Changes!

I woke up yesterday and decided it was time for a change. This is pretty much how my life works. Something pops in my head and I follow it out to the best of my abilities. Sometimes they are great ideas, some crazy, some near impossible, some short lived and some I am still perusing.

This specific change that came to mind yesterday is its time to let the Lightning go.

I've had it for 14 months now, and maybe MAYBE have driven it a total of 1,000 miles, which includes the 700 mile trip to bring it home. I have spent enough money getting it to run-and it does run right, now-finally. I am just tied of it sitting.

It was an impulse buy, I've wanted one for so long, got caught up with the Lightning guys back home, fell in love with these trucks years ago and always wanted one. Well I got one, was excited for a few months and then it kinda wore off.

Don't get me wrong I love the Lightning Community, some of the greatest car people I've ever met are Lightning owners. Even before I bought my truck they were all so friendly and helpful. Very welcoming, I can honestly say, there is not another greater group of Auto Enthusiast out there!

Now that my truck just sits, I don't really see the "need" for it, I don't have the desire to keep it. I am sure selling it will be tricky, to get what I want out of it and not take a total loss on it. But time will tell on it.

I know a lot of people are going to be sad, and not want to see it go. But its just time for me to move on, I don't want to replace it, I can honestly say I won't own another one. I wanted a 600+HP Truck and I got it, but I don't feel like I have the time for it. The meets are a blast to go to, but I can still do that with out actually having one.

I'm sure it goes deeper into my psyche- I'm never happy with anything I get. Funny & true, I thought I would be content with this for a while, but over the last 6-8 months I've really thought about putting it up for sale, I just hate the whole selling process. I am not in a rush to get rid of it. But I think having it sit around in a garage isn't what it was "built" to be, Someone needs to drive it, enjoy it, race it, romp around on it...that person just isn't me anymore. I do enjoy driving it and playing around with it, but I don't feel that "attachment" like I do to the Mustang.

I want a bike, I think I am at that point in my life where I crave change-well, that and I already have my motorcycle license, I've just been waiting for the "right time" to get one. I need to liquidate some of the cars I have now, before I add more. I am starting to be more practical and rational with my decisions, looks to be that I am growing up :)

Bottom line is it is a toy, and it is meant to be played with, and since I am not, it deserves more. I might miss the "Frightmare" later on, but now I think its time to let it go

As one Lightning owner leaves, a new one is welcomed. Its a beautiful circle :)

The Frightmare Update!

Which is what I've named the Lightning, Friend of mine called it the "Frightning" since he thinks its fast. I call it a Nightmare since it is, and together you get "Frightmare" If it’s not one thing with this damn truck it is another. It's been down now for a month or so, I need ANOTHER new intercooler pump since my new one (replaced in January) is now shot.

Ugh, the "idea" of having a 600+ rwhp truck is far more satisfying than actually having a 600+ rwhp truck.

I missed a race day that I pre-paid for since the truck isn't cooling which in turn is taking the timing out of my truck. For you non-car related people that is bad news and can lead to bad things, including a blown motor. I really don't want to sink money into a motor so I have to baby it.

I ordered a new pump 4/5 and it is still back ordered, I need to cancel the order and order it from another company who has it in stock so I can at least enjoy my Frightmare a little bit. I ordered a marine-style pump since it flows more water to the heat exchanger.

The bad news is that when I took it to the shop in January they told me they replaced all the lines from the reservoir in the truck bed to the heat exchanger. Yea, not so much, they replaced it to the pump and the rest is all old tubing. This is causing problems too since its looping and running through old hoses. The other issue is the reservoir holds less than a gallon of water, and if it drops below maybe two inches in the tank, I will get air in my system which is causing the pump to fail. Since this truck was built a few years back, the technology and everything has changed, there are now better reservoir tanks, or modded fuel cells to hold more water. There are better hose options & pump options.

I know it’s a minor thing, and could be way worse; the shop has gotten wind that I am upset and called to see how they could rectify the issue. I haven't called them back since I am still waiting on parts and had company in town for the last two weeks. I'm a sitting suck until I can at least get my hands on a pump. I do need to call the shop and express my concerns since I don't feel I got what I paid for.

I paid to have my gauges put in, truck to be tuned, new fuel pumps (2) new hoses & new intercooler pump. My gauges weren’t installed correctly, I am missing a boost sensor, and my fuel pressure isn't reading correctly. The power wasn't run to the gauge so it wasn't even reading fuel pressure. I am replacing another pump due to several reasons, but I am upset the hoses weren’t replaced from the heat exchanger back to the pump! Grrrrr.

I just have no desire to to anything to it right now, I ordered new black grilles for it, I haven't put them in yet since it has other issues.

This thing better run like a champ for a long time, or it needs to find itself a new home!

I find it funny I tag this as "I Wanna Go Fast" because I do, but apparently the "Frightmare" has other intentions!

I Broke The Truck….For Real This Time :(

Took the L out last night to a meet since its been forever that I’ve actually gone to a meet (since June at least)

Took TheFriend with me since its been forever since he’s been to a meet too. Took the L out to meet Maro (Mark with a Camaro) cool guy, always a good time when he is around. So I hit the gas pretty hard while getting on the on ramp, the truck is just SCREAMING getting into boost. Just as the lanes merge there is a Mustang to my left, they pull off to the side and stop. I have to admit, I might do the same, the L sounds sofa king mean! You’ll know its comin from a few miles away!

We get to the meet, I pull in and see another Silver L, I told TheFriend “I’ve got to know that truck, there aren’t many L’s around the area who aren’t on Lightning Rodder” I couldn’t place the truck since it was a little farther away. I pull next to Maro’s car, turn off the beast, open the door, and as I put one foot on the ground I hear a guy running over and saying “Queen Bee, Queen Bee, I knew it was you, so this is the beast huh?” I was shocked, I haven’t been to a meet in months I pull in and someone already knows who I am! Haha! It was EatinLightning (Alex) from LR, We bullshitted a bit about the L and he asked me to pop the hood, I did, and that second that I lifted the hood everyone rushed over with “ooooooh’s and Ahhhhh’s” it was straight out of some part of a race movie. Cool though, so we head over to his truck to check it out, he pops the hood, I said “Aww how cute, little Eaton” jokingly of course, he said “it is cute compared to yours” haha.

Very cool guy, talked to a few more fbody guys and whoever else was around. Nice to know EatinLightning lives closer than the other guys so when I wanna do a Silver Shoot or something he’s right there.

We bullshitted for a while and then TheFriend, Maro, and I decided to get some food at Applebee’s. I pulled on the L pretty hard and it kicked into boost with a quickness (will be quicker once I am tuned woo) got there parked and headed inside for some food and drinks.
Came out, started the truck and heard a “Hisssssssssss” I couldn’t figure out what it was, truck died, started it up, died, repeat, got it running, got fuel in her. I can hear the hisssssssssssss some more, coming through the cab and realize I am not building any boost, or have any vacuum for that matter. AH! I broke it, I broke the truck once I got on it, GOD DAMNIT!

I limp it all the way home on just the motor, keeping the rpms low so its not spinning the blower much if any and hoping the belt stays on. At this point I have NO fucking idea what it is. Hoping that I blew a line off on that pass, we will see.
Tucked her into the garage @ 2 am. :(

I think I Broke the Truck!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Most traumatic experience in the last week, by far! I went to wash the L today and get it all detailed for the “mini-meet” this afternoon in Orlando.
I am used to the Mustang and how I care for it, I always power wash the engine bay. I spray it down with degreaser and power wash it and VIOLA-magically it’s pretty and shiny and ready to go.
With the L having a build engine I consulted a few sources about it, said I would be good to go as long as I didn’t’ get the cops wet (where the plugs are, apparently? Who knew?) I let the engine cool down, rand the Inter-cooler fan & the radiator fan. Which are wired to run if I want them to once the truck is off, but the key is still engaged. I let the fans run while I washed the truck at the car wash. I degreased it and carefully covered the air filter. Let it sit for the recommended fifteen minutes.
I power wash the bay of the engine down, finish drying the truck, close the hood, jump into the truck and start it….well attempt to start it. No Go. Truck won’t crank over! Ah! First thought was immediate panic attack, I thought “Oh shit, I fucked up the Built Motor…NOOOOOOOOOOO” and then I began to scold myself “I knew not to wash the fucking motor, it’s nothing like the mustang, I am fucking stupid, I’ve had this thing for a week and already fucking broke it? REALLY? Glad I just threw thousands of dollars down the drain” I am just beside myself, on top of this, who the hell am I going to call to rescue my ass?
I called “ShesGotIt” and told her what’s up and she pretty much put my mind to ease saying it’s the battery. I wasn’t completely convinced but I was turning on the radio and it was a no-go. So eventually I came to that conclusion too!
Now, time to get a jump, I asked everyone at the car wash, no one had cables, I am about a mile or so away from home on a hot day, don’t want to walk back to get another car and cables, then I am stuck with two cars and one driver. I looked around all office buildings, crap! I texted “CarpetCleaner” whom I don’t speak to much anymore due to an incident involving the “missing” of my carpet cleaner (hence the name) and she wasn’t home either, thank god, I didn’t want her to have to rescue me, or explain I had an L now.
I sat in the truck thinking what to do, how can I get myself out of this situation without having anyone to have to “rescue me” this is about the time I thought it would be nice to have a boyfriend to come save the day. Single life sometimes sucks, this is that time it does.
I walk around the car wash again, for what feels like the twentieth time. Again thinking I should have AAA since boyfriend doesn’t exist in my life. Ugh. Life would be too simple if I actually signed up with AAA when I thought about it BEFORE this happened.

Then I see it, a Brakes Plus in the same parking lot, it’s in a new building and off to the far side (away from where I was, easy to miss) Finally! I went inside told the guys I needed a jump and they came right over.

Jumped me with a civic, the L started right up and then died. Needed more power, let the L run while still having the civic run. Success. I am feeling so much better and less stupid at this point. Talk to the guy about my truck for a little bit while its charging, and I am off, back home to change and head to the meet.

Glad it was something simple. I am never washing the bay ever again, even though it wasn’t the water that hurt anything. Lesson learned!

The Lighting is Home!

Welcome home to #5679-still name less, although I am liking "Roxii" more and more. I flew in Saturday afternoon and Matt picked me up. I was nervous the entire flight, butterflies in my tummy. Scared I wouldn't love it, its a big purchase, did I make the right choice? All of that.

He pulled up I heard her and I was inlove. Went back to his house, signed the title and paperwork and off I went! Met up with "TheCop" for a few hours hung out, went for a spin in his Cobra, took him for a spin in the L and talked a while and what not. It's been a long time coming (us meeting up) and it was good to FINALLY hang out!

Left Atlanta about 10, got the truck about 5. Headed back to Florida, stopped about 4 am just exhausted. Had just over an hour left, I couldn't do it. I was beat. Got in to my house around 8:30 and crashed.

The truck is LOUD, FAST and INSANE! Lots and LOTS of attention. Took pics today, Will be taking more this weekend. Welcome home new baby!

Packages!

The puppies are passed out on our new ottoman, its brown leather to match the couch, I picked it up yesterday during the shoe shopping trip. It’s long and thin and fits perfectly in my living room, I took off the legs on it so it would sit a little lower than the couch does. It’s perfect, now the quest to find something to match it is over, which ends the quest for the coffee table now because I can’t have both it would look weird! I did put my new poke-a-dot blanket over it so they can lay on it and not scratch the leather. They love that new blanket, it’s like they know it’s the new one so they want to lay on it, they’re so funny!

2 of the 4 packages have arrived+ 1 that I didn’t order! This afternoon I received the Miami Dolphin package. This evening when I got home I had the Ford Collection stuff and my new personalized plate for the Mustang. It’s awesome! So excited for Shadow to have SMKN back in her plate (plate is a variation of SMKN)

I signed the slip for the wine to be left since I knew I would be out; I signed the back of the paper and came back tonight to see another note saying they need a signature for it. Uh, I did that. They want me to actually BE here for that? Well stop coming after 5:30 damnit!
Other than that, pretty mellow day today. TheFriend needed to be somewhere at 4 and asked me to take him so I got there about 3:30 took him to run his errands and headed to the mall. I needed new eye shadows, well let me clarify, I needed a dark grey since I have every other damn color. All I have are silvers and I need a grey. I had $10 off to bare minerals, walked in and just thought I would buy one $13 eye shadow. Except the grey they had wasn’t what I wanted, they tried to talk me into a kit for $56 which I just bought a kit, then she showed me this eye kit “rock star” it has a sparkle black, sparkle grey and sparkle dark grey. $38 for it, good deal I get it, get $10 off wooo!

Did some other random shopping and headed to California Pizza Kitchen for some din-din. Everything we had was good; they had these avocado spring rolls with chicken and served with a salsa-ranch. Mmmmm! Of course I had a glass of Sangria, pretty tasty. I love their pizza I went with my favorite the “Sicilian” with extra salami, it was so awesome! I took out my nose stud since it was bothering me and placed it next to the glass of water. We finished dinner and headed out to the car so we could head back home. About half way into the drive I realize I am nose-stud less! Ahh! TheFriend asks if we should go back, I said nah; they clear the table it’s gone, no big deal. I hate that!

Oh well, I have others!

10:00 on a Friday night and I am finishing this blog and headed to bed, I have to be up early tomorrow to head to the air port to bring home the new truck. Need to get sleep since it will be an 8 hour trip!

#5679

Called SVT today to get the build number of the Lightning I’m picking up on Saturday since the previous owner didn’t have it. It is #5679 out of 6381!
I ordered the certificate from SVT with all of that info on it. You now have to pay $40 for it. I don’t care! Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!!
Got the build date too 7-30-2001~I can’t wait to get this bad-boy home! I watched the video of the current owner doing a burn out and whoa..that truck is loud!
Check it out if you’d like! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyYkIGUVUYQ
Come on SATURDAY!!!

Now-off to start my day with a smile!

Update! Yay!

So, its about 1am and I JUST got an email from Matt about my new baby.

Here's what it says..

Just a quick update: I picked the truck up from the detailer this morning and finished the compression checks. All cylinders are A-OK, and you have 8 new NGK TR6 spark plugs. I put the new blower belt on it (a gatorback), and it feels pretty damn awesome. I will really miss the sound that KB makes too.
I'm flying out to Seattle in a few hours and returning Friday night around midnight. The truck will be in covered parking, so hopefully all the detailing won't go to waste. :P Saturday morning I'll get to work loading the bed up with all the extra wheels and tires, and then I'll see you at the airport when you arrive.
- Matt

OMG! Its actually happening, this is a GO (not that it wasn't BEFORE I booked my ticket to Atlanta) but it just confirms it again, I got all excited and giddy..and no one is up to share my excitment with. Pfft!

See you soon Silver L!

Booked!

Let me first just say, even typing this I have butterflies in my tummy (read: yummy, the typical typo I have, and we roll with it) I booked my ticket to go pick up the said Lighting in my previous blog. Since no one really reads this-I am sneaky and haven’t really shared it much (that and, who wants to read my random adventures?) I am keeping it hush-hush till I have the title and keys in my hand.
The truck is in Atlanta the price is right, the mods are right, the motor is the reason I am buying this bad boy and I am ready to roll.
The day is the 17th. I am still traveling the east-coast in Virginia Beach I will be back the 12th. Matt, the owner of the L now, will be out of town till the 16th so the 17th is the first day I can go get it.
I asked for a compression test, as recommended by a friend who knows L’s, this truck & its builder and Matt said no problem, let him know when I am flying in, he will come get me & told me I will love this truck.
I have no doubts in my mind once I actually lay eyes on it, and get my foot on that pedal I will love it. For now, it’s still the shock of wanting one, finding one, and committing to it.
I don’t have commitment issues, but I do change my mind a lot! With SO SO SO SOOOO many trucks on the market I just want to make sure THIS is THE truck for me.
A few friends have reassured me that I am getting a hellva deal on the truck, and bottom line, for the money I would rather go fast than have a stock-low-mileage-truck. Which later on will require me to throw money at it, and I can’t really justify passing this one up.
Of course, I commit to Matt to let everyone know the sale is pending on it, and not a few hours later a Florida member of LRodder PM’d me to offer me his truck. While I would love to hear about it, I’ve already committed to this truck, and I need to stick to it. It has everything and more I would ever want on a truck, and honestly: it’s way too much of a truck for me-but I am willing to grow into it J
In the long run this truck should last me a long time the way it is set up, and save me a lot of money since I won’t need to throw money at it to go fast, it does that, thanks to the previous owner’s pocket book!
So, as it stands it looks like Shadow will be having a Silver Lightning as a sister, who is yet to be named at this point in time.

The Night of A Million Searches..

Or at least it felt that way after staying up till 4 am once again searching for my new toy. I tell you what, looking for a new-used car is hard enough as is, let alone trying to find a built motor major-modified-one!
The search for the Lightning has been in full force in the last week or so I’d say. Feels like forever, slightly dramatic you say? Yes, I’ll give you that, but, I’ve packed a lot of late night searching adventures into this “quest for an L.”
I wasn’t really ready to buy, but, thought I would look around and see what is out there, and if I find something I find something, and if not, I wasn’t in a rush to buy.
I have 3. Yes. THREE cars already. For a single person in a one bedroom apartment that is more than enough! I currently have a car, truck & suv. I pretty much have the bases covered as far as “types” of vehicles to own. Now I would just like to add a “fast” category to that.
I am not one to settle, in anything I do. Lesson learned thanks to a previous relationship. Which I now apply to all of my life. Thank you Stupid for that.
I have my eye on one, built, modded, priced a tad higher than what I wanted to spend, but the negotiation is underway. Close to where I live-8 hours away. Has a great build, proven track times and dyno numbers, previous owner is well known for the truck and the build, motor and everything on it is still strong. Not the color I wanted, but I can move past that. The only stipulation was NO BLACK TRUCKS.
We will see if this truck is “THE” truck in the next few days.

Life In The Fast Lane!

I'm the kind of person who will have an idea pop into my head and just like that becomes a "must do" its no longer an idea, its an action. I'm not sure if I've always been like that, or just as I get older I learn more about life and how short it is. I want to live in the here and now, I want to LIVE life and experience what it has to offer, I want to want things, and I want to be able to obtain them. Its not a materialistic thing, as much as I don't want to limit myself on things that can be obtained easily. I want to be happy, and while I am not emotionally ready to let anyone else in. I am ready to make myself happy, and do whatever I can for myself to make me that way.
All of that said. I want a bike. I've always thought I wanted it, but was too scared, or too unsure to actually set out and get one. Granted I would take the course, get my license and then buy one. I'm not that irrational. Just spontaneous.
I've been around bikes my whole life, and they've always had their "appeal" to them, I was around Harley's and never got to experience the Crotch-Rocket saga that usually sweeps people my age. I went for a ride while I was in Ft. Riley visiting Kelli & her entourage. (see blog regarding that trip) after going 120+ on a back Kansas road, I felt something "new" some sort of fear meets excitement all at the same time.
I love fast, cars, trucks, bikes, planes-all except fast men that is! hahaha! I haven't decided on what exact model of bike I want, I need to go sit on them and see what "feels" right. I do know that I want the "Big Girl" bike, and to me that is 1000cc! I'm sure getting a 1000cc for a first bike isn't exactly "desirable" to most of you. But I know me, and I know that if I get something smaller I will be trading up in a mere matter of months and kick myself in the ass for not going with what I wanted from the get-go. I am not one to settle, I've learned that the hard way, so I don't want to limit myself to the "baby" bike. I will adjust to whatever it is I have, I can handle speed, I know bike speed is different. But again, I will be safe with it, and won't be pushing it until I am very comfortable. Bottom line is, really, I've had so many bad things in my life, I'm not concerned about tomorrow, when I can live for today.
I don't want a new bike, I really don't want to spend the money on a new one, when chances are I will set it down at some point. People keep telling me all newbs do. I don't want the payments and really, I am not sure how long this " I wanna go fast" phase is going to last.
I don't JUST want a bike. I want a Lightning too. I've always loved them, and decided that now is the time to indulge myself, in bike, truck, whatever the F comes next in the "phase" but, it is what I want, and really.. who am I to tell myself no? Hahaha.
So, on to the lightning phase-hey, I'm keeping it in the Ford Family!! I would LOVE to get my hands on an 03/04 Sonic Blue, DSG, or White one. I don't see it happening for what I want to spend and what I want done to the truck. I've never been a Red fan, but its growing on me. I would like something more "flashy"! DSG has been great on Shadow, and I love the color-slightly obsessed would cover it, I believe. Now I want something that "POPS" in pictures that stands out and says, Whoa..check me out. I believe Red would do that. I think I am leaning more towards Red since I saw a nicely modded Red L out of Dallas earlier.
I don't want to settle on a truck just to have a truck. While a low mile truck would be nice, I would really enjoy a nicely built truck, because when it comes down to it, say I spend 15k on a stock truck, I then have to mod it, now if I get a nicely modded truck for 15k with maybe a little bit more miles on it.. I'm golden. I want to be picky about it, and then I just want to be happy with it, and fast=happy. I can learn to live with any color, EXCEPT black. I don't want black, too much up keep and blah..someone ruined black for me on Lightnings.
I can't pass up a good opportunity, I have my eyes open for one, and hopefully one comes along. Granted I don't NEED it now, I NEED to get rid of a few of the other vehicles I have, but if the right one comes into my life, I'm not passing it up! I don't mind traveling to get it, hell at this point it wouldn't be anything different than what I've done all summer!
So..here is to happy Lightning hunting & to being able to get into a class to get my motorcycle license in the next few weeks, That is IF..big IF I can stay in the state for more than one week a month! The good thing is they have them every weekend in Orlando, so when I stop getting the Travel-bug I can pick it up anytime :)