Greetings and Salutations!
Maaaaaaaaan kindness and generosity… two really important words in life… Thanks to the unbelievable generosity of one Reader, J3 (as literally ALL of his initials all start with the letter ‘J’) I got a new set of wheels!
Meet the new Boat:
That’s the ’03 Navigator.
Needless to say, I fit juuuust fine in that big ole sucker.
Like me, the paint’s a bit faded, it has it’s quirks (like I need to fix the window on the driver’s side… the motor needs replacing) but also like myself, it’s got a stronk ‘heart’ if you will. Also like me, it just needs some TLC and clean up.
I call it the Boat as OMFG after driving around in that itty-bitty Hyundai with the 4 cylinder hamster under the hood? This 6.0 V-8 scared the Hell out of me when I went for a drive earlier. I stepped on the gas and Hoo-Boy!!! It’s got a whoooooole lotta ‘git up and go!’ which it’s been a looong minute since I had that sort of horsepower hauling my ass around. J3 was also kind enough to come here w/his gracious wife, who spent the majority of the time having the Sausage Princess lay her head in her (the wifes that is) lap, and making besties out of her.
“Never stop petting the dog” is a rule around here… once you pet Stella once you’d better pack a lunch ‘cos she’s NOT going to leave you alone. I got to show off the ‘Museum of Mayhem’, and give him a few things as a thank-you…
We had a nice lunch (again thanks Bro!) and then they had to bail as they had a passel of their kids still at home, with the 17 year old in charge… I remember those days too.
So…
Last night was fun.
I reeee-laxed.
Killed a lot of virtual bad guys who needed killing…
Again, another glorious weekend!
NO DRAMA or Bullshit to be seen!
A man could get used to this…
I haven’t been paying too much attention to the news, outside of the “Credible Threat” shit that came out on Thursday Night. I got a call from a bro at McDill at about 21:00 on Thursday, and last night I got a copy of the alert regarding the “Haj Threat to retired DotMil Kids here in Florida”
And yeah, it’s a legit warning…
I’m of two thoughts on this
ONE is it’s legit… odds on that are about 30 for / 70 against
TWO is that it’s a potential False Flag… odds on that? 80 for / 20 against.
I’m going with Door Number Two Monty.
My rationale for that?
First, it’s been what? Like almost 10 years or more for the whole “Iraq” side of things for the most part. I figure they’d have come after people a LOT sooner. Why now? Not only that, they’d be better off going after active duty guys truth be told. Active duty guys for the most part are NOT allowed (unless married and living off post) to have easy access to personal weapons. Softer targets if you will, whereas Ye Olde Retired Guys? We, for the most part, we’re armed to the fucking teeth and thirst to legally kill some bad guys again.
Secondly, going after the guys who’re retired? The only thing that does IF a bunch of older-ish retired Vets get clapped is create outrage and headlines/lies to push whatever agenda and/or war they want us in next… that and by eliminating the retired SF guys? Well retired SF guys are the ones who the DotGov fears the most. THAT is why there are watchlists and ‘gangstalking’… SF are force multipliers. Trainers. By designation. To train people to form anti-DotGov cadres to assist in overthrowing whatever ‘enemy of the week’ that’s in vogue. So wasting a few would be a net-plus for the current situation(s) we see going on out there.
Either way for the foreseeable future, I’ll be rolling heavy-er than normal. Guess keeping those additional mags for the Grok already was a wise decision… Even walking the doggos now in the yard, I’m rolling with a weapon.
So again, my thanks to ALL of you who’ve been here for the trials and tribulations, and especially a HUGE thanks to J3 for the HUGE assist in providing me a set of wheels. It’s going to make a WORLD of difference now.
As well as Thanks to -Whoever- is “In Charge” out there in the Universe… I needed a win like this.
So More Later
Big Country
Also Courtesy of J3:
That probably has the 5.4L 3 valve V8
Those spark plugs are a nightmare and budget $$$$ to replace them as they like to break off and you need a special, one time use tool to remove them. They may have improved them since I left the car biz in ’13. If you replace them early it isn’t as bad
Keep the oil fresh and enjoy!
had one plug break off in my 2001 ford v-8. remove and replace w/new coil $300ish, the guy said it was a real bitch to get it out..
Fuckin’ A. Let the wins keep stackin’ for ya’.
Hell, the paint may be a little tired but it doesn’t look bad at all. Wish I could find a decent deal on a used F-150, but everything in my AO right now is full retard expensive, or is a complete shitbox (that the seller still wants $3-4K for) not worth giving a second look. Good on ya BC (and J3) for arranging the new transportation.
Do be aware the Navigator used special wheels on at least some model years. I know I had a neighbor some time back that went through hell to find a replacement for theirs. Just don’t curb ’em, or hit any monster potholes.
Never underestimate the ability of the weird beards to pick absolutely the worst time and worst place possible to do stupid shit.
As to why attack retired? They probably think our forces are like theirs, and the oldsters are still active at some point and the more senior (old) the retirees are, the more important and tied into the info net and the control net they are. Just look at any photo of ‘senior leadership’ of any of the weirdbeardbrigades. Most look like they’re 70 in American years, which probably means 40-50 years old actual.
Then there’s the ‘retirees don’t live on base so easier to get to them.’ Nice if it’s California or New York or Assechusetts, but Florida? The Gunshine State?
They do not know how to read the room usually.
You know, like go to shoot up a “Draw Mohammad” art exhibit. In Texas, and not in Austin but in real Texas. (Of course, the two FBIs who were watching did absolutely nothing, of course…)
Glad you have a ride. Well worth it to, when you have the bux, get it completely reconditioned as much as possible, new plugs, new plug wires, new anything that needs periodic maintenance or replacement. Especially do this if there’s a chance of shifting quarters outside of your current location.
Regarding mags, I actually knew someone who had a gun store in the Mijami area. When he mag-dumped 3 full mags into someone trying to shoot him, the cops asked why he shot so many times. The answer, of course, in perfect Floridian, was, “I couldn’t get the other mags out of my pockets.”
Looks like someone done you a solid. Tires even look good. I think you are one of the few people that share my dark sense of humor.
I am glad you have a car. So glad people are rallying around you.
Regarding the warning- last summer/fall, can’t remember, the wife of a SF colonel here noticed two strange men at the back of their lot, photographing her kids. Retrieved kids, called hubby, who confronted them.
They claimed to be utility workers, however, had no company IDs, no uniforms, no equipment, and quickly escalated and became combative, forcing the homeowner to shoot one of them.
Police came.
Both men were chechen Muslims, both their IDs were from Chechnya, no American licenses. No utility equipment, and the company they claimed to work for was in New Jersey. (We’re outside Fort Bragg.) The company had no facilities, just a phone number that went unanswered.
After initially making noises about charging the guy defending his family, sheriff just last week announced no charges, whole thing dropped, NO investigation into what the two cretins were doing here or what their false company was. The SF officer was never named.
So, yes, stay alert.
I remember reading that, but then nothing but crickets afterwards…
Awwwww shucks, great post. Tell my new BFF and her side kick Bob I said Hi!
You Got It and AWESOME to meet the two of you and break bread! Next time on me OK?
Ha if we don’t have you down here helping us consume an entire pig, snout to tail with treats to take home for Stella and Chili!
That’s what I call a Luxury Beater. Use a good quality, full synthetic oil and change it and the filter every 6000 miles and your motor will stay happy. If you change the plugs remember to use a copper based anti seize. Gives the plugs a good ground and makes them easy to remove. To clear up the headlight lens, wipe many times with paper towels soaked in Windex (to remove the oxidation) and then hit the Zon for Cerakote Ceramic headlight restoration kit. For the other bits you may need Rock Auto is usually pretty good. The window should be an easy fix and if the AC is nice and cold, you are good for summer.
J3 already provided the motor and researching it, the internal frame that the wires that ride the winders up n’down are prone to breaking, so I figured for the $70 I can replace ALL the parts and make it like new. THEN I’m going to run it thru the car wash and have it get a GOOD Deep Scrub… And I agree on the headlamps… I have that kit still floating around as the Hyundai, DESPITE being less than 5 years old THOSE headlamps went all Old Yeller too…
J3 & crew: ya’lls badass. Thanks for helpin’ a brother out!
Not a worry at all. Nice to help another big brother out. I know the pain of trying to find a BIG car to haul my ass around and this just all fell into place. Always a good thing to be positioned to help a brother in arms – even if he was a TOW slinger.
For a guy who lived in a sewer pipe w/the Squids, yer a decent dood 😉
Sewer pipe? That smell yer smelling is Amine – also known as ‘The odor of Excellence” =)
you can compound the paint to bring it back to life (sort of). same with the lenses – compound them.
now that the wheels problem is just about fixed. don’t forget insurance /tags and other state crap.
looks better than most of the crap around here I see every time we take to the roads for sure.
we have the same rule here about the dogs as well. once you start, don’t stop.
anyway, looks like I be sending the box out on Tuesday as the soonest. things happened as always.
watch out for the EX trying to do something stupid now that you have wheels again, don’t ask how
I know this. just keep a eye out, okay.
life just keeps getting better now ? good for you !
Shit hot! I love happy continuings.
Good luck with the navigateor. Locking gas cap comes to mind.
I am happy for you and thanks to J3 and Cynthia for helping a brother out.
A couple of days ago you mentioned that the not yet ex stopped by the hooch. What happened with that?
That’s great news and that was awesome of J3 and his missus to help you out like that.
Things are looking up for you and once the whole divorce thing is over, your life will get even better.
That is an awesome ride when Ford still made really good vehicles. As you have seen, many new cars are mostly pieces of shit that will not last 20+ years like your current ride did and cost an insane amount of money. Look at Ford SUVs and trucks, you can’t touch one for under 75k — no one can afford that and you wonder why all of the new car lots are full and they still have 2023 “new” vehicles on the lot ?
Hey BCE…When’s the last time you had a 22 year old? She’s big n battered but she’ll do! Very nice! J3’s a good dood.
With all the pluses yer no longer paying fer, will that be enough to balance the minus of paying for gas for yer new hog?
Budget adjustments may be in order.
Enjoy the ride!
Very generous J3&Cynthia.
You guys could’ve come up with a lot of reasons not to do it, “raising kids is expensive, etc“ Could’ve gotten $thousands for it, but instead you stood up fearlessly. Good job, and congratulations Country!
It’d be nice if the terrorism notice was more specific…
Check to see if you’re getting power to the motor, you may also need a switch cluster. The driver’s side is always the first to fail, motors and switches.