Cousin Eddie

IN

Thought I could also share some experience in this subject... Drove ’69 bug in HS, hated every minute, hardly cool driving a 30 year old vehicle your mom received brand new for her HS graduation, and sat rotting in your back yard for as long as your memory engaged in capturing memories… Drove ’89 Toyota single cab 2.4L 4 cylinder SR5 4x4 5-speed (stick), during first year in college, liked it, but need more room. Never exceed 23 MPG. Not worse than 18 MPG. Drove ’91 Toyota extra cab 3.0L V6 SR5 4x4 5-speed (stick), Rancho 2.5” lift, 32” BFG All Terrains, then 32” BFG Mud Terrains, during the remainder college years. Consistently achieved mid 15 MPG, 50/50 mixed driving. Drove ’96 extra cab Mazda B2300 SE 2.3L 5-speed (stick), needed money, sold the ’91 Toyota (dream truck) for the inexpensive truck. I bought off a friends-friend, whom paid someone to take him to an auction and bought for $6,800. Turns out he didn’t want it a few months later, my friend was tasked with helping to sell it, I didn’t want a Ford either…but at $4,000 the truck was mine with 86K miles. I discovered the truck was a fleet truck, thou the color Red with Sticker Decals. The smoking gun was the stereo and entire cigarette lighter hardware were completely removed leaving gaping holes in the dash. Also the cup holder straddling the stick shift was removed, leaving the boot flapping in the wind. I beat the snot out of this truck begging it to die. I’ve hauled multiple pallets of tile from Home Depot and Lowes in the bed, the forklift carefully finessed placement centering over the rear axle, one pallet at a time, and never had a problem, though the breather tube to the rear axle (rubber hose) broke at the perch and the mud flaps dragged on the street. It pushes grocery/home depot shopping carts out of parking spots with ease, the floor board carpet absorbs ½ gallon Home Depot Behr paint like a dry sponge when you forget to put the lid on tightly; hauls a bed completely full of tools with a tonneau cover and two full size side-by-side refrigerators/freezers strapped on top of the tonneau cover from San Diego to central California up and down the Grapevine. It goes up curbs when it’s too long to go around by street. Never did tow with it, as the manual states, “towing not recommended”. I should add that when you have Stanley Steemer come clean the carpets in your home, have already unbolted your seat/seats (bench or buckets) from the floor board, throw the guys a $20 and the carpet and seats in the truck will look better than new. Though be sure to leave the windows down for a couple of days and drive in your swim suit during the drying process. Never, from a dead stop should you ever try to cross a busy intersection with the intent it will be brisk, while the A/C is on…bad idea, always turn off the A/C with the 2300cc engine before attempting. Never worse than 17.5 MPG, never better than 22.8 MPG (with A/C off, some tools in the bed, 55 MPH slow lane 3am to 7am SD to Central Valley. The brakes would stop the truck on a dime. Look at all the fun you can have with 112 HP and 135lbs of torque! Sold with 170K miles, because the wife didn’t think we needed 3 vehicles to split between us. Repairs- a $4.00 fuse solved the intermittent cutting-out issues I encountered driving it home and eventual stranded me a block down the street from home a week later. A sheared bolt on engine block which attached the alternator or A/C compressor (I don’t remember), still had 1 other bolts holding it on. A new clutch was put in somewhere around 130K. It always passed smog with flying colors. I’ve heard it said, “Never buy a Ford Car, but Ford Trucks are Drove ’01 Tacoma Double cab 3.4L V6 4x4 automatic for few years. Never better than 19.8 with Snugtop shell and some camping gear, wife, and Labrador, stock lift, stock wheels and tires, driving from SD to Mammoth and back. http://dualsport-sd.com/forums/index.php?/topic/6659-anza-borrego-desert-dash-2010-photos/page-5 (see last posting) Hope this is helpful. PM me if you’d like further details.

Mimi, you're spot-on!

I second the recommendations! I have all mentioned and have really gravitated to the Fox gloves with the "mock" carbon fiber pucks on the knuckles. Wear on them has been better than expected, wicking has been effective, and comfort great w/o the OJ effect. Goggles are another story, don't know if I'll ever like wearing the perfect pair! They all seem to have drawbacks...

Congrats J! Have you practiced picking it up off the ground yet? Ha! Hope it brings you many miles of happiness! Was the wife glad to see the 'busa permanently leave the stable? Enjoy!

It would've worked better if you used my bike as the subject piece, I'm 15 houses down when your ready for your re-shoot.

This is disappointing news...I've riden the Dash with you and Ben for the last three years! Every year when I show up to the Dash I'm more pumped then the previous year, bragging about I'm in better shape this year or I put new tires on or I've worked on my technique, or i've dialed in the carb it'll start first kick after dumping it, etc, pleading & promising this will be the year you guys won't have to wait for me at any of the forks. But every year by the time I catch up, you all have debarked the bikes, releaved yourselves, and have had time to consume half of an energy bar. I think you've fabricated the "Broken" story to ditch the anchor at this years Dash...Is Ben in on this too???

IN Socalhodaka- can I get a ride? Hodnettjj- see ya there!

What do you charge for delivery?

I will be there, but may be 10 min late. Lets Ride! Jeff G.

Lookin' good for Sunday! Where & Time?

Wing Nut, Crusty, XR650L Bum: I'm IN, but Saturday is booked for me. I was supposed to join the VCMC this weekend in Bishop, but unforeseen circumstances have risen...I need to ride!!! That said, I'll re-jet my BRP for sea level vs. the 6000' I just modified it to the night before last...errrrr, in hopes you guys are decide to ride Sunday. -Cousin Eddie

Wow, what an accomplishment! Since he was able to travel the 2,700 miles, surely you'll be able to handle the 1,200 miles from your house next year! Let me know if you need help planning the route! ha!

Yep, over a year later, here is my contribution... Saturday Morning- Thanks to SocalHodaka I had a pad to crash at, no pun intended, ha. Chateau de Cousin Eddie...who forgot to roll my roll chart? Thanks DSFox for giving me your mattress repair kit on Saturday evening before dinner. I punctured the mattress on a bare screw extruding from the camper shell. I had my doubts about the repair, but it lasted for another DD, Troy Meadows, and Mammoth trip. DSFox I owe you, still! Notice my bedding protruding from the shelter of the camper shell, yes it was a long, wet, windy, cold night, it rained Friday night into Saturday. Chili dinner- Me High School Photography 101 technique, I guess I did learn something... is that DSFox and ??? ??? ??? ADA mandates a handrail, where is it? And I thought the BRP was a chore! How do ya like me know? You wanna give it a try? Didn't think so! Ah, lunch... thanks to the Borrego Fire Fighters for hosting. All packed up and headed home with a grin from ear-to-ear!