Nostalgia

And unfortunately, it's not going to be too terribly positive. I bought a truck about three weeks ago, and have done absolutely nothing but spend money on it. Granted, I'm making it exactly how I want it, but still, I'm getting close to spending as much on aftermarket performance stuff as the truck is worth. I had to get tires within the first two days of the purchase, because the idiot I bought it from had been running on two different sized tires for at least a year, and it needed an alignment badly. So, I shelled out eight hundy on brand spankin' new excellent tires. Then I spent an additional thirty on alignment parts. After that was done, I bought an aftermarket air intake for it that increased my power by a few horses and my mileage quite a bit. That ran about 300, and then I got my federal refund back, so I went and purchased an aftermarket high-flow exhaust system to- believe it or not- increase the power and mileage. While the truck as in the shop today, I had the guy look at some stuff I was concerned about. My driveshaft has an inch or so of rotational movement, which is considered excessive. I told him this, and this is the list I got back of **** that needs fixing:
Excessive backlash in pinion gear/excessive metal in fluid. Needs investigation.
Upper and lower ball joints worn and need replacement
Left inner tie rod end is worn and needs replacement
Shocks leaking and need replacement.

Okay, so some of that explains why the alignment was absolute hell to do.
I'm pretty sure the whole metal-in-the-differential-fluid has something to do with the 2 different sized tires. Hopefully it is just some worn gears, possibly change the fluid and go on my way. If not, differential rebuild = $$$$. Ball joints, I can do those myself. Tie rod end, don't really want to.
I guess I'll be driving this truck for a while!

On a lighter note, I have less than ten days until I leave for South Dakota for a few days to get my pre-ranch liver conditioning done. I'm going up to visit my buddy Paul, who is getting married in August and my old boss, Brad. I'll be up there for two and a half days or so before I turn around and come home to go to a Shinedown concert in Denver. The day after that, I'm ranch-bound. I'll be there till September, then it's hopefully up to South Dakota again for a month or so, then to Arizona or New Mexico for some warmer winter weather and a job.
Things (not money related) are going well. I have a job thank goodness, to help pay for all the vehicle stuff. I absolutely hate mucking stalls, but it would have been a long month between school ending and heading back to the hills. But let me tell you- six hours of nothing but horse **** will drive you insane. I knew there was a reason I quit last time!
That's all for now, folks. I probably won't be blogging much after this, what with having to walk half a mile to get internet service and having to hide my computer so the guests don't realize that there is internet at the house.
So, if I don't make it back before I leave, so long! Take care! I will miss you, even if my participation has been lacking lately.