Operation Phoenix

[macleanflood]

Cleaned out an RV dumped down the street in a parking lot owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. Took a bit of negotiating to get permission and reimbursement.

"Sold" the engine, my old AX-15, bellhousing, PCM, wiring harness, dash cluster, HVAC box and panel to a guy that sells water tanks. He showed up and I told him what I wanted...and I told him I was looking at a couple of Wranglers with blown engines I could buy for $1500 to $2k, drop in my parts and flip it for $7 or $8k. So we worked out a deal and I traded for a 3000 gallon $5000 water tank. I wanted cash towards a Atlas or PSC but this was the right adult decision to make. I'll be able to put the tank about 40' above the house, have emergency water and put in a fire fighting standpipe.

Think I'll put the rest of the parts on e-bay. Keeping the 32RH and assorted parts. Tub and frame are going to the scrapyard soon.

Here's website links to all our trash cleanups in the last couple of years since we started tracking...

https://fowcw.org/abandonedvehicles/removed

https://fowcw.org/cleanups/completed

-Mac

 

[Dan The Video Man]

Friday I found a novelty canteen.

Add this to the list of things I had no idea I needed. It would go well with my keychain and shift knob. Haha

 

[macleanflood]

Modified my transfer case shifter. Can't afford an Atlas but at least I can shift like half of one.

Went scouting for an abandoned van. Found it. Brought home some trash from a remote spot we'd never get the dump trailer in. Spent an hour vacuuming out pine needles from my Jeep. It's really dry out.

Replaced my power steering pump, mid shaft, pressure hose and belt. Rotated the lower radiator hose block side constant tension clamp so it wouldn't eat the belt.

Pulled the Jeep out of the shop so we could finish prepping an RV chassis for scrap inside with AC and HEPA filters. So if course it immediately rained.

Ordered a replacement fuel pressure gauge for the rail. Looked like some YouTubers were having good luck with the brand and it's only $21 shipped. Gauge face on mine is cracked.

-Mac

 

[macleanflood]

Pulling an Armada out of Fall Creek...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EngJepHd4/

-Mac

 

[macleanflood]

Little details...swapped the shattered fuel pressure gauge with one from K-Motor. No idea why the Racetronix cracked. Either under hood heat or something bounced off the gauge.

Swapped the electrical connector for the oil pressure sensor with one from Wells. Took the opportunity to make it six inches longer. Noticed I was missing the weather seal. Oil pressure gauge (dash) is now working...will it stay working is the question. I really don't give a shit about it other than it constantly dropping out and beeping. If this doesn't work I'm going to wire in a rheostat and figure out what resistance to feed the PCM.

I've got two weeks of vacation I need to use up. Either thinking a Rubicon/Fordyce run or up to Canada for the Whipsaw. Now I need to find folks who want to go. =)

-Mac

 

[Wildman]

Little details...swapped the shattered fuel pressure gauge with one from K-Motor. No idea why the Racetronix cracked. Either under hood heat or something bounced off the gauge.

Swapped the electrical connector for the oil pressure sensor with one from Wells. Took the opportunity to make it six inches longer. Noticed I was missing the weather seal. Oil pressure gauge (dash) is now working...will it stay working is the question. I really don't give a shit about it other than it constantly dropping out and beeping. If this doesn't work I'm going to wire in a rheostat and figure out what resistance to feed the PCM.

I've got two weeks of vacation I need to use up. Either thinking a Rubicon/Fordyce run or up to Canada for the Whipsaw. Now I need to find folks who want to go. =)

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-Mac

If my Jeep was fixed....

 

[Wildman]

When are you thinking of going?

 

[macleanflood]

When are you thinking of going?

Sooner if possible. I can come up and help with that axle...

Catina at the Con sounded interesting but I generally avoid crowds.

-Mac

 

[Wildman]

Sooner if possible. I can come up and help with that axle...

Catina at the Con sounded interesting but I generally avoid crowds.

-Mac

I won't know when I can even start on it until I fix the trailer....

But if I could get it done by mid to later Aug I'd like to do the Con too but can't commit to anything yet...

What's Mike got going on?

 

[macleanflood]

Local paper came out to a trash cleanup. Figured they'd write something up and bury it in features or something...not all over the front page.

Also too the TJ out and picked up another RV. Had to stack rocks and split rounds with my chainsaw and axe to get the dump trailer close.

Power steering line on the cooler I installed pulled out of the flare and dumped most of the fluid. Hope 25 miles of driving didn't cook the new pump. I'll make a new tube and do a better job of attaching it to something so it moves less.

-Mac

 

[Zorba]

Local paper came out to a trash cleanup. Figured they'd write something up and bury it in features or something...not all over the front page.

Also too the TJ out and picked up another RV. Had to stack rocks and split rounds with my chainsaw and axe to get the dump trailer close.

Power steering line on the cooler I installed pulled out of the flare and dumped most of the fluid. Hope 25 miles of driving didn't cook the new pump. I'll make a new tube and do a better job of attaching it to something so it moves less.

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-Mac

How lovely that they paired it with the "Birthright citizenship" bullshit...

 

[NashvilleTJ]

That’s very cool, Mac. Congrats on the recognition. Well deserved.

 

[macleanflood]

How lovely that they paired it with the "Birthright citizenship" bullshit...

Well it's the usual trashy news...

-Mac

 

[Woodrow]

Little details...swapped the shattered fuel pressure gauge with one from K-Motor. No idea why the Racetronix cracked. Either under hood heat or something bounced off the gauge.

Swapped the electrical connector for the oil pressure sensor with one from Wells. Took the opportunity to make it six inches longer. Noticed I was missing the weather seal. Oil pressure gauge (dash) is now working...will it stay working is the question. I really don't give a shit about it other than it constantly dropping out and beeping. If this doesn't work I'm going to wire in a rheostat and figure out what resistance to feed the PCM.

I've got two weeks of vacation I need to use up. Either thinking a Rubicon/Fordyce run or up to Canada for the Whipsaw. Now I need to find folks who want to go. =)

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-Mac

Fordyce when?

 

[macleanflood]

Fordyce when?

Anytime. I'll call in sick tomorrow. =)

You probably have a more impacted schedule that me. Name a time.

And we need to give @Wildman another 48 hours to finish reinstalling his axle.

-Mac

 

[Woodrow]

Anytime. I'll call in sick tomorrow. =)

You probably have a more impacted schedule that me. Name a time.

And we need to give @Wildman another 48 hours to finish reinstalling his axle.

-Mac

I’m thinking second and half of September if there’s not a fire

 

[macleanflood]

I’m thinking second and half of September if there’s not a fire

Catina at the Con followed by Fordyce?

-Mac

 

[FarFire70]

Mac, I've been thinking and curious how you approach these abandoned vehicles that are likely used to produce drugs or used for drug use. How do you and your team protect yourselves from needles?

 

[macleanflood]

Mac, I've been thinking and curious how you approach these abandoned vehicles that are likely used to produce drugs or used for drug use. How do you and your team protect yourselves from needles?

Carefully. We usually don't stick hands into anything we can't see. Rakes, shovels...I have a pair of plastic tongs I call my meth tongs.

-Mac

 

[Wildman]

Anytime. I'll call in sick tomorrow. =)

You probably have a more impacted schedule that me. Name a time.

And we need to give @Wildman another 48 hours to finish reinstalling his axle.

-Mac

If my power would stop going out.... Was heading out to the garage yesterday and BOOM no power... Didn't come back on until almost 6PM so yesterday was a bust...

Slept like shit last night but going to get some work done today... Fingers crossed it'll be reinstalled NLT Friday morning.

If things are going OK and the Jeep isn't broken again I'd be down with the middle of Sept...