Is it me or the neighbor?

[Andice]

How about this truck cover?

[Andice]

My GMC has been on the street for about six weeks. The main reason it was there is because I was having turn signal switch issues and the steering wheel was removed. I wanted to make sure that the front wheels were straight as I re0installed the steering wheel./ I have a very steep driveway which could give the impression of the wheels being straight when they really were not. I went through four turn signal switches before getting lucky and finding an NOS one on eBay last week. Now the steering wheel is back in place and turn signals work as new. The truck will likely return to its space on my driveway later this morning.

Thanks guys for all the nice comments regarding the progress that I am making on this truck - that motivates me. I have owned only a couple GM vehicles so I am really learning a lot from this message board.

[sdwolff98]

From another texas Resident. Nice truck andice. Keep up the good work. Trust me i know how ya feel lost three gf's over my truck. one had guts to tell to my face you want me it goes well it is still here. As long as the vehicle is legal inspected driveable I dont see what the problem is. i have had one or two complaints from my neighbors about my herd but I point out to them one is my sons car WIP, one is my wifes car WC, and my two vehicles. My project truck stay in the garage so they have no room to complain the other three run and drive. lol. Keep up the good work and cant wait to see your completed. I got another year in mine then I can drive the gas guzzling beast down the street >.
And dammed the epa to heck n gone!
Sean

[scum1]

been thru this mannnny times..my advice. kill her with kindness. keep up the progress

[jbgroby]

I remember something from a sermon I once listened to it goes like this.

"If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads."

Romans 12:20, it amazing it still fits!

Also when she's all ready and shiny (TRUCK THAT IS), offer her a ride around the block or to a cruise night and use the time to convert her to a truck fan.

[hamllik]

I feel your frustration. I have been in the same situation as you before. I would rather see a neighbor that is outside working on a car or truck enjoying a hobby then have someone that is a druggie lock up getting high inside. At least they can see you are motivated. Granted there are some people that get carried away having stuff all over their front yards, but those people are usually crack heads scrapping cars for drugs. I am glad I live where I do now my neighbors are all pretty cool with my hobby. I just have to keep the noise down after dark. Heck my one neighbor is in his 60's im 33 he comes over shoots the bull and drinks a beer while I'm out in the shop. Thats whats wrong with this country these people are so worried about your old pick up they don't focus on thier own problems. These prius driving yuppies are the same ones that got the cash for clunkers thing rolling. Hell maybe her exhusband drove a truck like that or the captin of the football team that never gave her the time of day did. What ever her problem is was not your fault. I would keep doing what your doing forget her and her racist comments. And when she drives by just smile and wave, man that can piss some people off so bad because they think you don't care and you dont.

[jbgroby]

I wanted to ask about the rear bumper, A bit strange, is it some sort of "cattle or other special style" bumper?

[Andice]

I don't know much about the rear bumper except that it has been on the truck since new as far as I can tell. The bumper allows the tailgate to drop all the way down. I've accidentally let go of the tailgate twice (before repaint) thinking it was like my old El Camino. Quite a loud crash and a bit of paint loss.

[Alan's Classic]

I'm curious what would happen if you sent her some flowers? I know it sounds crazy, but it's just a thought.

How well do you know this lady? Has see always been wacky or maybe having a bad day and wanted somebody to take it out on. Maybe her old man told her he is tired of her crap.

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

The gal across the street may have been trying to "set you up" when she asked "Are you working on your truck?".

Same thing I was thinking.

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Where we live restrictions (HOA) forbid working on vehicles on the street and even in your own driveway. Vehicle has to be in the garage to be worked on. I know you stated you don't live in an HOA community, but I would be surprised if there aren't city or county ordinances that don't allow working on yourt truck in the street.

Only reason I bring this up is you may want to check with your local zoning people and find out what restrictions there are in your area. Being armed with the facts minimizes surprises, and puts you on a level playing field.

My city has rules about working on cars on the street or driveway. Of course it's only enforced when someone complains and I'm sure the police have better things to do. I always wondered what they define as "working on a car".

Good luck and keep up the good work.

[bobbylast]

i wouldnt leave my truck out on the street for some old vindictive b!tch to damage. you dont know her obviously and she could have family in local government,or worse jail. i almost never say the right thing when i feel insulted, but looking at it objectively i would protect my truck first. any way it looks great keep it up and keep an eye on it!

[turbostar]

Your progress is impressive and I like where your truck is going,but I have different ideas about your problem. First there is a lot of hostility and IMO needless agression towards your neighbor on this board. Those of us that love cars and old trucks need more friends of our passion,not more enemies. It is the enemies that cause us real grief in the end,like passing ordinances that really hurt our hobby.While what your neighbor did at first seems offensive,I try to relate to her concerns. It seems she has what we need more of,neighborhood pride. The problem is her idea of what makes the neighborhood better differs from yours. For me,I would have no problem parking my truck in my driveway if parking it on the street offended my neighbors. I have seen the neighborhoods where front yards are littered with non-functioning vehicles sitting on cinder blocks. Personally,I think we need to treat our neighbors in a manner that will make them appreciate our hobby not detest us. Parking in your drive seems a small price to pay if it accomplishes that purpose. Man,it would have been cool if when she confronted you,you had said something like,"I'm working on the steering wheel right now and need it to be here,but as soon as I get that done,I'll put it in my drive."

[smilts60]

I would in no way have admitted to working on it. Because as others stated you would likely have gotten a citation for working on a vehicle in a residential area that wasn't zoned for that. I have to slightly disagree one old truck parked on the street isn't 5 cars on blocks. She just seems to have been snotty for no reason, and you shouldn't take it personally.

[John Gilbert]

It's you, it's me, it's all of us — But that doesn't make us bad men. There used to be a guy that lived on my street that always wanted to escalate things that he didn't approve of to extreme violence. With a bunch of old trucks and Harley-Davidsons I was number 1 on his list. Needless to say it was a bad situation. The dude was a renter, and one day "renter boy" had to move away.

The burn-outs you see on my street are from the neighbor kids. I never say anything to them. They know the unwritten rule, when it's my turn to screw-up they keep their mouthes shut.

It sounds to me like she's one of those women that's constantly on her old man's ass to buy a bigger and better house. I'd be very polite to her, and always ask her if she thinks she'll ever be able to move to a nicer house?

[aggie91]

I will start off saying that I think it is not you and your doing a great job on the truck and the reasons you are keeping it are wonderful.

now, I agree with the following posts:

Originally Posted by CVA59

I tend to agree with oem4me. Andice............In order to keep her off you and hopefully maintain peace. Have you considered investing in a truck cover? If you covered the truck it might satisfy her enough to keep her quiet. I think the truck and the story behind it is priceless but we have to remember not everyone likes these old trucks. Whether the lady is a turd or not is beside the point. She could potentially stir up enough trouble that you would be forced to move it. I have been a police officer for many years and i have actually been in this situation before. I would seriously consider a cover, this will show an effort to resolve this on your part.

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Great that you are building up the truck that was your friends. Ugly is truly a state of mind: Nothin' ugly 'bout your truck.

The gal across the street may have been trying to "set you up" when she asked "Are you working on your truck?". Let me explain:

Where we live restrictions (HOA) forbid working on vehicles on the street and even in your own driveway. Vehicle has to be in the garage to be worked on. I know you stated you don't live in an HOA community, but I would be surprised if there aren't city or county ordinances that don't allow working on yourt truck in the street.

Only reason I bring this up is you may want to check with your local zoning people and find out what restrictions there are in your area. Being armed with the facts minimizes surprises, and puts you on a level playing field.

The last thing you want is to find out there are restrictions and that the gal across the street can legally turn you in. Getting a fine would no doubt really make things go from bad to worse.

Good luck and keep on truckin.

I know you said you are not in an HOA, but the city ordinances could be your problem. For the most part, just not make a deal about it with her. Find out what (if any) ordinances could be for your area and abide by those.

Keep up the good work!

[Surfdaddy]

I live in a HOA track. One of the cars I got from work was a pretty rought looking 73 mercedes 300D. Orange faded paint and a bent front fender. I brought it home and was siitting infront on my house for maybe 1/2 hour. UThe board member walked in front of my house took the address down and the next day I had a letter stating that I had an "Unsightly" car in front of my house and to please put in side or remove it from the comunity. The track have regular houses and public streets so I parked the car in front of his house for two days and let it leak oil. This was too bad since he had two hotrods in his garage. A 48 Chevy with a 502 and a 55 Chevy pickup that was lowered.

[Andice]

The shame of the whole situation is that the truck WAS headed to the garage that same afternoon - just as soon as I finished installing the turn signal switch. Perhaps I should have told her that. However, now I feel that she would have said "GOOD" instead of "THANK YOU". I'll keep the truck in the driveway most of the time and in the street when the driveway is needed for some other project, home repair, kids, etc.

[Surfdaddy]

There are two things that I'll never do again. One, at two story house (in so ca anyway) and th second is a HOA. Here is what I did to keep the neigbors happy when I worked on my boat. When I did the VW right 2 weeks after I finished the boat I just hurried and made it look as presentable as possible. For the GMC I'll have to et a car cover to "hide" any work that's being done in the driveway.

[Clyde65]

I think you did the right thing, let her say her peace and dismiss it for what it is worth. people like that thrive on any negative\confrontational interaction they can get and you my friend gave her nothing, by just being silent and not getting upset, you put her in her place. Just because someone said you were an elephant doesnt make you an elephant. Does it?

[lilpoindexter]

My gut reaction would have been to slap the **** out of her...but I think the best thing to do, is avoid her...love the truck by the way...looks very straight.

[jocko]

in honor of the super bowl, here's some monday evening quarterbacking (i.e. it's easy to come up with a great response when one has all the time in the world to read three pages of comments and then think about it awhile...)

When she said she thinks your truck is ugly.... (i.e. comebacks)
1. I know you are but what am I?
2. Ugly is as ugly does, Ma'am.

If you don't have a used set of glass packs, now would be the time....

But the most important question that I have failed to see being raised - and one that could change the entire dynamic of this discussion....




IS SHE HOT?!?

[jbclassix]

You know Your neighbor will only be obnoxious once a month right?

This post offended my wife for some reason.

[Vics63Chevy]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

You know Your neighbor will only be obnoxious once a month right?

This post offended my wife for some reason.

This made me laugh out loud at work.. Now people are looking at me weird.
Posted via Mobile Device

[k1rodeoboater]

LOL I just had a random thought...You could always go over to her place and thank her.





Tell her she just gave you the perfect idea for your truck. Paint "THE MEXICAN" on the side somewhere (stepside fender or hood edge) and add a novelty horn that plays La Cucaracha.

<ETA> I think it would be funny for you to paint "THE MEXICAN" on the side and play it up a bit just to take a picture of it infront of her house while she's not home. Then when you finish the truck take another picture infront of her house and give her both. Who knows she may come around...and maybe, just maybe, under her *****iness there's a sense of humor.

[jchav62]

Very nice truck. I like the fact that it is being fixed up as a tribute to your friend... even cooler that your daughter is involved... Forget about that neighbor and keep up the good work... you're not in an HOA, the truck is legal, licensed and inspected... nothing to worry about.

Man the "Mexican" comment really got under my skin!! I hope she moves... *@#!@!!