Ford Ranger-Update

This one is closed ended glass but no pass through..which I may have to change. And the inside of the shell has some sort of sound deadner about 3/8 thick, which looks a lot like carpet from the user side.

The side doors all open into storage compartments. Not very deep, but more than usable. I went through my Stacks O Stuff yesterday and got enough plastic and steel bins to populate all the upper shelves, and I went to Horrible Freight and bought soft sided tool bags for specific tools I need for specific reoccuring jobs.. When Its loaded..Il take some pictures and post em

Gunner

Which is why Im tickeled there are no side windows anymore. And expanded metal on the rear windows.

Used to scare the piss out of me that someone would clean me out again like they did in 2000. $11k worth of tools and spare parts evaporated one night. Which is why I dont keep my SnapOn/Proto/Sk/ etc tools on the truck anymore. Swap meet/Harbor Freight tools only.

Gunner

People used to ask to borrow my stepvan to move stuff, even though it had those narrow hinged doors on the back. About a 30 inch opening. One idiot claimed he could get a piano in through the passenger door. I just loaded it with everything I needed on job sites and after one look, they would change their minds. They could borrow it, only if:

1: 2: They filled the gas tank after they were finished. 3: They washed the truck, after they were finished. 4: They reloaded the truck, exactly like they found it, after they were finished. 5: They signed a paper to take full responsibility for any damage, tickets or fines.

Then I would tell them it takes a full day to just unload the truck. ;-)

Nice, but where is the "Protected by Smith & Wesson" decal?

Who says that success requires having employees? I'm quite happy with _my_ little one-man business* -- why can't I be a success when it's just me?

• And almost nothing to do with metalworking, except for soldering up the occasional circuit board, mounting prototypes in cases, and maybe telling off the occasional mechanical engineer who really _should_ know more than I do about their job.

IMHO the best time to buy durable big-ticket tools is when you're temporarily flush, and can buy for cash. Then when the next squeeze comes along you have the tool, and can use it to get more business.

On Sep 3, 12:19 pm, "B.B." wrote: ...

I installed an "OJ" switch to turn off the inside light in my '91 Ranger (so named because he smashed the bulb in his Bronco).

With the inside and cargo bed lights removed there was a good place to drill the bracket for a 1/4" Alco switch. The handle passes through a slit in the inside liner.

I also added very useful tiedown rings to the frame below the front of the bed while replacing rusted-out cab mounts.

jw

On Sep 3, 3:03 pm, Tim Wescott wrote: ...

Your (gulp-$60) book looks interesting. I'd like to find a book that teaches servo loops in an intuitive rather than formulaic way. Before I order a copy, how much programming experience is necessary? I've written a lot in Qbasic and Pascal and slightly understand c, but have only done motion control open-loop.

jw

I thought the price was a bit high, too. My editor insisted that sales would suffer if it were priced too low, because folks would perceive it as being less valuable. She's probably right -- I have a friend whose business really took off _after_ she raised her prices by 20%.

There's no programming at all for the first 80% of the book. For the first eight chapters I present the theory and math, and how they relate to the real world. Only when you get to chapters 9 and 10 will you find yourself needing to read code -- and there I think if you can program Pascal you'll be able to read C with a bit of practice.

Amazon often has used copies that are discounted by $5 or so. There's a link to Powell's Books on my website, and Powell's will also sometimes have used copies.

If you get the book keep an eye on the errata and the addenda. As astonishing as it may seem, I actually managed to let some errors creep in (including one that involves about a page of convoluted math that can all be sidestepped by one simple observation). In addition, since the book has come out I've had the chance to expand sections of it. So you'll find both of those supplements useful as you go through the book.

Indeed. Thats what Im trying to do.

There is a set of van shelves/bins/racks in So. Cal for $200 used, 3 pieces..I dont know if they are all the same or different.

There is also a brandnew set out of a 07 ford van for $600. Im not sure the extra $400 is worth fresh paint

Others....

This van will be my heavy hauler.

Gunner

Shrug...dont have one. Worst thing about changing over..is having to wait for the county fair to get another Cowboy Calvin pissing on the word Liberal decal like I have in the rear window of my current shell.

That and the NRA Life and Ernie Ball stickers

Gunner

How about the, "If you're close enough to read this, PRAY!!!" bumper sticker? ;-)

That's a nice top, it'll serve well.

I always took my dog (serious Alpha-male border collie/malamute) with me when I worked away from the shop, he'd lay under the truck and not let anyone close without snarling. Looked pretty horrid when he'd go off, especially when he was inside the truck. Never had any tools stolen from the truck, so he did a good job. A good dog makes for good business relations, as long as he's comfortable with kids and shop cats..

John

***************************** *****************************

There's a recipe for an early grave if I ever heard one, why does he hate you so?

1. Because he is a Dutch queer
2. Because I love his artistry, but hold everything else he says in amused contempt
3. Because he is a Dutch queer, he is a socialist, and Im not.

I could come up with various other reasons...shrug..but I dont bother myself with pissmiers.

Gunner

I was working on 138 street off Bruckner Blvd. in the south Bronx several years ago. I left my keys hanging in the trunk lock..with all my tools in the trunk. Nobody ever bothered it.

John

SWMBO applied the following to a rather straight laced friend's rear bumper "Get any closer and I will FART" Gerry :-)} London, Canada

Must have been a Ford: "Farting Old Ragged Dog". ;-)

My notice was written in pencil. If you COULD see it, it was too late to pray. :(

I saw a bumper sticker that said: "Back off or I'll flick boogers on your windshield!"

Hey Gunner,

This is the perfect web site for you:

"The Get Poor Manifesto".

Read it. Maybe, you'll learn something useful.

Abrasha