This past weekend was not much for getting work done. Between barbeques, spring cleaning and children being sick, no time was left for anything else. I'm going to take the opportunity to introduce another essential tool, in my humble opinion, if you really want to get work accomplished on the homestead. And, of course, keep peace with your lovely wife who's car you get dirty, smelly and several other unpleasant adjectives that escape me at the moment.
A truck is an essential piece of equipment for our lifestyle. This is our latest addition. A 1972 International Harvester Scout II. International Harvester was, and still is, in the business of making tractors, although they now go by a different name. Tractors...gardening...gardening...tractors...get it???
You can fit at least a cubic yard of soil back there. Of course, assuming all the parts that fell off on the drive home weren't in the back, already. I'm kidding. All those parts fell off long before I got my hands on it.
Lastly, the other nice thing about this truck is that it is a convertible. That will make it easier to haul various items around, such as lumber which can be up to 16 feet, depending on what one is using it for. There is no carpet, the inside is all rubber, allowing one to clean the inside using nothing more then a garden hose. Not to mention that I can smoke a cigar in it without stinking it to high heaven!!
I have a Nissan Navarra; no hard top though!
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I acquired an old Honda CB1100 with the intention of rebuilding it. I stripped down most of the engine block, and started refurbishing. Then I met Mrs IG. I just stuck the block back in and put the head on to keep the rain out, and put the other bits in a box. About six months later, when I moved, an old boy across the road who coveted the CB asked what I was doing with it. I was going to dump it due to lack of time, so I told him he could have it. He refused, insisting I took money for it. I explained it hadn't cost me anything, and he was saving me the effort of scraping it, but he insisted. He wanted to pay £250, but in the end I haggled him down to £100. I pushed the bike over to his house on the morning I was moving, and then returned with the box containing the engine innards. As I handed it to him, he turned to his wife - who was against him having it all - and said: "You see, I've got spare parts as well!"
I didn't have the heart to tell him.
I need that truck, but may be too embarrassed to drive it anywhere. A definite " Man's " truck. get crackin'out there.
ReplyDeleteNice! I need one of those!
ReplyDeleteHey, I recently ran across your blog and had to comment on this post because your truck is certainly more manly than what I use, but I think I have you beat on capacity :).
ReplyDeleteIG, I'm sure he figured it out quickly enough. Luckily, the parts that fell off were all cosmetic. At least, the one's I could identify.
ReplyDeleteART, my wife loves it. Although, she does wish it was painted all the same color. It looks like a couple of cans of gray primer are in my future.
Thomas, I agree. You could have put 10 of those fig trees in here!
Jeff, thanks for the comment. I think I may take you on capacity, though, once I get the top off. It actually rained yesterday, so that's keeping me from doing it. Damn global warming.
Sophie!
ReplyDeleteGardeners have to haul stuff somehow. Looks like you're covered.
ReplyDeleteI miss my 1985 GMC Sierra. It was HUGE, bouncy, roared and rattled, smelled like gasoline and motor oil, was 1/4 rust, ground-in dirt upholstery, and when you opened the hood you could see the ground. It was fantastic! Unfortunately it gave up the ghost a few years ago :(
ReplyDeleteCool truck, dude! Our 2nd vehicle is a 2000 Toyota Tundra, which doesn't have the vintage or character of your Scout, but it does the job, e.g., hauling the goods from Home Depot or Lowes, the dog (who sheds a sweater whenever she's in any vehicle) and camping gear. It even goes off road, should we be so inclined. For years, my husband's been plotting to put on some mondo brush/grill guards & those ridiculous (my words to him) off-road flood lights. The blazing lights will serve no useful purpose other than to pump up his ego and scare the beejeezus out of the poor critters in the wilderness. Just sayin'...
ReplyDeleteSylvana, change the 1/4 to 1/2 and you have Sophia (apparently it's been named) to a T!!
ReplyDeleteCamissonia, I won't be taking it off road, although it is currently set up to do so. No lights. Right now, I'm trying to get the oil from pouring out of the engine. Lights are low on the list.