33 Years Of Service…

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 5,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

To view past blogs, scroll to the bottom of this page and use the menu.

I’m currently in my 24th year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at Shady Acres RV Park in Yuma, Arizona. I’ll depart here later this morning.

 

 

 

About a week ago the Bronco started running a little warmer than usual. Fortunately I was still in Yuma where I had access to my favorite mechanic. Since then I have replaced the oxygen sensor, water pump, fan and radiator….all factory original from 33 years ago! Simply amazing.

 

After that length of service, I have no grudges about spending a few bucks to replace them. Vehicles are simply nothing more than electrical and mechanical devices. They work hard and occasionally a part needs to be replaced. I do so with happily hoping I’ll get another 33 years of service.

 

Hmmmm… let’s see, if that happens I’ll be 111 years old!  🙂

 

Here’s a few photos….

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

Here’s Polo’s phone number in case you are in Yuma and need a good mechanic…

 

 

 

 

The old radiator…

 

 

 

 

The new radiator…

 

 

 

 

Polo doing his thing…

 

 

 

 

In goes the new radiator…

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is sunny and 78 degrees.

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

“Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.” –James Madison

 

 

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.” —Mark Twain

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2019

Bronco Tow Bracket Repair…

 Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.

Because we have 4,500+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at Thousand Trails RV Resort in Acton, California. I’m scheduled to depart here April 3rd.

 

 

 

 

If you are a regular follower of my blog, you will remember about one month ago I had my ford Bronco II repainted in Yuma, Arizona.

 

They removed the front bumper to facilitate the painting process. They informed me that my Bronco towing bracket had two broken welds. I resolved to get it corrected at the earliest convenience. I found the ad in my current location’s Thousand Trails brochure.

 

LJ Automotive

415 W. Sierra Highway

Acton/Palmdale

661-267-0600

Lee Dusenbury

 

He works on cars, trucks, RVs, and horse trailers.

 

Lee is the owner and the only one there. A mechanic for 48 years, he has been in his current location for 22 years. A quick look around his shop a few days ago convinced me I had found the right place.

 

My Bronco towing bracket has served me for 19 years when it was attached to my previous 1984  Bronco which I purchased in 1999. I bought it from a couple who towed it behind their motorhome, so the bracket has the potential of being 34 years old.

 

Over the years with well over 100,000 miles of towing, it had become bent, twisted and had two broken welds. It was time to get it fixed.

 

Yesterday morning I brought it to Lee who bent to the task.

 

Here are some photos…

 

 

 

 

After putting the bar under the press, here he is correcting some of the final bending and twisting…

 

 

 

 

Here is the location on the broken welds. there are two of them…

 

 

 

 

A new weld being put in place…

 

 

 

 

The new weld…

 

 

 

 

Some black paint to protect the weld from moisture…

 

 

 

 

It took more than two hours, but now the bracket is ready for another 25+ years of service…

 

 

 

 

So, if you find yourself in the Acton/Palmdale area and need a good mechanic, Lee’s your guy!

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is sunny and 74 degrees. Finally!!!! After two weeks of unseasonably cold, wet and windy weather it’s back to normal. Next ten days forecast sunny and in the low 70’s!

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of California. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

My 1986 Ford Bronco II Re-Paint Job Is Finally Finished…

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,500+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at American Legion Post #19 in Yuma, Arizona. I expect to depart here later this morning.

 

 

 

Several days ago I reported that I had made arrangements to have my towed Ford Bronco II repainted. It went into the shop Monday February 12th. It came put of the shop Tuesday afternoon…a total of 16 days. It took a little longer than I was hoping, but they did a nice job and it’s looking good!

 

Yesterday I returned to the shop for an engine wash and a wax job.

 

The photos below show the final product.

 

The colors are Medium Dark Fire Red (an original factory color) and Medium Dark Desert Tan (specially blended to match the spare wheel tire cover color).

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the really good new… the entire job costs only $1,000. Prior to committing to the project I had two additional estimates of $5,500 and $3,800 proving the most expensive is not always the best way to go.

 

I also had new shocks installed and greased the front wheel bearings.

 

Now it looks as great as it runs. Looking good for a 32 year-old vehicle!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is sunny and 69 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Arizona. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken at Rogue River, Oregon, October, 2017…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

Bronco Repaint Progress Day 9 & Still Searching…

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,500+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at American Legion Post #19 in Yuma, Arizona. I expect to depart here March 1st.

 

 

 

Several days ago I reported that I had made arrangements to have my towed Ford Bronco II repainted. It went into the shop Monday February 12th. Yesterday morning I went by to check on the progress of the work.

 

The photos below show the condition as yesterday morning. The red paint  and clear coat are on. The tan strip remained to be painted yesterday afternoon. Then all the parts need to be reattached to the vehicle. They told me that I can expect to pick it up later today…

 

Here’s the progress so far…

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the mean time, I continue searching for a solution to the intermittent low power problem that I have been pursuing since October 2016. Four days ago I took the motorhome to go grocery shopping and there it was again…the intermittent low power problem.

 

Since my good Mexican mechanic is here in Yuma, so I had him replace the next probable component in the search for a solution… the mass air flow sensor connector. I saw a number of YouTube videos with others having the same problem and they claimed changing this component fixed their problem.

 

Here you can see the component in place…

 

 

 

 

Here’s the old connector…

 

 

 

 

Here’s the new connector…

 

 

 

 

In place…

 

 

 

Those who replaced their connector indicated the problem was an internal electrical contact. Here’s hoping this resolves my problem!!!

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is mostly sunny and 62 degrees. Cool for Yuma.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Arizona. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken at Rogue River, Oregon, October, 2017…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

Bronco Repaint Progress Day2

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,500+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at American Legion Post #19 in Yuma, Arizona. I expect to depart here February 28th..

 

 

 

Two days ago I reported that I had made arrangements to have my towed Ford Bronco II repainted. Late yesterday afternoon I went to the workshop to drop off the newly received spare wheel cover so the painter could match the side color paint to the cover.

 

Here;s the progress so far…

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The painter said it should be ready by Friday or Saturday.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is cloudy and 67 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Arizona. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken at Rogue River, Oregon, October, 2017…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

The Timing, Conditions And Price Are Right, So…

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,500+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The motorhome is parked at American Legion Post #19 in Yuma, Arizona. I expect to depart here February 28th..

 

 

 

Yuma is my longest stay in one city during my annual wanderings.

 

Several years ago I made the acquaintance of a great Mexican mechanic named Polo. A couple of years ago he moved to a new location about one mile distant and now shares a workshop with an auto body painter named Cecil. Their workshop is about four miles from my current location.

 

In the last couple of weeks, I taken two friends to get some mechanical work done by Polo. During the last visit I got to chatting with Cecil about my now 32-year-old Bronco II. It’s running really great and I’m planning to keep it for a long while yet.

 

The timing, conditions and the price are right, so I’ve decided to have the Bronco repainted, essentially the same as the original factory colors.

 

The below photos show the deteriorating clear coat and fading paint. I can either continue to let it go to seed, or repaint it….

 

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As might be expected, the upper half of the paint has taken the greatest beating from the weather elements.

 

 

 

 

Also, my spare tire cover being 32 years old is shrinking and has become brittle to the touch. I’ve ordered a replacement…

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, my 13 years old Panama or Bust sign was also giving up. I’ve removed the signs from both sides after taking the above photos. I’ve not yet decided if I’ll have new signs made.

 

I’ll deliver it to the workshop at 8 AM today and expect to get it back in about four days.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is partly sunny and 71 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Arizona. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken at Rogue River, Oregon, October, 2017…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018