Sculptor

My first answer has been that it’s “Cheaper than a pickup.” Then I add some of the reasons you mentioned.

Hi Larry, I was thinking it had been awhile since the last update, but it turns out that it hasn’t been that long. How ya doing lately? Any news?

This one isn’t bad for the disassembly. It covers disassembly in the first half or so. I would advise the same as Brad, take the mirror glass off first, then proceed with the housing. https://youtu.be/FJzQI3Tb5gY Another video details the mirror glass removal for an antenna repair. Tilt each mirror up/forward as far as possible. One at a time. Apply GENTLE pressure up with some GENTLE tapping up at the lower edge, just until the glass is up and loose. Then tilt the glass down all the way. Then slide the glass up and off it’s mount. This should help to be able to access the rest of the mounting screws. Hope this helps.

I think there is a YouTube video on this. Or something close? I’ll see if I can find it. Your photo looks like a gen 2 Volvo right?

Well that’s more good news. Good to hear, Larry.

We just got to Mission TX a couple of days ago. We were scheduled to arrive Nov. 15 but got here early. The National Rally was about 2 long days of travel in the wrong direction so unfortunately we missed it again this year. No breakdowns or injuries so ALL was good that way.

Cory, I’m no expert, but this article talks about the industry in general over the last 12 or so years. It’s not for or against a certain brand. The writer is calling out the industry as a whole for some systemic problems that were already problems, but made worse by, you guessed it, covid. The demand for rvs shot up and the quality, such as it was, dropped off the chart. https://www.rvtravel.com/indianapolis-newspaper-report-blasts-rv-manufacturers/ im not saying don’t buy an RV, just be cautious.

Yeah, like the wrench on the top of the Bridgeport, don’t forget and leave it there. Don’t ask how I know those both….

That would work for any photo on any website, but a series of individual links to photos seems like more work than most want to do. In my opinion. When “photo bucket” was free that’s what everyone used because it was one link. I think Facebook is just easier because you skip the middle step and upload right from your phone.

On the subject of photos, this is just a test. Shutterfly is all about making projects like albums or coffee mugs, so they don’t charge to upload photos. I wanted to see if it works to post a link. https://link.shutterfly.com/LNuXgLlceub NO promotion here, just a test.

Do tell, what do you like about it? I have zero manual shift HDT experience. A couple of small cars, bikes, and a tractor, ,,,

Brilliant!!

It’s on Facebook. It’s called “Volvo Masters”. There are mostly pro drivers on there, but some repair experts who are pretty patient. You will get some smartazz comments from truckers who are bored and like attention, but also some good info. A guy named Nick Purcella seems like one of the best. Lead off by stating your make, model, year, engine, trans, secondary info like was it recently repaired by you or someone else. Symptoms. Anything relevant. Like Cotreker said, first thing to check is the ground connection near the batteries, and maybe replace/bypass the main battery shutoff if it has one. Especially if nonstarting is intermittent. Hope it helps.

Hello to the posters who commented on my original message. Your advice was much appreciated and on my part somewhat heeded. 🙂 Here is what I ended up with. HP Laptop In 2020 I had not known Apple was going for their usual obsolescence scheme by moving away from Intel chips. That and all other comments related to obsolete hardware, software, graphics, etc were spot on. My situation turned out to be that of diminishing returns. The Mac usefulness went down the “chart” and the appeal of starting over with a new system went up the chart. Budget priorities eventually came around as I predicted. When my wife said “go buy one because I’m tired of your complaining” I resumed shopping. I haven’t put it to a real test of graphics speed yet, but I can tell there is a big improvement already. Now I have some tower hardware that’s taking up space. If anyone wants it contact me via PM. I won’t ship it. We are near the Grand Canyon for another couple of days.

On our 2013 VNL730 we have a factory radio which we have XM Sirius connected. The XM part quit working this past winter or spring. According to a Volvo forum I’m on, it’s very common for the antenna to fail. The XM antenna is not part of the multiplexer in our overhead area. It’s a standalone. My wife and I dug into it a month ago by pulling apart the instrument panel to get a look at the back of the radio. Sure enough, the XM antenna clips to the back of the the radio with a connector I had never heard of before called a Fakra. They are still available on the internet but we were moving a lot since Labor Day. So I found an XM antenna with today’s standard connector at the Radio Shack in Livingston. My preference is to buy from a small merchant, so I bought it, thinking I’ll deal with an adapter later. Yesterday we took it apart again, and cut the factory antenna in the overhead, stripped the tiny coax, and tested the cable continuity, which was good. (Stretching my electrical capabilities to the max I might add) Then clipped and stripped the wire on the new antenna, soldered and shrink wrapped the connection. The new antenna wire was even smaller than the old one. I used one of those clamp-style strippers which was good for the tiny wires, but one was even too small for those, and I had to use the regular pliers-style with a little extra muscle to cut the tiny insulation. The XM radio works like it always did!

My first version was also HF magnets, specifically the tool bar magnets not the round. I mounted a light cross of aluminum and the camera mounted on the crossmember. This was stuck on the centerline of the ET hitch front panel. Later I bought a second identical magnet. The first magnet tended to slip sideways a little, so I placed the second magnet on the ET hitch front panel alongside the first magnet bar. It “worked” but tended to vibrate the picture underway. Last year I changed all that out for a galvanized pipe and mounted it to the ET hitch with U-bolts. The picture is stable now.

We left Great Falls, MT September 6, stopped in Livingston for a few nights, then moved over to Bozeman for one night. Stopped for one night in West Yellowstone visiting friends and sharing pizza. We continued south to Montpelier and stayed one night at a little park called Rendezvous Village. We drove through Bear Lake, ID and cut through Wyoming to Little America for fuel. The cheapest per gallon that I have seen since spring. Continued east on I80 to 191, then turned south, east of Flaming Gorge. There are many grades, twists and turns But the views were spectacular. We landed in Vernal, UT for a few nights. We were going to stay long enough to see the Dinosaur Quarry but there are many dinosaur fossil related sights here, and we needed the rest. We are staying at Fossil Valley RV Park, which I can recommend for longer rigs. I saw a couple of Fullhouses and a New Horizons here, just not sure what was pulling them. The owner says he has a friend who comes every year with a long HDT full of toys.

Similar to the toothpick method, I drill the hole to match a wood dowel, say 1/4”, and full depth. I then glue or epoxy in a standard size birch dowel. (Oak works too) Not a homemade pine dowel. With a very sharp chisel I will trim the dowel flush. Then I predrill a small tap hole just big enough to accept the solid shank of the screw without the threads. There is a great chance of drilling through the show side of the cabinet so be careful.

That’s terrible Larry! Were you anywhere nearby? You both must be ok, I’m very glad you’re telling us about it afterwards.

Yes we are on Progressive.

Miller told me I could bobtail.

I think the other folks here have been with them longer, and don’t need to worry. I suspect there was some kind of glitch with my account only. It’s just so frustrating to get no answers. All the agent said was it had to do with the vin number. That was the only answer I could get. I pestered the agent, who was not the same agent I bought the policy from. She said an unspecified mistake was made at the time it was written. I called a number for Nationwide directly, and tried other agents who deal with Nationwide. There was no claim made at any time, and no driving record problems. I wish I had advice how to avoid this situation with them. Several here have had no problems, so I don’t want to draw NW attention to them by pushing harder for an answer. She wouldn’t make an honest offer for a different policy, so we had to move on.

Had Nationwide for a year. They decided our truck was manufactured as a class 8, so would not renew us. Title is changed, one axle removed. I found out, having a second grocery getter car makes a difference. I was told by multiple agents the second car removes a lot of risk from the HDT. We don’t have that, but we are shopping for another car for convenience.

I agree with dblr and want to say I have enjoyed reading about your trips. Also I’m happy you got back home safely. We want to visit Zion and Bryce, any suggestions for campsites would be appreciated.

Times 2. I remember the first time in a weigh station was nerve wracking for me. Glad you are both having a smooth trip That way at least. ps. Fairings are a pain when the time comes to remove/replace.