Epic Journey for another TC
Sooo Last week I decided to replace rather than repair my 1994 Caribou.
Came across a nice 96 caribou with all the bells and whistles I wanted. Really wanted that porpane onboard Gen Set.
Well thats how this story starts.
Found the TC I wanted at a reasonable asking price. Good news.
I'm in Phx Az and Camper is in Sacramento. Bad News
Road Trip!!!!!
Left Phoenix on Thursday, picked up old College roommate in Huntington Beach, First mistake. Then off to Sacramento Thursday night.
3:35 am Medesto Ca.Idler pully freezes and belt grenades. coast into a firestone store and sleep until shop opens. They want $225.00 to install $60 bucks in parts. It's off to Autozone and a self repair. On the road again.
Friday afternoon a look at the 96 Caribou and it is as discribed. Off to Home depot for 4x4's and sheet od 3/4 in plywood and the platform for the bed of the truck is as good as done.
Load my new TC and head to San Francisco to visit some family. Here is a tip. A F550 with 11.5 ft TC is not the best vehicle to be driving around San Fran. Spent the night Friday had breakfast with family on Sat and off to Huntington Beach. 5 min in and 2nd belt grenades. Bad belt. Auto Zone warranties out and we install in AZ parking lot in Palo Alto. Tiny lot. Huge Rig.
On the road again sat afternoon. Drop friend off in HB Sat nite. I'm off to Phoenix. I get to Yuciapa and decide time for a bit of sleep. Rest area and a good nights sleep. Sunday morning breakfast in the new TC in the rest area. Loving the new camper. Head out to Phoenix, down the ramp and the trans grenades. WTH 240K miles and the trans lets go! Sunday morning and time for a tow. State Farm send a tow truck and recommends a repair shop. During the tow I asked the driver for his reccomendation. He steared me away from the recommended shop and recommended TMC Auto in Yuciapa Ca. Good thing he did as recommended shop closed it's doors on Monday.
All shops closed on Sunday so camping at the repair shop. Glad I provisioned the TC on Sat nite. Monday the search began for a 4R100 trans.
Only local trans was Ford and they wanted $2800.00. Called my son in Phx. Master Tech. He ran it thru his shop from Ford for $2100.00. Tuesday morning install and off to Phoenix running like a champ.
If you ever need mechanical work around Palm Springs I can't say enough about TCM Auto. Owner Tom is all about customer service. Shop rate is the lowest I have seen in quite some time.
All in all an Epic and expensive road trip.
images to follow.
Came across a nice 96 caribou with all the bells and whistles I wanted. Really wanted that porpane onboard Gen Set.
Well thats how this story starts.
Found the TC I wanted at a reasonable asking price. Good news.
I'm in Phx Az and Camper is in Sacramento. Bad News
Road Trip!!!!!
Left Phoenix on Thursday, picked up old College roommate in Huntington Beach, First mistake. Then off to Sacramento Thursday night.
3:35 am Medesto Ca.Idler pully freezes and belt grenades. coast into a firestone store and sleep until shop opens. They want $225.00 to install $60 bucks in parts. It's off to Autozone and a self repair. On the road again.
Friday afternoon a look at the 96 Caribou and it is as discribed. Off to Home depot for 4x4's and sheet od 3/4 in plywood and the platform for the bed of the truck is as good as done.
Load my new TC and head to San Francisco to visit some family. Here is a tip. A F550 with 11.5 ft TC is not the best vehicle to be driving around San Fran. Spent the night Friday had breakfast with family on Sat and off to Huntington Beach. 5 min in and 2nd belt grenades. Bad belt. Auto Zone warranties out and we install in AZ parking lot in Palo Alto. Tiny lot. Huge Rig.
On the road again sat afternoon. Drop friend off in HB Sat nite. I'm off to Phoenix. I get to Yuciapa and decide time for a bit of sleep. Rest area and a good nights sleep. Sunday morning breakfast in the new TC in the rest area. Loving the new camper. Head out to Phoenix, down the ramp and the trans grenades. WTH 240K miles and the trans lets go! Sunday morning and time for a tow. State Farm send a tow truck and recommends a repair shop. During the tow I asked the driver for his reccomendation. He steared me away from the recommended shop and recommended TMC Auto in Yuciapa Ca. Good thing he did as recommended shop closed it's doors on Monday.
All shops closed on Sunday so camping at the repair shop. Glad I provisioned the TC on Sat nite. Monday the search began for a 4R100 trans.
Only local trans was Ford and they wanted $2800.00. Called my son in Phx. Master Tech. He ran it thru his shop from Ford for $2100.00. Tuesday morning install and off to Phoenix running like a champ.
If you ever need mechanical work around Palm Springs I can't say enough about TCM Auto. Owner Tom is all about customer service. Shop rate is the lowest I have seen in quite some time.
All in all an Epic and expensive road trip.
images to follow.
