In which I work on my mom’s truck

My mom has had a truck for many years. It’s a little 4-cylinder 1990 Nissan truck that she uses to haul things around the “farm”, runs to the dump, getting manure for the garden, and other things like that. When I arranged to borrow Mark & Shanah’s washer and dryer for an extended time, I needed a way to get them up from Milwaukee. My mom said I could use her truck.

I dropped off my car at her house on the last day of September and I took her truck down to Milwaukee. I thought I was going to die. One headlight was aimed straight down and the other did a wonderful job of lighting up the ditch. (High beams were even worse since the driver’s side one completely cut out.) The thing stalled out when it wasn’t moving, it had no side mirrors, the windows were dirty and hard to see through, etc. But I made it to Milwaukee alive. Once I was down there I told everyone about my experiences in the “deathmobile”.

The drive back was a mixed experience. The washer and dryer blocked the rear view mirror so I couldn’t see behind me at all. But Endo was nice enough to lead me so I didn’t have to worry about my headlight problem. (Endo was also nice enough to help load and unload the washer and dryer. He’s a prince.) But after driving that truck for awhile, I decided that I didn’t want my mom driving it. Not as it was anyway. So I called her and said that I’d be keeping it for awhile.

Now it’s a month later and I’m about to get my car back and hand the truck back to my mom. I had a lot of fun working on the thing. I like working on tangible things, where I can actually see and feel the progress. And it’s fun to take things apart and learn how they work. Now that I’ve practiced on my mom’s truck (and on Mark & Shanah’s Neon), I plan to take a stab at my own car when I get it back. Should be fun.

I thought replacing the PCV valve would be easy, but I couldn’t find it. Some Internet research found phrases like, “a pox on Nissan for placing the pcv valve where it is,” and, “the auto parts shop said over half are returned once people see what they are in for.” So I decided that I would just pay a garage $50 to do it. You have to know when to back down.

I traced the high beam problems to a missing fuse. Not blown but completely missing… I swapped it out for the cigarette lighter fuse and the high beam worked fine. When I mentioned the missing fuse to my mom, she said, “Oh yeah, I think I used that fuse in the riding mower.” Now I ask you, how many people have moms that can repair their lawn mower with parts from the truck? I just wish she had chosen slightly less vital parts…

I only spent about $200 on fixing up the truck. There are still some big problems with it, but it’s much better than it was. A full list follows:

Fixed:

• Replaced PCV valve
• Replaced and regapped spark plugs
• Replaced fan/alternator and power steering belts
• Replaced air filter
• Rebent driver’s side headlight assembly, replaced top aim adjustment screw retainers, replaced retaining ring screws, replaced headlights, replaced driver’s side high beam fuse, aimed headlights
• Replaced windshield wipers, unclogged and aimed washer nozzles
• Replaced side mirrors
• Replaced tailgate handle
• Replaced tire iron
• Cleaned cab

Remaining issues:

• Bad tie rod (safety issue!)
• “Blowby” resulting in rapid oil loss and dripping oil, sign of failing engine?
• Headlights (rarely) completely go out when switching from high beams to low
• No trailer light hookup
• Very dark transmission fluid
• All joints in steering system are loose, impossible to align front end
• Gas cap cover can’t be opened from cab
• Broken radio display
• Passenger side external door lock doesn’t work
• Speedometer erratic over 65