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Topics - Sammconn
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1
« on: April 24, 2024, 03:27:46 PM »
So about a month or so ago had my annual visit to my doc I’ve always been healthy. About a year ago blood pressure spiked and well I’ve fgot that going on.
So doc asks all the regular questions…weight 290-ish… On we chat and God love him he point blank slacks me “so ya waitin to tip 300 before you do something”…
Got home and about a week later work was staring a biggest loser challenge.
50 bucks to get in. 70% to winner. Well with about a hundred pounds to lose I’m in.
I among alone in the lazy fat guy category so it will be a struggle to win the contest. If I can lose 50 of em it’s a win to me. The actual win will be getting off the dang meds.
I did a lot of reading. Settled on common sense and portion control. I love food. And eat waaaayy too much most days.
So the plan was simple. Cut out the beers, Saturday coffee and sugar and snacks. Now it a full on sugar prohibition. But no sugar snacks and nothing other than natural.
I weighed in April 2nd at 294.2 pounds. The worst I’ve ever been.
Three weeks in I’m down over 20 and seeing improvements.
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« on: April 22, 2024, 05:08:08 PM »
So. As some of you may have noticed, a couple weeks ago I made some ham. Once I wrapped that up, I broke down a sirloin tip. It went into a pickle and today it becomes pastrami. Now for those unaware. Pastrami is smoked corned beef, well smoked, uncooked corned beef. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240422/a66411eb51fcfed5b28d18bda986075c.jpg) Here it is being broken down. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240422/597f39298b4d1ada7808bf04020df392.jpg) Much to my dismay here is the next picture. It spent about 10 days in the pickle. Last night drained it off and added fresh water to desalinate it some. Today it’s in the smoker to cook. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240422/36afa1d563f9eb2f9e909e2e16bdf642.jpg) It’s chilly today and the smoker needs some insulation. Current air temp about 25, but a good breeze killing the temps. I’ll have a delicious smelling packing blanket later.
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« on: May 14, 2022, 10:25:33 AM »
So this will be where I document the big ice breakup. The next few days will be pretty boring but once things get better it will be more active. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220514/ade14816c5ae72339cc70b764246fa93.jpg) Somehow this view became my go to picture and this will be the bulk of it until more interesting things occur. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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« on: September 25, 2021, 02:04:35 PM »
I’m gonna put this out there while it’s easy. When I’m done with my swap the plan is to put the 07 back together. Right now I am at the cusp of beginning installing into my DD. If anyone on here is interested in the 07 let me know. I am willing to go through the motor just as I did the one I’m replacing. I’d need to have it sold and you supply the parts. BUT, it’s super easy right now. Motor is out and can be done. It will be my old motor. Kennedy custom trans safe tune is all its ever had. Truck has about 300k on it also. It’s been used as a truck. It’s not clean. It actually has that 60’s vintage old car smell. Did I mention its dirty. It has rust, albeit not terrible. It is not from true salt country, as it was a country truck as in dirt roads. I’m not sure what it’s really worth but am open to fair and reasonable offers. I’d wager this offer will be available only for a few weeks at which point I will begin reassembly of the truck. Let me know.
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« on: August 23, 2021, 11:05:59 AM »
How it all began. At approximately 17:11 hrs 15 July 2020, this occurred. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210823/5be03eeb252d4d1cf5e4fae30ed0c891.jpg) I had said from day one of owning this truck, at 500,000 kms I wanted to do ‘stuff’, HH6 agreed probably thinking there was no way we were keeping it this long. Fast forward from May of 2006 to July 2020. As pure luck would have it, July 23 2020, I did something to my truck, wasn’t a limp, but something similar from what I later found. I made it very angry and hard to drive. My reader was in mama’s Equinox as it needs codes reset all the time, so I found myself searching for a code reader. No one had one. My dad suggested my uncle may, and he did. We went to get it to clear my codes and I seen a shiny new to him 2017 Duramax. Asked what happened to the old one, traded it. Long story longer, he was having heating issues towing, shocking for a 15 year old truck right? The stealer wouldn’t commit to any sort of quote, imagine that, so he seen the shiny red 2017 and said screw it. I suspected a clogged stack, and no concern to me. He let me know it had a new transfer case in it, and a few other things and said he would have no concerns driving other than if towing hard it heats up. I knew the old one was a Duramax. I was under the impression 2005. So went and had a look that evening after dinner with HH6’s sister and hubby, I was interested in the box, as mine is very sick. Another project for another day, and to my surprise, it had the wrong wheels for an ’05. Quick look at the VIN and is was an ’07… AN LBZ! How convenient. Went to buy it the following day, and kind of snowballed the salesman. “What can I help you with?” Me ”I’m here to buy Uncle Larry’s old LBZ. I know what you gave him, what’s your bottom line?” He said a number, I looked at him and said “well that’s taxes in then right? As I know you paid him XXX.” He sighed a little and agreed as I knew too much for him to try anything further. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210823/15ed02e4f2c768355604e5bee94d4da0.jpg) ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210823/18885244a1335f5ccfefe522f76ec357.jpg) So now I had a complete parts truck, literally. I made arrangements with them to use a dealer plate to get it home when I came back later in the fall. Took it to my parent’s farm to sit until I could drive it home. Deer season came and mamma and I both came out, she and a friend drove my truck back, and I hopped into the new one and did the same. Drove great, seemed strong, but has a nasty kick on bumps. Turns out it has air bags on it that are NS, and likely bottoming out. Also has a hitch in the box, no idea on brand. Parked it an inch from the side of the house for winter, as it was too late to start anything stupid like a motor swap in December. Called in a favour from my dealership buddy and ran a VIN check. Pretty minor wrap sheet. Good to see. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210823/e1096b8aed0646d134608f4fe92bdb5c.jpg) Then 30 Nov, 2020 at approximately 16:21 this happened.
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« on: May 27, 2021, 10:54:52 PM »
Well don’t seem to see a DIY on this so here we go.
Had a buddy text me that I was leaking “a lot” of antifreeze. This was late on a Friday night. I went and relieved the pressure and thought I’ll look at it in the morning. My pump was a lot late. 510xxx kms. About 315xxx miles. Had to use his pressure tester in the morning as there was no noticeable leak.
Tools needed: Screwdrivers. Flat Phillips Wrenches. 10,12,13,14 Sockets. 10,12,13,14,36 Torque wrench Breaker bar, ratchets and extensions. Deadblow, 18” crescent, BFH Antifreeze collection means
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« on: August 09, 2020, 04:16:40 PM »
Yesterday was a terrible day. Chaka has passed to the other side. She was sick, but we had no idea. Had a mass in the tailpipe that had grown and blocked everything off. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200809/91dcca0d795d6cb44eedb1bac8b5b419.jpg) We are all tore up and missing our best friend. And Nate, we got the paw print like you did for the King. Also only 10. Gone way too soon. She’s now with Carlee chasing rabbits and swimming in the lake forever.
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« on: July 28, 2020, 01:51:19 PM »
So as I have mentioned in the WDYDT thread I pulled the trigger on a parts/core donor. Donor truck ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200728/0fda5fa8cd20d3abbc44ab0b82bd6a02.jpg) Mine ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200728/4a106d6029ca6fab744f434c3d79c44e.jpg) I’m now in the information gathering stage for WDINTB. What do I need to buy? Both trucks are at 300k miles, donor has never seen a tune. Any insight will be appreciated. I’m going to gather intel and DOT’s here and do the build in another thread hopefully less junked up.
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« on: May 15, 2020, 11:24:21 AM »
So a couple days ago I made what will turn out to be a great idea but in the short term is going to be awful. I mixed up 52.5 pounds of pepperoni. Now we all enjoy the pepperoni sticks by the bagful, but a giant PITA to make. Here is the 30 odd pounds of moose meat ground and ready to mix. ![](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200515/98f772522e995bab6f74b347a80c1c7b.jpg) The pork is from Costco about 20 pounds in three chubs.
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« on: July 27, 2017, 03:56:02 PM »
So as not to junk up the vegan thread thought I'd share my tofu recipe. Yes I tried it once.
Cook it as per recipe, better yet save the othe food you'll be wasting... Throw tofu in garbage and cook some real meat.
Tried it once, mama on some kick. Three the works out and cooked real food.
I can't do the tofu.
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« on: May 21, 2017, 12:54:46 PM »
So a number of years ago I picked up this '69 Mustang. My dad was shocked, as I'm Bowtie to the core. I splained to him I had a list of cars, not all Chevys, that given the opportunity I would buy. So that was 2011-12, not real sure. I know very little about it, save for 351W, auto, originally red-ish. Previous owner, second I believe, had his father start some restoration. Some panels replaced, some bondo applied, and this blue shot to help preserve it. It's been sitting in a storage yard for about 10-12 years now. He drove it here to park it, so it was in running order... Not sure what happened in the past 12 months, but the ground got soft. Real soft. Fast foreword to today. 'They' are cleaning up. Everything must go. My plan is to jack it out of the mud and see if it runs. The motor turned by hand so I have hope. More to come as the day goes on. My plan is to jack it up and get it running... ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Mustang/E0784D46-91FF-4A8E-ADD6-225768371BC8.jpg~original) It is sitting on the frame and floor right now. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Mustang/EE1B750F-84E1-4F88-B4B3-95316E40E3B4.jpg~original) Some motor porn, look at all the open space! ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Mustang/630DEF32-1B07-4FDA-B4A5-46388A8A5F93.jpg~original) Owners manual and original bill of sale! I was a bit surprised to find these.
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« on: May 04, 2017, 05:49:28 PM »
Hope this link works for printing.
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« on: April 30, 2017, 03:34:22 PM »
Ok, it appears I didn't start this yet so here we go.
My cabin is on an island in the middle of a fair sized lake. Which means no utilities at all.
We've been running as it was when we bought the place until last fall. I purchased 1 kW of solar panels, charge controller, inverter and other bits.
The original was a hybrid of a 12 volt battery, 120v modified sine wave inverter, generator, windmill and some solar (40 watts).
Now as of this morning I have an even more hybrid setup. I have opted to keep a 12 volt system, as we have 12 volt lights, and he windmill is only for 12 volts, so it would be a lot of work to decommission it right now. Then there is the new 24 volt system. It is tied to the 1kW of solar panels, 50 amp MPPT charge controller, a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter and a 24 volt smart charger. (Charger not connected yet, as I need to re run some dedicated generator circuits.
It was an adventure splitting everything out so as to not ties anything together. Spent some time looking at how it was wired, and found the source cable, and it was easy from there.
I'll have to sort out my pictures at home. Signal is poor at best today so no uploading.
I'll find them from back at digging the trecnch, to today.
FWIW, did a little test once it was up. Ran the 1400w microwave and coffee maker, along with the normal loads. No issues at all! Was in the 26xx watts, with 122.3 volts on he display!
More to come when I have time and signal.
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« on: April 24, 2017, 11:08:31 AM »
So yesterday mama asked if I'd found any Chaga when I was wood gathering. I said yes, but I'll go get some. For those that haven't heard of it, it has a lot of goody to it. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/chaga-mushroom-the-immune-boosting-superfood/I have acces to it, but many do not, and apparently it ain't cheap. Haven't weighed what I have but estimate it around 5-6 pounds. These are large Ziplok bags for reference. We're going to try it out and see what benefits we see.
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« on: April 11, 2017, 11:30:42 AM »
I'm curious if any of y'all have heard of this or used one. https://www.itargetpro.comI'm totally a fan of using real bullets, but this could be a substitute while watching the game or race or whatever to occupy commercials. Or to get the wife unit or kids working on trigger control etc. And they ship to Canada for those of us up here.
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« on: March 06, 2017, 08:18:14 PM »
Just finished reading a story about this circa March 2002. I'm thinking you may have been in the sandbox then Chief. May have been 160th too.
Kinda took me aback...
Thanks to all of you!
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« on: February 22, 2017, 08:04:38 PM »
So yesterday when I headed home I forgot I was in snow wheel drive.
Got on it a bit and heard a funny growl. Almost sounded like muffler letting go, more drone than normal. (To try and qualify the sound)
Then got on it pretty good to pass a guy, and same same growl.
Then remembered 4WD was engaged, no noise in 2WD.
So the question from the driveline guys, any thoughts.
I haven't checked fluids yet, so that may be. When I did the pump rub fix, the T-case looked new inside. It hasn't leaked that I have noticed. The front driveshaft joints were tight at the same time. Now, we had to beat the shaft off the T-case with a really BFH, and a ton of reps.
I'm thinking bent output shaft? Slip joint stuck crooked? Front diff?
Thoughts?
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« on: February 13, 2017, 07:35:32 PM »
I may get long winded and off Topic a bit...CIEMR...
So I had a 'free' cruise that I chose to use. It was with Norwegeian, if you get a letter from them about a free cruise it may well be. This is not how I came to have mine, but from a fellow that uses them regularly.
I hate people...like everyone...like badly. Charles understands, and probably some others also.
So I was hesitant to do this to say the least. But it was free...wait nothing is free right, well I believe that I could have got away with the port fees and gratuities on this one, so yeah that free.
So I did a bit of research to find that the beds in the rooms are not necessarily a queen, may be two singles...well this is not goona work. I'll add our 20th anniversary is tomorrow, so if I was to do it I would do it. I began to look at suites, and settled on a rear balcony penthouse suite. Sounds expensive, not the case when I booked, about 700 bucks, I think the cost is space based.
Little did I know,this was the best move I made.
With that little upgrade, we ended up as VIP's, and to the real meaning of it. Express check in, out on the side, no line ups, escorted around the rest of the mob style check in, with food and drinks etc to boot. We then found out we also had access to one dining room for breakfast and lunches, so quite menu and no loud buffet. Also gave us priority boarding and disembarking privlages at all the ports.
Some of the freebies that were also included at the time of booking were $50 excursion credit, specialty dining package, beverage package, and an Internet package.
Not sure on final cost yet, but I was quite happy with how his thing turned out. The freebies were worth a fair chunk, and if anyone is thinking about a cruise, the beverage package is the big one. I'm not a big drinker, but enjoyed several a day, and maybe a good few one day. The package is $79 per person per day...all in room, all days, so not a cheap option. $1000 freebie give or take. And, we never had to buy a drink, or pay for one in the end, so it worked. We had to add, well we didn't, three more dinners. It came with three, but in order to avoid buffet lines I added three more dinners. This made for six nights of a la carte dining with some seriously good eats.
I'm no expert. This was my first cruise. Likely not my last. Only because I did this one right.
The last is from a couple we met that was on multiple cruises. They didn't do it right once and didn't like that one.
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« on: November 12, 2016, 06:49:45 PM »
So as winter set in, so did the ice in my shift cable. The rubber boot finally gave up the ghost and in went a bunch of water. As soon as it froze, so did the cable, and as much as an hour was needed a couple days to get out of park. So to start off dash has to come apart to gain access. Once the bottom bolster is off this metal shield is next to go. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/truck%20stuff/FCBA7D3B-218C-4200-80DC-AF94F0F0606C.jpg) With it out you get access to the shift linkage. It simply pops off of the ball stud. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/truck%20stuff/33B9A8B5-281F-4F84-89F4-7EEBEAE58BB9.jpg) Next you have to pull this staple looking retainer out. This allows you to compress the ears and remove the cable from the bracket.
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« on: June 13, 2016, 09:30:56 PM »
So while I was coming home last week snapped a few pics of the 'road' I travel. It is our only way in and out of the place I call home by vehicle. With a few large hydroelectric projects on the go, heavy truck traffic has increased exponentially. As our only road, there are no load restrictions in the spring thaw which just aggrevates a poor road. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/767030DF-4C64-4105-8908-8D520D1B4532.jpg) ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/D4EF4A4E-C206-49FD-A486-BEE0F5F0DBDD.jpg) ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/44B1F62E-1865-4A13-971D-7DDC2FE6CD69.jpg) This isn't even as bad as it has been. This was after a few days of sun and no rain. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/CE95E6DD-A668-4E73-B9AB-8FEC7A4DC7C8.jpg)
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« on: May 29, 2016, 05:51:50 PM »
Now I know a lot of you will know so let's defer for a bit. And I'm sleeping right beside it.
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« on: April 27, 2016, 08:46:42 PM »
Not exactly sure where to put this. The above challenge referencing the 22 American sevicemen that take their own lives each day. It's a challenge to do 22 push-ups a day for 22 days to raise awareness about this immense problem we are facing.
I'm only dropping it here, as it is hitting a lot of my 'Facebook friends' pages, many of whom it has really shocked me from.
This is a very good thing in my mind that this issue has reached into Canada and is spreading like wildfire. A lot of the folks I'm referencing have little to no military involvement either.
Just thought I'd share that even up in the great white north we're thinking about your boys and gals as well.
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« on: April 12, 2016, 07:17:29 PM »
So my LBZ is at around 210-15k miles and has in the last couple days developed a power steering leak. I'm not at home, but may still dig out tools to verify the lines are not the culprit.
Anybody know (Ken) is it worth the time changing a seal with this mileage? From the quick crawl under looks like the input shaft seal not the pitman.
I'm not opposed at throwing a bit of love to it but steering box change sucks in my mind.
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« on: January 26, 2016, 10:52:47 PM »
So long story short, my dear misses wiped out this morning on our driveway.
Verdict, she's being medivaced out to the city to see an orthopaedic surgeon in the morning. At least the fibula is broken, and the doc here, to my happiness wanted another opinion, not just set it and forget it. We're not sure if that will be the end result, or if it will be surgery, but we'll find out tomorrow I guess.
She's good, just real upset with herself tonight. Mukluck boots without rubber sole plus snow and ice equals trouble. Lesson learned the hard way.
Thanks guys.
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« on: November 26, 2015, 08:04:43 PM »
Well I said it was coming and here it is.
Nate, yes you told me so.
Ok, I waited too long. I've had the merchant pump upgrade kit for far longer than I'd like to admit. Three years. :-X I'm sitting at 331k kms, 210k miles.
Crawled under to grease before last trip out to city and seen oil on transfer case. So I'm screwed, but need to go. Checked oil a lot, but made the rounder.
So time to fix it.
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« on: October 29, 2015, 12:43:00 PM »
So I've hit a dillema. I decided I was buying a G17/19, and a G21/30. Kind of a his and hers deal.
Being in the military, some dealers offer IOP pricing. So I contacted one, and much to my dismay, they're not offering what I'm after. Now I know the 10mm and .45 will run I the same frame, and the G20 10mm is one they have. My other options are as follows. 22 .40 35 .40 gen 3 & 4 37 .45 GAP gen 3 & 4
The do have a G26, which as it sits is prohibited in Canada, but they will do a barrel swap and the required paperwork. If I supply a barrel. The pricing is very good for us up here, 30-40% type discount, so part of me would like to go with them, but at the same time, it's not what I was after. I'm not sure I'm even remotely interested in the .45 GAP as I don't think it's as common, and will it be handy if needed in a SHTF type scenario.
What's everyones thoughts?
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« on: September 02, 2015, 10:02:45 PM »
So mama's car is a 2005 Impala, screwed up and didn't go LT. That's another story. Its just over 30k miles now, so lot rot is as much an issue as wear and tear.
A few months ago, the leaky power steering got real bad. Dumped all the oil bad. The garage in town, re-used the steel portions and repaired with proper fittings the hose portions. All good now. But wait, one of the fittings didn't get tightened properly. In their defense, its a nasty nasty nasty spot to work, this is why I said, nope we can pay to fix this... So they got it beat, and all was good, or so we thought.
Now I'm going to make a long story longer. The story is going to be a bit scatterbrained, as I'm really at a loss with the sounds I heard tonight.
Fast forward to a couple months ago, and "The car is making a funny sound when I drive it." conversation occurs. My first though, power steering pump shot. So we go for a drive, and it's the thump/grind of a wheel bearing. 30k, wheel bearing??? :o So I pick up a pair, and change the bad one, not enough time to do both.(Cabin was calling) Go for a drive, noise is gone. All good right?
Fast forward to this week. "The car is making funny sounds again when I drive it." conversation occurs. So I said, I'll get the other bearing done soon. Tonight, I WAS going to go out shooting bullets and smelling powder (a favorite past time). Now the car is making some new sounds.
First one isn't new, it happens once the car is warmed up some. When turning the wheel either way, a kind of growling sound emits from the drivers side predominately. Verified with mama turning wheel, and me crawling under both sides. So my thought was, after the wheel bearing noise, that the bearing is that bad. Well it wasn't, and still made the noise after. So now I'm leaning towards pump on its way out, but the pump is on the passenger side.
The next noises were new to me, and I suspect mama hasn't heard them with the radio always on. One is almost like a loose wheel, rhythmic but only while coasting. (Wheel is tight) Another almost sounds like a bad CV, but they both look good.
Which leads me to what I have re-learned tonight. This car has no grease zerks. Not on the ball joints, or tie rod ends. Now I'm wondering if the growling type noise is just a dry ball joint. So my plan now I think, is to jack it up on stands, unload the ball joints and see. But it may not do any good if its the pump, then with no real load, it likely won't growl.
Ken, you ever seen this?
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« on: August 26, 2015, 11:27:02 PM »
So after nearly 16 years of love, we had to say good bye to our dear Carlee. She had a good go, and the summer was great for her. In the past month or so, she had really slipped downhill. So with a heavy heart we have said good bye to our best friend. Rest in peace my girl.
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« on: August 25, 2015, 08:18:51 PM »
My truck is starting to show her age. 196xxx miles on the clock now. I've developed a power steering leak. Replaced the hoses a while back as they were done. The last couple weeks been noticing little puddles. So while I'm out in the land of parts a plenty (the city) I figgered I'd have a look. Did a couple glow plugs while everything was out.
Thought it was a loose line fitting, nope. Now it's been leaking so long the layer of mud is pretty thick. Fittings were all nice and tight, looks like it may be the steering box?
I'm going to have to clean it all up when I get home and track it down, but is there a seal that goes? Ken or someone may know, or new steering box time? I've accepted the fact I'm going to need to throw money at this to keep it on the road, and that is not the issue, just don't need to throw good money away if a $5 seal will fix it.
I'll post up some pics later on. Didn't have phone handy when buried in grease and muck.
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« on: August 13, 2015, 02:14:29 PM »
Well here we go, I've assembled most of the pictures i can find. Looking through them I am sure some are missing. This is a collection of two phones, and no less than three different cameras, so it's been a bit of a recce to get this meany together. Long story longer, 15 years ago, when we moved up here we discussed if we wanted to think about a cabin. Though long and hard, and a few were for sale, including this one. I spent a few weekends visiting the potential candidates, and this would be the one. Got to talking with mama, and we decided we did not need to incur any more debt that we were in at the time. So reluctantly we passed on the opportunity. The cabin sites on this lake are all on crown land, via a 100 year lease, and two years later, the decision was made to no longer issue new leases. So here we were, thinking of a few spots, paying down debt, and collecting 'stuff', and now we're screwed. Fast forward twelve years, three more owners, and this very cabin is up for sale again. Talked with the owner, went and had a look, not a lot had changed, but there was an incredible amount of 'junk' and 'mess' kicking about. We discussed price, and were a long way apart. I had a number in which I could cut a cheque and be done, a fair way off where the owner was. Like before, didn't want to borrow to do it, so we passed. The summer went by, I was working a camp job out of town, home for my week in late September or October, I don't exactly remember and will find out. A quiet Saturday morning, me and mama just relaxing with the dogs, and the phone rings. My number had just been called! Apparently the owner needed it gone, did not know my number, as I had never mentioned it earlier in the year, but said it out loud to me. I hung up in awe, told mama, and off to the lake we went to meet him. Looked the place over and wrote the cheque. Here it is that day, pulled up in the boat and snapped a few pics. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/year%20one/IMG_8207.jpg) ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/year%20one/IMG_8212.jpg) And a bit of inside. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/year%20one/IMG_8225.jpg) ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/year%20one/IMG_8226.jpg)
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« on: August 06, 2015, 11:35:06 PM »
Well, normally I like to move heavier and awkward items to the cabin in the winter when the ice makes for a road. Today, I moved a new to me lawnmower out via the boat. A little redneck engineering, and a platform of sorts was attached to the boat. Forgot to take a picture, but it was some 2x4's and 2x6's braced from gunnels to floor. Nothing fancy heck what's a mower weigh? Few hundred pounds at best so here it is. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/crazy%20hauling%20stuff/83D20DA5-E6E6-4815-9911-3924FD36D483.jpg) And delivered the four and a half miles to my dock.
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« on: July 21, 2015, 11:33:10 PM »
Well my chocolate lab blew her ACL. Proving to me my redneck ways have passed to some extent, we opted for surgery to fix it, not the 8 cent solution my old self would have chosen. It's funny how we truly love our best friends. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/dogs/45EB036C-4FF3-4DFC-8949-DECB0A9EB76F.jpg) She is not a happy camper, and is looking at an eight week recovery and then rehab. Needless to say I'm praying for this to work out for us/her and she can continue her life with us for many years to come.
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« on: July 09, 2015, 08:56:14 PM »
Well, I'm going to share a recipe with yall that I have not shared but one time.
This is a very rich, treat to say the least. It followed me from my younger years some 20 ago when I was a cook in a restaurant.
This recipe makes three pies. It's a lot of work so I go big when I make it. Make crust per directions on shortening. Half a pound, half the recipe does three 9-10" crusts.
Filling: 8 Tbsp flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 1/3 cups sugar 3 large eggs 4 cups sour cream (full strength) 3 tsp vanilla 8 cups diced apples (call for Granny Smith, but I've used all of them)
Mix all together into a bowl of sweet goodness. Fill three shells 3/4 or so full. It grows as it cooks, as long as it's under the rim some you're good to go. Place in a 400• oven for 30-40 minutes. Drop temp to 350• and cook another 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven, add crumble topping and return to 350• oven for 20 minutes or so. It's done when the crumble topping starts to brown.
Topping: 2 cups flour 2 cups brown sugar 2 Tbsp cinnamon (more or less to taste) 3/4 cup butter
Mix dry ingredients working any lumps from brown sugar. Add butter in, and work with your hands until the butter is spread throughout, and it sticks together in little chunks when squeezed. When the time comes, squeeze it and crumble onto pies to cover.
They are now 20 minutes in the oven. More to come.
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« on: May 29, 2015, 09:42:08 AM »
Now don't get me wrong, this doesn't bother me at all. I've lived North of 56 for about fifteen years now and my only reaction is "well it's only May". It is however you g to mess up my and of getting the dock moved back to the cabin. The snow started at some point yesterday and continued while I drove home into the wee hours. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/bumpers/D4BF9725-D834-495F-9333-1251879CAE7D.jpg) One stretch around midnight. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/bumpers/1FCCB7D2-0629-4CD9-967B-A89E0D036BC7.jpg) And how it looked at 0700 today. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/bumpers/9C5E513B-44F7-4B96-AED3-2473BCB6CC05.jpg) Now the weatherman said up to 8" by end of today...is that on top of the 8 we have?
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« on: May 19, 2015, 12:08:57 AM »
Just a teaser.
Spent the long weekend with the blue light sabre, grinders, welder and even some snow. I need to upload the pics from my phone, so with any luck I'll be at them in the morning.
I can't say any of the aftermarket bumpers really turn my crank, they all stick out too far for my liking. So what's to come will show a very low profile, as my buddy called it, Urban Assault Bumper build. I too am an owner of HF 12000# Badlands winch, and am shoe horning it into a bumper that is probably only a couple inches deeper than the stocker.
Sorry, it's late, my back hurts and I am something tuckered out.
Yeah excuses excuses I know... 8)
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« on: May 13, 2015, 10:53:52 PM »
As some of you know, home for me is up north of the 56th parallel. Spring is finally upon us, and the snow is pretty much a thing of the past. Still a bit hanging in the trees, and on north facing slopes. Three weeks ago we had the fastest melt I've seen in the fifteen years I've live up here. We went from over two feet of snow to basically none in about 36 hours. It caught us at the cabin, and we had a bit of water to sled home through. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/lake/IMG_1404.jpg) I did stop here to take a couple pictures, on relatively firm slush, and able to get moving as well. The water in the larger pools is about 8-12 inches deep, and it was becoming a get home now or wait it out. As the snow melts, it pools on the ice and makes a lot of slush. After a period of time, the water migrates through cracks, pressure ridges, ice fishing holes, and returns the ice to the top as it normally is. So I had to make the call, are we going home or trapped for a day or two or... ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/lake/IMG_1403.jpg) Made the call to try it, and began hauling stuff back. We spend all the time we can in our little corner of heaven, so there is always several Rubbermaid's of stuff, as well as out three hounds to transport. So to lighten the load with the dogs, I made the extra trip with our kit. Long story short all went without a hitch for us and were home safe and sound a couple hours later. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/lake/IMG_1405.jpg) Too bad the sun was setting, and the picture is all washed out, but the big crescent just off shore was around two feet deep. Snowmobiles actually are fairly good in water, but towing a load changes things, and momentum is your friend.
38
« on: April 09, 2015, 07:50:23 AM »
Had this passesd on to me. It's the Canadian version, but equally applies to America as well.
I have never heard this said as simply or as well. Class war at its best.
The folks who are getting the free stuff don't like The folks who are paying for the free stuff, because The folks who are paying for the free stuff can no longer Afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff.
And the folks who are paying for the free stuff Want the free stuff to stop.
And the folks who are getting the free stuff want even more Free stuff on top of the free stuff they are already getting!
Now... The people who are forcing the people who pay For the free stuff have told the people who are RECEIVING The free stuff that the people who are PAYING for the Free stuff are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.
So... The people who are GETTING the free stuff have been Convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the Free stuff by the people who are forcing some people to pay For their free stuff and giving them the free stuff in the first place.
We have let the free stuff giving go on for so long that there Are now more people getting free stuff than paying for the Free stuff.
Now understand this. All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250years after being founded.
The reason?
The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.
The number of people now getting free stuff outnumber the people paying for the free stuff.
Failure to change that spells the end of the CANADA as we know it.
ELECTION 2015 IS COMING A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!
For all our sake PLEASE Take a Stand!!!
SENATE: Gone!
Borders: Restricted
Language:English and/or French
Drug Free: Mandatory Drug Screening before Welfare!
NO freebies to: Non-Citizens!
Only 86% will send this on. Should be 100%..
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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« on: March 08, 2015, 08:25:50 PM »
So last weekend I was out trying to cut up a bit of firewood for the cabin. I noticed I wasn't getting as much oil on the chain as I should be. Did a little searching and found it's a pretty common problem, and a pretty easy fix. You start off removing the chain and bar, top cover and spark plug. Then stick a couple inches of cordage into the cylinder. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/chainsaw/IMG_1351.jpg) Then you remove the clutch, pliers to grip the clutch, another set to turn it in the "Off" direction. The cordage stops the piston at the top of the stroke, enabling the crank to stop rotating.
40
« on: March 08, 2015, 04:12:44 PM »
So, first up break wheel nuts free, jack and support the rear axle. Remove rear tire, and you're ready to begin. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Brakes%20Etc/IMG_1327.jpg) Most likely you'll need to spray the rotor/hub mating point, as they'll be fused together with rusty goodness. Let the PB Blaster soak while you remove the caliper, set on rear leaf, or if they are being replaced it could be removed. If you have the annoying "clunking" sounds over bumps, it may be your caliper pins are worn. This is a common problem, and the re-pin kits I used did not last very long. I picked up remans for a very reasonable price a couple summers ago while on vacation in Ohio, and they are holding up well. You can then begin trying to get the rotor off the hub. \this is where the hammers come into play. I smacked around over under etc to shock the rust free. Then used pry bars as a striking face for hitting outwards against, as the dust shield covers much of the rotor. ![](http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Brakes%20Etc/IMG_1328.jpg) And here is the ugly proof of the required axle seal change.
41
« on: March 06, 2015, 11:16:12 PM »
So, at 296,xxx kms, 184,xxx miles my factory brakes have finally started to say we're done. I'm amazed how well they have stood up. Guess it shows I use the go pedal far more than the whoa pedal. I've gathered all my parts I hope, and began the task tonight.
More to follow with pics through the weekend.
Have bad axle seals as well as it turns out, and one more wheel bearing to change, so I'm going to lump everything together as it all happens together.
42
« on: February 27, 2015, 01:35:23 PM »
I don't want to promote abuse, but I really enjoy an Irish cream coffee on the weekends.
Recipe is quite simple: 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. (Brand doesn't matter) 12-14 ounces of vodka, or other white spirits in the 40-45% range. 1 Pint of whipping cream. (Must use whipping as others are too light) Dash of real vanilla Squirt of chocolate syrup
I don't measure the vanilla or chocolate and as such have different flavours all the time.
Place all ingredients into blender and blend for 10-15 seconds.
Enjoy. It's that easy. Makes about 40 ounces, so be careful of the expiry date on the cream
43
« on: February 25, 2015, 11:37:03 PM »
Thinking I'd like to add a single point sling to my kit for my AR. What are your thoughts/suggestions on what to look for. I've already got the single point ring on the furniture. Have these easy to get: http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/category.jsp?catid=74824
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« on: December 24, 2014, 03:32:55 PM »
Wanting to wish each and everyone a wonderful and Merry Christmas!
May all of you have a happy and wonderful day.
Big D, hope all of the family recovers well and quickly, and wishing speedy recovery for you one you get your new knee. May this be the final chapter of the Candy Bar Fire. ;D
Be safe everyone and enjoy the time with those you love.
45
« on: November 16, 2014, 01:15:19 PM »
I know this is probably not the best spot for this, as it is not a CIEMR. I'm just wanting to share some pics I have managed to capture. ![](http://i.imgur.com/c8nyxVH.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/OPwMzof.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/R6oeriI.jpg) These we taken out at our cabin last winter, with exception of the tree, which was a summer shot.
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« on: November 15, 2014, 08:25:58 PM »
So a month or so ago, I get a check engine light, and the glow plug light was not going out in a few seconds like it should. Plug in my code reader to find P0675, Glow Plug Circuit Fault, Cylinder 5.
Now I live way up in northern Manitoba, and with sub zero weather here, it was time to replace it.
Here's approximately the tool list: 22mm lug wrench, tire off gives a lot more room. 3/8 drive, 12mm deep socket 10mm socket 1/4 drive 8mm socket or nut driver 3/8 drive ratchet, and torque wrench 1/4 drive ratchet body clip removal tool, slotted screwdriver or other suitable removal tool socket extensions if desired PB blaster And some good will from the Big Guy, especially since I'm 750 miles or so from a dealer if things go south.
47
« on: October 28, 2014, 11:07:03 PM »
I guess I should say howdy to yall since I've been posting about already. I'm up north of the 56th parallel, at the end of the ugliest 200 miles of dirt road you can imagine. I've got a few habits/hobbies and wrenching is one of them. I'm an electrician by trade, mechanic out of habit and necessity, welder, woodworker, and cook. Add to the list accredited firefighter and instructor, and an outdoors and hunting lover. Also I'm in the reserves as a Canadian Ranger, much different than y'all's Rangers. I've started a thread called BWST that contains more info on us. Looking forward to being a part of this wonderful thing that Don has got going.
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« on: October 28, 2014, 10:13:38 PM »
Hi guys. I have a 2006 LBZ with about 180k on the clock. A while back my ABS and brake light came on together, and have remained up together since. I commenced a normal mans oil change and inspection, front diff, trans, transfer case and had normal used oil come out. Had a bad wheel bearing and changed it too. All seems to be normal from my point of view. My scan tool can get to the ABS stuff, but that's about it. Here's what I found when I hooked it up: In park 3 MPH on all sensors. While driving all three respond normally.
So, I did some research and it appears that my ABS module may need an update or reboot.
Does this sound right? I'm at a loss and don't just want to go throwing money at parts I don't need, and my truck hasn't seen a dealer in about 150k. I don't have access to a tech2 as I'm way out in the sticks 750 odd miles from a dealer I would trust.
Is there a way to reboot the module without a tech2? Thanks. Sam
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« on: October 02, 2014, 11:19:34 AM »
Hello all. My name is Sam, I've been in the backgorund 'lurking' over on DF. Posed the topic to 'Big D' and he liked it, so here we go. I am a Canadian Ranger, no not a bit like the US Army ranger, whole different concept. We are a part of the CF reserves, and are the military’s eyes and ears in the sparsely settled northern, coastal and isolated areas of Canada. Appropriately, our motto is Vigilans, meaning “The Watchers.” I currently live in northern Manitoba, and have been serving since 2001 with the Rangers. We provide many services to our communities, the Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) Program, a program that that gets the youth out and out of trouble, support and participate in events in the local community such Canada Day, and Remembrance Day. As well we assist with sovereignty and domestic operations, report suspicious and unusual activities, collect local data of military significance. Conduct coastal and inland water surveillance, provide local knowledge and expertise, participate in search and rescue operations, provide support in response to disasters and humanitarian operations, and assistance to federal, provincial/territorial or municipal authorities. Here is a link to where the above information came from, and more information about the Rangers. http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/canadian-rangers/about.pageGiven our unique environment in the area of northern Manitoba I call home, there are many challenges for travelling on the land. In the summer months, we are in an area of lakes, rivers, swamps (Read lots of water) and in the bush, edge of the boreal forrest, and into Canadian Shield. I have trees at home, but not all that far north is the tree line and then the open tundra. All sounds easy enough, but travelling in the summer months over floating bog through a swamp to get to a stream crossing...well you get the picture. This is where the Rangers come into play to provide the knowledge to the army group invloved to be able to reach their point of interest. Then there is winter, I love winter and the cold and is probably why I call this home. Winter starts anytime around the end of October officially, as in the snow will likely stay, and ends sometime in May, and even into June some years. We'll typically see a stretch of a few weeks that does not see above -40, and then there's the wind. Winter brings the ability to travel on the land just about anywhere you want to go, but even with the cold we still manage to find open water in some areas. We have several northern response groups in the Canadian Military, and work with them quite regularly. The last large scale exercise took two different groups (somwhere around 200 personnel, 120+ machines) from Churchill, Manitoba up to the 60th parrallel. To say it was an adventure would be an understatement, but the Rangers took two large companies 200 odd miles across nothing to their primary goal. There the Rangers from up north met up with us to take the one unit another 200 miles further north to Arviat. So some of the work up for the army groups included: snowmobile training, winter ops training, and the topic of this thread BWST, among others. Over the next while I will be adding the meat and potatoes of what we do for the BWST courses that we offer to the forces, as well as what some of the other patrols do differently. Also, once I track down pictures I will add them into the mix.
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