cold weather newbie / place to work on trucks

[triskadek]

Maybe not a total newbie, but in the coastal mountains of SoCal where I've been living, when we got at most a foot of snow, it was gone in a week. Plus, we had ample space including an enclosed shop (usually full of junk but it could be cleaned out an parked in). Now I find myself at the in-laws in suburbia. No garage potential, and the frost is beginning to appear. Plus I work for a living...so all my repairs are done early morning, late night, weekends. Way back when, 30 some odd years ago, as a kid in Los Angeles, pop rented a stall in a shop, mostly for moonlighting as a mechanic for extra income. You don't see that much anymore, at least where we're from. I was wondering though if anyone sees or hears of such a deal anymore. Other than that, it looks like the next few months has me in the driveway with tarps and an insulation pad. My "grubbies" collection of truck-workin clothes is going to have be updated I can tell. I have cold weather gear, but it is all too nice to work on the truck in. Most of it seems to have a nylon shell anyways, what happens to that when I get carb cleaner or gasoline on it? The NAPA I used to frequent had cheap used coveralls, those would be good if sprayed with a silicon treatment, but I haven't found a source for either here.

[Red Ford Truck]

Originally Posted by triskadek

Maybe not a total newbie, but in the coastal mountains of SoCal where I've been living, when we got at most a foot of snow, it was gone in a week. Plus, we had ample space including an enclosed shop (usually full of junk but it could be cleaned out an parked in).

Now I find myself at the in-laws in suburbia. No garage potential, and the frost is beginning to appear. Plus I work for a living...so all my repairs are done early morning, late night, weekends.

Way back when, 30 some odd years ago, as a kid in Los Angeles, pop rented a stall in a shop, mostly for moonlighting as a mechanic for extra income. You don't see that much anymore, at least where we're from. I was wondering though if anyone sees or hears of such a deal anymore.

Other than that, it looks like the next few months has me in the driveway with tarps and an insulation pad. My "grubbies" collection of truck-workin clothes is going to have be updated I can tell. I have cold weather gear, but it is all too nice to work on the truck in. Most of it seems to have a nylon shell anyways, what happens to that when I get carb cleaner or gasoline on it? The NAPA I used to frequent had cheap used coveralls, those would be good if sprayed with a silicon treatment, but I haven't found a source for either here.

First you need to make some friends who own a Big garage LOL.

failing that, one of those portable garages from Canadian tire might work well to keep the wind off you.

Also are you familiar with a company called "Princess Auto"?

Princess Auto | Quality Selection Service & Value

If not Find one close to you and put aside at least 2 hours, don't bring your wife, repeat don't bring your wife.


The only other thing we do in butt cold Canada in the winter is fantasize about all the Truck work we are going to do come spring LOL.

Now I just need some help carrying that NP205 transfer case down the basement, I better drain it first if I got that smell in the house of 80w gear oil I won't need to worry about Bronco work because the wife will put me in a wheel chair


Rick.

[triskadek]

Hahah, so I have to dis connect the wife-mod first huh.

[triskadek]

I'm not sure how he did it, but dad is able to practically bring the cars in for dinner, even making use of kitchen utensils which never are the same afterward.

I'm liking the princess auto. Now if only the DMV would stop striking and I can go get my license I would have an excuse to stop in.

[loudfords]

I've mostly given up on working on vehicles in winter, other than using my brother-in-law's shop for the odd oil change, that kind of minor stuff.

[fp_5]

I've had the opportunity to visit Ottawa in January a few times........I think you'll notice a slight chill compared to southern california.
It can get bitter cold, I wouldn't recommend working on anything outdoors until spring.
Go over your truck now and take care of the little things and hope nothing major blows up until things thaw.

Frank

[triskadek]

So when I find a place with an ice heated garage, I can charge an entrance fee?

[Red Ford Truck]

He's a big girl LOL.

Aside from the Tons of Snow the Wind Chill Factor and Frost Bite Ottawa is exactly like California.

I will give you the best piece of winter advice you can get though.

"Don't Eat the Yellow Snow", That is not lemon flavoring for the tourists.


Rick.

[triskadek]

I'm thinking maybe some nitrile gloves to keep the skin from sticking to frozen metal, though with the powersmoke, most everything has a nice greasy coating.

[loudfords]

Originally Posted by triskadek

So when I find a place with an ice heated garage, I can charge an entrance fee?

Ice heating? How does that work?

Helpful pointer when living in Ontario in the winter: even though there's snow on the road, you still have to speed. No slowing down! You only go slow if it's icy.

[triskadek]

*Nice not ice.

So drive hard for no reason, ie speed up as fast as possible to the red lights then brake hard at the last second, accomplishing less than nothing. Unless it is icy.

Except for the unusually (to me) short parking spaces, I love driving the truck around the 'burbs. No one knows how to behave around it and I just cruise along at my own pace.

I have had a few instances to show the pointless speeders their little 1.6 liter econoboxes can't keep up with 7.3 liters of turbocharged diesel madness, but I've been there done that in my teens. Acceleration isn't anything new at this point.

[fp_5]

Originally Posted by Red Ford Truck

He's a big girl LOL.


Rick.

So whats the big deal if like to get in touch with my feminine side now and then?? Actually I like touching it as often as possible!

Frank

[triskadek]

Is that called going to princess auto?

BTW I've since learned that princess auto is the north of the border equivalent to my old harbor freight. But harbor freight never had "power fist"

[fp_5]

Originally Posted by triskadek

Is that called going to princess auto?

BTW I've since learned that princess auto is the north of the border equivalent to my old harbor freight. But harbor freight never had "power fist"

I guess thats one way to look at it. I've seen Harbor Frieght ads, they seem to have a broader range of products. With Princess Auto you never know what they're going to bring in.

As for the "Power Fist" I think thats what Rick does with his mates, not that there's anything wrong with that.......live and let live I say, I just won't shake hands with him....

Frank

[falconqueenD]

Get your self a dog sled, inside storage and hope you don't get a hernia shovelling snow.

JOKES