Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (1 Viewer)

[Weber Sarge]

Interesting thoughts on the magnesium , might have to try that . Cramps just suck and take all your sleep away - my leg injuries have created issues with severe cramping from the waist down a lot when I try to sleep and the meds don't help that .

Your dogs are doing a typical pack protection routine and it's nothing to fret about . The younger one needs to learn who is the leader of said pack , since you have a senior dog he's trying to take over - time to put him down a notch and keep him there or it will get worse with age . My GSD just got clipped to help with his attitude and hopefully slow his energy down a bit - novel idea I know but it does sometimes work ...
I have nearly zero issues with him off-leash despite being in town since he was taught where our borders are , but stray dogs and humans still pose a problem if they display the wrong attitude and he's sent several stray dogs out of here bleeding/limping .

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Interesting thoughts on the magnesium , might have to try that . Cramps just suck and take all your sleep away - my leg injuries have created issues with severe cramping from the waist down a lot when I try to sleep and the meds don't help that .

Your dogs are doing a typical pack protection routine and it's nothing to fret about . The younger one needs to learn who is the leader of said pack , since you have a senior dog he's trying to take over - time to put him down a notch and keep him there or it will get worse with age . My GSD just got clipped to help with his attitude and hopefully slow his energy down a bit - novel idea I know but it does sometimes work ...
I have nearly zero issues with him off-leash despite being in town since he was taught where our borders are , but stray dogs and humans still pose a problem if they display the wrong attitude and he's sent several stray dogs out of here bleeding/limping .

Sarge

Please realize, Sarge... I'm not doctor and don't possess any real knowledge in anything any more... I just like to visit with a variety of doctors as frequently as I can...

Chester has been clipped... we have always had them neutered at 4 months (I think)... the breeder asked us to wait until Chester was TWO years... We spoke to a vet in Austin, after we picked him up and were told "8 months"... we consulted Gunner's vet, here in Vegas and he also said "8 months". So, we had him clipped at 8 months... I wish we had followed our instincts and had him clipped at 4 months.

He's a GREAT dog and really sweet... he's also the best watch dog we have ever had... he's the smallest full`blooded Golden Retriever we've had and considerably stronger than any we have ever had, including Mr Parker (109 lbs)... Chester is 65 lbs.

He only has three issues, but at my age, they are big issues... 1) he applies constant pressure on the leash... by the time I get home, my left arm is dead (I'm afraid to use my right arm, after tearing the triceps tendon); 2) He wants to play with every dog or human he sees... but, he gives the appearance of being aggressive (stands on hind legs and drags me to them... I can barely hold him back); 3) When he wants to play, he runs off and expects me to chase him... I have to fool him to get him to come back (drive off and make him chase me until he's thirsty, etc.).

The problem is... my back/hip/leg issues started the week before we picked up Chester and ran until a month or so ago (about 7 months)... I couldn't work with him the way I have always worked with our others. Dianna did the best she could, but he still has these three issues.

We take him to Doggie Daycare when we have to drive across town (about once per week) and they brag about how well he plays with all the other dogs.

We have a recommendation for a great trainer and are going to enroll him after the holidays... he's too strong for us to chance getting hurt and way too good a dog to give up on!!

Ironically, he is just as aggressive with Gunner as Gunner was, as a pup, with Mr Parker... but, Gunner eventually yells at him.

You are correct... we have to get control... and we will!!

 

[78fj40mg]

Danny it sounds like you need the "Dog Whisperer"
Chester thinks he's the alpha dog and as such he takes the lead when he needs to be following your lead.
Many more episodes here with Cesar Millan.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Danny it sounds like you need the "Dog Whisperer"
Chester thinks he's the alpha dog and as such he takes the lead when he needs to be following your lead.
Many more episodes here with Cesar Millan.

I've spent a lot of time with Cesar, Mike... he's at a complete loss... Chester is simply too unique...

Thanks for the link though, I loaned my DVDs out in Austin and never saw them again.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

You are correct... we have to get control... and we will!!

As another resource.... my wife and are in Search and Rescue and trail with bloodhounds. If you ever want to feel good about your pooch by comparision - I'll just give you this as a teaser. We've deducted for losses on account of damage done by the bored bloodhounds... multiples of 5 figure deduction. if you do get stuck, we have lots of resources pretty much everywhere.

Ummm, with that said, doggie daycares can be the worst thing, ever, for a dog. Some dogs thrive there, others become wrecks. What really is a red-flag (to me) in the very brief things you said is "they play well" - working dogs need a job, not an opportunity to run amok. I have friends with herding dogs who pay for their dogs to go herd sheep at least a few times per week. It keeps the dogs sane. Goldens are the same - they're a working dog, in a family with kids they are the most amazing dogs because they work to keep the family safe... OTOH, without a task, they can get bored pretty easily. Perhaps you can get your daycare place to start teaching them agility? or, if you want to participate, many people have had a lot of luck nose-works. Basically, it's teaching a dog to identify what box a specific scent is in, quickly. It's done in an arena, so it's a safe, easy-to-learn, and enjoyable thing for dogs to do. Put that guy to work

to enlighen on why wait until they'rer two to neuter. Some breeds have problems with weak hips, if you wait until they're done growing (generally the growth plates close at 2) they have less trouble with their joints. With that said, if you wait, you can have behavior issues.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

As another resource.... my wife and are in Search and Rescue and trail with bloodhounds. If you ever want to feel good about your pooch by comparision - I'll just give you this as a teaser. We've deducted for losses on account of damage done by the bored bloodhounds... multiples of 5 figure deduction. if you do get stuck, we have lots of resources pretty much everywhere.

Ummm, with that said, doggie daycares can be the worst thing, ever, for a dog. Some dogs thrive there, others become wrecks. What really is a red-flag (to me) in the very brief things you said is "they play well" - working dogs need a job, not an opportunity to run amok. I have friends with herding dogs who pay for their dogs to go herd sheep at least a few times per week. It keeps the dogs sane. Goldens are the same - they're a working dog, in a family with kids they are the most amazing dogs because they work to keep the family safe... OTOH, without a task, they can get bored pretty easily. Perhaps you can get your daycare place to start teaching them agility? or, if you want to participate, many people have had a lot of luck nose-works. Basically, it's teaching a dog to identify what box a specific scent is in, quickly. It's done in an arena, so it's a safe, easy-to-learn, and enjoyable thing for dogs to do. Put that guy to work

to enlighen on why wait until they'rer two to neuter. Some breeds have problems with weak hips, if you wait until they're done growing (generally the growth plates close at 2) they have less trouble with their joints. With that said, if you wait, you can have behavior issues.

The plate thing is how the breeder explained their request... the two vets felt the potential behavior issues overulled two years and suggested 8 mos instead.

As much as she loves Chester, I can't imagine Dianna abiding a dog that destroys everything...

We had a few issues with Chester unraveling cheap throw rugs, but he's gotten over that by chewing on Gunner..

Chester is a great Golden (and we've had many), he is also the most unique Golden we've had... this is the one that I expect to be my constant companion for the rest of my life. He loves to sit right at my shoulder, as I drive... he loves to put his head right at my shoulder and watch as I wrench... he's so curious!!

I don't hunt, but I fly fish and Chester loves to stand with me while I fish... I haven't had an opportunity to take him on my pontoon, but he will love riding on there and watching the ducks and the fish... and the requisite swimming... The nose-works sounds like something worth researching!!

I think I'm going to take a few trips, alternating dogs... I don't feel Gunner gets a chance to be near me, with Chester along... plus, right now, he has to have Chester leashed to him. That will also give me more quality time with Chester on his trips.

Thanks!

 

[Weber Sarge]

For the most part , I agree with Cesar's main rules for handling a dog - the biggest part is being a pack leader . Most people miss the subtle cues he gives about training and being said leader - the most important is to never let the dog go first in any manner . If you do , the argument is already lost until the setting changes - like after you can finally get him in the truck . Also , giving a working dog a job helps a lot more than folks think - they need a purpose or otherwise get lost in their own energy . As soon as I get one of my Singer machines correctly set and timed I'm going to build a few pocketed nylon carriers for water bottles and such for the Shep's energy issue and boredom problems . If my wife takes him outside she loses control at the door - he usually just pushes her out of the way and then will not obey any commands once outside . I do not have that issue since I control both dogs by going first - by being the leader of the pack . Once outside and off leash , he's fine . Biggest problem we have here is controlling visitors - they want to play/pet/talk to him , which results in uncontrolled excitement . Result is knocking over furniture , knocking down said guests (he's 90lbs) and not listening to commands . I need to do a "rules sign" on our door about "no talk , no touch , no eye contact " to control our guests and his habitual bad behavior .

I get the whole leashing the two dogs together , but that may be a bad thing since he's leading a senior dog around - that makes him a leader of sorts and probably is the cause of ignoring commands when he's off leash . I'm sure he's a different animal once inside a controlled area such as the truck or the house - it's your domain and he has to obey dog rules there since he's a "guest" . If he's allowed to keep controlling leadership his next step is to fiercely protect his leadership and territory - that could be the house as well as the truck and it's never a good thing . Dogs should alert you when at home and that's fine - one that has been allowed to be an alpha of any sort will take it to an aggressive level to maintain control of his position as leader of the pack as that's bad .

If he's pulling while on the leash - make him sit first and relax , and sign or feeling of being tense has to be stopped before you move , and you must always move first . If he tries to get ahead and pull , a sharp tug to the side will knock him out of his forward focus . If you pull back , to him it's a challenge for leadership and he will win that battle , and every time he wins it reinforces his position as leader . Also , another huge issue is the owner's demeanor and attitude - you must stay calm and confident to keep control - excitement and tension is something dogs can sense even at a distance and they will use that against you . Cesar teaches owners "calm assertive" and it's quite a useful tool . Use your own confidence , as a vet it will serve you well and your wife can learn to use it too .

Anyway , for tech - since you are a hiking enthusiast , let him carry a pack and make him work and earn any rewards . That would be a great start and useful exercise .

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

For the most part , I agree with Cesar's main rules for handling a dog - the biggest part is being a pack leader . Most people miss the subtle cues he gives about training and being said leader - the most important is to never let the dog go first in any manner . If you do , the argument is already lost until the setting changes - like after you can finally get him in the truck . Also , giving a working dog a job helps a lot more than folks think - they need a purpose or otherwise get lost in their own energy . As soon as I get one of my Singer machines correctly set and timed I'm going to build a few pocketed nylon carriers for water bottles and such for the Shep's energy issue and boredom problems . If my wife takes him outside she loses control at the door - he usually just pushes her out of the way and then will not obey any commands once outside . I do not have that issue since I control both dogs by going first - by being the leader of the pack . Once outside and off leash , he's fine . Biggest problem we have here is controlling visitors - they want to play/pet/talk to him , which results in uncontrolled excitement . Result is knocking over furniture , knocking down said guests (he's 90lbs) and not listening to commands . I need to do a "rules sign" on our door about "no talk , no touch , no eye contact " to control our guests and his habitual bad behavior .

I get the whole leashing the two dogs together , but that may be a bad thing since he's leading a senior dog around - that makes him a leader of sorts and probably is the cause of ignoring commands when he's off leash . I'm sure he's a different animal once inside a controlled area such as the truck or the house - it's your domain and he has to obey dog rules there since he's a "guest" . If he's allowed to keep controlling leadership his next step is to fiercely protect his leadership and territory - that could be the house as well as the truck and it's never a good thing . Dogs should alert you when at home and that's fine - one that has been allowed to be an alpha of any sort will take it to an aggressive level to maintain control of his position as leader of the pack as that's bad .

If he's pulling while on the leash - make him sit first and relax , and sign or feeling of being tense has to be stopped before you move , and you must always move first . If he tries to get ahead and pull , a sharp tug to the side will knock him out of his forward focus . If you pull back , to him it's a challenge for leadership and he will win that battle , and every time he wins it reinforces his position as leader . Also , another huge issue is the owner's demeanor and attitude - you must stay calm and confident to keep control - excitement and tension is something dogs can sense even at a distance and they will use that against you . Cesar teaches owners "calm assertive" and it's quite a useful tool . Use your own confidence , as a vet it will serve you well and your wife can learn to use it too .

Anyway , for tech - since you are a hiking enthusiast , let him carry a pack and make him work and earn any rewards . That would be a great start and useful exercise .

Sarge

Thanks for taking the time to detail this Sarge! You've listed a couple of things that I had never picked up, from Cesar's videos/program... like tugging sideways... it's always been, as you said, "a challenge", because I'm tugging him back instead.

I've bought a pack and he's gonna be wearing it every time we go out, for a while, even just for a walk.

Yeah, the leashing together was out of frustration... it's been a real challenge... now that I'm feeling good again, I've got to spend some quality time with him!

Thanks!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Patience and consistency is the key , just takes a bit of time and he'll respect you much better .
Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well...I don't know whether I reported that I took 44 to the mechanic yesterday and he said the clutch slave rod was set too tight ... he loosened it and it felt great, as I drove it home.

Yesterday afternoon, I also FINALLY realized that I inadvertently rotated my aux tank filler neck 90* when I installed it months ago. That rotation resulted in the breather being way too low on the filler neck... the breather was at 9 o'clock.

I pulled the neck and rotated it - the breather is now at 12 o'clock... so, this morning, daBoise and I fired up 44 and drove to the bank to cash some pet insurance checks and the clutch died at the bank window. Turns out the slave cylinder rod popped out of the cylinder... this is warranty item, from my rebuild. So, I retrieved the Tundra with my tow bar in the back, hooked 44 up and pulled her back to the mechanic.

The mechanic looked at it and said that it messed up the seal, so he's sourcing a new slave and I'll pick 44 up in the morning and tow her back... I'll stop at a gas station on the way back and see if the aux tank fills easier...

Film at 11....

 

[Solace in Solitude]

The other day, I took a ride on a city bus... I hadn't ridden one in Vegas before and hadn't ridden one at all, since I quit working in downtown Austin, TX back in 1995(?). I've always liked riding a city bus line and watching the people get on and get off... its interesting watching them chose their seat... I used to try to guess who would sit by whom and who would be left to sit alone.. kinda like being chosen last for a team... so, I thought , I'm retired, I have no reason to hurry from point A to point B, why not give it a go!!

So I boarded the bus and rode around for a while then transferred to another line and ended up on the perimeter of the Las Vegas airport. There were a total of about 12 of us, including the driver and everything was going well, when the driver pulled over, next to the perimeter fence, and sat watching the planes taking off and landing. Fine with me, I've no place to be and I also like watching the planes!

So, after about 10 minutes, a lady sitting 4-5 rows back called to the driver, "Sir, will we be continuing soon? I need to make my transfer.". The driver replied, "I usually sit here for about 20-25 minutes and flash my lights to say, "thank you and goodbye" to the fine tourists who left their money in Vegas. I don't know if they can actually see my headlights, but I find it relaxing and invigorating and hope that they know we appreciate them and their money".

The lady replied, "Sir, I'm going to miss my transfer!". This caused an uproar and the driver ultimately decided it might be safer to simply finish his route. We arrived in time for the lady to make her bus and, interestingly, everyone else got off with her... including me. I caught the next bus back the way I came and arrived back at my truck, on time.

But, while travelling back, I mulled over the driver's apparent lack of concern for meeting schedules and wondered if others have also witnessed this phenomenon...


=======================================================================================

Technically.. about a year ago, I ordered a roll of foil-faced, butyl-backed "sound deadener/insulation" 110mm thick. I planned to cover the inside of the firewall and the floor. Then my medical issues kicked in and I had to delay.

Now, I have kids coming for the holidays... so, after the holidays are over and life calms down, I'm going to remove 44's floor mat and seats and cut the roll down to manageable pieces and place them, with the backing still in place, and put the mat and seats back in. I want to drive her a bit and see how this product performs before actually installing it.

I also plan to take a decent sized scrap and 'bed line it', to see whether it's feasible to bed line over it. I'm hoping both the product and the bed liner over it are a feasible way of re-finishing 44's floor.

Has anyone ever bed lined over a foil-faced, butyl-backed product before? How did it turn out?

 

[Bambi Girl]

Hi Danny
I had a similar bus experience in New Zealand .
While taking off from Wellington this bus driver stopped at the bus stop and was flashing the head lights of the bus.
He must have been saying good by to a special friend.
Your driver must be related to the Kiwi driver.
Strange.
May be its some Secret bus driver thing.

Re the Reso Mat
I have combined this with Fire Wall insulation .
The temperature of the floor would not get much higher than 30 deg C
Plus the sound deader properties are excellent.
Cheers Peter


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Hi Danny
I had a similar bus experience in New Zealand .
While taking off from Wellington this bus driver stopped at the bus stop and was flashing the head lights of the bus.
He must have been saying good by to a special friend.
Your driver must be related to the Kiwi driver.
Strange.
May be its some Secret bus driver thing.

Re the Reso Mat
I have combined this with Fire Wall insulation .
The temperature of the floor would not get much higher than 30 deg C
Plus the sound deader properties are excellent.
Cheers Peter


...via IH8MUD app

Hi Peter,

Interesting, about that Kiwi bus driver! Since it happened in New Zealand, I wonder if Tom (@lostmarbles ) has heard of this bizarre behavior?

Thanks for the Reso Mat info! I'm gonna 'av a go at it... I'll do a shooftee and it's gonna be hard yakka! But, I'm game as a Phar Lap!

Cheers!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I love it!!

Today is Chester's 1st Birthday. I took him and Gunner for a drive in the Tundra, we picked up 44 and towed her back.

Here's a picture of the two of them in their natural element.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well...I don't know whether I reported that I took 44 to the mechanic yesterday and he said the clutch slave rod was set too tight ... he loosened it and it felt great, as I drove it home.

Yesterday afternoon, I also FINALLY realized that I inadvertently rotated my aux tank filler neck 90* when I installed it months ago. That rotation resulted in the breather being way too low on the filler neck... the breather was at 9 o'clock.

I pulled the neck and rotated it - the breather is now at 12 o'clock... so, this morning, daBoise and I fired up 44 and drove to the bank to cash some pet insurance checks and the clutch died at the bank window. Turns out the slave cylinder rod popped out of the cylinder... this is warranty item, from my rebuild. So, I retrieved the Tundra with my tow bar in the back, hooked 44 up and pulled her back to the mechanic.

The mechanic looked at it and said that it messed up the seal, so he's sourcing a new slave and I'll pick 44 up in the morning and tow her back... I'll stop at a gas station on the way back and see if the aux tank fills easier...

Film at 11....

So... daBoise and I towed 44 home this morning and stopped at a Shell station ... the aux tank that I have been spending much of my retirement time filling. Now, I can spend all my retirement funds instead!!

My stupid mistake in not ensuring I had the breather at 12 o'clock on the filler neck has shortened my life significantly... but it works great now anyway... EDIT: HERE is the "Slow Aux Tank Fill" thread

I posted this in the previous post, but want to be sure people see my babies in their natural element!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

daBoise and I put the Tundra in storage... gotta have plenty of room in the driveway for Santa... then drove 44 for a while and the clutch is perfect!! I thought the pedal was a bit high before, but it felt good, so... now it feels correct and no slipping.

I spoke to the mechanic and he told me it was all his fault... he forgot to check pedal height, after he installed the new slave cylinder, after the 2F rebuild.

But, this taught me a lesson... for <$30, I'm ordering a new Aisin slave, to carry as a spare.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I love my Trasheroo... I carry firewood on the way out and trash in the way back in.

But, I've always hated the blank, black look... Especially since it started fading.

So I decided to glue on some patches that are associated with my Air Force career.... Major Air Commands (most no longer active), couple of locations (one long gone and the other seems to be in the process of being reactivated), etc.

 

[lostmarbles]

The other day, I took a ride on a city bus... ...... when the driver pulled over, next to the perimeter fence, and sat watching the planes taking off and landing. Fine with me, I've no place to be and I also like watching the planes!..So, after about 10 minutes, a lady sitting 4-5 rows back called to the driver, "Sir, will we be continuing soon? I need to make my transfer.". The driver replied, "I usually sit here for about 20-25 minutes and flash my lights to say, "thank you and goodbye" to the fine tourists who left their money in Vegas. I don't know if they can actually see my headlights, but I find it relaxing and invigorating and hope that they know we appreciate them and their money".....The lady replied, "Sir, I'm going to miss my transfer!". This caused an uproar and the driver ultimately decided it might be safer to simply finish his route. We arrived in time for the lady to make her bus and, interestingly, everyone else got off with her... including me. I caught the next bus back the way I came and arrived back at my truck, on time...
But, while travelling back, I mulled over the driver's apparent lack of concern for meeting schedules and wondered if others have also witnessed this phenomenon...
Has anyone ever bed lined over a foil-faced, butyl-backed product before? How did it turn out?

Hi Danny
I had a similar bus experience in New Zealand .
While taking off from Wellington this bus driver stopped at the bus stop and was flashing the head lights of the bus.
He must have been saying good by to a special friend.
Your driver must be related to the Kiwi driver.
Strange.
May be its some Secret bus driver thing.

Re the Reso Mat
I have combined this with Fire Wall insulation .
The temperature of the floor would not get much higher than 30 deg C
Plus the sound deader properties are excellent.
Cheers Peter

Hi Peter,
Interesting, about that Kiwi bus driver! Since it happened in New Zealand, I wonder if Tom (@lostmarbles ) has heard of this bizarre behavior?
Thanks for the Reso Mat info! I'm gonna 'av a go at it... I'll do a shooftee and it's gonna be hard yakka! But, I'm game as a Phar Lap!
Cheers!

Ha ha..

What a coincidence!

You're probably not aware Danny that I have climbed the career ladder to the top rung and now work as a bus driver here in New Zealand...
Been doing it a while now too.. Here's me 21 years ago driving one of our old electric buses..

The motors and axles etc on these old Volvos were used to manufacture the low-floor electric buses we still use today..

Here's one of these "new trolley buses" on fire here in Newtown (a suburb of my city) a few years back:

(Sorry about the fact that it's on fire.. But it usually takes something like that to encourage me to store a photograph of a bus.. Because I'm not really an omnibus enthusiast.)

And back on the subject of coincidence .. I should explain Peter's post. About 4 weeks ago Peter was kind enough to drop me off at my "sign-on depot" on his way to the airport here (albeit .... LATE ... but then that was my fault because I'm the one with the local knowledge of travel times and we just kept talking too much ...). Anyway, his flight was due to take off at 4pm that day and I just so happened to be driving my bus towards a taxiing plane on the runway at exactly that time and so I flashed my lights at him multiple times. (Note that I did NOT park there to thank him and his fellow passengers for helping our local economy!)

The red arrows below show my bus route at that time and how close to the airport it runs...

As for that driver Danny.. My bet is that he was fed up with the job and wanted people on his bus to lay complaints so he would be dismissed (to force his hand to get a better job). You've got to have a certain mindset to be a bus driver.

I just read a report (sent to me by the Tramways Union here) from some specialist (in the USA too) about the general poor state of health of suburban bus drivers and the reasons behind it..



As for putting bedliner over foil-faced/butyl-backed sound insulation - I'd say definitely No! ... based on bedliner needing a solid backing.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Yah no bro... What a coincidence aye Tom!


I just figgered the bloke was buggered. Better to be at the airport than out in the wops! I forgot to mention, his route was chocka block!

I didn't question him, as I said, I'm retired, no hurry... But, I worried he might be angus...

Great pics bro! You look mint in the red jacket and red tie bro! The second pic is very pretty and colorful! But, why do they make you drive burning buses, bro? Is your bus line run by the same authority that runs the railway for suburban emus bro?

Judging by the overhead view, you have plenty of opportunities to flash planes, while driving around the airport aye bro? Don't flash the ladies bro!

You look mint in the picture Peter sent, showing the three of you bro! While it's true that many bus drivers I've seen in the states appear overweight and in bad health, you, on the other hand, are slim and trim and the picture of health! Don't you have a macca's over there bro?

All in good fun!!

Thanks for the bedliner info Tom!