We knew 2020 was the five year anniversary of the Pacific Coast Highway and had been mulling over the possibility of a reunion drive. Then something called “COVID-19” happened and things got very weird. We shelved the idea of a trip, but kept thinking about what we might be able to do. Meanwhile, except the big Coronaroadtrip, I haven’t been driving much. I haven’t even started the truck in maybe six months. I feel bad.
But Google Photos popped up yesterday with an “On This Day 5 Years Ago” notification, with this photo from the day I brought the Pickup home from the shipping terminal. Parked behind Xterra the Elder, for extra nostalgia. So I’m taking Evan and George up on a generous offer: what if the reunion was a week or two of wrenching on the truck over Halloween?
Because it so desperately needs attention.
I tried to start it last night. I knew it’d need a jump and that sometimes after sitting a while, it coughs itself to life over a little cloud of smoke. But I looked back and it was spewing chunks of rusted tailpipe or muffler along with the smoke. Watching solids fly out of the tailpipe was alarming. I need to be a better person, I owe a lot to this truck.
Ultimately, I think the truck can clear its throat and start if given another push, but if I’m going to emit that much carbon, I’d rather do it discreetly. For that and because the apartment asked everyone to vacate the lot so it can be repainted, I rolled the truck out of my spot, did a three-point turn, pushed it down the driveway, and out onto the street and parallel parked it, Flintstone-style. Disgraceful.
The Pacific Coast Reunion PunchWrenchlist
It’s not a short list. That just means we get to pick and choose.
- Major
- Coolant and clutch leaks — because they both leak
- Muffler and/or tailpipe damage — from whatever that was
- Fluids flushes
- Rear drum brakes are near EOL
- Tires may be near EOL
- Minor
- Weather stripping on the driver’s side finally cracked — parts on order
- Passenger door handle is broken — I have had this part for a while…
- FM antenna needs to be replaced and rewired — parts on order
- Rust spots need to be treated
- After replacing a blinker lightbulb, I’ve had some trouble with lights working intermittently. This should not be huge, but it would block state inspection, which expires in :checks watch: today days.
- Nice-to-haves
- Radio swap for a Bluetooth receiver and new speakers with covers