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Headlight restoration project
I have a 1997 Ford F-250 3/4 ton 4X4 pickup ( with 53000 miles on it)The headlight plastic lens's were very yellow and to the touch they felt very rough. It looked like the lens had a yellow plastic mold on it....
I bought a 3M "Headlight Lens Restoration Kit" Number 39008 for $15 on line.
Today I read the directions, which were very clear and easy to understand. Then proceded to restore both front headlight lens's.
Total time was about 90 minutes.
The kit comes with a small buffing pad that fits into a 1/4" drill and 4 different pads that stick onto it.
1st is the yellow sanding disk, it took all the yellow stuff off and the plastic lens looked like it was cloudy.
2nd..is the white sanding disk, it made the plastic lens look a little clearer.
3rd is a grey pad that you put a little water on, and as you polish the lens you mist a little water with a spray bottle. This grey pad made the lens look pretty clear.
4th is the foam pad with some 3M polishing compound on it. This made the lens's look like new..I am amazed at how easy it was and how great the results are.
If you have gunky looking headlight lens's on your old rig.
I highly recommend the 3M #39008 "lens restoration kit"
I think it might be the best $15 dollars I have spent in a long time.
Just taking care of my old truck.....Happy RVing to all...
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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05/17/12 07:03pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Any interesting places to stop on I-5 North?
Redding, California's SUNDIAL BRIDGE
If you are driving north or South on Interstate 5 through Redding, California...you might want to see Redding's biggest tourest attraction,It's only about 1 mile off the freeway and it's FREE.. it's easy to get to and it has great parking...even for a 45 foot motorhome pulling a towed or the biggest 5th wheel. In all my travels, I don't think I have seen an attraction that is as easy to get to, and then get back on the freeway, as this one is.. Here is the scoop.....From North or South, take the Hwy 44 turnoff going WEST. This will look like it's taking you right into the heart of Redding..You will cross the beautiful Sacramento River and then you will take the next off ramp on your right...the sign says.. SUNDIAL DRIVE and PARK MARINA DRIVE.... go up to the stop and turn RIGHT. Straight ahead you will see the auditorium building, it's big and you can't miss it. Go straight ahead and keep the auditorium on your RIGHT..go to the end, then turn RIGHT..you will now be passing the rear of the auditorium building...just after you pass the auditorium building look on your RIGHT for a nice large gravel parking lot.. You can pull in there and that's where you want to park. The gravel parking lot is fairly level and pretty nice. You will now go on foot to see the SUNDIAL BRIDGE which is actually pretty neet, it's supported by 14 big cables connected to a single tower on the north bank. It's only a short walk on good cement sidewalks. The bridge is a 20 foot wide foot bridge that crosses the Sacramento River and has a tall steel tower with 14 giant steel cables that are attached to hold up the bridge. Across the street from the gravel parking lot, is a nice public toilet and access to a place with tables to sit by the river in the shade and have some lunch...the walk over to the bridge is only about 200 yards..as you approch the bridge on your RIGHT is a cafe where you can get some lunch or just a cup of coffee or use the restroom..the gravel parking lot I have just mentioned, is for BIG RIGS both motorhomes and 5th wheelers...if you are traveling in a truck camper or a smaller class C motorhome. just follow the directions and go past the gravel parking lot and the next thing you come to on your RIGHT is a paved parking lot, for cars and trucks, I see lots of truck campers and class C's parked in there. This is also where everybody starts their bicycle rides on the REDDING RIVER TRAIL... You can also bring along your dog, everyone walks their dogs here.. To get back on innerstate 5...you go back the way you came in, then cross over the Highway 44 freeway and turn LEFT to access the highway 44 freeway going EAST...you cross the Sacramento River and follow the signs..the first on ramp going SOUTH will be on your RIGHT, BEFORE the freeway...to go NORTH, you go under the freeway and take the first on ramp on your RIGHT.. This report was done by me, on my bicycle, and I am positive that it's correct Happy RVing to you, and I hope you like the SUNDIAL BRIDGE You can also read about it..GOOGLE "the Sundial Bridge" HARRY
Happy Harry
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Happy Harry
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04/16/12 12:24pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: $600 crimper versus a $15 crimper?
The difference between a $600 dollar tool and a $15 dollar tool is exactly...$585 dollars. And NO you don't need the $600 dollar tool.
Now the real answer to your question.
The tool that you need to crimp wire connections in your RV or your boat wireing is a ...KLINE 1005 crimping tool.
You can buy one on line for about $15 bucks. When you are crimping the crimp sleeves, be sure that the tool you use will put a DENT into the sleeve, some cheap crimping tools just flatten out the crimp sleeve..The Kline #1005 crimping tool works on both insulated and non insulated crimp sleeves, and is built to last a life time.
Mine is very, very old and still looks and works like it's new.
Good wire connections to you...
Harry
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Happy Harry
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04/16/12 12:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Northstar Kudos
I drove all the way back to Iowa from California to pick up my Northstar camper at the factory. That was in 2003, now 9 years later my Northstar still looks like new...NO problems to speak of, and thats after several hunting seasons driving all over North Nevada on their washboard dirt roads..I highly recommend the Northstar campers..
Harry in Redding, CA.
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Happy Harry
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03/22/12 03:10pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Best Route Redding to the coast - avoid 299?
I have lived in Redding for 52 years..
I have driven truck mounted campers, pulled large tow trailers, pulled a 22 foot boat, and drove a 36 foot diesel pusher motorhome
pulling my 1989 Ford Bronco towd...many, many, many trips to the Northern California coast and back, on Highway 299 from Redding to highway 101..NEVER A PROBLEM, no way, no how...
The road is the main route, for ALL traffic to and from the coast.
Your 34 foot V-10 motorhome will be a piece of cake..The drive is very pretty and you travel right along the beautiful Trinity River.
If you get hot, stop and go swimming. Lots of stuff to see.
When you get to the coast and highway 101, the best things to see will all be to the North (turn right).
Last year a friend from Colorado went to the Northern California coast..when he got home to Colorado, he wrote and told me they couldn't believe how beautiful it was.
He had heard terrible things about California.."NOT TRUE" up North.
By the way..I was raised south west of Delta Colorado and I went to Pea Green School at Pea Green Corners (a one room school with a big bell on top)
Good RVing to you. If you have any questions post them here and I will answer them..and have a great summer vacation.
Harry
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Happy Harry
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03/21/12 07:57pm |
Roads and Routes
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Which cold thearpy machine?
Please tell me which cold therapy machine you have used, and what you liked or disliked about it. And would you recommend it.
I will be using it before and after my knee replacement surgery.
Thank You,
Harry
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Happy Harry
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12/26/11 09:15pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: 1994 Holiday Rambler Diesel-Roof?
I had a 2000 Holiday Rambler 36 foot diesel pusher and It had an aluminum roof.
The roof was installed in two halves with a seam running right down the center of the roof. Then over the center seam was another piece of aluminum. The roof had a very small peak in the center.
I bet you have the same thing...it's a great roof.
Happy RVing to you,
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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12/05/11 07:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Famous Quotes- No political quotes please
Famous quote from my grandma...
"it will feel better, when it stops hurting"
One time I bumped my head and I saw stars..my wife thought she was gonna be funny and said..."it'll feel better, when it stops hurting"
Boy did I get mad...I hollard at my wife..."you ain't my grandma"
And life goes on...
Harry
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Happy Harry
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10/20/11 09:34pm |
Around the Campfire
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Happy Harry's tranny dilemma....
Hey guys...a heart felt thanks for all the good info.
I will let you all know what we decide to do..
Harry
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Happy Harry
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10/20/11 09:29pm |
Tow Vehicles
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Automatic transmission question #2
In regards to my post about the automatic transmission with 235,000 miles on it..
I am suprised at how many guys said "if it ain't broke, dont fix it"
And there was a few posts that told why they would go ahead and have a new transmission installed, even if it ain't broke.
I have never had an automatic transmission break down and I don't know if they start jerking around or slipping and we will still be able to get home or if it just goes clunk, stops, and that's it.
This truck is used to pull a 25 foot pull trailer and always goes at least 150 miles away from home and sometimes a lot more. It's also used to go on hunting trips out in the desert and sometimes out of state...
I am wondering if when the tranny does decide to take a dump, will it be in some remote place far from home, or maybe pulling the trailer. It's been my experience that the tow truck will tow it to the closest Ford garage, and what do they do with the trailer.
I was kinda thinking, getting a rebuilt tranny would be like an insurance policy, especially at 235,000 miles. Are the odds better that this one will fail or would a new rebuilt unit fail.
When I spoke with the transmission shop owner, I told him we had 235,000 miles on the truck and I was wondering about how many miles is the average life of one of these transmissions..he never even blinked and said..."NOT THAT LONG" and kinda smiled.
This truck is my adult son's truck, and he takes pretty good care of it. It's paid for and it's still in very nice condition. It's a real nice double cab (crew cab) with a 6 foot bed and a figerglass shell on the back. He just put in a new radiator and had the tie rod ends replaced. It still drives real nice. My son can't afford to buy a new one because of his work situation (construction is almost dead here) so he plans to keep it and if something breaks, "fix it"...
Still pondering this problem and not exactly sure what to do now.
Also...what do you think about replacing the tranny cooler?
Any comments will be appreciated...
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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10/20/11 11:35am |
Tow Vehicles
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What would you do? (auto tranny question)
1999 Ford 3/4 ton 7.3 diesel/auto transmission with 235,000 miles on it, and it still has the origional automatic transmission in it..
It has been serviced every 50,000 miles.
QUESTION #1
Should I have this transmission changed before it goes bad or just wait until it goes bad?
I have a feeling most transmissions don't go this far...
QUESTION #2
Have you had any experience with a FORD FACTORY remanufactured transmission, good or bad..
QUESTION #3
If I change it should I go to Ford and get a reman tranny with a
3 year/unlimited milage guarentee OR have my local transmission shop rebuild it with a 12,000/1 year guarentee
NOTE...
The Ford garage requires me to also install a new transmission cooler
with the new transmission to get the 3 year guarentee.
Their price for transmission, cooler and install is $3750.00 TOTAL
The local transmission rebuilder said they use all heavy duty parts and will charge me $2400.00 out the door....this company has a pretty good reputation here in town.
Any comments will be greatly appreciated..
Thank in advance,
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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10/19/11 02:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Redding, California's SUNDIAL BRIDGE
I made a change in my Sundial Bridge post today...
They changed the name of the street...
it use to be called 'auditorium drive'
it's now called 'Sundial Drive'
it's still a very worthwile thing to experience...
Harry
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Happy Harry
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10/11/11 04:54pm |
Roads and Routes
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Sweet and Sour pork ribs from Hawaii
I just got this recipe from my friend that was raised in Hawaii and I thought I would share it with you all.. This is his mothers recipe for easy Sweet and Sour pork ribs..I Hope you like it...
You will need the folowing...
Cooking oil
1 slab pork ribs
1 cup water
1 cup whith vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup pineapple chunks
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup catsup
Cooked white rice.
Cut the slab of pork ribs so the bones are about 1 1/4" long.
You can have the butcher do this or you can freeze the ribs then cut them with a hand saw, saber saw or a band saw. Cut between the bones.
(NOTE) I am gonna try this without cutting the ribs into little pieces. I will just cut the ribs with a knife into single rib pieces.
Seems to me like this should be OK...and save a lot of hassel.
Here ya go...
In a little cooking oil, brown the ribs...
Mix 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinigar with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon salt...bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer.
Add rib pieces and simmer for 1 hour or more, until the meat comes off the bones easily. After 30 minutes, add the pineapple chunks.
To finish...mix 2 large tablespoons of cornstarch and an equal amount of water, stir into the simmering pot. Next stir in 1/2 cup catsup.
Stir well and serve on a bed of cooked rice..
Sure sounds good to me...
Harry
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Happy Harry
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10/08/11 08:26pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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Redding, California's SUNDIAL BRIDGE
If you are driving north or South on Interstate 5 through Redding, California...you might want to see Redding's biggest tourest attraction,It's only about 1 mile off the freeway and it's FREE.. it's easy to get to and it has great parking...even for a 45 foot motorhome pulling a towed or the biggest 5th wheel.
In all my travels, I don't think I have seen an attraction that is as easy to get to, and then get back on the freeway, as this one is..
Here is the scoop.....From North or South, take the Hwy 44 turnoff
going WEST. This will look like it's taking you right into the heart of Redding..You will cross the beautiful Sacramento River and then you will take the next off ramp on your right...the sign says.. SUNDIAL DRIVE and PARK MARINA DRIVE.... go up to the stop and turn RIGHT.
Straight ahead you will see the auditorium building, it's big and you can't miss it. Go straight ahead and keep the auditorium on your RIGHT..go to the end, then turn RIGHT..you will now be passing the rear of the auditorium building...just after you pass the auditorium building look on your RIGHT for a nice large gravel parking lot.. You can pull in there and that's where you want to park. The gravel parking lot is fairly level and pretty nice.
You will now go on foot to see the SUNDIAL BRIDGE which is actually pretty neet, it's supported by 14 big cables connected to a single tower on the north bank.
It's only a short walk on good cement sidewalks.
The bridge is a 20 foot wide foot bridge that crosses the Sacramento River and has a tall steel tower with 14 giant steel cables that are attached to hold up the bridge.
Across the street from the gravel parking lot, is a nice public toilet and access to a place with tables to sit by the river in the shade and have some lunch...the walk over to the bridge is only about
200 yards..as you approch the bridge on your RIGHT is a cafe where you can get some lunch or just a cup of coffee or use the restroom..the gravel parking lot I have just mentioned, is for BIG RIGS both motorhomes and 5th wheelers...if you are traveling in a truck camper or a smaller class C motorhome.
just follow the directions and go past the gravel parking lot and the next thing you come to on your RIGHT is a paved parking lot, for cars and trucks, I see lots of truck campers and class C's parked in there.
This is also where everybody starts their bicycle rides on the REDDING RIVER TRAIL...
You can also bring along your dog, everyone walks their dogs here..
To get back on innerstate 5...you go back the way you came in,
then cross over the Highway 44 freeway and turn LEFT to access the
highway 44 freeway going EAST...you cross the Sacramento River and follow the signs..the first on ramp going SOUTH will be on your RIGHT, BEFORE the freeway...to go NORTH, you go under the freeway and take the first on ramp on your RIGHT..
This report was done by me, on my bicycle, and I am positive that it's correct
Happy RVing to you, and I hope you like the SUNDIAL BRIDGE
You can also read about it..GOOGLE "the Sundial Bridge"
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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10/08/11 08:01pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Redding, California Questions
The number one attraction in Redding, CA...is the Sun Dial Bridge.
(1)..visit the Sun Dial bridge that is located over the river behind the civic auditorium...very good parking, even for a 40 footer.
This is also the best place to access the river trail system for walking, jogging or biking. the river trail is one of the nicest in the U.S. you can ride a bike all the way on a paved trail to Shasta Dam, right along side the Sacramento River and Keswick lake..very beautiful ride.
(2)..World class trout fishing in the Sacramento river, you can wade or go in a drift boat.....Contact "the Redding Fly Shop"
(3)..Hard place to make a living unless you work for the government...but it's a great place to raise a family..
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Happy Harry
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10/05/11 08:03pm |
Roads and Routes
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Interesting artical dealing with chronic pain
Scientists find gene that controls chronic pain
Thursday, September 8, 2011
By Kate Kelland
LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists have identified a gene responsible for regulating chronic pain, called HCN2, and say their discovery should help drug researchers in their search for more effective, targeted pain-killing medicines.
Scientists from Cambridge University said that if drugs could be designed to block the protein produced by the gene, they could treat a type of pain known as neuropathic pain, which is linked to nerve damage and often very difficult to control with currently available drugs.
"Individuals suffering from neuropathic pain often have little or no respite because of the lack of effective medications," said Peter McNaughton of Cambridge's pharmacology department, who led the study.
"Our research lays the groundwork for the development of new drugs to treat chronic pain by blocking HCN2."
Pain is an enormous health burden worldwide, estimated to cost more than 200 billion euros ($281 billion) a year in Europe and around $150 billion a year in the United States.
Studies show that around 22 percent of people with chronic pain become depressed and 25 percent go on to lose their jobs. A 2002/03 survey by a group called Pain in Europe estimated that as many as one in five Europeans suffers chronic pain.
Scientists have known about the HCN2 gene, which is found in pain-sensitive nerve endings, for several years, but had not yet fully understood its role in regulating pain.
Because a related gene called HCN4 plays a critical role in controlling electrical activity in the heart, McNaughton's team suspected that HCN2 might have a similar function and regulate electrical activity in pain-sensitive nerves.
For the study, published in the journal Science on Thursday, the researchers engineered the removal of the HCN2 gene from pain-sensitive nerves and then used electrical stimuli on these nerves in lab dishes to find out how the nerves had been changed by the removal of HCN2.
The scientists then studied genetically modified mice in which the HCN2 gene had been deleted. By measuring the speed the mice withdrew from different types of painful stimuli, the scientists were able to show that deleting the HCN2 gene took away neuropathic pain.
They also found that deleting HCN2 appeared to have no effect on normal acute pain -- such as the type of pain caused by accidentally cutting yourself or biting your own tongue -- a factor they said was important since this type of pain acts as a useful warning signal to the body.
"What is exciting about the work on the HCN2 gene is that removing it -- or blocking it pharmacologically -- eliminates neuropathic pain without affecting normal acute pain," McNaughton said in a statement about this work. "This finding could be very valuable clinically because normal pain sensation is essential for avoiding accidental damage."
Neuropathic pain, which is distinguished from inflammatory pain, is seen in patients with diabetes -- a condition which affects an estimated 280 million people around the world -- and as a painful after-effect of shingles and of chemotherapy in cancer patients. It is a also common factor in lower back pain and other chronic painful conditions.
Reuters Health
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Happy Harry
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09/20/11 06:22pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: Knee surgery question...
Thanks to all of you, for all the good stories and advice.
I have decided to have my knee surgerys done in St Helena, CA.
by Dr.Thomas Coon...He does the 'minimal invasive knee surgery'
and has already done over 7000 of them. I have talked to lots of
people that have had the standard type knee surgery, watched videos on 'ORLIVE' and read all I could on the computer..I feel I have done my home work and now I am waiting to recieve the first information from Dr Coon's office.
I will keep you all posted as to my progress..
Thanks again,
Harry
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Happy Harry
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09/09/11 05:42pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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Knee surgery question...
Both of my knees are shot. I will be 75 years old in 4 months.
Overall, I'm in pretty good health.
I am at a point where I have to get my knees replaced.
I am trying to decide weather to have the standard knee replacement surgery or should I go for the new 'less invasive surgery'
I have a pretty good doctor here in town that has a good reputation for doing the 'standard knee replacement surgery' and I have a different doctor that's about 150 miles away in St Helana, CA. that specializes in the 'less invasive knee replacement surgery'
Any information about your own knee surgery or even a family member or a friend would be appreciated.
I guess It's not really knowing which procedure is the best for me,
that's making me feel uneasy..
Thanks for your help...
Harry
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Happy Harry
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09/06/11 01:48pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: Going on a LONG trip. Tips on what to bring?
Be sure to have a "hide away key' for your truck and your trailer.
From my experience...this is the first thing I would do...
Have a good trip..
Happy Harry
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Happy Harry
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08/18/11 10:47am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How do I fix a broken drawer bottom
You did NOT use the right glue..
Here is what I did for the same problem...
Get some 2 part epoxy...mix it 50% to 50% and mix it real well on a piece of cardboard. Put the drawer back together and prop it so the side and the bottom will form a vee ( V ) mix the epoxy and then use a stick to fill in the ( V )...let the epoxy harden overnight then the next day you do the ( V ) on the other side. After you do this, there ain't no way that drawer will come apart again...
You can also "stitch it" by putting a 2" long patch of epoxy at each end, then put a 1" patch of epoxy about every 3 inches, this will also hold very good.
You can also use 5 minute epoxy, if you are in a hurry...
Good luck and happy RVing to you....
HARRY
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Happy Harry
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07/04/11 07:32pm |
Tech Issues
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