As the hour for picking up Miranda approached today, I felt sicker and sicker. It’s the same feeling I’ve gotten before having accidents or other nasty events. I’ve always believed after the fact that the feeling would have dissipated had I changed my plans. Tonight, I decided that if I had an excuse to not retrieve Miranda, however small, I would accept it. Sure enough, something did, and as soon as I made the decision to retrieve her tomorrow, the knot in my stomach loosened. I am convinced that I avoided an accident on the perilous drive from Boucherville to Chambly.
Pictures of the repairs will wait till tomorrow since I did not have my camera, but I will give a major spoiler: she looks AMAZING. Boisvert did, at no extra cost, one job on the exterior that I have been delaying and delaying and delaying, and which makes a major difference. The only disappointment is that the left rear lower panel on the driver’s side looks brand new while the passenger side is, well, not lovely. I am going to ask them for details on the paint they used and see if I can spray the other panel myself before it gets cold out.
The bumper is being held with nuts and bolts and washers on the driver’s side, but there were only two screws used on the passenger side. One of them is loose and one disappeared. The body guy wasn’t there tonight, but the mechanic on duty said that even he can tell that the bumper will need to be bolted from the inside like the driver’s side and that there will be a smidgen of painting involved. He said that he would call the body guy tonight and that I should call first thing in the morning to confirm that the message got through. I am hoping that I can pick the rig up before noon to avoid the Friday afternoon traffic from Boucherville. The Thursday afternoon traffic was scary enough.
If I can get Miranda early tomorrow, I want to rePoliglow the driver’s side before parking (as I’m parked against a hedge), then do the rest of the rig over the weekend, including some work on the damn passenger side overcab corner that keeps leaking and looking like hell.
I doubt I’ll do any work on the electrical project, then, but I did receive the fuse I need and I’m pretty sure that the longest 1AWG cables from Canadian Tire will work with my project, so I am considering that I have found all the necessary parts. The exterior is a more pressing priority right now. Note to self: find a window frame for the house door.
Congrats Rae – looking forward to the pic’s. This whole situation has been challenging, however, that’s how to eat an elephant – one bite at a time! I know you have been dealing with that cabover leak for some time and have considered many causes. If I can suggest, the front window on the cabover is often a likely culprit of leaks – it takes the brunt of wind/rain when traveling and that punishment often wears at the window seal surround. Perhaps strip the old seal off and re-caulk? No doubt you have already considered this…
Good luck bringing Mirada back!!!
Mike, I know where the leak is, but I’m never in weather conducive to dealing with it. It’s always too damp and/or cold for caulking or Eternabond to hold. I’m trying caulking one more time this weekend.