joecool911

Is there a gauge pod that will work in place of the overhead console? I've had my eye on a 2" gauge digital thermometer. Would be nice to have at least 2 holes there.

I've never seen the template for the heat shield.

The compas and outside temp.

Congrats on the new job. It can be difficult for us old farts to land any kind of decent jobs. I'm 56 and figure I gotta be self employed from here to eternity.

Front axle went without a hitch. Dark, but not as dark as the rear and no foam. Both axles low on fluid. Now that I know where I'm at, I'll keep an eye on the level of oil in the axles. I have not seen any leaks, so I don't know why they were both low? I'll fill them as Michael suggests. Thumb over the hole and slightly overfill the plug hole. Thanks guys!!!

Anyone ever install an overhead console in a truck that didn't come with one? I've had the headliner down to install cab lights. No wires up there for easy connection.

I deer and elk hunt with a bow. Bear, cougar with a rifle. I'd love to do some hunting in Texas. Hogs, predators.

I looked on Internet for foamy discussion. Sounds pretty common. The gl4 and 5 have anti foam additives as I understand. I'm going to run her a while and see if it improves. The fluid was unquestionably burnt. Maybe original 179,000 mile fluid? Pan of old fluid looks the same this morning as it did in picture from yesterday and I see no sign of water. I'll remove the fill screw in a few days and inspect level and look for any signs of foam. Seems to ride on top of fluid. Maybe if I over-fill and let it run out it'll remove any foam remaining on too of new fluid.

It's a fair amount if work to break the seal on the pumpkin and get it re-sealed. If you've got no leaks, is there an advantage to fluid change that way or should we simply extract fluid with a pump and refill? Could probably do that in 1/4 of the time.

It's been so cold that I did purposely drive it to aid draining of the old. Could just be foam. Very dark. Had grey silicone sealer. Don't know if that's factory original or if it's been previously changed prior to my ownership. That's why I'm doing everything. I'll soon know where I am in regards to maintenance. I only got the rear done today. My hip doesn't respond well to crawling around on gravel under the truck. Used a syringe to pull the gear oil from the bottom of the pumpkin to allow for continued drainage without spilling over onto the sealing surface. Worked well. Tightened bolts to 15 pounds. Not sure what's proper? Oil was dark. After a couple hours there is still foam setting on top of the oil pan. I'll take a picture and post. Here ya go, 3 hours after draining. Doesn't appear to be water contamination at further inspection. Fluid level also was low. My pinky could not reach any gear oil in the fill hole. I noticed when filling the unit that still a little bubbly was present on the top of the new oil. Reminds me of stout home brew. Yummy! Should crank up a batch here soon. Very expensive as home brew goes. Lots of roasted grain. Almost like French roast coffee beans.

Sounds like a bad movie title, but there was a bunch of foamy goop on floating on top of the gear oil in my rear drive axle. Glad I'm on this maintenance item! Gotta assume its water :-(

Can any of us send our VP44's in for the rebuild service?

Not any different here in Oregon. We've only had 10" of rain since October. We should had had at least 20" in that period. We've been stuck in a dry cold pattern for weeks at a time. Then a week of wet and back to dry cold. Temperature inversions too. Foggy down low and sunny higher up. Snow pack here is only important to the domestic water supply in summer. For us if we get a wet spring, we'll be fine. Archery season could be another story. All industrial forest will be locked up. Will you be locked out of the woods for firewood? Might want to get'er done early this year. Fire season could be interesting this year. And remember, 9 out if 10 forest fires are caused by humans. BS.

No worries. Good conversation. I'd like to have a VW diesel myself.

Well if the block heater is only 750W my little generator will power it. Maybe run it for an hour in the mornings.

I find that I get the most hungry around typical meal time. Then it fades a bit. Not feeling weak. Could probably live off stores for weeks. But it does focus you. Constant reminder.

I am about 1/3 into a fast and prayer session. We are praying for some big decisions at our church. Pivotal really. Don't really want to air any dirty laundry here, but my church is in a bit of turmoil. It's hard to fast. Not eating anything for 24 hours. But coffee, etc seems to be ok. The purpose of fasting is to help you stayed focused on prayer. The hunger reminds you to pray. It's like, I'm hungry, oh yeah, back to prayer. If anyone needs prayer tonight, I'm in the groove and am happy to pray for you too.

I've got all my stuff, but it seems too cold for reasonable dry time of RTV. 35* day and 25* night. Old oil slow to drain and cold pumpkin for sealer to cure. I know I could drive it and warm em up, but still seems too cold out. Will the front axle get warmed up without engaging 4 wheel drive?

Man is there no stone left unturned in your garage? I have a lot of maintenance to catch up on. Right when I thought I was doing good.

I'll be going cougar hunting next month in central Oregon in a mule deer winter range. Temperatures typically mid 20's during the day and single digits near zero at night. Can be warmer or colder. According to my owners manual I should have the block heater plugged in. Aside from running a generator all night and not sure my little 1000 watt honda will power the block heater anyway. Is there any precautions I should take? We are tent camping and don't have the luxuries we have when trailer camping.

I am going to take it one step at a time. I'll do the track bar first. Will do a YouTube write up. Kinda want to know what things make the most difference.

"When at full draw, there is no Barack Obama." Referring to full draw with a bow on a game animal. Gunnery sergent said " lazy is the new cripple. Guy also responded to the question, "did you bring your wife to the show" with "you don't take a bologna sandwich to a steak house. I was amused with these three statements.

I noticed that the VW headlights tend to be more like $125 each rather than the $35 I paid for my cummins.

I am considering using Luke's link to rebuild my track bar and tie rod ends. My criteria as always is, the best possible improvement for the money. Is anyone A where of a better solution when compared to the cost. In other words, buying all new components such as a track bar for $300 may be a better solution, but certainly not as frugal. Besides the Luke's link appears to be a permanent solution whereas a new factory or aftermarket track bar may be a temporary solution.

I seen a tire fly off a tire balancer once back in the day when they actually went full speed. That was a sight to behold. Owner of the Jag said his car was shaking like a dog crapping tacks at 90. So they took the tires up to 100 and one flew off. Fortunately it ended up hitting a concrete wall. But the screeching when it hit the painted concrete floor was awesome.