kept the fire department out of my grill...

[Luvlegs]

Had 2 weeks of cruising around for necessities - getting ready for daily driving - The wife totally against it. She started seeing the light recently. I have (HAD) all the mechanical straight and was just starting the cosmetics. All was great in the world. Went to the store last night and picked up some dinner. All going well until it bucked at a light about 2 miles from home. Immediately straightened out but I smelled smoke. Then I SAW smoke filling the cab. I pulled off quickly, got out, popped the hood and saw nothing. It was getting dark - then I realized it was IN the cab - DUH! I got under the dash and with only my hands, started putting out burning tape and plastic wire... grrrr.... There were sparks flying all over and I had a real sinking feeling in my stomach (maybe a little panic too - in case I couldn't get it out) - I had just put an extinguisher next to the truck in my building so I could mount it up - it was still at the shop... Lesson learned! Anywho, the wife brought my tools to me and then LEFT! She was not impressed. I worked on exposing everything for an hour or so and my father in law just happened to see the truck, in the dark, with no one around (I was under the dash still) - he stopped and gave me a little moral support and a lot of "that's why you won't catch me driving an old one"... ugh.. that'll take a while to put to an end... long story short, I had it towed home (head hung real low) - this is what it looks like this morning - nice mess huh?! Get your extinguishers in your trucks -do it today. I could have lost it all last night! Oh yeah, after the fire was out, I got under the hood again and this is where the adrenaline comes in... I was able to un-bolt the neg. cable on the side battery with my bare hands (and it was on tight). Lesson 2, carry tools... everywhere (and I always do too... except last night)....