DanD

Been in the automotive trade for 45 years. Owned my own shop for 40 of those years. With covid kicking my ass financially; decided I had enough and wasn't putting any more of my savings back into the shop; to keep it going. I'll miss a lot of my customers and the loyalty they have shown me over the years. The sad part is I don't know who to recommend them to go to? All the good smaller shops that I knew are all closed or closing. So I'm going to try this retirement thing and see how that goes. Oh man my life is in for a great big change; not sure if I'm ready for it. Dealing with the public hasn't always been easy; vehicle repairs have always been a grudge purchase; but at times it could also be very gratifying; I'll miss that the most. Dan.

I've have a trailer down at Normandale (Close to Turkey Point) now for about 25 years. Still enjoy going down there on the weekends; even if all I do is sit on the deck and watch the park world go by. It's nice to see you posting again Cliff. Dan

LOL! You should never force anything; just get a bigger hammer. I broke 3 5lb slide hammers trying to get a rear wheel hub off of a C3 Corvette. I then went and bought a 10lb; just like butter. LOL There's some crazy crap we have to go through in this trade; just to do what looks like a simple job Dan.

To The OP! 👍 Glad you got it working. This is no excuse for your dealer; but a friend of mine that works at a dealership. Says they are so busy selling; that service can't keep up with PDI (Pre Delivery Inspections) They just hope crap works, as the manufacturer advertised? Like I said no excuse; but even though frustrating, it was an easy fix. Go and enjoy your rig!!!! Dan.

I Like I said to Lew; If you're happy with it; you're ahead of the game. It looks assume and something to be proud of! By the way if you're in Waterford, you're not far from where I was born and raised. Born at Simcoe General Hospital and raised on a tabacco farm, 3 farms west of Turkey Point Rd. My Dad moved us up to the London area in 1972; to grow tobacco just outside of Delaware. I never lost my connection with Norfolk County. 24 years ago I went and put a weekend trailer down in Normandale @ Hidden Valley Camp Ground. I still go every weekend and enjoy every minute that I'm there. Close to the Lake and all my childhood memories of riding my bike down to Turkey Point, with my school buddies for a day of screwing around on the beach and fishing off the marina's channels. Sorry; but when I finally noticed you're avatar; it sent a thousand memories through me, Thanks. Dan. PS: Lew I like your deck as well! LOL

Hindsight is 20/20 Lew. You got what you wanted done and if you're happy with the results; screw the expense! Dan.

I also had my doubts with the auto inflatable jackets. Worn one for two years and never really knew if it worked? The last time my brother and I went fishing together, he was pretty weak from the cancer. I made him wear the inflatable; just incase. Sure enough he went off the dock when getting off the pontoon boat. I saw the splash and he was gone. About a second (or less) later there he was; bobbed up to the surface like a cork; head and neck fully supported by the jacket. Keep them up to date with the CO2 cylinder and arming trigger and they work. Dan.

If you can get to the London area or have a friend that is; I can get you a brand new regulator and motor assembly for $82.45 plus tax. ($93.71) I belong to a buying group, as a garage owner and for a one off deal; I'll sell it to you at cost. List price on the assembly is approx. $180.00. Let me know. Dan.

Built in obsolescence. The manufacturers could build them better; but they'd be cutting their own throat's. They want us to buy a new set every 4 or 5 years; not every 10. Dan.

Although it is strongly recommended, you do not need a pleasure craft operator card to rent a boat in Ontario. There are specific responsibilities of a person without proof of competency renting a pleasure craft fitted with a motor that include: the completion of the Rental Boat Safety Checklist with the rental boat/outfitter representative; understand the knowledge and skills given by the rental boat/outfitter representative; sign the Rental Boat Safety Checklist; and carry onboard the co-signed section of the Rental Boat Safety Checklist as proof of competency for the duration of the rental. It is also recommended that you be aware of the rental operator’s responsibilities. The above comes from this web site. Renting a boat. Like Lew. Just trying to help; don't think the site is outdated? Dan.

This might be a bit farther then you want; it's about 6 hours from Fergus; but very peaceful with housekeeping cottages. It's on the Montreal River system, just outside of the village/town of Elk Lake. Elk Lake Wilderness Resort Cottages are clean and well maintained; been there a number of times with my brother; who was dealing with cancer that he just lost his battle with this spring. Why I mention that; is it was easy access for him to the dock; has ample room for a few chairs and relaxing times on the dock. They also have a pontoon boat that we have rented a few times. Made my brother's boarding and relaxing and fishing much more enjoyable for him. The fishing is decent and the water system is always calm enough to go out. Then about 4-5 miles down river there's a large widening of the river called Mountain Lake. It's a pike fishery for sure, along with bass and walleye. The best walleye fishing we found was drifting between an old train bridge and an island in the middle of the river. Power up to the bridge and zigzag the width of the river down to the island. This was between the camp and Mountain Lake; even with a 15hp tinny it was less then 20 minutes from camp. I DO NOT have any investment in this camp! I've just enjoyed the camp and that my brother could come and not over exert himself doing his love of fishing. The owners of the camp are relatively young people (40-50) and have to be the friendlies people I have met. Hopefully they still have their great attitude while this covid is still hanging around. It would be a shame if they lost what they have built because of. Dan.

Luke! I’m your father. Sorry couldn’t resist. LOL Dan.

Along with Fisherman's suggestion. If there is a pull left or right on the tiller, while at speed; you can easily adjust that out. The vid is of a merc but the idea is the same.

My 50 Chevy been off the road for the last three years. NEVER tell a body shop to take their time. LOL. When i go to get my new sticker for it it’s not going to go back to the last time i renewed. I’ll only pay for the year I’m going to drive it. All service Ontario is going to ask is if i have the car insured.

If you mean that they'll be coming after us retroactive? If so the only rush we'll see is in the courthouses; with people refusing to pay the year that past sticker. Dan.

Regardless of what you do aluminum or magnesium wheels will eventually start to have rim and valve stem leaks. Mother Nature loves screwing with these metals and the area where the tire beed and valve stem need to make a the seal. The corrosion that looks like white powder that builds up and pushes the beed away from the rim. The corrosion is easily cleaned off once the tire is dismounted. I then brush on a liquid rubber on the beed and valve stem areas. Dan.

The wheels have to conform to the DOT specs; so I wouldn't be worried for your application. The wheel torque for the factory wheels is 150 ft-lbs. I would be checking with the manufacturer of these wheels (Not the sales person) as to what they suggest the torque should be for that wheel, being bolted to your truck. If you don't already have a torque wrench; I'd suggest getting one. Improperly torqued wheels could work themselves loose, warp the wheels, brake rotors and hubs. Once the wheels are installed; check the torque when you get home. Then every 100klm for the next 300. Sometimes an aftermarket wheel needs to fully seat to the hub & brake rotor; before they'll hold the torque. Is that being a bit over caucus maybe; but it's better then watching one of the wheels pass you; while you're on your way to the ditch. LOL Dan.

Automotive has gone the same way. You test a failed circuit and you know that it is just a $10.00 relay; but that relay is incorporated inside a module assembly. Chrysler has had issues with their TIPM (Totally Intergraded Power Module) it controls all secondary electrical systems. Things like lights, heater/AC, power windows and so on. Talk about a hard sell. Well we found out why the left headlight isn't working. It's the TIPM and it'll cost you approx $1200.00 to have it replaced. There's usually a few moments of silence on the phone; before I hear a very loud WHAT! Like what one of my instructors told me years ago and have had to use his line many times. I didn't design it, build it or buy it; I'm here to fix it; sorry for your luck. Dan.

I service the shop's mailman's vehicles. I haven't had to go to a post office or mailbox in years. Everyday he shows up around 10am with my mail (Bills mostly LOL), makes himself a coffee and takes a 10 minute break. On the way out he picks up my out going mail and looks after it for me. He's about to retire and I'll miss the guy. As a retirement gift I put a $100.00 gift certificate for the shop, in an envelope addressed to him. He always checks that I have the proper postage on my stuff. I wont put a stamp on his letter; so he'll notice it's for him. Dan.

The last time I thought I found a loony; turned out to be a nice snack, after peeling the foil off. Just to show off my luck. LOL Dan.

Very surprised that the mother came back to tend to them; after your scent was on the baddies. My dad raised domestic rabbits; on average he would have 300 + at a time. If we went into a nest to early. Most times the mother would abandon them and these rabbits knew our sent? Maybe wild rabbits are not the same? Dan.

This lockdown may have good reasoning; but it sucks big time. I had to say goodbye to my fishing partner, best friend, my elder brother this week. After fighting years of cancer, it finally took him last Monday night! I had a half hour with him at the funeral home; as many people were waiting outside to show their respects to this man. This morning I wasn't allowed to attend the funeral and church service for him; because of this frigging lockdown. I had to sit here at home and watch the service on youtube; total Bull!!! What a shame a man that had nothing but love for all of his family; which a large part of this family wasn't allowed to attend. I'll follow the covid rules; but for damn sake lets get a handle on it. I'll miss you Morris; sorry I wasn't able to be with you!

I laughed when I read that; good on you making it through this!!! Dan.

I'm on my 50" LG smart TV as I type this. Been one of the better TV's I owned and is on it's 10th year? The thing is on all the time; I use it as my computer screen, TV cable monitor; along with all the movie streaming I do. Did I get lucky with this one? With all the circuitry that's inside these things; it only take one soldered connection on one of the hundreds of boards to go open and shut the thing down. The labour involved in finding this possible open connection out ways the cost of replacing the unit. The only thing that I think is different between brands is the quality control at the factories that supply the companies that do the final assembly and slap their name on it. Just like the automotive industry. GM, Ford or Chrysler do not build the components that go into their vehicles. All that is subbed out to other companies to build whatever part to spec. The vehicle manufacturer then assembles those bought parts to build their vehicle. I should ask my son to post some of the horror stories he has to deal with working as an engineer at GM and is in charge of North American rear wheel drive mounting (engine, transmission & body) components. Sometimes what he has approved in a manufacturer's sample part; isn't exactly what shows up at the assembly plant. Talk about the "Ship High In Transit" (S.H.I.T.) hitting the fan. LOL Dan. Trivia. Ship High In Transit comes from when river barges use to transport manure in their holds. They didn't want the manure to get wet; so they labeled the bails with the words Ship High In Transit. That's where the acronym S.H.I.T. comes from. LOL

Been following this thread from the beginning and I am so in awe of what you have built! Please don't stop posting you're advancements towards the end of you're build. Thanks for sharing this adventure with us. A dream of mine that may never happen; but I can enjoy watching yours's come true. All the best!!!!! Dan.