05.28.08
Posted in Towing at 10:09 pm by elly
Gulp! I just bought a 1997 FzJ-80 Toyota Land Cruiser with 130K miles. While others are trading in for smaller cars with higher gas mileage, I invest in a gas-guzzling hog. So much for going green.
This red beauty has a 4.5L I6 engine with 4WD, Reese receiver/hitch, new Toyo tires, an aluminum bull bar from Australia, and a new stereo system. The 80 series landcruisers came from the factory with a tow package, which includes an oversized radiator, transmission cooler and a button labeled power mode (lowers the shift points of the transmission). It spent most of its life in VA, so doesn’t have the upstate NY rust (yet). The interior shows wear and tear (leather/dash), but its been very well cared for.
Besides getting it registered and insured, I need to look at load leveling/sway bars, rear coil spring airbags, and a 4 to 7 pole wiring harness converter. I’m checking out these parts on etrailer.com at the moment. It can handle towing a 5K pound trailer, so it should be adequate (GCWR of 11,700 pounds). The trailer’s dry weight is 3500lbs and right now its even less since its half-gutted. As the refurbishment continues, I’ll keep an eye on the trailer and vehicle weight at the weigh stations.
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Posted in Towing at 9:23 pm by elly
She’s back on her wheels - THANK YOU TIM!
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05.25.08
Posted in Towing at 10:33 am by elly
After an uneventful and non-productive winter, I was getting geared up to get Rosie some much needed attention. Unfortunately, I had another bicycling accident, not as bad as my broken back though (just broken jaw, ribs, and arm). As a get-well gesture, my buddy Tim came out while I was home recovering and put Rosie on cinder blocks and got her wheels off.
Now she’s waiting to have her new Wheels put back on. They’re Good Year 15inch Class D tires I got at Ithaca Tire and Auto Center on State St. Craig tells people they were my 50th birthday present - can’t think of a better gift! Brandon at Ithaca Tire told Craig they should last 50 years like the last ones. I guess they were impressed with how old the others were. I can’t believe they were original, but maybe. The old ones were also Good Year with some tread and lots of dry rot.
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11.13.07
Posted in Floor at 6:48 pm by elly
So the floor. I’ve spoken of it many times and its what’s kept me from making any forward progress. So I bit the bullet and talked to Colin (and Anita) at GSM Vehicles in Plattsburgh, NY today. What nice folks!
I’ve started making arrangements to get Rosie up to the north country. My timing is a bit off with the holidaze quickly approaching, but I’m sure something will work out.
In a previous post, there are pictures of the area near the door that has the water damage and the floor we cut away. Here is a close-up of the frame and the rust damage that I’m concerned about.
To do:
- Tim reminds me that I need to check the tires. I’m pretty sure I need to replace them. They were borderline 2 years ago and the trailer hasn’t moved out of the driveway since Fletch delivered it.
- Find a tow vehicle to borrow (Tim?, Dean’s truck?, rental?).
- Call GSM Vehicles back with a date. I left it a possibility for Friday 11/30th, but that may be too quick to get the tires and a tow vehicle twice.
GSM Vehicles, Inc.
2893 Florida Ave
Plattsburgh, NY 12903
(518) 561-4784
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09.12.07
Posted in Resources at 12:05 pm by elly
Bruce Littlefield was interviewed on “The Today Show” about Airstreams. The video includes some nice historical clips and a mini-tour of a vintage and new trailer.
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