Homestead mailing list

[Roy Morgan <k1lky AT earthlink.net>]

> On Aug 17, 2008, at 6:51 AM, paxamicus AT earthlink.net wrote:
>
> > Real defense: Roy and I discussed it before I did it. He just didn't
> > get to eyeball it.

Here's my summary report on "the truck".

The thing did kinda strongly dent the budget, but all in all, she did  
good on it.  This thing is in very clean condition, almost no rust  
underneath (VA uses little or no salt compared to up north).

I've spent quite some hours in the thing so far, both with sheep out  
back and not.  It drives very nicely.  If you push the "Tow/Haul"  
button on the highway, it refuses to get into overdrive, spends a lot  
of time at high RPM, and I assume the mileage is very bad.  I'm  
learning to shift it with the accelerator

I've spent just a short time under the thing, and found one bent part:  
the steering dampener.  Clearly, it's the lowest thing under the front  
and took a rather solid dent.  I must assume it's not working much, if  
at all - the piston seal has to be munched through.  I'm assuming it's  
a cinch to replace, and will do so once I get a part.  It looks like a  
passenger car rear shock absorber.  Maybe that will reduce a bit of  
steering wander on the road.

A disturbing noise from the wheels turned out to be a loose axle cover  
on the trailer.  Two of the three bolts were missing.  That will take  
very little to fix.  By the way, Celia did well on the trailer, too.   
An older Bison two-horse that is not luxurious, but works just fine.   
It appears to need only one replacement running light.  Brakes on both  
axles, spare tire is new, running rubber in good shape.

Any advice on parts sources for the Ford would be welcome.  (I notice  
it has TWO monster batteries.  I shudder at replacing them when the  
time  comes.  They seem to have blankets around them. What's with  
that?  I saw no house current heater plug in cord.)

Also, it came with no manual.  What do folks suggest I get?  I wonder  
if a polite email to Ford would bring me something free.  They are  
still in business, aren't they?

Roy

Roy Morgan
13033 Downey Mill Rd
Lovettsville, VA 20180
k1lky AT earthlink.net

NEW address:
529 Cobb St.
Groton NY, 13073