Progress on "Black Betty"

Yeaterday, I had a 10:15 AM appointment at the Kommiecticut DMV office to renew my CDL. Unlike non-CDL drivers that can renew at the local AAA office and get a license good for 8 years, I have to go to a full service DMV office and my license is only good for 4 years. 

When I got home, I installed the "Obama Switch" eliminator module and the roof racks. For as much of the interior panels I had to remove to access the back of the Auto-Start-Stop cancel button behind the dash, everything simply unsnaps with the exception of one 10mm retainer bolt. It all came apart and went back together easily making the whole process take about 10 minutes. The module works as promised and the few times I've driven it, I smile every time I see the orange dash indicator come on at startup reminding me that my engine will stay running until I turn the key off. I stopped and had some lunch.

The roof racks took considerably longer but they went up on the roof just fine. It was a pain in the ass to have to go from side to side to get everything evenly lined up and tightened down. Doing the install in the heat of the afternoon wasn't too pleasant either. I now need to get some new mounts for my Yakima "Hull Raiser" kayak saddles to fit on my new aero style roof rack bars. $32.06 a piece on Amazon and I will need four. I'll have wifey order them on her Prime account.

Yesterday my "in channel" vent shades from WeatherTech arrived and they were installed this morning before it got hot out. We've already had these on her RAV-4 and they install easy and work great. I had them all installed in about 1/2 hour. The windows are supposed to remain fully up for 48 hours for everything to seat properly. After that I will need to reset the auto window up/down to accommodate the extra material in the window channel. On my Tundra which had large upper door frames, I opted for the exterior glue on version from Ventishades. The top of the Highlander door frame is very narrow and has a chrome strip trim piece, so in channel works and looks best. I got the matte finish instead of the shiny version and really like the look. The next part of my order from WeatherTech are the windshield sun shades for the Highlander and Rav-4. Hopefully they come before Monday when I work again so I can use it while parked in the sun behind the firehouse. When I got in my vehicle to come home yesterday it was hot as balls in there when I started it up.

Accessories On Order

The first road trip Friday the 3rd up to MA and back went great. My wife liked the way it rode and so did I. Very comfortable and the A/C is super cold. My taste in music she doesn't really care for, but hey, driver's choice! At least I didn't play the Death Metal I sometimes use as a stress reliever. 

I've ordered some much needed items for "Black Betty." I finished setting her up the way I want and putting some important on-hand gear on board...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1). Portable UHF fire radio

2). 1st Responder Med Bag

3). Brush fire clothes, boots, and helmet

4). Binoculars 

5). 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher (in cargo under floor trunk)

6). Doggy seat protector mat (also in cargo under floor trunk to keep the extinguisher from moving around) 

7). Small OD Green G.I. tool bag that allows me to fix almost anything 

8). Hearing protection ear muffs

9). Hi-Vis orange safety vest

10). Horse lead, dog slip over leash, collapsible water bowls (animal rescue)

11). Folding camp chair (for spending nice days on FD duty sitting out in the bays or other outdoor events)

12). Golf umbrella 

I have the majority of this stuff in the back seat area, leaving the cargo area completely open. If I need to carry passengers I'll toss it all in the cargo area. For a road trip, though, the majority of items will be removed and left home. There is lots of other stuff I put in the glove box and console like eyeglass cleaning wipes, eyeglass case, FD badge & ID, energy bars, etc.

 

The stuff currently on order...

1). The "Obama Switch" (Auto Stop-Start) override module with memory (Amazon)

2). After-market aerodynamic roof rack bars with increased capacity over OEM (Amazon)

3). WeatherTech channel fit window vent shades/rain guards

4). WeatherTech windshield sunshade and carry bag (also bought one for my wife's RAV-4)

 

I hate modern car nannies, but none more than that fucking Obama Switch, turning my vehicle into a golf cart that shuts off when I stop and restarts when I want to go. The amount of gas it "saves" and pollution it prevents is minuscule, but it beats the shit out of your starter and A/C compressor, and probably the fuel system and engine components. What if it doesn't restart... then what? The module I bought was $22.80 and remembers the last press of the cancellation button and re-activates upon starting every time. If... IF I decided I did want to use that feature, a press of the button turns it back on permanently until I turn it back off. But no more forgetting to cancel it until the first time the vehicle shuts off on me. It is guaranteed not to interfere with any diagnostic or safety systems, but can easily be removed in the event I have some kind of issue that requires dealer service so they don't find it and void my extended warranty.

I am holding off on purchasing the Toyota OEM Class III 2" tow receiver until I get my finances back in order. The vehicle is rated for 5000 pound towing capacity which is way more then I will currently use. I can get the receiver from ToyotaPartsDeal.com for $412.45 and install it myself. I have already downloaded and read the 10 page installation manual so I will definitely save myself some dough on a pretty easy but involved installation. IMHO, what makes it involved is trimming and fitting the underside body covers and installing the new bumper fascia covers. I'll easily have it done in one session and nothing seems to be rusted in place like it was when I rebuilt Big Red. 

Took Delivery.... FINALLY!

My wife named my now totaled 2007 Toyota Tundra "Big Red" because it was the biggest and baddest pickup truck I ever had. Late yesterday afternoon I took delivery of my 2018 Highlander LE. When I got home I did a few quick set up items but it was getting dark and starting to rain. This morning at the firehouse I finished setting up the vehicle the way I want it and took the photo. I decided it needed a name. Meet "Black Betty."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, just like the song by Ram Jam.

 

 I'll drive it awhile to see if I like the user setup I have now or do I need to make more changes. I will be purchasing an automatic Auto Stop cancellation module to make that fucking "Obama Switch" no longer function killing my engine at stop lights. I seem to always forget to press the cancellation button upon starting the engine, and now I won't have to. I will also be purchasing roof racks and a towing hitch receiver as well. So far, am I really liking it. We'll take it up to MA to see my cousin on Friday July 3rd for the inaugural road trip.

New Wheels

An AWD 3.5L V-6 powered 2018 Toyota Highlander LE Plus with 70,000 miles on it for $24K

Stock photo. Too many tell-tale breadcrumbs with the dealer's photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I know... it's black.😒 Difficult to keep clean. The annual spring pine pollen scourge will turn it a putrid green color. Last black vehicle I had was a 1973 Jeep Commando 45 years ago. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers and the color will prevent my wife from commandeering it once she sees all that glorious cargo space because she hates black vehicles.

It has 3rd row seats that fold down completely flat making for the generous cargo area. Fold down the 2nd row and I could easily overnight camp inside. The car originated at that dealership as a 3 year lease, that was bought out at the end by the same owner. She ended up trading it in. The CarFax report is clean and shows all the services being done at the original dealership. I ended up getting handed the check for $9245 when I went to the Progressive office to sign over the title for Big Red. I will add $755 cash to make the down payment an even $10K. The plan is to return the rental to the Enterprise office across from the dealership, and drive home my new ride on Tuesday. Speaking of the rental, I stopped in to Enterprise after the Progressive office to extend the rental for a week. Hopefully I will be rid of it before the week is up and save a little dough.

New vehicles are just stupid money and totally out of the question. Used vehicles have some interesting proportions as far as prices go. My target price was $25K but could approach $30K. I was leaning heavy towards Toyota and wanted a mid-size SUV or Tacoma.

Lots of vehicles under $10K but nothing I want or approaching 200K miles. 

Older but with low miles = on target (what I got)

Even older but loaded with options and 100K plus miles = target or below but don't need or want all the bells and whistles.

2020-2023 with 150K miles or more = $30K and up

2023 and newer with decent mileage = low $40K 

Saw a couple of Tundras but definitely nothing for me. A 2016 Tundra Doublecab SR5 with 176K miles for $17,648. A 2025 Crew Max SR5 with the 5.5' bed and 26,433 miles for $45,524. And a 2024 Crew Max Limited with a 6.5' bed and 7,531 miles for $54,648. I already knew a comparable deal on a Tundra like I got back in 2010 wasn't happening... not these days. In hindsight, I probably should have sold my Tundra right after I did all that work on it two summers ago. I probably could have got $15,000 or better for it!

I submitted a credit check authorization form to their finance office because the salesman thought that with my 816 credit score they should be able to get me 7% or better. Because the vehicle is older than 2019, my credit union's rate was going to be 8.39% with a 72 month limit. My loan will either be 48 or 60 months but either way it will never go to term. I have NEVER taken a loan of any kind to term.

 

Welp.... It's Official

My 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Doublecab truck, affectionately known as "Big Red" has been totaled by my auto insurance. I don't know the total cost of the claim, but I am getting a check for $9245.00 for the truck with 193,589 miles on the clock. They are also paying tow charges, diagnostic charges, and for my rental car. I am supposed to return the rental on Thursday the 25th, but I am going to extend it myself for a few more days so I can get a replacement vehicle. Enterprise will continue my rental at the discounted insurance company rate.

2 months old with the brand new cap installed October 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure what I will end up with. A small SUV or Tacoma, but my target price is $25K and I haven't really looked yet. Gotta be 4WD or at the least AWD. I need to be able to tow my utility trailer which has a GVW of 1800 pounds which isn't a whole lot.