Alcan-8s out and Deaver-10's in....

This past August after years of use - I had to change out my Alcan-8 leaf springs for something more beefy.
To replace it are the Deaver-10 leaf pack.

New LightFORCE lights for my Tacoma

This past May, I replaced my old spot lights from 4wheel parts for LightForce 170 Striker HIDS.

Thanks to Will at Sierra Expeditions for have the sale at the right time.

Axe and Shovel Carrier

Just installed my axe and shovel carrier.

My Tacoma Garage Page on TTORA for the carrier - click here.

Details on my garage page.

Traded in our 2001 330i for ......

something newer, more power, more toys, cooler engine....
its a 2007 335i sedan.

We traded in our older '01, because it has been over 5 years without a car payment, and Cindy's 330i was coming of age that more maintenance would be required. We did think of getting a Mini or a mid-sized SUV so something like that. We ended up back to the next gen 3-series.

We purchased this Monaco Blue Bimmer from The BMW Center of San Antonio and from our salesman Robert Carver.

This was the second car we have purchased from this dealership and from this same salesman.

You may be wondering what is behind our 335i, well it is my well use 2000 BMW Z3 2.8L roadster that was my first new car purchase. The 335i makes this the 3rd BMW we have owned and so far no regrets at all. One great running car!

The 4th of July!!!!

Happy 4th to everyone!

Cindy and I will be grilling out steaks tonight.

For the day, we will be just hanging out...resting my back and just enjoy the day.

Have a safe fun weekend everyone!

New Hi-Lift installed.

Well, about two weeks ago, my co-worker, who owns a Jeep, wanted to know if I was interested in selling my Hi-Lift. I said what? and also going through my mind...one side said "why can he not buy one himself?" and the other said "Cool, any excuse to get something newer!"....well my better judgment got the better of me.
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I sold it to him for $40.
So now I needed to look into a new Hi-Lift.
First thing that came to my mind, the UBER-cool X-treme Hi-Lift (60-inch version).

Fast forward to today, I unboxed a very long and heavy item and inside.

I relocated my WABFAB slider adapter onto the new jack.

I bought it w/ a new red handle holder for a little over $150 (includes shipping) from Poly Performance

http://www.polyperformance.com/

My first Hi-Lift was mounted on my CBI Bumper with just two butterfly nuts.

I have been lucky that no one wanted to take my old Hi-Lift.
So I wanted to figure out how to lock it to the bumper (without buying anything new).

This what I did...
Original Hi-Lift Mount for my CBI Bumper

Drilled another hole, deburr and paint.

Used (2) 1/2-13 3-inch long Bolts and spacers that I had laying around.
And now the Hi-Lift X-treme is locked and loaded.


The new look for the rear.

Right now the bolt is held in place with the butterfly nut.
I think I will stop by JFAB's place to have him weld them into place.

Major maintenance conducted

Well this past week, i did what i should have done last year...major maintenance on the Tacoma.
Replaced the Timing Belt, other belts, radiator hose (upper & lower), thermostat, water pump and belt idler.
Boy the way the truck sounds and powers through the gears is just like new!
SMOOTH!!!!

Then I started the work on my Shovel & Axe carrier that will be mounted onto my bed bar.
I used plastic wood, that I been hauling since living in NC.
I would have finished if the Quick Fist that I ordered was not mistakenly sent to my old home in SanAntonio!
SO now I have to wait until Tues, June 23 fo it to be rerouted and delivered to New Braunfels.
Semi-pissed, but at least it is not lost.

I will post up photos of the finished work, once I get it, drill (4) holes and bolt it together.
Later ya'll!

MY Z3 at da GAP.

Here is my video of my drive at da GAP.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tZl9LJscac

Note this is a shortened version of the whole ride.
But still worth checking it out.
NOTE that I DO NOT recommend anyone doing this without prior experience in autocrossing, proper maintenance of your car and plenty of knowledge on watching the road way ahead.

Enjoy the vid.

Uploading video my drive at the Gap from years ago

Many many years ago, my friend David and I took a drive on one of the best roads East of the Mississippi River.
Tail of the Dragon.
The video is a shorten version, but it will give you a feel of the road.
I will post up the link, once the video uploads onto Youtube.

TTORA - Show-n-Shine 2009

The following is from a recent event to help the wounded vets, even with the early morning showers and most of the day if cloudy skys, I had fun signing up everyone, hearing what trucks / rigs they own.


Thank you to Paesanos on 1604, for a great meal and donations to the cause.
I can't wait to bring Cindy here to eat...hey our anniversary is coming up next month. hummm.....


The Show trophies and all the door prizes!


Adam's personal sized pizza - - yeah right!


Off-Road Ready's tent and a couple of their killer rigs.















Again thanks to all the donations and to OneLastCast of TTORA for setting this up!

Knee update and truck update

Well, I am been back to work for two weeks. My knee has felt good no pains, just getting back into the long walks around the plant, has been tiring for my knee. but it is needed to gain the strength back. Also this week, I did my first return trip to Mexico, that went well, did a bunch of walking and I felt it, once I was driving back home.
Tomorrow, I have my next check up and it should go well.

Truck update...well, I recently installed a new front skid plate from BudBuilt, located in NC.
It is BRIGHT RED and well built. The install went well.




I also ordered the Belly Pan and that arrives tomorrow.
I will post those photos, once I have it installed.
Until then - be safe and have fun!

The New Year is coming up fast and I have updated my hyperlinks

Today I finished updating the photo's hyperlinks regarding all the modifications I have conducted and recorded on my Toyota Tacoma 4x4.

The links are located on the TTORA website's Garage threads.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86645

This includes all the suspension, frame reinforcement, bumpers, OBA and other stuff.

Hope you enjoy it and let me know if you have any questions.

Take care!

Nathan

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Hope you and your family have a safe and fun Christmas and a even Better New Year!

I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and son first...

then our new home that we built this year.

Even with my operation on my knee I am so thankful for Dr. Ray for doing a great job.

Plus that my friend's girlfriend was not injured when my truck got away from me when my knee buckled from under me.

God and our family was looking out for her.

So Merry Christmas and talk to you all later!

My Knee...repaired :)

Well...6-am Cindy & I headed to the hospital.
After getting ready and the Dr. Gas man came in to do his evaluation. The last thing I said to Cindy was "hey I can feel it in my hand"...then I was out! A few hours later...I was in my hospital room and Cindy there. Big wrap around my knee. My Doctor came in and told me that when he looked inside, he had replaced my ACL, placed an implant for the Articular Cartilage and fixed a tear in my Meniscus. Three things.....fun....the amazing thing is that when my Doctor arrived, we were talking and I was sitting at the edge of the bed with my knee at 90-degrees....I do have that wonderful knee bending machine. He only wants me to bend it to a max of 45 degrees and only toe-touching. He also took a bunch of photos of the operation...I asked him to do that. So, when I visit him next week for follow-up, I will get them from him.
I was released at 1130-am Wednesday (Dec 17)...spent the afternoon laying on the sofa with my machine. It is good to be home. It's going to be an interesting 6-weeks of not going to work.

Cya around and I will keep you all updated.

Some more pics...

2010 the new roadster arrives!

Well...the official photos for the new BMW Z4 are out on the w.w.w....so here they are for you.

Overall, I am pleased on the design, the rear has the look of the 6-series.

The front grill looks different...guess I will have to see it in person.

I am SO GLAD that the side mirrors are NORMAL and not have those crazy turn signals built in with the egg-yoke lights.

The interior is also very nice, way better than the current Z4 (sorry guys)...the new one is aiming back to be DRIVER-Orientated.

The side gills are okay.

Should be interesting to see the specs and the Z4 in person around May of next year.

2010 BMW Z4

Just saw some pics of the new 2010 and a better graphic photo of the Z4...much better!

If this is a true representation of the Z4, I like it.

Better lines....can't wait to see it in person.

My knee - 25 years in the making!

Well, I saw the surgeon and my ACL is torn and I have a piece missing from by cartilage, the one on the femur bone...fun. Well, I knew or knee that this was coming, I just needed to know how bad was bad. I can hobble with out my crutches. But not for long.
I have been more interested in the Pre-OP requirements, than the Post-OP...which I know that it is all about Physical Therapy.
I plan to call next week to schedule the surgery...hoping it will happen this year.
According to the doc...it will be 2-3 days no weight on the foot.
2-weeks of some weight on the foot
6-weeks until no crutches.
1 year plus of rehab! That will be fun.

I have already started preparing to work at home....
Going to be an interesting year.
Later!
Nathan

Thanksgiving is over....and other stuff.

Boy the food that my LW made was GREAT! Our son, my LW, me and of course our dog stuffed our selves of so much turkey and desert, we still had left overs!

Check out Lone Start Stitcher and her Ramblings blog for pics.

Other things that happened, last weekend, during a real bad day of wheeling, where (4) trucks were damaged..but there was one real scary moment, that I thought that my friend's girlfriend was seriously injured, when my truck popped out of drive and rolled backwards over her. Thank God, he was looking out for her, she did not get seriously hurt, just shaken. The only person hurt was me, when I realized my truck was rolling, I turned to stop, jump back into the truck, but my knee buckled and down I went. I went to the doctors the next morning and had an X-ray.



My friend's truck before I backed into it and the photo on the right is what happened to his front bumper and grill. :(

My rear bumper's damage...still works.

My X-ray.

Received word that part of the cartilage is worn down on one side and I have signs of arthritis.

Then I went for an MRI later in the week and last night the doctors informed me that I have torn the cartilage and I need to see a orthopedics doctor...more fun.

Going to get it scheduled tomorrow to see my options.

Toyota Jamboree (January 15 thru 18, 2009)

Well this weekend I have signed up for the Toyota Jamboree Off-Road Event at Gilmer Tx.

It will be held during January 15 thru 18, 2009.

If you own a Toyota off-road truck, suv and want to see how capable you are on the trails.

Go to the following website and sign up.

http://lonestartoyotajamboree.com/

Hope to see you there!