) that gets better fuel mileage than most cars? Where is the downside in that?

 

[Ton ton]

3 empty pallets is my favorite load. LOL.

 

[CJM8515]

What does the normal person ever carry in a truck? A couple of 2x4s maybe. I've had 18 bundles of roofing shingles in my 5 foot bed. I've carried a wack of lumber and, on most days she gets 65 mpg (Canadian). A front drive truck (worth their weight in gold in Canadian winters) that gets better fuel mileage than most cars? Where is the downside in that?

Its just not something the public wants, if they did we would see more than hondas ridgeline with this design. Course many people dont use a truck like its intended for, these days its just like the station wagon.



As for hauling, a 5ft bed doesnt work for people like me who need the larger bed to do actual hauling. There is also no way in hell I could use your truck to pickup stone, heavy pallets of tile, the amount of lumber I would grab, tow heavy loads etc. Doesnt mean other people might not find it useful-plenty of 5ft bed crew cab 1/2 ton trucks out there. Hell I had to custom order my 6ft bed F150 crew cab lol

 

[dubdoc]

I couldn't agree more. It's just too small for serious work, but it's fun to drive and very practical for an old retired guy. Here are some of my favorite loads.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

My trucks have rarely ever had anything in the bed other than a gooseneck hitch. Different strokes different folks. There's a lot of people out there driving an F150 that could be driving a ranger. But the F150 is more comfortable...

 

[dutchgray]

So I know you like VW, but that is a car with a bed on it, built off the Rabbit chassis and a unibody. The Aussies call them UTE's. its closest relative is the honda ridgeline. Which for people who want a small bed and more of a car-is perfect.



What I think most would like is say an older toyota truck or ranger sized truck, but it doesnt sell. People want bigger. I feel the best compromised in size was the old Toyota T100 or smaller Tundra. Just large enough to do most tasks but small enough to go wherever.

The Mini pick up was pretty popular back in its day here in the UK, even the current Ranger has got a bit big for here, we don't get the bigger trucks at all, though you occasionally see one that has been privately imported and they always look utterly ridiculous on our roads.

 

[dubdoc]

There's a lot of people out there driving an F150 that could be driving a ranger. But the F150 is more comfortable...

Hmmmm, they could be, but on the whole, they're compensating for certain........inadequacies........and that makes a BIG pickup that gets 5 mpg a necessity.

 

[Ton ton]

Full size trucks look ridiculous on our roads in Virginia too.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I came up with one, GWG jean jackets with the slash pockets and snap buttons. I had a second hand one about 25yrs ago and it was getting a little ragged looking so my girlfriend and I, at the time (now wife) went into a jean store in the mall and asked about getting a new GWG jacket. His answer was I'm sorry sir that jacket hasn't been made for over 25 yrs. So ever since I've tried the Levi's ones and others knock offs but there not the same, they all had buttons where the buttons came off or the holes got bigger. None had snap buttons like my beloved GWG. Fast forward too 2018 and we where at a local flea market and there was a vender that sold used workwear, Levi's, wrangler, carhartt etc. We wandered around looking at his clothes. I wander to the back and see a rack of jackets, I have a look and LOW AND BEHOLD! I see the jacket that I've been looking for for 30 yrs. I got all excited! I hope it's my size! I hope it's my size! It's a 44!! Try it on quickly, it fits! Ok,ok. Where's the guy? How much is the jacket? 50$. oh? Well, that is enough I think to myself. I admire it for a few minutes and put back on the rack and slowly walk away. We left that day, and all week I kick myself that I didn't buy that jacket. I started to plan on going back the next weekend in hopes that he might still have it. Next week we go back and quickly park and make a "B" line to where the vender was the previous week. I get there and I see a sign that says "1/2 price". I race to the back rack and ,,,, there it is! I found it, payed the guy and walk out with the biggest grin I've had in years. Funny how something so inexpensive can get someone so excited. BCD.

 

[dscheidt]

I couldn't agree more. It's just too small for serious work, but it's fun to drive and very practical for an old retired guy. Here are some of my favorite loads.

I had one of those as my first car. I carried a rear tire for a ford 8n, loaded with calcium. The tire shop were amused when I showed upwith it. It was probably a bit more than it should have carried.

 

[Jmellc]

speaking of ethenol free gas, kinda hard to get here and little out of the way but how freq are the pumps actually used, meaning is it used enough to be fresh fuel when you get it. Being 3.00 a gallon and pumps out of the way in the station , I never see anyone using them. $3.00 still seems pricey when i can fill the plane up with 100ll for 4.00 per gallon.

Last I read up, aviation gasoline is the only type that still has lead. The 1 time I saw ant, it was a light blue color. Is that still the case?

 

[Monza Harry]

The Automatic/Manual debate in class 8 and 9 trucks is also driven by the age/health of our aging fleet/specialty drivers, the mould shop I work at has updated their trucks over the last 5 years and all are "Auto's". Finding drivers that can drive sticks is getting harder, and as mentioned back a few posts breakage is/can be an issue, our health is also becoming a bigger issue [the North American work force is aging]. I am filling in right now as we need 1 1/2 drivers so I get pulled off the shop floor a couple of hours a day to do some of the local stuff, until we get a little busier and get another full time driver, between the climbing and the clutch work my knee's would take me out of the truck forever, I seriously doubt I am alone in this situation. Engine braking/downshifting isn't optimal with the Allison, but me knees hurt less so I have to plan ahead [should anyways]. My biggest complaint is the computer intervention, if there isn't enough air pressure applied to the brakes it will not go into either Fwd or Rev. we live in a Flat area, so why the #e!! do I need to stand on the brake to put the truck into gear, if it is sitting still I have enough [No?]. Just my $0.02
Dad's also make a Cream Soda Mix, the RB is good and I have a couple of packs left before I'll get to try the CS. Grandson tried it and liked it, (age 7).
I too am feeling the pain of where the #e!! did everything I know and love go? I miss the Radio Shack of the eighties, the way Canadian Tire used to be and small trucks, my 01 Sonoma is nearing death I and I am not buying a mini truck that is a foot + taller than and just as long as a full size P/U of my youth, for as much as I paid for my house! Please don't get me going about tools! I now that world is different and the numbers don't support what I like but I don't have to like it either! Harry

 

[Jlarson]

Welp, I got my tube something marked "Hylomar" today, but it ain't Hylomar.



What I got comes out of the tube as a blue goo; at least they got the color right. However, it's a solvent based sticky stuff that spreads into a thin layer. The solvent evaporates, and then you're left with a mostly useless very thin coating that's hardly even sticky.

I can't imagine what this **** is good for.

I'm trying to decide whether it's some sort of counterfeit, or I'm ordering the wrong stuff, or what.

In any case, a scathing review has been left behind.

I want the old original Hylomar, dammit. No solvents, no real smell, very thick sticky blue goo that never hardened or changed state, insoluble in gasoline, oil, antifreeze, etc.

Where the hell did it go?

I ordered a tube from one of my suppliers, haven't tried it, I too am curious. I know Hylomar claims to have a few different offerings now but this is supposed to be their original stuff again.

 

[Blind1]

I can’t help but think “thank god” when reading half of these posts.

 

[akalian]

Original Tap Magic with 1,1,1-trichloroethane (sp?)
Worked great, pleasant odor, just a little got the job done.
Prop 65 banned it because..why?
New stuff works, but just not as good.

.

 

[BrandoJames]

Dr. Pepper made with sugar.

I'm old enough to remember when Dr. Pepper wasn't widely available. When I was a kid in the early '70s, a local OKC skating rink started selling Dr. Pepper in their snack bar. It wasn't available anywhere else locally. My cousins and I flipped over Dr. Pepper--we'd go to the skating rink just to drink it.

 

[logical]

Its just not something the public wants, if they did we would see more than hondas ridgeline with this design. Course many people dont use a truck like its intended for, these days its just like the station wagon.



As for hauling, a 5ft bed doesnt work for people like me who need the larger bed to do actual hauling. There is also no way in hell I could use your truck to pickup stone, heavy pallets of tile, the amount of lumber I would grab, tow heavy loads etc. Doesnt mean other people might not find it useful-plenty of 5ft bed crew cab 1/2 ton trucks out there. Hell I had to custom order my 6ft bed F150 crew cab lol

It varies by what part of the country you are in, Supercrews with the 6.5 ft bed are a tiny fraction of the total but in my area you can find them on most dealer lots. Finding this one with the V8, Lariat trim but no sunroof was just luck since it showed up at my local small town dealer just when I was ready to buy.

Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk

 

[Fialaja]

REAL Chevy Blazers- v-8 4 wheel drive off road capable based on a full size truck chassis...
What did Chevy put out as a reboot? Another crossover!
Yet another example of how out of touch GM is with the wants of the people
Case in point in the 80’s they brought back the Monte Carlo SS. They could have put In an EFI 350, or a TBI big block, but instead they just hopped up the electric q-jet 305

 

[Robinson1]

I've a feeling current numbers would be the inverse of your belief. Fully automatic transmissions, not automated, are becoming the rule, not the exception. It won't be long before fuel efficient and emissions requirements mandate almost universal adoption.

Much like modern light truck automatic transmissions are stronger and more efficient than any manual, heavy trucks are trending the same way.

Ive never owned an auto trans pickup that didn't start having some type of transmission problem around 100k.

 

[Fialaja]

since we are on a tool forum:
Ridgid r5010 hammer drill- made in partnership with Metabo in Germany, it had variable speed dials, a pulse mode, steel rhom chuck, low brush shutoff, a great case and tons of torque.
Milwaukee 6521-21 Sawzall- made in USA, 11 amps, orbital action, gear protection, Removeable cord, toolless blade change,counterbalance and a steel case.
Real Milwaukee and porter cable tools, made in USA
Makita 4304\4305 jig saws- Made in England orbital action, variable speed dial, accepts t and U shank blades.

 

[Fialaja]

For hand tools:
Ridgid orange soft handle screwdrivers, Craftsman black handle professional/industrial screwdrivers, Stanley work master screwdrivers, Rhft ratchets USA made, Armstrong USA tools, Vise grips that are USA made, craftsman long patterned professional wrenches made in USA,

 

[Radio Flyer]

Hogwash carb cleaner in a spray can with a paper label.

 

[Fialaja]

Hmmmm, they could be, but on the whole, they're compensating for certain........inadequacies........and that makes a BIG pickup that gets 5 mpg a necessity.

It amazes me how many people are driving these big full size pickups and never seem to have anything in the bed besides their golf clubs. These trucks are becoming a status symbol of the wants vs. the needs of the American people who are so in debt because they “need” a $50,000 truck to impress the neighbors.

Detroit is happy to make them, and not the old bare bones work truck with rubber carpet, roll down windows, and no satellite radio or heated leather seats. If I were Chevrolet’s CEO, I would make a bare bones work truck that I could put out at 30-40 k.

 

[propmaker]

Coke in a glass bottle

Still available in Los Angeles made with real sugar. Its imported from Mexico

 

[Dozerhand]

I miss decent poison to rid me of the pests in my life. Especially flying ones like hornets. The stuff you get now I think drowns them before it does anything else.

 

[BrandoJames]

I miss decent poison to rid me of the pests in my life. Especially flying ones like hornets. The stuff you get now I think drowns them before it does anything else.

Try Tempo Dust--you can get a 1.25 lb container via Amazon for $32. It annihilated the carpenter bees that were slowly chewing my house apart. Kills larvae as well.

Tempo dust also prevented wasps from nesting in my house. I just applied it around the eaves and crevices where they normally nest. Last summer I rarely saw a wasp anywhere near my house. Just wear a safety mask when you handle this stuff--you definitely don't want to inhale it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ORZFJW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[zendriver]

It amazes me how many people are driving these big full size pickups and never seem to have anything in the bed besides their golf clubs. These trucks are becoming a status symbol of the wants vs. the needs of the American people who are so in debt because they “need” a $50,000 truck to impress the neighbors.



Detroit is happy to make them, and not the old bare bones work truck with rubber carpet, roll down windows, and no satellite radio or heated leather seats. If I were Chevrolet’s CEO, I would make a bare bones work truck that I could put out at 30-40 k.

Would you like them to drive?

Just curious.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Lassen Forge]

I'd love to see a bare bones basic sub-20 grand work pickup. No power nothing, AM radio optional, heater and floor vents, gutless wonder 6 banger with a 3 speed manual (and a 4 speed granny 1st option) that'll hold an honest ton...

 

[brianh]

Sioux warrior chainsaw carving bar, they are fully hardened A2 steel instead of just the tip as on all the other carving bars made, not many were willing to pay 180.00 for one I ended up making two of my own after finding out they were no longer producing them.

After machining and heat treating I have more time than if I could have just bought them but it was worth it I will never use another stellite tipped carving bar again.
Chains wear dramatically less on A2 steel than stellite tipped.

 

[bwringer]

Sioux warrior chainsaw carving bar, they are fully hardened A2 steel instead of just the tip as on all the other carving bars made, not many were willing to pay 180.00 for one I ended up making two of my own after finding out they were no longer producing them.

After machining and heat treating I have more time than if I could have just bought them but it was worth it I will never use another stellite tipped carving bar again.
Chains wear dramatically less on A2 steel than stellite tipped.

Now THAT is what I call a niche product. I didn't really know there were "next level" chainsaw bars for carving.

I learned something new today, and it's not even 9:00 am.