Jimmy and I left my Moms a couple days ago. However we didnt really get on the road until late yesterday because of Jeep transmission issues.
As some may know the transmission actually began messing up in Tucson then totally broke and locked up in South Dakota. I finally felt I had the money to buy a new one at $800 so on Monday I called a place in Wylie Texas and ordered a new one. I ordered a 4-speed rather than the 5-speed it had because in my way of thinking with a little 4 cyl engine there was no need for a fifth gear.
I had a shop in Gilmer remove the broken one so I could take it to Wylie and avoid a $300 core charge and a return trip to take it back. So, on Wednesday I went to get it and brought it back to Gilmer (a trip of 150 miles one way thus 300 so far since I went up and came back) On Thursday when they went to install it I was told it needed a new clutch because the one I had purchased with the transmission wouldnt fit, it was only an additional $250.
I drove down there since it was to be finished that day and I could leave. Imagine my surprise when I was looking at the parts and noticed that the transmission had a 10 spline front input shaft rather than the 14 spline for a 4 cyl. So I called Wylie and decided to take the transmission and rush up there to have the correct spline installed. I got there to late and had to spend the nght in thier parking lot.
Next morning they installed the proper input shaft and I headed back to Gilmer. They got it installed and a total of $1,850 later i left towing the Jeep with a new transmission and a small untility trailer I had purchased
Its only a total of 40 feet long. Not to bad I just have to keep remembering I have two things behind me now.
Since i didnt leave Gilmer until almost 7 I decided to drive on through the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Even at 10m when i got there it was bumper to bumper traffiic but at least they were all doing 70, except me of course. I finally stopped at midnight and got a few hours sleep at least until 5 when i got up.
Today was windy, 30 mph side wind almost blew me off the road more than once. I finally gave up fighting the wind and pulled into a rest area to relax and call it a day. As I was walking around a short, bent, old man came over and ask if I could help him, seems his roof vent cover blew off bending over backwards and broke the hinge. So we tried everything (he needed the help because he had steel rods in his back and both shoulders operated on thus could reach up and had no strength. We couldnt go on the roof, again, because of the wind so working soley from the inside I finally found a way to re-secure the vent and he asked me to follow him to walmart about 30 miles away. He then invited me over for pepper and eggs and hamburgers.
His name is Nick Manciano form Pa. and the stories he told, mafioso, cops, politicains, etc. He was either married to one and related to the rest. He was a professional boxer for awhile and his wife was a cop. An interesting man with a very interesting life. He is 78 and his wife died a couple tears ago and he still travels, though alone now. He has an amazing RV (which is the one behind mine in the pic) in fact I am plugged into it for the night at his insistance.He showed me all the gadgets and gave a lot of advice for my eventual upgrade.
He is headed for Tucson to see his youngest daughter who is a trauma nurse in and er. I think UMC but not sure. He would like me to follow or travel with him just in case one of us breaks down or something. Hes a pretty cool guy.
His RV is a diesel pusher and 36 feet long. At 70 mph towing a cadillac it gets 11 mpg which puts my 7 at 55 towing the Jeep to shame. Oh and mine is only 25 feet. LOL
Till next time. Jimmy and Me.
