Fin

It's about as done as it's going to be. Or at least done enough to call it done. I did just notice it still has a mudflap on it but that'll come off soon. Don't know how I overlooked that one. What's important is that it's washed, waxed, de-funkafied and mechanically pretty well sorted. Here's the pics:

 

 

 

 

OK. I know the proper thing to do would have been  build a new box to fit the space. I'd face the woofer toward the wall and mount the amp to the interior side and make a nice trim ring and use matching carpet but hey- this is done on the cheap with what I had and I don't really want to put too much into a thousand buck truck. Future stuff will be miscellaneous trim pieces like the fuse cover, dome light covers and headliner. Big upgrades if I keep her and she's running strong will definitely be an Old Man Emu spring and shock kit and a cheap paint job. I got me some idears on that one. Stay tuned kids! Laters.

Avatar

Quick Avatar impression: The story is unimaginative and will be completely familiar to anyone who's had a history class, the voiceover is completely annoying and written so even someone with an IQ of 3 will know exactly what's going on at all times, the movie is full of "why don't they just" moments like "why don't the big walking infantry machines just have shoulder mounted guns so they don't have to carry them leaving their hands free to do other things" and the dialogue is so bad at points that I was actually embarrassed for James Cameron for having written it. Then I was mad at all the sycophants that must surround him that didn't have the stones to tell him how ridiculous it sounded. The worst part? "Their bones are reinforced with a naturally occurring form of carbon fiber." Really? Natural carbon fiber? Ugh.

 That being said, Avatar is such an amazing technological achievement and visual experience that I'd still recommend seeing it. And spring the extra 2 bucks for 3D. I imagine the experience would be severely diluted otherwise. The technologies invented for this film will forever change the way films are made in much the same way Cameron has done numerous times in the past. I long for the day he returns to making great movies like Terminator 2, The Abyss and of course Aliens. Until then I'll just keep telling myself at least he's making great contributions to filmmaking in other ways. You know, kind of like George Lucas has ever since Empire Strikes Back. Laters.

Auteur

Snagged this pic while watching the bio "Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures." I'd love to find a set of those sweet Beyer phones.

No Rover progress today. Bad sinus thing going on. Looked at buffing equipment though and I'm just not ready to plunk down so she's going to have to settle for a hand wax and call it good. 

I've also been digging into Forza Motorsport 3 on XBox 360. I've only got a few hours in but I must say, this is a truly stunning game. The developers have masterfully and seamlessly blended hardcore simulation and casual arcade play into one beautiful and amazingly deep experience. The best part is, you can transition from one to the other at your own pace and whenever you like. The cars and customization features are very well done but the best part is the online auctions that allow you to use your credits to buy cars from other players. You can even open your own tuner shop. I intend to explore this feature very soon. That's it. Rover and Sporty pics still to come. Laters.

Red Rover

Hey folks. Red Rover is nearing completion. All that's left now is to give her a good buff and wax today if mother nature cooperates. Pics soon. Laters.

Rover Progress

Today it was all Rover. I got the last of the carpet pressure washed, the dry stuff put in, the seats in, and the rest of the wiring run. It's really coming together well. Whoever owned this thing before me had a big white dog because there's literally pounds of hair stuck everywhere. The pressure wash loosened it nicely and I think it will vacuum out well. Tomorrow I just need to pick up a couple feet of 4 gauge to connect the amp fuse to the battery and run the rear headliner speaker wires and make all the connections. Three hours, tops. Then to seal the sunroof and wash/wax and possibly buff. Can't wait to be done with it.

It also occurred to me today how ironic it is I'm installing a stereo I spent more on than the truck. Funny how that works. At least that was pre-recession money. Quality pics when I'm done, then to decide if I want to sell it for profit and buy one a little nicer. I just can't seem to leave well enough alone. Laters. 

DB's Website and my co-write

Just wanted to quickly mention that my buddy Donny "good ol' DB" Brazile has his music site up and running and the best part is that everything's free! Unfortunately that also means my one and only co-write is free so I won't be seeing any mailbox money anytime soon. Damn. Check it out anyway and look for my song, "Emily." Laters.

Back in the swing...

After a few weeks of downtime I decided last night to get back into it. And back into it I got. First up was my long awaited fork boot install. I thought they looked a bit long but hey, why not give it a try. Here's what I ended up with:

Not satisfied with this I took a good look, then grabbed the X-Acto and started cutting. After awhile, I came up with this:

 

Now that's what I was going for, and this afforded me the opportunity to break the Washington corrosion off the bolts and give them some Anti-Seize and a re-torque. You know, like any good anal retentive tech should. Better pics to come. Bad light + iPhone = Shite.

  

Then this morning I woke up with Rover on my mind so I did what must be done. I loaded all the carpet in the back and headed down to the car wash. Five bucks in quarters and 30 minutes later I had this:

  

Everything is drying nicely thanks to the wonderful Phoenix climate. If the wild hair is still in my ass tomorrow I think I'll finish the stereo install and start replacing carpet and back seats. Right now it feels too much like a van. That's fine as long as it is a van and has a cool mural on the side but murals don't look good on Rovers. After that it's buff and wax and pics to follow. 

I also want to mention a great little shop in Mesa called Eastside Performance. They're the friendliest, helpfulest, no bullshittenest shop in the Phoenix area and you should definitely give them your bidness. It's where I bought the drag bars and fork boots and where I'll buy most everything from now on. Their prices and service are beyond compare. It's worth the trip just to see what they have in the showroom. Can you say Brough Superior? Check 'em out. Laters.