So I’m getting ready to head down to Sonoma CA next week in the Ranchero to visit an old camping & fishing buddy; we’re planning on doing some beach camping, surf fishing, oyster eating, beer drinking, etc. It looks like most folks have a cart to haul their fishing gear, coolers and other stuff out to the beach, so I looked all over the internet to get some ideas. Found a pretty good one to get some ideas from: Most were made of PVC pipe, so that’s what I’m doing. I got the chassis done today, and will build some side rails, rod holders and a removable pull handle (so it fits in the Ranchero) tomorrow. Fun project.
Well, yeah, but behind him, not his Chero! I just had a thought...would it be advantageous to have it sealed/watertight and buoyant, so that you can anchor it in the river or lake, or lash it to your boat, so you don't need to wade ashore for access to your tackle and beer?
Re your project ... I'm a little worried about that T-joint where the handle attaches. Lot of torque will appear at that point; will be a hassle to replace it. Carry on! (Original design is on my mind a lot today; just got a $1700.00 estimate to replace the water pump on an otherwise perfect '06 Sebring)
Izzat the 2.5 V6, BB? If it is, it sounds like they're doing all the gear associated with the timing belt. How many miles on it?
That's actually something I considered. I gave my wife (128 lbs.) a ride around the driveway in it today, with 2 disc brake rotors in the cooler, and no problems. I guesstimated the axle position to be just aft of the balance point to keep the weight to a minimum on the T joint, and it seems to work fine. I doubt we'll have anything close to that weight on it.....well, beer...hmmmmm....
It's a little late to order stuff online; I'm leaving Monday. But I am still trying to figure out a DIY way to attach a beverage (OK, beer) holder to my PVC pipe rod holders. Something a little less clunky and more elegant than this:
No... that's where my 'original design' comment came from. I replaced the water pump ~4 years ago ($1300.00) at the time. It's a 2.7 liter V6. I imagine they hired a drunk to design the motor; I could replace the water pump on my retired '71 in about an hour, with time out to drink a beer in the middle. Think it might be a chain-driven pump. Currently has 108k on the motor. Part of the problem is the motor is shoe-horned into the space, probably designed to use the stock I-4 motor. It's especially painful because of the ~1,000 I spent on it just recently (300 for the p.m. starter and another 300 labor to replace it, and then another 400 to replace a couple broken motor mounts.) I'm not clear that it actually needs a water pump; I topped it up with water and wife has put another 250 miles on it with no leakage seen on the driveway.
Soooo...back to the original post. Ranchero is packed up and ready to hit the road at zero-dark-thirty Monday. Can't wait to be on the road (again).
