What did you do today not on your truck...

[FleetsidePaul]

Bought this 72 VW. I had one just like it in 1980. Well mine was tan and in a lot better shape (until I smashed it up in 1982.(OOPS!)

It runs okay, meaning it runs although I'm not going to get too far on flat tires. New ones should be here tomorrow.

Not bad for $750

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Bought this 72 VW. I had one just like it in 1980. Well mine was tan and in a lot better shape (until I smashed it up in 1982.(OOPS!)

It runs okay, meaning it runs although I'm not going to get too far on flat tires. New ones should be here tomorrow.

Not bad for $750

That's Cool the Love Bug.

[Boog]

GoTenn, I've had crappie fishing on my mind this last week something fierce. It sure has been windy up here though. Those are beauties John.

[Boog]

Paul, another beetle? You've got a small herd going on. Do any of them run? I have peeked at some new and reman'd vw engines and man they are pricey.

[3757chevy]

Not on my truck , but on my daughters. Over the last week or so I torn down her seat from her '72 and repaired three broken springs, added burlap to the back of the foam, added 1/2 high density foam to the seating area and replaced the upholstery with pre sewn kit from LMC Truck . First time tackling this myself and I like the way it turned out.

[Boog]

That looks great Mike.

[Gotenntitans]

Originally Posted by Boog

GoTenn, I've had crappie fishing on my mind this last week something fierce. It sure has been windy up here though. Those are beauties John.

Those were from Lake Greeson. I think the spawn there is just about over, but I've heard that you can still catch em casting shallow at Lake Ouachita.

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by Boog

That looks great Mike.

Thanks Boog. She came out this afternoon and helped me get it in the truck. Then we took the truck to town and she probably spent over $15 washing it for the first time in over 6 years. She has had it parked in her garage waiting for the day she could start giving it some Love. I gave it to her for High School graduation 17 years ago.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by Boog

Paul, another beetle? You've got a small herd going on. Do any of them run? I have peeked at some new and reman'd vw engines and man they are pricey.

Yeah another one. This one makes 6. And yes the motors are pricey now. I remember when you could buy one for 400 bucks. 5 out of the 6 run, and I've got a motor for it, I just have to put it in.

I need another Chevy truck now, I only have 5 of those.

[Boog]

Don't park them too close together or they will multiply.

[Steeveedee]

Like this.

[CG]

I got the ok from my neck surgeon and my shoulder surgeon to go to the gym. I joined Planet Fitness, its new, and clean, and low key.

I went in and walked on the treadmill for a little while and I noticed a machine like Ive been using at my PT appointments. Its like an exercise bicycle except that is has little handles instead of pedals and its shoulder high. You can "pedal" it forwards and backward using your hands, arms and shoulders. PT guy says its good for shoulders.

So I hopped on and started pressing buttons, nothing. So I was thinking maybe I have to get it in motion before the screen popped up, yep that was it. I took several attempts to get it dialed in and then hitting enter, stupid thing kept shutting off.

Head hung low I went up to the desk and asked the young lady worker to give me a hand.
No problem sir, lets take a look. She came over and told me she had never used this machine before ... Oh great. I told her what I was doing only this time when I peddled I let her push the buttons, same buttons I was pushing. Boom, it worked. Good grief.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Bought this 72 VW. I had one just like it in 1980. Well mine was tan and in a lot better shape (until I smashed it up in 1982.(OOPS!)

It runs okay, meaning it runs although I'm not going to get too far on flat tires. New ones should be here tomorrow.

Not bad for $750

That sounds like a good grab for the money. Never thought I'd be nostalgic for a Bug when they were all over the place. Like to have one now though. I think I could get by with just one ; )

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

Not on my truck , but on my daughters. Over the last week or so I torn down her seat from her '72 and repaired three broken springs, added burlap to the back of the foam, added 1/2 high density foam to the seating area and replaced the upholstery with pre sewn kit from LMC Truck . First time tackling this myself and I like the way it turned out.

That came out great! I'm going to have to give that a try.

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by LT7A

That came out great! I'm going to have to give that a try.

Thanks ! I was intimidated at first and asked a friend that had an upholstery shop for years to help , he got busy and I decided to go ahead and try it. It wasn't hard to do after all.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

Thanks ! I was intimidated at first and asked a friend that had an upholstery shop for years to help , he got busy and I decided to go ahead and try it. It wasn't hard to do after all.

The feel of a redone seat is one of the best feelings, after having a messed up one. I bet she's real pleased

[72c20customcamper]

Went to change the oil on the 03 Tacoma . Get under it and it’s wet with oil. Remove the belly shield and lo and behold the oil pan is seeping all over . It rotted away . So now it’s sidelined till I get time to do it . Not an easy job either I have two choices either pull the motor or drop the front differential and suspension . I’ll most likely go with dropping the suspension and put all new bushings in and struts . Truck has 210k miles on it

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

The feel of a redone seat is one of the best feelings, after having a messed up one. I bet she's real pleased

She is, and so am I.

[yuccales]

The Tahoe sprung a leak yesterday. Very strange crack. New radiator today. Sure would have been nice if the General spent a couple of cents for a petcock. What a mess to clean up. Except for the two spacers I had to whip up, all went well.

[Boog]

Isn't that something Mike? I tell you what. A radiator without a drain petcock makes about as much sense as an automatic trans without a dip stick. They are out there. Bean counters, should have to do the maintenance on their vehicles..

[Lost in the 60's]

Originally Posted by Boog

Isn't that something Mike? I tell you what. A radiator without a drain petcock makes about as much sense as an automatic trans without a dip stick. They are out there. Bean counters, should have to do the maintenance on their vehicles..

Transmissions without dipsticks have been around for 22 years and are very much common now. Wife bought a 2002 Passat, new, without a trans dipstick.
What I heard a couple days ago, is, some new engines don't have dip sticks either now !! ?? Warning light that the level is low and TAKE IT TO YOUR DEALER to have it checked/topped off/changed. Guy had a Dodge pickup, so this may be a Mopar thing, but crap like this spreads if the manufacturer can save 2 dollars.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Lost in the 60's

Transmissions without dipsticks have been around for 22 years and are very much common now. Wife bought a 2002 Passat, new, without a trans dipstick.
What I heard a couple days ago, is, some new engines don't have dip sticks either now !! ?? Warning light that the level is low and TAKE IT TO YOUR DEALER to have it checked/topped off/changed. Guy had a Dodge pickup, so this may be a Mopar thing, but crap like this spreads if the manufacturer can save 2 dollars.

They are all doing everything they can to make sure we dont do anything but drive them. You change one module, and it requires a 400 dollar software update. I wanted a new Jeep. Instead , Im looking for a CJ.

[farmall]

Originally Posted by Lost in the 60's

Transmissions without dipsticks have been around for 22 years and are very much common now. Wife bought a 2002 Passat, new, without a trans dipstick.
What I heard a couple days ago, is, some new engines don't have dip sticks either now !! ?? Warning light that the level is low and TAKE IT TO YOUR DEALER to have it checked/topped off/changed. Guy had a Dodge pickup, so this may be a Mopar thing, but crap like this spreads if the manufacturer can save 2 dollars.

I thought you were full of shiite so I googled it. Shure enough.

DIPSTICK?
Posted on 1/27/2019
By Jack Bulko, AutoAid

Where is the dipstick in my new car?

That’s what my client, Jane, wanted to know. She had purchased an Audi and brought it in for service. She said when her dashboard light alerted her to an issue with low oil level, she stopped and opened her hood to check the engine oil fluid level. She couldn’t find it. After looking for it for 20 minutes she consulted her car’s owner’s manual (yes, it came with a physical booklet), she realized that the manufacturer had intentionally left it out of the car.

Changes in design, amenities and functionality have been standard in the automobile industry at least as long as I’ve been a part of it. Manufacturers look for innovative ways to bring the customer back for service, making it more difficult to perform tasks such as checking one’s oil or for that matter doing any traditional repairs. It also puts a kink in fixing your car in the driveway or teaching your kid to do simple service functions such as oil changes and tune-ups.

Over the years, modifications have included the loss of a full-size spare tire, and often the donut meant to replace it, and the accompanying tools; car manuals (which can now be found online in many cases); and hand brake levers, which have been replaced with switches and buttons in some cars. And now American manufacturers are following the trend set by European carmakers who have all but removed the dipsticks in the engine compartment. Where are the dipsticks for engine and transmission oils? And why are they gone?

What Led to the Demise of the Dipstick?

Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and some Ford, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Chrysler, and Mazda models, plus others, have eliminated the dipsticks from their vehicles and other manufacturers are going in the same direction with the oil dipstick. Instead, electronic sensors in the engine compartment communicate with the driver through the Message Center on the dash.

Manufacturers prefer that consumers’ factory recommended maintenance including all fluid levels, be checked by a service professional. They claim it is a safety issue as individual owners may add the wrong fluid, add too much or too little, insert the dipstick incorrectly, etc. However, manufacturers are also aware that there is a good chance that car owners will trade in or sell their car sooner if they cannot do simple fixes such as adding oil or transmission fluid. Fewer home repairs then translate into more car service sales and fewer older models on the road.

What Happens to the Car Repair Do-It-Yourselfer?

How does the do-it-yourself home mechanic check transmission or oil levels without a dipstick? Well, the thing is they don’t, or at least not very easily on certain cars. Many manufacturers expect the original transmission fluid to last the life of the vehicle. If there is ever an issue, car makers have included an extra plug leading to a channel to which the proper liquids can be checked and added. Although this can be very hard to access even for mechanics.

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by Lost in the 60's

Transmissions without dipsticks have been around for 22 years and are very much common now. Wife bought a 2002 Passat, new, without a trans dipstick.
What I heard a couple days ago, is, some new engines don't have dip sticks either now !! ?? Warning light that the level is low and TAKE IT TO YOUR DEALER to have it checked/topped off/changed. Guy had a Dodge pickup, so this may be a Mopar thing, but crap like this spreads if the manufacturer can save 2 dollars.

A lot of new small engines don't even have drain plugs. They don't intend for you to ever change the oil. Just buy a new mower when the engine seizes. If you want to actually change the oil you have to turn the engine upside down & let it run out the filll port.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

A lot of new small engines don't even have drain plugs. They don't intend for you to ever change the oil. Just buy a new mower when the engine seizes. If you want to actually change the oil you have to turn the engine upside down & let it run out the filll port.

That's exactly how my mower is. I bought it new several years ago, Honda engine, and couldn't believe it when I discovered no drain plug. The manual tells you to lay it over on its side.

[Boog]

It's just nuts. Adding a drain to even a small engine mower type engine could not cost but pennies. It's a one time cost. The steel drain plug cost is minimal as well. Pffft!