When working on my truck

[bankone1]

I think you have to release it somehow what it take to get that last bolt off

[Dingfodgy]

After gettin' beaned in the melon several times by the "wrong-sized" phillips screwdriver or errant metric socket thrown by my old man- I learned not to get all torqued about things not going as well as planned whilst tinkering in the shop. I merely mutter a soft "F.U." to the truck go out back have a smoke, sip on a beverage and ponder how I could re-approach the dilema from a different angle. Maybe that's why my progress has been so slow this fall/winter?

[KrazyKevin]

I'm more like special K. I find myself begging the truck or begging the part to work for me. "What have I done to deserve this" type statements to whatever is kickin my a** at the moment.

This is my first go at restoration. When I finally got my 72 home and saw what all parts were rusted, I quickly jumped on the net and ordered them up thinking this was gonna be a "cut out the old, stick in the new." I'll have this cab ready in no time. WOW!!! For about the first two weeks I couldn't believe how things just didn't fit right. I stayed more aggrevated than I ever have in my life. I almost talked myself into getting rid of it because it wasn't fun and wasn't worth it. But once I realized its only metal, and it ain't gonna work right the first time, me and the truck are getting along just fine. I'm getting real good with my welder and air tools. I've come to realize with a little patience, you can make it work.

[Crumley]

I have gotten to where I don't throw things (too expensive). I still say a cuss word every now and then. The other day while working on the exhaust system I banged my head pretty hard on the front cab mount while trying to get to a dropped exhaust manifold bolt and not 5 minutes after that I was cutting the exhaust system with a porta band saw and preceded to cut my third finger with the saw. At this point I turned off the lights and locked the shop door before I did any more physical damage. I spent the rest of the day wasteing time in front of the TV.

[special-K]

I know when giving it all I got to break a siezed bolt loose,like a lug nut,it helps to get angry like you`re in a fight.It`s like hitting the nitros button.You get alot more strength.I grunt,get red in the face,lock every muscle onto one motion,and try to pin that s.o.b. like I was in a wrestling match.

[hilandr452]

I spent several years working with my father in law, building prototype construction machines from scratch with blueprints that were written down on napkins or scratched into the wood of a crate. He isn't exactly the friendly type, and even though I'm twice his size, I had more than one wrench tossed in the direction of my head. I often wondered why he seemed to hate me so much until my daughter became the beautiful young lady she is now. I feel sorry for him now...

I have to say that now, as I do work on this work of art, the 1971 GMC Longhorn, I am at peace with myself. I enjoy every moment I have with her. There's room for my hands in there. I can actually get my fat a$$ underneath without a shoe horn...You know what I mean?
She's my new girl, my love affair. The only anger I get is when my 14 year old son disappears while I'm stuck in the pit underneath saying "Can you hand me that tool?....... Son?! Why you little!!!!!"
Enjoy her while you have her guys, she could be stolen, or totaled or taken by the tax man some day and you'll regret every harsh word.

=o)

Dan Smith