Well, some days you're the Louisville slugger bat, some days you're the ball.
I was the ball.
Things just didn't go the way I wanted to.
Couldn't get the fan clutch off easily, and after 8 bloody knuckles and no progress (stinking loctite! Why did I use so much?!?) I moved on to greener pastures. I wasn't about to attempt a drain of my coolant late at night with that little energy. That's just a recipe for disaster.
So I got to work on my CDR relocate. I didn't like the way the giant Banks box sat on top, so I pieces together my own K&N cold air intake with 3.5in and 4in tube from Amazon. But I also didn't want a Road Draft Tube because of all the smoke, so I figured I'd try to plumb it in to my CAI. we'll see if it works.
First, I measured and drilled holes. If you follow in my footsteps, make sure you have a hole saw. I didn't, so I grabbed a Spade bit after a pilot hole. Mistake. That thing walked, moved, and made a mess of things. I caught it before it got too bad, and used a Dremel. My die grinder bit loaded up with aluminum filings, my Dremel shot off the sanding disc, bent the mandrel, bit my finger on the way out, and smoked the motor.
Did I mention it was a slow progress night?
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Used some gasket maker, mounted the CDR, and plumbed it in. Still some tweaks to go, but overall I like the way it turned out.
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Next I got to work rewiring. The wiring I used worked (woohoo!!) So now it's time to clean it up. Ran my starter and glow plugs button wires into the cab, loomed the wires with zip ties, and mounted my Glow Plug Relay on the fender. Felt good to make progress here. Turned out pretty good, a lot better than the mess I started with!
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(Edit: I realized that this photo doesn't actually show my wiring. Doh.)
Then I tried to mount my buttons and failed miserably. Turns out an old licence plate taped in place isn't nearly strong enough. The light of day makes me wonder why I even attempted that in the first place. Oh well, live and learn.
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This is just embarrassing.
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At that point, I called it quits. I was done for the night.
Oh, and my IP gear cover bolts are stripped, so I've gotta get some helicoils in there.
But all in all, still progress! Two steps forward, one back, but we're still moving.
If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. Life's too fragile to get all up tight about stuff like this. I'm grateful I get the opportunity to work on my stuff! Lots to be thankful for.