WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR TRUCK TODAY!

Spent all afternoon and a chunk of evening trying to get at the heater unit to swap out a leaky matrix whilst following the Haynes manual, who's instructions went something like this (though I've left a fair bit out):

-remove facia to allow access to heater unit (easy right?)...
-...but before you can do that, remove the instrument panel...
-...and to do that, you'll first have to remove x trim panel...
-...and then y trim panel...
-...but only after removing the steering column...
-...for which you'll need to remove the steering wheel...
-...after you've unclipped a MILLION multi pulgs...
-...and unwound the utter and complete cluster f*ck that VX call a wiring loom and alarm system..
-...oh and don't forget the centre console...
-...who's fastenings are under the rear console, so probably best start with that.

I love my manual, but sometimes it really does seem to make tying us up in knots something of a passtime :evil:

With luck and a following wind it'll all be back together tomorrow, and a step-by-step guide added with photo's to assist others in not going slightly cross eyed flicking back and forth in the anti-bible that is Haynes :-)

I hope never to feel your pain Lee :oh yer:

Good on ya if you sort a write up, the haynes does go arse about breast sometimes :roll:

Modified one of my wheel arches during my lunch break, other one will be done tomorrow ready for the tyres tomorrow afternoon.

While doing that, found my first patch of rust. :grumpy:

im onto my 100th patch of rust .

I modified the front under the bumper for offroading made some protection for the radiaitor by filling in the big gap with a washing machine drum will post pictures later as im cold n wet

I received a couple of my eBay purchases today in preperation for my off-roading at Drumclog on Sunday.
1. Kinetic Recovery rope...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0548708913
Received after only 3 days.

2. Large Cargo Net for my bonnet...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0117668159
Received next day.

Bring on the mud !!

Oh, and I have just ordered a new cover for the spare wheel.

Replaced the heater matrix... and what a job that one is!! See how to in "interiors", though no photos for now which is annoying...

Afer a blow out on the M62 last week, replaced the nasty old cracked (through age, not use I feel) tyres with 4 new ones - Falken Land Air ATs... Cheap and cheerful I know, but will do for me as a weekend use boat tower and launcher.

Quite pleased with them - ordered for 300 all in from BlackCircles.comyesterday, and fitted today about a mile down the road as part of the deal.

Well done the heads on the 2.5td yesterday and today. I found it much easier to take the heads off with the manifolds still attached rather than trying to get in at those nuts in the hard to reach places and the same when putting them back together but only put the nuts on finger tight.
But good news all seams fine and she is also quieter than she was befor hand

just have to do 2small bits of welding ready for the MOT on friday

Got my new tyres fitted. :dance:

My recovery straps n shackles arrived today well impressed quick delivery
http://www.slingsandstraps.co.uk/shop/a ... 3DTSBSH%26
this is what i bought.

Yesterday I was mostly waiting for the AA man to arrive on the A43 between Oxfordshire and Northampton.

Why
because there was a "POP" loads of water and shouts of "CHOO CHOO" from passing motorist, :oops:

this is the result of :!:

HEAD GASKET :evil:

Not very happy :cry:

Gaz

This was what i done the other day now i found usb cables.

I covered that big hole using a washing machine drum . basically cut an old drum down one side grinded of couple of bits flattend it out an cut what i needed off.This willkeep the rocks an branches out my radiator when offroading an still let the air through.

That looks familiar Drinks

And it works, the bottom end of the rad was spotless, where it normally has weeks and crud tangled in it :dance:

Aye an i said a washing machine drum but you never listened :lol:

i said it was a good idea just mines better

sorted winch wire out, cb, and camber today. thanks to a very good mate. just the wheel bearing to sort now. :dance:

. youknow who your mates are when you cant do it yourself due to an accident. :dance:

Fitted a couple of shackles on the front, and re-fitted the tow strap. Also fitted a shackle on the rear. All in preparation for getting stuck in the mud come Sunday. :lol:

had my trooper coil springs fitted today, im sure its at least 2" min higher so im well pleased :wink:

Checked and adjusted tyre pressures...
Checked oil and left it alone...
Checked and filled screen washer bottle...
Checked and refilled header tank... only to find out where all my coolant has been going :oops:

Header Tank cracked on top!!
Phoned local motor factors.. none of them sell header tanks!
Phoned Car Transplants and Hey Presto!! One header Tank, removed from car for me and only £5.88 inc VAT :dance:

Now I've got to empty the old one and fit the new one.