JAG1

Michael, I spoke with W-T about what could have prevented the serious overcharging event that cooked my alternator. He insists that it's because the charge lead is too far from the battery temp sensor, i.e. temp sensor is on the drivers battery while the charge lead is on the passenger battery. So what gives boss? Don't mean to stir the pot even tho us natives have you in the stew.

I would be interested in that also. W-T's original write up had us adding two grounding cables and one more positive cable battery to battery for better paralleling. I hadn't heard what you are saying about adding one ground cable bat. to bat. I am only concerned with what may happen to others, as in my case I had a shorted cell in the passenger battery with the charge lead and no temperature sensing. It cooked the alternator. You can see where the wire got so hot the shrink tubing started to melt, but the 150 amp fuse did not fail. I will do the test next Saturday by running the charge lead to the drivers battery and test the AC noise before and after. I have the terminals and cables for this and the added ground. I will give before and after results for you guys. Thank you for the help to simplify it Alexio.

Dripley, I haven't spoke with him for probably 5 or 6 mos. He was struggling with getting contractors to rebuild his shop. His home is okay since it only got about 15,000 in damages, it's livable, but also what to do with property that all around and everywhere else is ugly and burned out. He is struggling whether or not to rebuild or take what he can get and build somewhere else. Last I heard he was getting gravel to restart the shop since the foundation is damaged. It's difficult not knowing what to do, but getting gravel only because you have to wait so long for it. The area has gone from beautiful to completely devastated.

It's required Mike because if the passenger battery develops a short with age and no battery temperature sensing to limit charging, being the temp sensor is on the other battery you could cook things up real good. So you have those three options I mentioned above that W-T and I talked about. As for me, even though knowing that adding better battery parallel wires is the best option...... I'm still going to run the charge wire to the drivers side battery to get back the temp sensing capability. I'm doing my best here to save you the guys of what I went thru when my alternator got smokin' hot and almost cooked the PCM.

Some doing this Mod are skipping by not adding the 3 additional battery parallel cables that W-T has called for. If you skip this important part you are asking for trouble in the future. You need to do either of 3 options..... 1) complete the battery to battery paralleling cables.....2) move the battery temperature sensor over to the passenger battery..... or 3) use a longer heavier B+ charge wire over to the drivers battery where the temperature sensor already exists from the factory. This very important or you could have a real fire hazard. W-T is very pissed some of you are skipping this important safety feature of this modification on your trucks.

Thanks for asking Royal Squire. I am really lazy today from a fall I had yesterday (some soreness), but I think I will try buying a different filter base for a small diesel engine after I try JB weld like IBMobile says. I just got out of a lengthy suit and still trying to get back to my old self. That tractor is becoming a legend in our family (1996). The fitting is all steel no brass insert that is simply pressed into the cast housing. I think those filters are best mounted on the frame as that Yanmar really shakes it being a little 3 cylinder engine and not a lot of weight.

On my fuel filter housing, John Deere 455 has it mounted it on the engine where it shakes the hell out of it and the 90 degree steel nipples going into the filter aren't threaded, but just pressed in . One came loose and leaked. Right now I got it held in with a zip tie keeping it held in and doesn't leak. Can I take the filter assembly off, clean it all up and sweat those fittings in place like you would copper ? I would like to fix it and not buy another filter assembly if all they do is build without threaded fittings...... those turkeys.

Exactly boss

Mike used to build them low rider things you see downtown LA

Yep downspouts are the biggest offender to a basement. In oregon rain country we have to use ABS piping and make a complete rain drainage system to 'daylight' or drain out out down the hill minimum 10-20 feet away. I don't like underground drainage systems..... I like to be able to see it working, draining out down the hill. A little trick..... if you place a straight coupling on the 3'' ABS upright for each downspout then they don't have to create a clog by always needing to crimp the metal downspout smaller on the end to fit in the 3'' pipe. That straight coupling will allow full size metal downspout. Even the next size up downspout for less clogging if you wish. I often go to the next size larger and always go with the factory pre made elbows using what we call the corrugated downspout material. The square downs where the installer makes the bends are prone to clogging. Never nail the downspouts to the house, always use screws. Yack Yack I better shut up.

Yes, as MopaMan said, I had the 2'' leveling kit with all the extras required to try and get it right with Air bags, adjustable track bar, longer shocks and end links and realignment. I found the so called 2'' kit was really more like 2 1/2 inches. Then after awhile the truck became a wanderer .... wore me out like driving 700 miles a day instead of 3 or 400 miles a day (I like to travel). So now with the air bags, which I think are a benefit, I reduced down to a 1'' level kit. Basically a rubber spacer, is much improved and is like a good truck should be. Although not as good as my other completely stock 2001. Yes, I have two of these second gens and wouldn't trade them for anything newer.

I've built two homes on flood plains and both had to be just 12 inches above the hundred year flood mark. They were no problem for the county nor the bank loan approval. You may have to invest in a surveyor to show that you are 12 inches above. Sounds like you are.

Everytime MoparMan speaks the whole used truck market is affected........ . If it were me I would look for a low miles second gen Cummins/ Dodge and get it bullet proofed using the articles in the second gen section, but that's just me as a lot of people really like the latest styling and features.

That's not bad odds for chance of flooding. Then add how much higher the floor elevation is. We got a permit to build in a flood zone on a river and had to build 12 inches higher than the 100 year flood elevation established with a spike the county surveyor drove in a nearby telephone pole. It wasn't a problem. sounds like your at a safe height.

It's okay, but right now we are working on a real shack. Wish I never got in there as everytime we go to do something there is 2-4 nightmares that need attention before we can just get to our normal work.

Oh well... your young. I remember those days well. Building my house took 18 months in my spare time. At times work till midnight under a 20 ft high vapor light I set up. What your doing now will be a blessing for years to come. I'm very happy for you....... a man going after his dream.

I used to have one of those. Cannot remember the year, but it had sliding side windows instead of crank up and down.

Happy Birthday Laeky88.

Real poor mileage on the 23rd, must have been some nasty head winds. I once had to stay over another nite in Nevada due to 80 mph gusts. I could watch my escape hatch while parked even tho latched down, would almost lift enough to break apart. It was made of fiberglass. When I got home I had one fabricated out of stainless and adapted a bigger hinge, the crank and latch to it. Now it opens all the way so I can stand up in the bed and use it for a gun turret up high on the roof. Just in case big bears (or monster chickens) are trying to get in.

Nice pics. Thanks Evan. I run an excavator I rent from time to time. Pulled alot of stumps and done a few cut outs for additions and a house. It's nice change from swinging a hammer is all.

I had the 2 inch lift kit. Had to get the adjustable track bar to recenter the differential. It was too high and changed the dynamics. I did not like it but already had the air bags on so I went to a 1 inch rubber spacer. It's steering a lot better now and like it a lot.

Are you anything like me.......you just want to getting out of the heat? I'm a lot older than you, ya spring chicken, so may not be as bad for you. Drive careful and have fun.

I like the pics of the 'Red Moose'. I think these rioters are pissed because they don't have the balls (like Mike's truck) to work hard and get somewhere in life.

That's what IBMobile uses. Thing looks like it's been around the Horn and back.