After finishing the Mercedes I realized how much I needed a truck. For years I’ve been thinking about which one. After state wide searches one came up in the farthest east of California on the Colorado River. It was owned by an excellent elevator mechanic who suddenly passed during covid. It’s shorter than a cargo van, easier to maneuver than all regular trucks, easier to access the engine, has a lift gate and has a bulletproof engine. Special thanks to Helen and Tammy Dahlstrom for letting me take Rick’s baby and begin the process of wrenching on her. Monday at 5am I left and returned Tuesday at 6am. I checked the fluids and gave her an oil change. I washed her and checked everything I could think of. I took her for a 40 miles test drive through the desert at 118 degrees. After getting insurance and registration I left at 8:30pm Monday. 140 miles later i heard an explosion under the cab and the dash went dark. Pulling over the truck still had power and I was able to exit the highway. I found the rear outside tire had exploded. Debris destroyed the brake and tail light. I searched the truck and found the tools to change the tire but I had to learn how to use them. The lug nuts were on so tight I used a farm jack handle to increase the leverage and it took my entire body weight to break them loose. After a couple hours I changed the tire, rebuilt the reflector with tape, changed the bulb, changed the fuse (that was connected to the dash), and cut a red t-shirt I had into a brake light lens. I got home in one piece with the truck at 5:39am; 25 hours after I left. New project. Old truck. New truck. #reducereuserecycle (at Blythe Intaglios) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQdAGJmLXir/?utm_medium=tumblr
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