[ixnay]

D-E-L-A-Y.

(Disclaimer: I’m not a mechanic, so I may have some of this story wrong)

I’m converting from a six-lug wheel and brake to a five-lug with disc brakes. We were going to use the same axle. Popped the studs off, ground the face and sent the axle to the machine shop for new studs. Sent a template too. Came back with 5 studs. Five studs that were mostly in the right place. Sent it back. Machine shop returned axle. This time the five studs were closer, but still not quite centered. And the shop refused to take a third swing at the bat.

Fine. Go to the junk yard, get a new axle. The axle is a tad long. Fine. Put everything together. Oops! New axle has a 2 1/2 inch backing plate for the brakes. They hang out there about 3/8 of an inch. But the regular backing plate is made for 2 inch shoes. I like the idea of more braking power because of larger brakes. So now we’re shortening the axle a wee bit. Maybe Thursday I’ll see my rig.

The wiring is done. The heater is done--some mouse family lost its home. Need to order door latches and window cranks now.

On the safety front, I just ordered 3-point, retractable shoulder harnesses from Wesco Performance. I’ve got new headlamps--it came with old sealed beam lamps--and I have the tool-bag-to-get-me-out-of-minor-scrapes ready to go.