anoldbiker

I believe in that saying until I hit my finger or make a costly mistake, then it seems everyone hears about it. (I guess I shouldn't be that vocal when it happens.)

Today I was watching the news and seen this. The FBI has a free APP incase something happens to your kids or grandkids, like in the shopping mall and they disappear. The only issue is this is free and 'only' for the iPhones …. 'at this time'. They are in the process of making the APP for all the other smart phones on the market. This is worth looking into or knowing about for when it's available to your style phone if you feel it's needed. From what I understand, you keep the app handy in your phone, the info for each kid is kept in 'your phone only', you can update it as needed and handy if they disappear. Then, instead of trying to get the information or describing the child while in a panic mode, your ready to go. (although there were times my wife and I would have like to have the kids taken and drive someone else nuts for a while, giving us a break … it's something that we would have liked to have had back then) http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/august/child_080511

I retired from the oil industry and we had 10's and 12 hour shifts. I never thought I would have to remember all this now. I would like to recommend your union seek out info from that industry. They changed unions since I was there, so they will have to do a bit of looking. They or the IBEW unions (they are in the refineries) should be able to get you schedules showing this. They spent a lot of time about 20+ years ago changing over to the schedules.

Not bad for a fast and easy schedule, I like it, but if I may ask ?Not sure of his companies responsibilities, but what of vacations, sick, jury duty, training days and such ? If they have these issues, this has to be considered. Is there any possibility of the employees working weekends ?If there is overtime, and for extended periods, this can increase payroll issues and such.Also, is this just the basic or will / can the company afford an extra person to cover at will ? Anyway to find out all the parameters to consider ?

Yep, your right, some states provide plans for 250 minutes and some more. Also, I understand ALL cells phones can call 911, even if it's new and unregistered. At least that's what I was told the last time I was in the Cell phone store by the representative. It's not just the free cell phones that we, cell phone subscribers help pay with added on taxes. It's like the illegal in Florida that is getting medical care, and when the government is notified he's illegal, won'y get the guy and deport him, thus making the hospital spend it's own money to care for him. It was on the news and internet (you tube). The hospital said they are in the hole over a million because if the illness and all the services pertaining to it, and when they said they are willing to pay for the airfare and support to fly him back, they were told they could not by the feds. (it was cheaper for the hospital to do this then keep paying for the bill). In this case, the rates this hospital charges us have increased since someone has to pay for it. (last heard, the guy is still in the hospital, free medical care, food and lodging. I wonder if he'll put in for hospital retirement & ssan when he hits 62) I know we need to help those that are in certain dire need. I agree with this. But when does it stop ? Why do we need to but us in so much debt, until our grand children and their grandchildren MIGHT pay it off ? You can go to the national debt clock (http://www.usdebtclock.org/ ) and see what ever citizen owes, it's amazing that my new born grandson was over 40k in debt when he left his mothers womb, and slowly increasing. And we just increases it a week ago again ? Let's see, we estimate the debt will increase at this rate by 9 trilling in 10 years, but we only agreed we might decrease spending by 2 trillion in a couple of years. We support almost every country in the world that likes or hates us, but we get into debt, or want to taxes every American until they are slaves to the state and have nothing to live on. What am I missing ? I got to stop looking at the news and seeing what's happening in the world. Ignorance must really be bliss to be happy now a days.

Most stations have fuel from what is known as the 'Spot Market" that most all refineries put product in. The fuel is the stock blend that meets fed and state requirements. When a depot has an order from a company, like Shell, Citgo, Chevron, a mom and pop station, and such, they are told the blends requirements for any additives needed to make their order. It's blended, loaded on the truck and shipped to the dealership. So if your looking for a specific companies fuel, your at a loss. It could be a mix of every companies refineries mix into one tank. But take bp in Texas, last I heard, they can't sell their fuel in the state, but allowed to ship all to the spot market, then if another company wants to bring it back in, it's ok ? Even their own Amoco Stations. (i retired from bp).I've learned to look for straight fuel, Bio added, price, if it's a good turn over at the station, if the station is known for cleaning the tanks when recommended, and if the nozzles are the large or small ones. This is the chance of it being filtered before going into your tank for the last time. I've larger ones are known for not being filtered, and I haven't seen a filter attached.In my area, there is one Shell station that has the filters, has the diesel tanks serviced regularly, the price is comparable to the others, have a program with Krogers for cheaper fuel prices, and is used my many with a great turn over in fuel.If not, I'd travel further to get to Loves and Pilot. I have not seen indications if they have Bio in their fuels. Sometimes its hell living in the country verses city.

Sorry, but like I said, I had to vent. I was listening to the news and reading the threads at the same time, then it just hit me ... What The He** ???Ya see, I was born when Truman was President, (that's why I say I'm and old coot). I grew up in a time when you get what you work for, and if it was really bad times for a family, their families help them through the hard times, and if that wasn't enough, hell the whole city or township would jump in. There were no hard feelings, no insults or problems mentioned. You may consider yourself poor, but you were able to hold your head high when walking down the street.Since then, it seems government (in different time frames) has determine they need to have the so call poor have everything a person lucky enough to earn 1/2 mill a year, and it's should be paid by everyone without the receiver lifting a finger.I retired here from California. Before I left there, there was a 22 year old guy living down the street from me, with his girl friend, two kids, in a rental house that was paid for by the state, supported by the state, and complaining that the state was late with the monthly check and his 64 Impala's $7k paint job had a scratch and he was short of money to have it fixed. (I don't know how much was into hydraulics ... but he loved to slam it into the street coming and going). Now this wasn't bad enough, he didn't work, he was arrested once for breaking into a neighbors house for who knows what and HE was upset his check was late ? Most everyone I know either worked or didn't eat, let alone live in a real nice house.So as mentioned above, do we start getting everyone 80" TV's with HD so they can see the weather ? That is the trend.I'm starting to get towards the winter of my life. And no, I plan to have a VERY long winter. But as time goes by, what I see on the news at times makes me sick to my stomach. I've seen humanity in worst periods, but came out looking way better durning and after.But I guess I shouldn't worry about that, in what ... 3 more years obamacare will start and I can get medical care for antacids to settle my stomach. That's if the price for a bottle of antacids aren't $250 a or more.

I'm sorry but I have to vent. I just learn on the news someone is pushing for a bill to be passed to extend a civil rights for poor people to get free cell phones. FREE cell phones ?Ain't nothing free. It appears everyone that has a cell phone would have a tax added to their cell bills to support this. If you read your bills, there's a list of taxes you pay each month that is a long as your arm. I feel for the people that are classed as poor, and I understand some need assistance. But I've seen people on assistance with Iphones and other electronics that are wifi users, and their equipment far exceeds mine, which I pay monthly out of my own pocket without any government assistance.Basic foods, basic medical assistance and such to maintain life in a safe and healthy way is one thing. How does a free cell phone becomes any persons civil right ? With a person not working, they have way to much time on their hands and boy can you run up a cell phone bill in a hurry. Does a person need a cell phone to exist day by day ?How have they survived before the invention of cell phones ?Cilvil rights ?

I respect everyones opinions and what they own. I hope they do mine choice. Saying this, as i said earlier in this thread, I once bought an 05 Ford. Well, I just got a phone call from a close friend who bought an 05 the same month I bought mine. (He's a die hard ... only will own a Ford owner. I admit, he also maintains his vehicles better than the factory says to. He buys the best and does it all himself, if possible. But he also takes it in once a year to the dealer for a once over to make sure it's perfect.)Seems around 2,500 miles after the last dealer check, the engine died while on vacation. It was towed to a dealer. It showed 88k and change on the speedo. The mechanics told him the next day he had an issue. The engine needed to be replaced. Now he was talking fast and it sounded as if he was spitting in the phone between cuss words while telling me the story, but he had it towed home, which was just over 200 miles away. Then to his mechanic friend who rechecked the diagnosis. It needed an engine transplant. Cost: with all done, slightly over $10,000.00. I would have loved to see the insides of the old block and parts. He's now thinking it out, keep it with all this money in it, or trade and change vehicle, like I've been saying, Go Cummins. (no matter whoever has it in the vehicles). I just feel very sorry that my friend had experience this. Reminds me of the vehicles in the 60's and 70's, rebuild every 80K as a norm.

My grandfather was born in the late 1800's and because of that time era had very little education. In a discussion one day, he said:If you let nature develop it, it will workout right. If you want it somewhat screwed up, let humans get involved. If you want it completely screwed up, let an engineer, lawyer or politician work on it. I miss hearing his old sayings, they were right on the money.I believe if the auto industry wants to do it right, the engineers should develop and design what they want ... have it built and put on the vehicle ... then the fools should be made to get into the garage and work on their equipment designs under the conditions 'we' have to ... go back to the drawing board once more for design changes before they turn in the plans for final approval.I believe things would be different.

I'm with you dripley, the understanding I've had for years was the oil viscosity was basically the same, say 5w-40 meant 40 weight but when the temperature was cooler, it flowed the same as a 5w oil, but still stay a 40 weight oil. The 'temperature' meant not just the atmosphere, but the internal temperature of the engine, the parts, the fluids within as the oil and such. So the oil is a 40 weight, but will flow as a 5 weight until the temperature increases and it changes flow characteristics as temp increases. It's hell getting old ..... I'm starting to get confused again.

Before I retired, I bought a 2005 Ford SuperDuty with the 6.0 Diesel. I got one heck of a good deal using the company's discount and suppler. After 6 months and at 20,000 miles (exact), it died. Now this might be somewhat of an inconvenience to some, but to us, it was in the middle of the summer, in the middle of the California desert, in the middle of the day with no shade. Nothing when you turn the key. I mean nothing.After an 1 1/2 hour waiting for the tow truck, it was a trip to the dealer, 100 miles away. They had it for 2 weeks and then they called for me to pick it up. So a trip to the dealer and a simple question: "What was the root cause and / or part that cause this to happen ?" After reviewing a 2 page computer printout of parts changed out and their explanation came to one simple thought, 'They Did Not Know' ! Just keep dumping in parts until it worked again. So before I left, I made sure I owed nothing, and listen to them explaining they will tow me in and repair it for a guaranteed year, not matter where I was at. Yea ... sure.So on the way home, I figured the root cause and I knew I could correct it to NEVER happen again. I stopped by my Dodge dealer, traded in the Ford, bought my truck, and I have VERY happy since.Unless they have change in a major positive way, buying a cummins is the only way to go. That was the biggest pain in the A%& I ever did maintenance on and I never ran into a dealership that did not know what was the root cause. And that was only 20k miles.Don't change the belt, sell the Ford ! They'll be happier for it in the long run.

These might be the full lug version.Would take a lot of weight off the vehicle.Wonder if they come in 'E' rating in my size.

My friend just sent this .... Though this was Photoshop until I did a web search ... If you notice in the 2 web links I have at the bottom, one is for 2005 and the other was 2006. There are more. Has anyone else seen these ? I have yet to see them on the market, unless they found something wrong, cost factors, liability factors, or they think people are not ready for them yet. ***** Radical new tire design by Michelin. The next generation of tires. 
 They had a pair at the Philadelphia car show. These tires are airless and are scheduled to be out on the market very soon. The bad news for law enforcement is that spike strips will not work on these. Just think of the impact on existing technology: 
 A. no more air valves...
 B. no more air compressors at gas stations...
 C. no more repair kits... 
 D. no more flats... 
 (from article: These are actual pictures taken at the South Carolina plant of Michelin.) **************** also: http://www.mbca.org/forum/new-tire-michelin-fourtitude-4 http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/michelin-develops-airless-tires-206443.php

That's the thing, I don't have those phones and don't feel a need to complicate use by needing more and more products. I'm old and I like the K.I.S.S. system. Unless someone has had problems with it, or knows of issues, it seems like it's a cheap and simple item with less clutter in the cab. Gauges are great, but in the past I've hated all the extras behind the dash we have to deal with.

Has anyone tried the Bully Dog Watch Dog Multi-function Preformance Gauges ? Thoughts ? http://www.bullydog.com/product.php?ID=1 Seen these and have been debating them instead of single gauges. I know the old argument of electronics verses gauges, but almost everything have converted to electronics in our vehicles of today.

Something my grandfather told me that sticks in my head to this day. Which is good since I'm an old coot.Ya see, I was a wild smart *ss as a kid and always tried new things and sometimes screwed it ...or me ... up. He told me: 'Actions Before Thought Equals Pain'. Then, I didn't think of it much, but as years went on, and I started thinking of it before starting something, it made sense. That old farmer made me stop, think of what I plan on doing, think each step I needed to do, make sure I tried to figure out all pitfalls that could happen, then consider starting. Seems simple, but when I didn't do it, something happened. When I did do it, it didn't cost me personal pain or money to correct my screw ups.So, I'm just passing on an old farmers saying .... hopes it helps someone someday.(glad no one was injured !)

Can't help on the specs, sorry, but I did check my truck after reading your comment, and as soon as I turned my key, the lift pump started. After thumbing through my manual, nothing was indicated as to this issue.

Never had a issue with this, but was wondering ... if it is coming out only at the bolt area, could it be either gasket or a hairline crack in the housing near the bolt area ? Ya got me curious now.

Did ya see golf bags tied to the side ? If so, it was him .....

When you have an enclosed area, like the inner diameter of a pipe, items like exhaust is considered a mass volume, and can restrict flow. Also the total length of the restricted area, any additions of curves and bends (like 45 or 90 degree bend) add to the restriction, or so called back pressure. This is somewhat constant in air, gases and liquid.Now add higher amounts of volume, (like exhaust from a higher horse power engine opened up), will increase material density within the restriction and adding pressure to the system. I'm far from an engineer, but I suggest, if you determine your system should be increase to accommodate higher horse power, I'd try less restriction in your system now, (muffler to resonator or a straight pipe) and if this isn't enough, I wouldn't go over an inch in diameter from your stock size, (there is a reason for the original size by the engineers in the first place). Above that, you might consider going straight to atmosphere.

We lived in the so call L.A. Southern Cal area for almost 40 years and grew tired of the houses so close, you can hear the next door dude fart like he was in your kitchen, got very upset with the state government and such. We bought property in the Tennessee hills with the intent to retire there. This is an older picture of our frontage, ours is the left side to the end of the picture. The house is buried in the trees and WAY back from the road. Now our closest neighbor is over 300 feet away. (had to build on the high side and even though they are nice people, still closer to them than we wanted)We couldn't be happier !

If your question was directed to me .... No, it was a stock exhaust system on the trip out. I did have a K&N drop in air filter installed 10K miles before the trip and used it the entire trip. But the exhaust was the standard system with no other changes. Also, outside of about 400 pound of stuff the wife wanted to take to the grandkids, and nothing excessive back, it was an empty load. I have hand calculated mileage from day one and so far have only capped the tank each fill. But like a fool, have not documented each fill. (I do now). The new exhaust is from the stock CAT on back, resonator and no muffler. Stainless steel system. I have added the items stated in my sig after that trip. (by the way, that trip was two years ago, sorry 'bout that). Nothing has improved my mpg like the exhaust change out. I will say, the Banks CIA system on the front end has improved the exhaust where it is way less soot on the back bumper verses the stock. But I believe any system would have done that for me. I feel with the stock 4" system, I should have changed out the muffler to a resonator first to see if this would have improved anything and save money, but getting the 5" at cost, I couldn't turn it down. The exhaust gases are cooler verses the stock system (I check by feel, I don't have a temp gauge yet) and I don't understand the theory of it being so cold it prohibits the flow. If you have a constant flow, cool or hot, what is the issue ? When I pull my trailer loaded, it's the same before and after the change out. I'm an old coot, work with me people, please !

I have no saved data, nor did I document this with instruments. My truck is still sort of stock.I travel to the west coast to see my grandkids. That's 2,000 miles one way. I do a hand calc each fill up and averaged 17 mpg on the way west. While there, my son-in-law knows someone at a muffler shop and I changed out my 4" exhaust to a 5" and resonator, for cost (and a 6 pack over a b-b-q that night). On the way back, I hand calc each tank and got 20 mpg. Since i have been back, I noticed my in town has increased by 2 mpg.I do not know the stats or root cause of this, but I believe there is some back pressure with the 4" I had, and basically nothing with the 5". This has to assist in the results. Expensive equipment change, but improvement I like.The old guys from my yesteryears always told me: open the back end and in crease the flow in, minimum for improvement on performance, mpg and engine life of a diesel. So far, even with todays equipment, it works for me.

Now let's see if GM will pay it all back, or take another loan and say they did like last time. (Loved their commercial.)Guess Chrysler needs to send people over there and guide them to sanity. Obamas administration won't be in forever.