Almost a year later...

 I've been bad about keeping up with things here. Some updates...

2019 Golf GTI

This has remained the daily driver. I've done nothing with it other than oil changes and scheduled services. I did pay it off, which is nice. I've decided to trade it in for an EV daily driver, even though that would mean taking on a short-term loan to cover the gap between the trade-in value and the purchase price. It's worth it for the fleet and the shake-up in experience.

That's probably going to happen tonight, actually.

2002 Porsche 996

I still love this car. It makes me feel good whenever I drive it. This year, it has been spendy on repairs, but...worth it from an emotional point of view. Required repairs have been the Air Oil Seperator and the passenger window regulator.  I've also had the brake lines upgraded with stainless.

In the coming year, it will need tires and brake pads. When I change the brake pads, I'll splash out the cash to upgrade to Giro Disc for the lightness.  I'm also considering replacing the buckets with more comfortable seats. (but still buckets)

1995 Subaru Sambar KS4

Driving. Moving stuff.  I've updated the stereo.  I've replaced the shifter bushings. I've installed a tachometer. I've changed the oil. I've put new wheels and tires on it. I've tuned up the carb.  It's cheap and easy to keep so that's what I'm doing.

1992 Suzuki Cappuccino

Driving. Having fun. Replaced the brake pads and rotors, and completely flushed the brake fluid.  It stops nicely now!  Also changed out the suspension for BC coilovers, and those are simply pimp as fuck.  I love this car and want to keep it for another year.

Following projects: Period-correct boost gauge, timing belt, and water pump.

2020 GBS Zero

This car has been reliable since returning to the GBS ATR oil pan. I haven't wanted to tinker with it. But the car needs some love.

Following Projects: Oil system upgrade, under-dash rewiring and clean up, custom doors, and differential service.

Been a hot minute. Guess I should update.

 I don't update here very often because this is primarily a surrogate for my own memory.  And I don't remember that this exists. (And I've been using journaling tools on my phone more often than not for the Second Memory functions.)

Anyway, I'm taking a moment to babble about my current car things.

Project Home: Ryobi Stick Vac Repair (Part 1: Problem and Replacement Parts)

 I noticed that my Ryobi stick vac's head has a split hose. That makes it less useful.  The fix should be pretty straightforward, it just requires a short length of replacement hose.  Amazon has it for ~$9 bucks.  It's way better than buying a whole new head.  In this post, I'll chronicle my bumble fuckery implementing this repair.

Amazon had free same-day delivery for orders over $25. I added a cheap Bluetooth label maker to get the hose fast and complete the repair tonight. (And I've got use cases for an inexpensive Bluetooth Label Maker.)

I got the link for the hose from this video on YouTube.

Project 996: Wiper Cowl replacement (Part 1, Ordering Parts)

There's not much to mention here; the wiper cowl on my 996 has seen better days and needs to be replaced. It's an old plastic part that's become brittle with age and cracked at a particularly fragile location.

I won't try to do some trick DIY repair with plastic welding or epoxy. The needed replacement parts are still available from Porsche and are relatively inexpensive.  The pieces I've ordered include the cowl panel and the cowl caps. This will run me about $300, shipped.  I honestly thought the cost would be a lot steeper than that.

GBS Zero: Fender Clamp Failure

I need to be better at updating this blog.  This is a short video of the failure mode of using epoxy for bond-in studs.

SPOILER ALERT: Don't use epoxy. Use 3M Panel Bond.

Zero: Front Big Brake Kit upgrade.

Planning out a big break upgrade for the Zero with some parts I've had on the shelf for a while, some parts I bought for a song on Ebay, and some parts I've made myself on my mini-lathe.  Oh, and some rotors from an NB Miata.  All told, should shave around four pounds off the unsprung weight from the front suspension. (Would be around 8lbs if I also spring for the two piece rotors.)

996: Stereo trim upgrade.

 I've not been good about keeping this blog up-to-date or making good content about the 996. I'm going to try to resolve that.

Here's a quick video I did on the last touches of an Alpine iLX-W650 head unit install that took maybe a bit longer than I'd have like.  It's fluff but...Whatever.