What prompted me to post this might be a wee bit long, but bear with me......

Today I had to tow my 91 parts rig back home as the property where it was stored is being sold. I rented a car transport trailer and off I went. I have to be honest, I was a bit nervous driving my wife's new Expedition with this trailer rattling behind me. I'm doing this alone, so I expected some problems to surface. First and foremost, being alone and trying to get it onto the trailer proved more than I bargained for. Granted, the zook had no motor or tranny, but I came to the conclusion that I had way over estimated my strength and under estimated gravity. Fortunately, a buddy of mine returned some ratchet straps and left them in the zook for me. Using 3 of them I inched it up the ramps, 1/4" at a time. To make a long story not quite as long, I got it up on the trailer after 3 hours. Durring that time, I got to spend some quality time with the old gal. I bought her new in late 90 and racked up 175,000 miles on her. We had some great times together and she served me well. It was a pity to see her in such poor shape as rust had taken over. But, in the final analysis, she will die so others can live. On the ride home, I became anxious to get home and drive my daily ride. Here, I'm riding in a new Expedition and I can't wait to drive my 17 year old rig. This got me thinking and I guess I'm a lifer.
I'll dismantle the rest of the old gal. Maybe I'll play "Taps" & "Amazing Grace (R. Carlos Nakai cedar flute version) while doing it....

Why didnt you disconnect the trailer from the expedition and pull the zuk onto the trailer with it using the ratchet straps?

And yeah..I drive around in a two year old car and can't wait to get into my rusty, dented old trucks, so I know what ya mean!

~daxe

Crow:

I bought my '88 in October of 2000.

It is the first vehicle that I have ever owned that I did extensive maintenance and modifications on.

I have a garage full of equipment as a result which I lend to friends from time to time when they need to remove an engine or transmission.

Every once in a while, I think about selling her but then I take her out on the highway and amaze myself at the way she handles despite all the suspension and engine mods that I have made. It gets 18-20 MPG with a Sarge Weber and an Asian 1.6 8 valve (okay, my Asian grudge has ended... I won't bite anymore, Dave [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

It's <font color="red"> BiLlYbOb 'Melt trail tested</font color>.

Every once in a while I find the time to take her off road.

I'll probably keep her for as long as I can keep the body together... and beyond.

I intended to do just that, but the guys at the rental place said I would have a hell of a time getting the trailer back on the hitch....

we are fairly new to the community of wheelers in comparision to some of you. but we stil have our first tin top in the back yard next to the fire pit. we have sold it twice and it still finds its way back to us somehow. i don't think we will ever take to a truck the way we did with that one.
we have moved on to a 93 tracker now, but Mitch still talks about when we get some money saved up he wants to start that up as a project for our son (Jakoby is 17 months). We just hope that he will think it is as cool as we did when we hand over the keys.
we are lifers too
Rae

I miss driving mine regulary, its now over built and not street friendly, I only drive it 10-15 times a year for maybe a total of 20 miles. I kinda miss the simple years when I was on 31's and would drive it everywhere. Dont get me wrong, I like where its at now and its a blast to wheel, I just cant hop in it and go. If (when) I build another some day I have plans to make it a DD/wheeler. I am already gathering parts for the inevitable but I couldnt see myself parting with this sami, I've had it for 8 years now

I am always carefull with what I do to the blue HT. We bought it new in 87 and I figure it will be the only vehicle I never sell so I want to keep it drivable. I always go the little extra to keep it in the best shape I can. Like when I just changed the clutch I noticed the wires on the reverse switch frayed so I bought a new one and changed the shifter cable with an OEM instead of aftermarket because I hd heard it was better. I bought the softtop to be a beater and do eevrthing the opposite it seems with that one. Like not even changing the clutch cable. Jim

no tongue jack on the trailer? [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

~daxe

I might not be a "true" lifer (I've only owned my Samurai for 4 years)...but I'm getting there! [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I've owned a 2000 SS Camaro, still loved taking the top and doors off of the Zook on a summer day! [img]images/graemlins/beach.gif[/img]
I sold the camaro to buy a truck to tow my Samurai to all of the events...love my '99 Ranger, but still prefer to drive the Samurai when ever I can. [img]images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]
I think about selling my FJ40 (always been a dream to own one of those) from time to time, but NEVER think of selling the Zook! [img]images/graemlins/censor.gif[/img]

Yep, I bought my first 4WD in about 1987. It was a 410 Zooki. After that I bought a 1990 Samurai in 1991. I still own that sammy and I won't part with it.
And as we don't salt our roads over here, it should see me out.
So, I guess that makes me a lifer.
Alf.