A Brother Needs Your Help For His Wife With MS.

A Brother in our 4x4 community needs our help.

It's been a dream of his to take his wife around the country to see America in all her beauty before her MS really gets to her. She's already gone blind in her right eye.

Why am I here bothering you? Well there is this contest he is a part of where he can win $100k and he would use that money to get her mercury fillings removed, and buy their dream RV and truck to pull it.

All you need to do is comment on this video daily. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAv6YEGbuTs You can comment every day and each comment is a vote for him! It won't take much for him to win if every one of you who can, votes daily. Thank you.

Thanks!

Installing a Full Face Din and a Half in 1987 factory opening

Full Face Radio Upgrade Into A 1987 Full Size Blazer

From the factory our Chevrolet Blazer had an AM/FM Knob style as many of the 1973 to 1987 Trucks and the 1973 to 1988 Chevrolet Blazers and Suburbans did. Now over the years these types of radios have been removed and the dash modified to take a DIN style radio. The previous owner had done that prior to our obtaining the truck.

In this process they trimmed the post holes out so that it could be installed and cut the plastic bezel and mounted it to the dash bezel.

We obtained a bezel for 1989 to 1991 R and V series trucks which are a full face radio also know as a DIN and a Half radio. This will work as a simple template for the modification to the metal dash area.

The Radio we used was for a 1997 – 2004 Corvette Delco Model: 09390211 Part Number 16257601 AM/FM CD player with a built in equalizer and it also has the straight 9 pin connector in the rear for the remote 6 disc or 12 disc CD changer from GM. This radio list from GM for $1,503.00 average price we got from the dealerships was around $7.50.00 so you see this is one heck of a good radio.

We have been told by a few people that these radios are made for GM by BOISE. I do not know if this is true or not!

The Transformation from DIN to DIN and a Half

We removed the old radio and bezel from the dash. Next we took the new style 1989 bezel and placed it on the dash using four screws to hold it in place. Next we took a scribe and traced the inside of the radio opening in to the metal as a template for our cut.. You will also want to take a center punch at this time and mark these two holes in the dash to drill for screws.

Next we removed the bezel and set it a side for later. Using a Dremel we cut the metal out from the dash going slightly past the lines we marked. After removing the metal we test fitted the new radio. It took a little more tweaking to get it to fit just right. An important note here: You can need to work in small cuts.

Once we had it going in the hole alright we focused on the mounting ears. This is why you do not want one that slides in. We marked the top hole in the right ear on the metal and drilled a screw hole to mount it.

We cut off the lower ones as shown to make it less visible and so as not to stick out from under the bezel.

On the left side we decided to NOT DRILL a hole and used the existing screw to hold the ears tab to dash. With it in place we were now ready for the bezel placement.

Trimming the Bezel

In this step we placed the bezel in place and found it did not lay flat against the dash. This meant that we would need to figure out what needed adjusted. Removing the bezel we noticed it had a little lip raised on the back side of it. Also the screw head on the right side hit the edge of the bezel. We took the Dremel and trimmed the bezel in these places and made a notch on the edge to allow it to lay flat. When you remove the lip on the back you want it to be flat and even with the rest of plastic.

Once we had it trimmed down and the notch made it sat flat. We used a little paint that matched our truck to cover the bare metal tab and screw head.

We then replaced the bezel for the last time and took our truck for a drive to the Dairy Queen and enjoyed our new sound system.
Parts Used

1989 R,V series truck bezel

Delco Model: 09390211 Part Number 16257601 AM/FM CD player

Wire Harness connector from a 2000 Chevy Tahoe for radio

Antenna adapter Large to smaller

Wiring for radio

New Post coming soon!

We are working on a couple new post. One deals with installing a Full Face factory AM/FM CD Radio in to an old style knob radio opening of our 1987 Blazer.

We are also working on a time line unlike any you have seen before. It will be worth saving. With year by year changes on the trucks. Trim level information as well as C/K vs R/V. I can not divulge to much information but we are working with some people who are tops in the Chevrolet Truck information field.

BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO Review

Review of the BF Goodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO

We received these tires for testing and review on our cross country road trip. They were 31 x 10.5 R15 LT. The All terrain T/A is a very popular tire of choice for many four wheelers who want decent off-road performance while maintaining good street performance. They have an aggressive tread pattern and we tested them in dry loose dirt, light mud, sand, and light rock crawling. They also got their fair share of highway use on this trip.

The B.F. Goodrich All Terrain T/A has exceptional wear qualities compared to most All Terrain Tires on the market. They are some what vulnerable to sharp objects with the 3 ply side walls. They are available up to a 37x12.5R18/D.

We put them to the test high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado on the Alpine Loop. With loose dirt, light mud, sand, and light rock crawling they were sure footed and provided more than adequate traction. On the highway roads they handled like a performance tire and were surprisingly quite for the semi aggressive treads pattern.


In the Nevada sand and rocks they again were sure footed either on the government roads to a non existent base or in the Eldorado Canyons. We even played in a little snow on Black Bear road in Colorado and felt confident with them. We have now used them through an Ohio winter and found them to be exceptional in snow. When the snow was packed or just falling these tires held.

We want to thank B.F. Goodrich for allowing us to test these on our road trip. B.F. Goodrich is highly involved in the Off Road community and supporting our events. I highly recommend these tires to any one who spends time on the road and enjoys getting away and off the beaten path.

In a nut shell
One of the all-time favorite light truck tires. The new KO design incorporates numerous features to enhance all-terrain traction and control. In addition, this improved T/A design delivers quiet on-road ride and exceptionally long wear.

•Aggressive high void All-Terrain tread design features interlocking elements that stabilize the tread's center and increase control during braking and acceleration. This also minimizes highway noise.

•M&S rating assures traction in mud and snow.

•3-ply polyester casing, TriGard® construction, gives exceptional bruise resistance under the tread and in the sidewall. This stiffer sidewall also improves handling and maneuverability.

•Two full-width steel belts stiffen tread area for improved steering response and better cornering control.•Dual-compound Traction/Advantage tread contributes to longer tread wear and durability.

•Distinctive T/A styling includes raised white letters on one side and black outlined serrated branding on the other.

Manufacturer Contact Info:

B.F. Goodrich Corporation
Consumer Relations Department

P.O. Box 19001

Greenville, SC 29602-9001

Phone 1-877-789-8899
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/

Some Pictures from General Motors Factory Flint

I just got these pictures from a very nice person at GM Flint Assembly plant. I thought I would share them here first. I want to thank him for looking for these. More to come I hope.

These two look like they were taken along the side of the plant by the expressway.

The photo below was taken when we visited the plant last year.

SILVER PLUME A TRUE OLD WEST TOWN

The historic Town of Silver Plume

Our trip bought us to the semi Ghost Town of Silver Plume. Silver Plume is one of those Old West towns right out of the westerns. It is rich in many old buildings and the towns people are friendly too. It is located in the Rocky Mountains on I-70, about twelve miles east of the Continental Divide and thirty-five miles west of Denver, in Clear Creek County, one of Colorado’s seventeen original counties..

Gold was the original metal sought in the Silver Plume area. Around mid 1860’s they realized the grayish rock every one had been cursing and dumping was in fact silver ore. This was the start of the boom era for Silver Plume which ended in 1893.

The principle buyer for the silver was the United States Government. At this time Americas money was backed by gold and silver. That change in 1893 when they switched to the gold standard and congress revoked the Sherman act. The price of silver tumbled and Silver Plume’s boom era ended.

The Pelican mine is credited with giving rise to the town around 1870. The neighboring mine, the Dive was so close that the owners of the two mines would fight about each other encroaching on their vein under the ground.

You should take the time and stroll through the town of Silver Plume. Here you can step back in time and stop in the shops. But be fore warned the aroma from the bakery will draw you east on Main Street and tempt you. We enjoyed a delightful cup of tea and one of their special homemade treats at the Antiques & Tea House. You should plan a trip to the George Rowe Museum at the west end of town on Main Street it is the largest building in town and was the towns schoolhouse.

Silver Plume has set up a self guided tour. You don't have to have an appointment. You don't have to join a group and best of all it is FREE. Just park your vehicle and stroll through the town of Silver Plume to have one of the best historical tours in Colorado. You can pick up a copy of the town’s brochure at any shop or the museum. Plaques on the buildings give you a little more info on the town's history. The Post Office was once the site of the towns Newspaper the "Silver Standard". The first paper of the Silver Standard was Sept. 19, 1885. The Name before the "Silver Standard" was the "Jack Rabbit" newspaper. The Jack Rabbit ran from Aug 22 - Sept. 12, 1885. (report continues below pictures)

Here you see some of the Great old buildings that make up the town.

Here we visit the Silver Plume Jail.

Below are some great examples of the houses of the era. A true glimpse time.

A story is told of one of the miners that worked there whose fiancé was found dead on the eve of their wedding. He came west to forget everything and escape and after mining all day would retire to whiskey and his violin. Townsfolk would come outdoors each night to listen to him play. One day, as the last note rang out, so did a gunshot. The townsfolk found him dead with one bullet through his heart and burial instructions nearby.

Just above Silver Plume visit the Clifford Griffin Monument, a monument quarried from local granite honoring the owner of the Seven-Thirty Mine. We did not make the hike to the monument due to health reasons. If any one can verify this as the grave of the miner from the folk lore we would like to hear from you.

This was a wonderful afternoon and all the town needed was John Wayne and some drunken cowboys. Lights camera action!

RAIN-X LATITUDE WIPER BLADES

Rain-X Latitude Wiper Review
Recently Pennzoil-Quaker State sent us a pair of Rain-X Latitude Wiper Blades to test out on our 1987 Chevrolet Blazer K5 (Pennzoil-Quaker State markets Rain-X products in North America). According to the manufacturer, they feature an "ice resistant frame that prevents ice and snow build-up."

We were impressed the Latitudes even had coverings on the wiper blades to protect them in shipping. It is the little details like this that makes the company a step a head.
The Rain-X Latitude blades don't have the same kind of frame; at least not in the conventional sense. They have a curved blade that's attached to a thin frame which is encased in rubber. There's a built-in spoiler to prevent wind lift, and this feature is also designed to reduce wiper chatter.

The blade itself is made from chloroprene rubber, which is described by Rain-X as being, "harder, stronger, more durable and more thermal resistant than natural rubber." The key here is that it's a synthetic rubber, designed with special properties, and it's also coated with graphite to reduce friction and increase adhesion to the windshield.

The wipers were evaluated in the real world for a period of eight months. Here is why we waited to post a review. When brand-new, every wiper tested will work Very Good or Excellent. But after six to nine months of regular use, performance quickly declines.

We received them just a month before the 6,000 mile 16 state road test in May, 2008.

Test one: We took them out of the packaging and installed them on a dirty bug covered windshield. A couple squirts of fluid and let them go. They cleaned them off and we had a clean windshield.

Test two: We took a had full of potting soil and put it into a half gallon of water. Mixed it up real good to dissolve it (NOTE make sure there are no rocks in dirt) Next we splashed it on to the windshield. Turned on the wipers and a couple squirts we had a clean streak free windshield.

Next came the real world on the road testing of the trip. We encountered a mix of weather on our road trip. Mother Nature gave us rain in the plains and a snow ice mix in the Colorado mountain passes. Which the Rain-x Latitude handled beautifully.

There's an interesting quirk of these style wiper blades that most do notice. They don't contact the windshield at the far right hand side of the passenger side blade. They are ok once engaged and get up an inch from park. Rain-x is not the the only one to have this problem. A quick Google search revealed all but one review that said the same thing.

We have now had them in use on the truck in Ohio winter for two months. They also don't get packed with snow and ice, and therefore they preclude the need for purchasing winter blades.

Conclusion
Do the Rain-X Latitude wipers work any better than the clunky original equipment style blades. Yes they do! First off they don't freeze up and warp out of shape. They also don't chatter at speed, although I have read some reviews that similar designs do. The Rain-x Latitudes worked fine.

So are the Rain-X Latitude wiper blades a significant improvement over original equipment blades. In our experience yes they’re a major safety enhancement. For around $32.00 they are well worth the cost. We would like to thank Rain-x for allowing us to test their Latitude wipers.

Products such as Rain-X water repellent, can keep water from streaking the windshield. You will find that using Rain-X allows you to limit the frequency of using the wipers and will extend their life. No, we do not have any connection with the manufacturer but the stuff works. Regular applications are necessary and you can even use it on motorcycle helmet shields it helps optimize visibility in the rain.

Last of The Panama Canal Great Steam Shovels

To the west of the Switzerland Trail on the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historical Byway lies Nederland, Colorado. Located at the half way point on the Historic Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

Nederland is a picturesque mountain town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just 15 miles west of Boulder, Colorado. The town was the site of the mill for silver ore for the mines of Caribou (now a ghost town). Here you will find the Nederland Historical Museum. The Mining Museum show visitors what life was like for miners and their families at the turn of the century.

We found out about this place after watching Mega Movers on the History Channel.

Mega Movers a series on the History Channel scours the country seeking feats of engineering regarding the movement of unusually cumbersome objects. The Bucyrus Steam Shovel weighs 130,000 pounds and is the largest operating track steam shovel in the United States. It was removed from the mire in a mountain gulch and transported over winding mountain roads to its new location at the Nederland Mining Museum last October 2005.

The steam shovel was built in 1923, the largest tracked steam shovel built in the world at that time, using new technology that allowed its crawler tracks to transport it without requiring railroad tracks.

This shovel, with 24 others, was sent to the Panama Canal to build bridges, roads, and drains and remove the massive amounts of dirt and rock cut from the canal bed. All the shovels but one were scrapped at Panama. The survivor was shipped back to California and then brought to Denver.

It was brought to Rollinsville's Lump Gulch Placer by Roy and Russell Durand in the early 1950's, where it served the mine until 1978. The shovel was donated to the Nederland Area Historical Society by the current property owners Stephen and Laurel Higgins from a site now designated as the Eye of the Heart Wildlife Refuge.

1923 PANAMA CANAL STEAM SHOVEL BUCYRUS MODEL 50-B
On October 21, 2005 the shovel was moved from Lump Gulch to the Nederland Mining Museum. This national treasure links a historic engineering achievement, the industrial revolution of the United States, local history of Colorado mining, and good old fashioned hard work by two brothers trying to achieve the American dream. Today it is the largest operating steam shovel in the United States.

Switzerland Trail, NFSR 327 Colorado Trip Report

Just West of Boulder in the Colorado Rockies lies The Switzerland Trail.

The trail starts a little west of Gold Hill and ends south of there on the way to either 119 or up to Sugarloaf Mountain. The Switzerland Trail follows an old railroad bed through moderate grades. The road is passable by high clearance 2WD vehicles, although it narrows to one lane in places. It passes the Mt. Alto Picnic Area, where you can see the remains (large chimney) of an old cabin. There are some restrooms and some picnic tables there as well. You will find there are fine views to the east of the Front Range all along the way.

From US 36, take the Baseline exit, turn left, and then make a right on Broadway. Drive past Pearl Street (the mall) and turn left on Mapleton (three blocks north of Pearl Street). Take Mapleton for several miles, it will become a well-maintained dirt road (Shunshine Canyon Drive) that takes you to Gold Hill.

You’ll pass through Gold Hill where buildings, like the Gold Hill Store, remain much the same as they were over 100 years ago. Many log houses and a one room school house is still used today.

Continue straight through Gold Hill towards the city of Ward.

The Switzerland Trail Trailhead will be on your left.

Warning History lesson:

Long before blacktopped highways, a narrow-gauge railroad snaked its way through western Boulder County. This century-old route of the former Colorado & Northwestern Railroad ran from Boulder to the remote mining communities of Ward and Eldora.

The railroad initially transported supplies and ore to and from the hundreds of prosperous mining operations in the area. But in 1898, the line was dubbed The Switzerland Trail of America for its magnificent views of the jagged snow-capped peaks of the Continental Divide.

We found this photo on the internet and it is what made us want to do the trail.

Here we take our own picture! It was well worth the trip.

This was the only place that the trail got tricky and that was from the record snow falls Colorado had in the winter of 2007/2008. So be alert for wash outs when your on those trails.

Switzerland Trail, NFSR 327
Boulder Colorado Off-Road Trail
Length: 14 miles
Elevation: 7,700' to 9,000'