Merry christmas, everyone!!

 

Right back at ya.

Lookin' good. I know all about the 'get up off the floor' thing. I am old, plus, I have MS..... So, I can make that trip maybe three or four times, then, I am done for the day..... and if its cold, or hot...... 3 is being optimistic. Hence, I don't do much of my own work any more. It sucks, but, much as I would love to do more, I have learned the hard way, what my limits are.

 

I feel ya. I try to focus on the end result. It's my motivation. Once I finish my personal property claim I can focus all my motivation toward the end result.

 

Happy New year to all the Dodge Dakota fans! I set a goal to finish my personal property inventory for the insurance claim by year end, and my wife and I got it done today! Hand tools and equipment - $33k. Motor vehicles/components - $69K. Next step is to submit it to the insurance company and see what they come back with. I am crossing my fingers for a good new year!

 

Good luck with that.... Hopefully your insurance company will actually pay you......

 

They did me right on the structure claim. My only concerns are the amount of depreciation they want to apply, and the motor vehicle related components/vehicles. The policy has a paragraph that states vehicles and/or components are not covered. My attorney is currently on standby... The insurance company also returned all of the evidence that was removed from the building for the investigations. They asked if I wanted it, or should they dispose of it, and I wanted it back in case this ordeal ends up in court somewhere. Between the insurance company, Ryobi, or Home Depot's product liability insurance, someone is going to pay.

 

I can kinda/sorta understand not covering COMPLETE vehicles...... but, parts are parts. New or used, they have value, and your car insurance isn't going to insure a motor sitting on an engine stand....... To me, that would fall under the category of 'contents', not vehicles..... But, that's just me.

I filed a theft claim long ago, and far away, when some kids broke into my garage, and stole a bunch of tools. What I found absolutely hilarious about the whole thing though, was they took the air tools that had fittings on them, but, left the Brand New still in the box tools on the shelf. Insurance company paid, but not nearly enough to cover loss......

 

After a couple hours of measuring, checking, moving this, measuring again, I have finally gotten the rear link brackets tack welded to the rear axle housing. This is very important for the rear suspension to function properly. I also checked all the angle after tack welding to make sure they didn't move on me once the welds contracted. I went out and bought the tools necessary to pull the outer axle bearings and seals. For welding the axle tubes to the pumpkin, I will preheat the pumpkin with a torch to help achieve penetration. Moving closer to yanking the old rear end and leaf springs out!

 

Today I decided to strip the backside of the dash to see what I will be facing (metal-wise). This farmer was a hack mechanic. Instead of repairing damaged metal, he would bolt plates over the top of it, using different size nuts and bolts along the way. With some help from the wife on the inside of the cab, we managed to get it all off. Copious amounts of penetrating oil was used everywhere. The dash and firewall are now down to the point I can see what I will be facing. I am not really surprised for a 74 year old truck, to be honest...

 

Considering its age, it really doesn't look that bad. Repairable, at any rate.