On my 1987 Chevrolet G20 Sportvan, the positive wire that only comes on when the ignition key is turned to accessory, or on is yellow in color and I found mine under the steering column. I had to remove the dashboard underside to get to it.
2019/09/29
2019/09/26
Bloody Fingers
A couple of cuts on my left fingers aren't too bad. Something I was working on with my 1987 Chevy G20 Sportvan took a little chunk out of my left thumb. Yesterday, I was boring out holes for a piece to adapt the new front passenger's side seat belt. Since the drill bit was somewhat wider, my 1/2in drill ripped the brackets out of my baby vice a couple times. Both times, I made the mistake of trying to hold the brackets with my hand while powering the drill. Needless to say, I wasn't strong enough and I probably won't do that again?
I just tested the positive wires that I created for the new gauges. I tested them to the new negative that I ran. The positive coming from the light switch works. But one that I did from a tan wire running from the ignition doesn't. Both used electrical IDC connectors, but I have had trouble with them using 16 gauge wires before.
I don't remember if I stated this before, but I mounted 6in x 9in speaker boxes to the ceiling right behind the front driver and passenger's side heads. So far, they're working. But I'd rather drive it some to see if the connections inside the box will wiggle out of contact? But I like the boxes that I have there. The ones in the rear of the van were mounted before I bought it. The front ones have a slightly different shape and in the future, I could use metal brackets to bolt them into a vertical position in back corners of the van. I figure that the front ones that I have now could be mounted in the rear and present less of an obstruction than the Walmart bought ones. I use the van for cargo.
I just tested the positive wires that I created for the new gauges. I tested them to the new negative that I ran. The positive coming from the light switch works. But one that I did from a tan wire running from the ignition doesn't. Both used electrical IDC connectors, but I have had trouble with them using 16 gauge wires before.
I don't remember if I stated this before, but I mounted 6in x 9in speaker boxes to the ceiling right behind the front driver and passenger's side heads. So far, they're working. But I'd rather drive it some to see if the connections inside the box will wiggle out of contact? But I like the boxes that I have there. The ones in the rear of the van were mounted before I bought it. The front ones have a slightly different shape and in the future, I could use metal brackets to bolt them into a vertical position in back corners of the van. I figure that the front ones that I have now could be mounted in the rear and present less of an obstruction than the Walmart bought ones. I use the van for cargo.
2019/09/25
The Latest Episode
It feels like it was a bit of a battle today. What I'm working on isn't really about priority. It's more like finishing up projects that I started so I don't have too many things going on at once. My 1987 Chevy G20 Sportvan's interior was stripped down by the previous owner. Currently, it only has two seats in it. I think that the passengers side came from a Dodge? It was missing a seatbelt, so I installed an aftermarket one today. It took some smoked drill bits and some retrofitting, but I got it done. Adventurer's Project has people that could volunteer on trail maintenance, but they've been dependent on my wheels.
In December, January and February, I was in rehabilitation for a muscular lumbar injury that I got from hiking 5 years ago. In February, the power in my motorhome that I'm living in went out. I forgot to turn off the water and my hot water tank ruptured. During this episode, I got in my car and went to a motel for a couple nights.
As soon as I did that, the RPM's in my former 2008 Chevy HHR started jumping. I thought it was from a clogged catalytic convert and kept driving on it. In late April, I had to clutch replaced because it failed on the road. In May, I replaced the oil valve gasket. In June, I replaced the entire exhaust and the RPM's got a little better, but kept jumping. I then had it towed to the shop where they diagnosed that the timing chain broke. Apparently when that happens in engines like this, the engine is toast. In the middle of July, the BTA had it's work week in this area and I got a ride for it. In late July, I purchased my current 1987 Chevy G20 Sportvan.
I was refitting it through the month of August and September, but I managed to get some trail work done. However last week, my automatic transmission locked up on me. If I had to guess and had the stamina, I might be able to work on that in 2 days? However, there is a possibility that the transmission was weak to begin with and it needs a replacement. One of my neighbors told me that he knows of somebody who might have a van like mine with a working transmission in it? He's a good guy with a truck and I might be able to ask him to help me and get it?
But right now, the seat belt was a good start. I also ran a power wire from the light switch and ignition for four gauges that I need to install. If I'm feeling up to it tomorrow, I plan on installing the various gauges to their appropriate places. I have a voltmeter, oil pressure, engine temperature and tachometer. I've never done them before. So, testing and hunting things down and being new at it is going to take more time for me than another backyard mechanic.
The van has vacuum leaks that really ought to get found before it goes on the road again. I have to spray brake parts cleaner to find it. And the rear shocks need replaced and I have them. At that point, I can then go after the transmission. I've never serviced a transmission before, so all that newness is going to take some time.
So, for all those who might be thinking that they'd like to join me on trail maintenance on Saturday, September 28th, I have to cancel. And I can not reschedule until this transmission situation is remedied.
In December, January and February, I was in rehabilitation for a muscular lumbar injury that I got from hiking 5 years ago. In February, the power in my motorhome that I'm living in went out. I forgot to turn off the water and my hot water tank ruptured. During this episode, I got in my car and went to a motel for a couple nights.
As soon as I did that, the RPM's in my former 2008 Chevy HHR started jumping. I thought it was from a clogged catalytic convert and kept driving on it. In late April, I had to clutch replaced because it failed on the road. In May, I replaced the oil valve gasket. In June, I replaced the entire exhaust and the RPM's got a little better, but kept jumping. I then had it towed to the shop where they diagnosed that the timing chain broke. Apparently when that happens in engines like this, the engine is toast. In the middle of July, the BTA had it's work week in this area and I got a ride for it. In late July, I purchased my current 1987 Chevy G20 Sportvan.
I was refitting it through the month of August and September, but I managed to get some trail work done. However last week, my automatic transmission locked up on me. If I had to guess and had the stamina, I might be able to work on that in 2 days? However, there is a possibility that the transmission was weak to begin with and it needs a replacement. One of my neighbors told me that he knows of somebody who might have a van like mine with a working transmission in it? He's a good guy with a truck and I might be able to ask him to help me and get it?
But right now, the seat belt was a good start. I also ran a power wire from the light switch and ignition for four gauges that I need to install. If I'm feeling up to it tomorrow, I plan on installing the various gauges to their appropriate places. I have a voltmeter, oil pressure, engine temperature and tachometer. I've never done them before. So, testing and hunting things down and being new at it is going to take more time for me than another backyard mechanic.
The van has vacuum leaks that really ought to get found before it goes on the road again. I have to spray brake parts cleaner to find it. And the rear shocks need replaced and I have them. At that point, I can then go after the transmission. I've never serviced a transmission before, so all that newness is going to take some time.
So, for all those who might be thinking that they'd like to join me on trail maintenance on Saturday, September 28th, I have to cancel. And I can not reschedule until this transmission situation is remedied.
2019/09/12
Van Seats In Storage
My 1987 Chevrolet G20 Sportvan was over loaded inside. And the 7 van seats that I got about a week ago put it over the top. I drove an hour away to my storage unit and just threw them on top of everything there. I brought the van home with the fuel gauge just shy of the "E" line. I didn't need to pour the 5 gallons in the Jerry can into it.
2019/09/08
Headlamp Relay, the Weather and American Discovery Trail Inspection
I'll have to lift the battery out of my 1987 Chevrolet G20 Sportvan in order to see what's under it. I have yet to find a relay for the head and bright lights. Right now, both sides are not responding.
I live closer to the east side of The Wilderness Loop of the Buckeye Trail (North Country partially concurrent). But there's reasons why I configure my Weatherbug app on my Android based smartphone to monitor the weather in four locations. Two of those are on-road. Regardless, if I get a weather alert, know of a hiker being out here and I have the means, I'll go out and get them.
But the other reason is internal. It tells me what I can do as far as everything else is concerned. Pruning can be done on any day except lightning. Blazing can be done on days except lightning, but only if the blazing surface starts out dry and has a window where it hues before it rains. It's unknown if we can bench the tread if the ground is saturated? And we can run the DR Mower, weed whackers and chain saws on just about any day, except those with lightning.
But the most finicky tasks are ones having to do with GPS'ing locations. These require days when the skies are Partly Sunny or better. Right now, the northeast corner of The Wilderness Loop are predicted to have one suitable day, but the rest are not. However, go 30 miles south to the south side and I have a streak of 3 suitable days.
Two days ago, I was in the Marietta area. I had to get some new 6in x 9in speaker boxes, which were at an audio/ video shop in Parkersburg. I was considering going to the Sternwheel Festival in Marietta, but I wasn't comfortable parking my van there with everything that I was hauling in the van. So, I made a call from behind the line (a football aphorism) and performed my annual inspection on the American Discovery Trail - Ohio/Kentucky, Segment 01. I volunteer with the American Discovery Trail Society, too.
It's a 33 mile long, on-road segment from the West Virginia line at Belpre of Washington County to Marion Township of Morgan County, Ohio. I never liked it much until then. Apparently, I was seeing it during the wrong time of the year. For some reason, it's pretty now? But it can be a bear to park on.
Getting back to the weather, I have an excellent day for tomorrow. But I have several loads of laundry that needs to get done. The van really needs me to unload some of the cargo. And to go to the south side, I really need to camp out there and my tent needs repairs. But I got some groceries today. It's always best when I have my cereal because I'm on the road faster.
I live closer to the east side of The Wilderness Loop of the Buckeye Trail (North Country partially concurrent). But there's reasons why I configure my Weatherbug app on my Android based smartphone to monitor the weather in four locations. Two of those are on-road. Regardless, if I get a weather alert, know of a hiker being out here and I have the means, I'll go out and get them.
But the other reason is internal. It tells me what I can do as far as everything else is concerned. Pruning can be done on any day except lightning. Blazing can be done on days except lightning, but only if the blazing surface starts out dry and has a window where it hues before it rains. It's unknown if we can bench the tread if the ground is saturated? And we can run the DR Mower, weed whackers and chain saws on just about any day, except those with lightning.
But the most finicky tasks are ones having to do with GPS'ing locations. These require days when the skies are Partly Sunny or better. Right now, the northeast corner of The Wilderness Loop are predicted to have one suitable day, but the rest are not. However, go 30 miles south to the south side and I have a streak of 3 suitable days.
Two days ago, I was in the Marietta area. I had to get some new 6in x 9in speaker boxes, which were at an audio/ video shop in Parkersburg. I was considering going to the Sternwheel Festival in Marietta, but I wasn't comfortable parking my van there with everything that I was hauling in the van. So, I made a call from behind the line (a football aphorism) and performed my annual inspection on the American Discovery Trail - Ohio/Kentucky, Segment 01. I volunteer with the American Discovery Trail Society, too.
It's a 33 mile long, on-road segment from the West Virginia line at Belpre of Washington County to Marion Township of Morgan County, Ohio. I never liked it much until then. Apparently, I was seeing it during the wrong time of the year. For some reason, it's pretty now? But it can be a bear to park on.
Getting back to the weather, I have an excellent day for tomorrow. But I have several loads of laundry that needs to get done. The van really needs me to unload some of the cargo. And to go to the south side, I really need to camp out there and my tent needs repairs. But I got some groceries today. It's always best when I have my cereal because I'm on the road faster.
2019/09/03
Adventurer's Project and the I-70 Corridor
Some Buckeye Trail Association (BTA) chapters work on consensus only and they do what they either feel like, or what they can agree on. But they way that I lead Adventurer's Project is with more of an addenda. In other words, I'm much more top down.
Trail promotion with the project has been with the intention of gaining more volunteers, or lately, it's been for volunteer procurement. But with the others, it's been for getting more hikers. Our neighbor to the west is hardly functional at present. And our neighbor to the north has had paid Facebook ads for their "likes," but their approach was statewide, instead of more local like us. As a result, we can ask them to post Noble County, Ohio events, but they have yet to develop the audience for them along the I-70 corridor between Zanesville, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia.
We have a very good reason to need such an audience and that is we have a supporter in Caldwell of Noble County, Ohio who offers us an event space for free so far with food and drink nearby.
Buckeye Trail Chapters have this "if you live closer" to such a section, then you should belong to such a chapter. Adventurer's Project has to honor those statements, so the I-70 Corridor is outside of our coverage area.
We have, however, had donated Facebook ads for page likes up there. And the way its going to be handled is we need to do it to secure our own needs for events in Noble County. When it comes to chapter side involvement, depending on where the participant lives, the project may need to refer them to their local chapter first. However, if the participant insists, then we'll take them as our chapterside supporters. But for the most part, what Adventurer's Project promotes for on the I-70 corridor is for event participants and more hikers on the sections that we cover.
NCTC vs NCNST
Adventurer's Project supports the Road Fork and Whipple Sections of the Buckeye Trail (North Country concurrent). When using the phrase "North Country," it refers to the moniker "North Country Trail," which refers to two entities working in tandem with each other. In this case it's the "North Country Trail Association (NCTA)," which has duties to the route and maintenance of the "North Country Temporary Connector (NCTC)," which covers the most of the on-road route and anything that isn't certified. And then there's the National Park Service, which administers the certified segments, or the "North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST)," which are mostly off-road. Usually, when this moniker is used on some Adventurer's Project's communications, it stands for both indiscriminately.
However, if a location is stated on one or the other, then their more specific designation will be used. In Far SE Ohio (including the NCNST in the Marietta Unit of The Wayne), the routing, maintenance and administration of their route is handled my the Buckeye Trail Association (BTA)
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