Big White Bus – Page 15

March 21, 2011May 15, 2023

It was a tie (Post #253) 3/21/2011

Major League Soccer called me to Frisco, Texas this weekend. I only get to attend one game a year and this is the match that is easiest. I decided as I almost always do, to take the Range Rover. This game is always fun and being the closest game to Norman since the demise of the Saturn Cup it is easy to attend. I have also setup the tailgate party for the Fire fans coming from Chicago and other parts for three of the last four years. That alone required the carrying capacity of the Big White Bus.

Stopping for a tinkle just inside Texas.

Looking North back into Oklahoma.

The overhaul this winter was very noticeable. First because things I didn’t finish as in, we didn’t have a radio, but secondly that the BWB ran like a top. There were a few problems as there always are driving a Land Rover. The first is the exhaust noises. The baffles are loose in the muffler and at certain idles they make a hell of a racket. In addition there is an exhaust bracket broken and that causes a metallic noise.

There are also some other annoying things starting with gas mileage. This will need to be addressed. We got about 11mpg on the highway. That is terrible, even for a flying brick shaped Range Rover. When we landed at Larry’s home we both noticed a distinct gas smell coming from the exhaust. It is easy to surmise that I am running too rich. This is something I will need to research to get fixed as I am not throwing any codes and the motor spins like a top.

I also heard the heater fan blower motor making a terrible squeak. My co-pilot Larry diagnosed it just after we crossed back in to Oklahoma. He said, “it sounds like something spinning.” I immediately confirmed that it was blower motor by shutting down the fresh air intake. This stopped the air from blowing passed the fan cages which was spinning the motor causing the squeak. Well done Larry.

I also heard a few suspension sounds that need to be investigated. Three of the four doors have a quirk about unlatching. The passenger front requires a double pull of the latch. The two driver’s side doors require you to slightly lean on the door before pulling. I also found a door window that didn’t open. I think this is from the disassembled nature of the door while I was addressing the door latch replacement project. Another reference to the incompleteness of the overhaul.

We set up the tailgate and enjoyed meeting new friends.

My friend Mike provided a cookie for dessert.

We served sandwiches and they were generally well received. We have attempted to serve brats and dogs one year and the weather has yet to comply. The wind was gusting 25mph that day and it was again on Saturday, so sandwiches made that an easy decision.

The match was hectic. The FC Dallas team “sold out” the stadium for their Opening Day. They definitely sold all the seats in our section confining us to just two rows. There were several open areas in the seats but they called it a sell out. The fans next to us were pretty rowdy. We normally draw a mean look or two but these people were out right annoying. We sang nearly the entire game they did their best to drown us out.

The best cheer was as the little kids and their moms were filing off the field during the pre-game festivities.

“Bourbon Soaked Soccer Moms”

This elicited a fun response from one of the more provocatively dressed soccer moms. Nothing is sacred in soccer and taking a shot at the parents of children is an easy target. Taking shots at the opposing teams goalie is almost expected during warm ups. As we yelled about their loss in the MLS championship due to an own goal we got the gestures we expected. Also taunting the goalie for his hair is an easy target.

Chants like Clairol Golden Platinum #6 and such are easy to come up with.

The urinals were entertaining. Its the little details like this that make going to a soccer match fun.

Banners make for an entertaining fan experience. Some serious creativity goes into making each one. The Simpson’s and Family Guy characters often play a part. The “I shot JR” banner was also well received and made it on to the live broadcast of the game.

Our security detail, yes, we had a dedicated security staff, were a lot of fun and were very cool. They took good care of us and kept the more rowdy fans away as we cheered for the Chicago Fire in their draw with FC Dallas.

We stayed the night and made the drive home Sunday morning. This way we had the wind pushing us and our fuel consumption was much better. At times we were running 92 mph. This Range Rover runs amazingly well at that speed. I know I am consuming fuel at an imagined rate of a pound per hour at that speed. I wish I had a tighter suspension and better roads to test her on. I’m sure I could reach the top speed rating (110mph) of the Firestone Destination A/T I have on her.

In just two weeks I head south again this time for the yearly Ft. Washita Rendezvous. I will again take pics and enjoy the drive.

Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

June 8, 2010May 15, 2023

We have a trailer (Post #182) 6/8/2010

I made it home. I’ll start with that because between Chickasha and Blanchard Oklahoma I wasn’t sure I’d be home tonight.

The drive down was totally uneventful. The temperature today was supposed to be nearly 100 degrees (F). Clouds were out and the temps weren’t bad. The winds however were brutal as they were blowing into a storm in the north part of the state. The BWB (Big White Bus) does highway like no other car I’ve ever owned. She cruises at 85mph with little or no effort. The fun part of that is the suspension and how she dances all over the road. She didn’t used to behave like that. But after today I have decided that the springs and shocks all have to be replaced. Something isn’t right with the suspension and how she bounces all over the road has to be the combination of the springs and shocks and the bushings being worn out.

I will apologize for not taking pictures before I describe the next part of the trip. Taking pictures on a military base makes people nervous. I was nervous doing it and I didn’t want anyone nervous watching me do it. So with that I took one picture while on base.

I arrived at Key Gate well ahead of schedule. I was a little concerned about time but then again I’ve never driven to the Key Gate exit at 85mph. When I used to drive down there while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve we never went over 40 mph.

I was warned that at the gate I would need my vehicle registration, which in Oklahoma is the equivalent to the vehicle title. I was told to have my insurance verification, no problem that is required by Oklahoma law. When I got to the gate the security guard scanned my driver’s license with a hand held scanner and said, “drive safely”. That was it. I was a bit disappointed. I went through the gate.

I was given excellent directions by Joe the night before. So I ignored the directions I had looked up on the internet. I called the number I was told to and they gave me the same directions they did on the phone. I was nervous until I started seeing the street signs. Sure enough, Seawright was the correct road. Cathy told me to go in the gate marked military vehicles only and wait.

I pulled up right in front of the trailers and waited. My trailer as it turned out was just out of the picture to the left.

Cheryl arrived with another customer and got them hooked up with an M105. I dropped Joe’s name right off but it wasn’t necessary. She said, “Joe buys all kids of stuff and was a great guy.” She was great to talk to and the deal was done with just a signature on her paper. She didn’t even ask to see my copy.

My hook-up required me to off road it back behind the trailers over busted up concrete and weeds. “Matt” helped me get the trailer hooked up and they said thanks.

I made sure the safety chains were hooked up. It took a little bit of wrapping to get the chain length just right. I checked the emergency brakes but I don’t think they work. I pulled out of the yard and stopped to make sure the tarps were all tied down. That was smart as several of them were not tied down. It doesn’t take long flapping in the wind for the tarp to be torn up.

I headed out and back to Sheridan to get off base. I thought for sure there would be someone there to verify that I had purchased the military property I had attached to my Rover. But again, I was disappointed and surprised when I drove straight out the gate. When the budget our government’s budget was really low back in the early 1980s Fort Sill didn’t even staff Key Gate. I’d have to say it was only just staffed today.

I decided to skip the turnpike on the way home and took the state highways. I wasn’t sure how fast I would be able to travel and thought if I broke down or had trouble I’d rather not be on the turnpike. Besides I’m sure there is an additional charge for the extra axle on the turnpike and because I have a PikePass I didn’t really know how that would all work. State highways have more to see anyway.

I stopped at the first intersection with a gas station
A) to wash my hands which were covered with oil from the chain, and
B) to get something cold to drink, 90 degree water is not very refreshing.

Here she is. That is the Porter Hill intersection in the background. I think I can live with that. When I get upgraded springs I think the ride will be perfect.

You can see the monster HMMWV tires. That is possibly a good place to start to lighten up the trailer. I’m hoping I can shave a few pounds off the trailer weight.

I got a cold drink and got back on the highway. I didn’t choose a very scenic drive home but I did snap some pics along the way. These are not in order.

Bluffs outside Verden	Fire truck in Anadarko
Indian City, USA	A plateau outside Cyril

One of the first tourist attractions my parents took us to after we returned to Oklahoma from Guam, was Indian City, USA. It was supposed to mean a lot to me because as my adoptive parents said, “I was a Cherokee Indian”. My parents didn’t know anything about being an indian, and at that age neither did I. Well as I was to learn, Cherokees didn’t live anywhere near this place. This was a place for the Southern Plains tribes. In fact, some Tonkawas were massacred on or near this site. There is no good link for the Indian City site that I could find. This is to be expected, as the museum is now owned by the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. And they are notorious for a poor web presence.

I faced some serious head winds when I got outside Chickasha. At least 20 mph+ and there were gusts above 30 mph. This took its toll on my transmission. I was not able to go faster than 60mph in fourth gear. I could kick it down to third and get up to 65 mph, but as soon as I got back to fourth gear my speed would drop back down.

I’m guessing the transmission was not performing as it should. I will be investigating that further when I take the Rover down for another round of restoration, real soon. At a minimum I’m going to add some additional transmission cooling. It’s always a good idea in this climate. I will need to get the transmission in for a fluid change and possible service too.

After a what seemed to be a long drive I finally got the trailer home. There it is behind the house. I will be constructing a gate soon. I was able to drop a panel and park it on the side yard in the back. My neighborhood would not tolerate the trailer parked out front for very long.

Rooster was excited and wanted to pose on the tongue for some strange reason.

There is Rooster macking it for the ladies. I’m not sure what that means. He has a girlfriend too so I’m not sure what “ladies” he is macking. And there is my dear patient wife, with her monagramed MiMi t-shirt on. Who as you can probably tell, looks mostly disappointed. Rooster noticed it too. Her comments were not approving.

“Where are you going to park it?”

“How are you going to get it through the fence?”

“I thought it would be smaller.”

And with that, she was back in the house. It was only a concept to her and now that it is a reality she will have to warm up to it. So I have a gate to put in the fence. No biggy.

After my inspection of the trailer there is some surface rust and some missing paint. My buddy JagGuy called me while I was typing this blog entry. He buys an automotive paint that is real close in shade and superior in its appearance and said he always has some left over. I’m sure I could get the rust off and the spots primed and the next time he is spraying one of his M35s I’m sure we could spray my trailer. Check out his site. As he said, when his Range Rover busted a drive shaft and took out the casing on the transmission, he pulled it to the shop with a “real 4×4”. I told him with a former 6×6 and we each had a chuckle. We are such nerds.

The tires are huge! Well 37 inch anyway. They are mounted on split rims, which is pretty cool. So if I were to carry a spare, I would only need to carry a tire and not a rim. These tires can be swapped without even unloading the trailer. JagGuy said used tires could be had for around 85$(US). That is going to make me think long and hard about swapping them out. I will have to pack a deep well socket for the new nuts on the rims.

I’m not sure what the item in the next picture is, but it is obviously damaged. It seems still functional so I’m not how important it will be to replace. Perhaps a post on one of the militaria web sites will answer what it is. I will also be looking for the manual for this trailer which I’m sure is available online.

The transmission issue seems more important now after talking with JagGuy. My thoughts were the fluid needed to be cooled more. His thoughts were more that the fluid is either burned or there is something wrong with the transmission. So it seems I’ll be having a shop check that out. I can check to see if the fluid is burned. If it is, that’s not good news. There is a slight chance that replacing the fluid will make it better, but a transmission service would probably tell me more. It is time for it as I think it was at least 60,000 miles ago that I had trouble with the torque converter. It might even have been 80,000 miles ago. Which in my mind would be time for a fluid change.

Over all it was excited to be back on the base. All that militaria and being back on the base I spent most of my USMCR hitch on was great. I passed the old chow hall that we were able to eat Sunday morning breakfasts at. I wrote about that in my military biography. Western omelettes are still my favorite.

So today was exciting and fun and a learning experience. More later, thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

April 7, 2010May 15, 2023

Another Great Drive (Post #173) 4/7/2010

I drove my wounded BWB to the reenactment this weekend. But only after buying about 70$(US) in fluids and maintenance items. She ran great.

The drive down was mostly uneventful. Well mechanically speaking. I-35 is in a terrible state. There were two cross overs for bridge repair and road maintenance. One of which closed my exit to highway 70. So I was forced to go five miles further south to the next exit. This was a nice detour. Scenic highway 77 (77S).

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It was a basic two lane road that went by Lake Murray. It was a wonderful windy stretch. The road and the beautiful weather made me wish I was in an Austin Healy 3000, or at least in the drop top Jaguar XK8, or whatever, that was in front of me through the windy bits.

Eventually it dumped out on to highway 70, which I took eastbound toward Fort Washita. After I stopped for an extremely over-priced bottle of Coca-Cola which tallied 1.75$(US) for a 16oz bottle, which in a normal store could have bought me at least 2 liters of Coke. But at the convenience store at the corner of 77s and hwy 70 it was the price for a 16oz. I shant be stopping there again.

So back on the road again it was getting on toward evening and the wildlife was out in force.
I witnessed:

A buzzard eating an expired dog on the side of the road, wicked
A deer drinking from a pond, surreal
A rather pretty coyote with a very red coat (if it was a fox, it was a huge fox)
And several hawks

As I pulled into the Fort I could hear the front end and she was making a sound that I’m sure I will have to investigate soon. Sort of a grinding CV joints need lube sound. Or at least that’s what I told myself. I got into the fort just as the sun set and by the time I got unloaded it was mostly dark.

I took the faithful BWB back to the parking area and let her rest for the weekend. She deserved it. Don’t she look great with that back drop!

I had a good evening conversing and having a few Boddington’s. I bedded down in the cabin with my friends. The evening respite was interrupted several times.

First was a very annoyed wasp banging against the single pane window in her vain attempt to escape the warmth of the cabin. Little did she know that it was below 40 degrees F outside. In any event she was very loud banging the glass.

The second was a strange vibe I was getting from outside the cabin. I got up to relieve bladder of several cans of beer. With the landscape lit up like daytime with a partial moon and clear sky the quiet night was interrupted by a murder of crows kawing and fussing at a hoot owl who was singing away.

In Native American lore all animals have some sort of meaning. Owls to the Cherokee are often witches depending on the type of owl. Crows and ravens have been associated with the Raven Mocker. Which is the most feared of all demons in Cherokee tradition, it had the power to consume a dying person’s soul in order to sustain its own life. To my friend’s tribe, the Pawnee, the are both bad medicine. So the night passed for us with a certain eeriness that was very unsettling.

Saturday passed with us talking to the public about the time period we were portraying (1820-1840 frontier fur trade) and the way of life of those peoples. We fired up some coals and started our dinner. Steak, sweet potatos, wild rice, cheese and wine.

It goes without saying that it was wonderful. Cody abandoned us for an alleged skirt. Between Matt and I five steaks is a bit much, but we were determined not to waste anything. We had our fill and spent the rest of the night sitting on the porch of the little cabin having some beers and enjoying the beautiful evening.

I packed up the Range Rover and prepared to make an early start to catch Easter services with my family. I got on the road as the early morning light was making its way up the sky.

You may remember I stopped int he same place last year and photographed my 2003 Land Rover Discovery (RIP). The rest of the drive home was a good as the drive down. I was pleased to see the Range Rover hasn’t lost any of its get up and go. I caught myself several times driving 90 mph as I passed trucks and dodged the chug holes and ravines that I-35 has in it these days.

I think with some front end work, the viscous coupling and the bushing project finished the BWB has another 10 years in her for sure.

I would encourage you to visit the historical sites in your state and support the people who volunteer to bring the past to life with their own brand of living history.

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Thanks for reading and Happy Rovering.

May 11, 2009May 15, 2023

A few more things (Post #144) 5/11/2009

So I’ve been driving the Range Rover this week, on and off. And I have some additions to the “little list” in the previous post. It’s amazing all the things you forget when you don’t drive something everyday.

Additions:

Driver’s side door latch is mostly failed.
Code 69.
Central locking system is toast.
Rear center brake light non-functional.
Passenger side seat leather beginning to split.
Carpets need to be cleaned/replaced.
Cupholders, lack there of.
Power steering lines leaking.

Getting out of the Big White Bus (BWB) is quite a challenge these days. My daughter has been just jerking on the door release several time very hard to get the door to open. All that is needed is to pull the door to you and then pull the latch. In either event the door needs to be sorted out and possibly the driver’s side door latch needs replacing.

Code 69 has popped up on the on board diagnostic display. That is the position sensor for the automatic transmission lever. In addition to that failure the high-low transfer case lever does not move due to a common failure with the solenoid failing. I had forgotten about that problem. Looks like I will be underneath the middle of the truck for a couple of problems.

The fob to unlock the truck has been not locking the door locks. The weak state of the actuators is probably to blame. I really like pressing a single button and listening to the doors lock. This will be one of the first things I need to sort out. The central locking system is going to be very important if I am to upgrade the sound system.

The rear center brake light stopped working. I know I hooked it up, but I’m pretty sure the slamming of the upper gate by my daughter, knocked the lamp loose and probably damaged the bulb.

No amount of leather feed/leather conditioner is going to stop the passenger side seat leather from splitting. I tried to condition it again this weekend, but until I get the tint on the windows its probably all for naught.

Who doesn’t like clean carpets? The carpets in the BWB need to be cleaned or even better replaced. I’m not sure I have the budget for that so it’s a low priority for now.

The lack of cupholders was pretty evident the last time I drove the BWB as I watched my cellular phone slide off the dash and out the window. Just kidding it just slid into the dash cubby but it scared me just the same. I have invented my own style of cup holder and am debating whether or not I turn a couple more or just install my spare Discovery cup holders. The jury is still out on this one.

The perenial power steering leak is still there. I haven’t bothered to just replace every hose. It doesn’t leak all that much, just enough to make the bottom of everything wet with fluid.

Well that’s about it. At least that’s all I could come up with for now. I’m not sure if I’ll find anything else after I start driving her. As right now if I had all the money for repairs, it would take me 10 days to sort it all out, if I did nothing else. Once again the term “rolling restoration” works very well for the Range Rover LWB known affectionately, once again, as The Big White Bus.

July 6, 2007May 15, 2023

November 4, 2005 (Post #63)

November 4, 2005
Gas mileage down, Disco search halted
EGD stated that the BWB has a nasty odor coming from her. Coincidentally the gas mileage has dropped to 13.5 from the 14.5 and 15 mpg I was getting. I expect she is running rich and will need the oxygen sensors replaced, again!

Discovering a Discovery
My dear wife, oh how I love her so. After she watched me work on the BWB for 3 straight weekends, said we needed a new car. I told her I wanted to get another Rover. Her concerns were all valid. You recite them with me being as you are probably a Rover Owner too. Reliability, warranty, etc…

She did have a few guidelines.

little or no maintenance: She doesn’t want me working on it “all the time”.

So that eliminates an older Disco I and another Range Rover Classic

she wanted 7 seats: Sweet! I’m thinking Series 109inch. Man how good would I look
driving around a 109 or an early Defender 110?!?! Damn good that’s how good.

air conditioning: Okay so no Series, Discovery has a seven seat option.

What did that leave me. Discovery SE7. Our price range is mid 20s and lower. That would mean a $500 plus car payment and more insurance. But RovErica will be driving this time next year. And Drewster Rooster will be needing an auto in just under 4 years. He is happy to drive the Taurus and RovErica likes the novelty of the Rover as I do. So I’m thinking she can drive the BWB and I’ll have a Disco II.

All sound arguements. Except for these facts:

I DON’T WANT ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT. We just got both cars paid off.

SE7s just don’t grow on trees apparently. They are out there, but as of this
writing there are zero, zilch, nada, AKA none in Oklahoma. Not a single one.

I got cold feet not getting to look at the vehicle, in person, prior to purchase. Also some of these vehicles are quite a haul from our location in Central Oklahoma. One nice one was in Jonesboro, Arkansas, it had the built in DVD for somewhere around $23,500. There were a couple of nice ones in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area too. And at least 10 in Denver. But those are long drives for nothing if I don’t buy.

But alas, I digress.
So we said, let’s wait. So I’m guessing in Spring I’ll be looking for a 2003 or 2004 Discovery II SE7. Good news is those 2003’s and 04’s will be another year older and another year depriciated.

July 6, 2007May 15, 2023

October 27th, 2004 (Post #54)

October 27th, 2004
150,000
The Big White Bus rolled passed 150,000 miles today. I have had her since she
rolled 88,000. Gonna reward her with a nice oil change this weekend and hopefully
some new differential fluid soon. And new spindle fluid also. Good girl.