Truck Update

You may remember, because utterly fascinating, that my rig shuddered and broke on the way to Dallas for Thanksgiving. Long story short, I made it to Dallas and the truck made it to Waxahachie Ford. OK, good thing Texas Farm Bureau Insurance covers a tow.

One expensive diagnosis later, I learned yesterday that cylinders 5, 6,  and 8 were losing compression and the "tech" recommended a new long block. Cost? A mere 16K. Whoa, the truck's not even worth that, so I said "no, I'll get it towed back to the Compound."

Where, let the reader understand, local mechs can drop in a new/refurbished engine at a fraction of the cost of Waxahachie Ford. Let's see how that goes. My instinct? Get the vehicle fixed, courtesy of Hill College Mech School, and then trade the beast in for a RAPTOR.

But perhaps you think a RAPTOR is inappropriate for a priest? Perhaps you have a point, though I urge you to think again. That aside, one reputable GeoStrat consultant offered this, "Buy new or, if you want, keep driving beaters. It's up to you, but if you buy new you're not inheriting someone else's problems. Think about that."

Well yes. Then again, getting a refurbished engine for around 4k and minimal labor, and then trading on makes sense to me, maybe give the rig to a Sergeant. But a new Raptor? They're beautiful, no doubt about it, and at >100k they'd better be. Huh. Instinct says get the thing fixed and buy used, but used well. Know what I mean?

Autozone,

LSP

Need A New Rig

Here's the thing, readers, all five of you, I think I need to get a new rig. Don't get me wrong, this one's been great. Thanks, Ford and Oncor for an awesome vehicle.  But it's coming to that put money into it end.

So, a new rig. I want something that's able to get in and out of the mud at the range and everywhere else besides, that likes dirt roads in the rain, has the wherewithal to deal with horses and all of that. 

I'm thinking a RAPTOR would do the trick. Or maybe a fleet 4x4? OK, a Raptor would be cool, no doubt about it, but a regular work truck 4x4 would get the job done and still be cool, with far less things to go wrong. Like electric windows?

Also, a fleet 4x4 would cost appx $10/20k less, leaving plenty of room to buy a BOAT.

What's it to be, a RAPTOR or a FLEET 4x4, BOAT included?

Help, please, and don't fear the reaper,

LSP