Profile For 87Wrangler

Good morning everyone, finally made it back home yesterday around 3pm after a long time coming. Got the fuel pump in my other Chevy truck, and drove it, more power still has a miss, so I popped the hood last night when I pulled in and looked at the wires, it looked like a Christmas tree under there, so I am going to put plug wires on it today and see how that goes. My driving and lane control is improving especially on curves and off ramps. Can keep it centered in most cases. Plus got to pull and descend the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, and liked it but we were light. Also getting used to wind gusts and uneven roads, it’s amazing what a draft will do when passing another big truck and almost had the steering wheel jerked out of my hand moving up on uneven pavement in a construction area, I was expecting a slight pull but not what actually happened. Had some hard backs, one blindside I gave up on and let my trainer complete it. I was worn out after trying for about 30 minutes. But did get one yesterday that was similar and did not give up, time was a factor on the other one or I would have continued. It was a bad one. All other backs for the day went well. Thanks again for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for my wife and myself. She is struggling, but I have been gone 2 months, which was starting to get too me a little as well. Take care and I will keep you guys posted. My trainer is great, and likes the way I drive so far, which is encouraging!

Hello Everyone...especially Anne & Family Sorry been so busy, still haven't been home since June 22. Was encouraged to run local last week after getting the truck and trailer back to the yard from Greenville SC, i wws asked to drive local srsrting on Monday and then go home needed the money so I agreed. Saw the twin cities for the first time. So when friday rolled around I was then was asked to leave out Sun. on for a OTR delivery run from Wisconsin to Columbia SC, then to Orlando and down to del ray on Tuesday we delivered at 6 stops nailed all the back ins and a few were tough ones. Then made two today in Orlando, and off to del ray and believe it or not was supposed to stay overnight for a 7am delivery of 3 items so we got there around 7 and someone pulled up throwing out trash and actually took out delivery so woohooo we are heading to Tampa for our backhual to and finally back home. We were supposed to be back next week around Monday maybe even Tuesday but we shaved a lot off our trip and heading back to WI at 7am tomorrow morning. The the instructor is amazed and we are both happy about being home about 2 days early...I am loving the job more everyday, bit this is a lifestyle that is for sure, but one I like. Time management is very important almost as much as safety...We are kicking butt so far!!! Plus got my first paycheck and was very pleased... Prayers still appreciated and can see Gods hand in this trip!!! But I am going home when I get back to the yard and will not take no for an answer!!!

Oh, the whole trip was about 1222 miles not counting my bus trip from NC to SC, but from SC to WI it was about 1200 miles or so. Really am happy at least I know what to expect in the mountains, and tall bridges. My mind was making it much worse than it actually was...lol

Well you guys aren't going to believe this...but I was called Wed. morning while laying under my truck. I had just replaced the coil, plugs, and dropping the tank to replace the fuel pump, and was asked if I would be willing to go to SC and drive the truck and trailer back home, would need to pick up a load and scale before leaving with about 80K pounds, and scale out because a driver was stuck in SC and could not drive back. I being in NC was called and asked if I would go pick up the truck and trailer and get it back to the yard. I reminded them that I have not driven in the dark, rain, or heavy interstate traffic, no tall bridges, or mountains, and that I was tired and had not even made it all the way home yet, and if I could go at my own pace I would be happy to help. So I got on a bus at 9am made it to Raleigh about 10;30am and was delayed 8 hours at that terminal and arrived in SC totally exhausted only 9 hours sleep since Saturday at about 1:30am on Thursday, but did a pretrip threw my bag in the truck and was able to make it about 372 miles before stopping just before Knoxville. Drove in heavy traffic 6 lanes, pulled two mountains and descended with jakes, across several tall bridges and overpasses, completed my post trip headed for a shower and asleep at 4pm. Woke up usual time around 2am, showered again and read my Bible, completed my pretrip and left around 4:15AM, was happy that I could focus much better. I was able to keep it on 70 mph I would not go much over 60 the day before I was just too tired, but held on 70 the whole way for the most part and made it 472 miles with 2.5 left on the drive clock but would not have a place to park if I pushed it that far so stopped a little sooner than I wanted, which was 500 miles at least. Showered, ate this time, and back up around 2am again and did my morning reading, ect. then pretrip and off to the yard it was about 5am raining and had about 399 miles to go, soooooo....Thank the Lord, I made it all safe and sound at 12:00pm. Dropped the trailer, fueled the truck, post trip then paperwork and set the camper back up. I still need to go home as I intended, get my truck fixed, and start my training, but am glad I did it, my fear of mountains and holding a straight line at high speeds in multiple lanes is much less stressful than just the thought of it. I kinda wish our trucks would do 75 now!! lol Just another update and all prayers still needed!!

Thanks Old School, and Anne!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the old red girl got me home, but not without some hiccups, she threw the fan completely off about 100 miles out, but only cut the alt. belt...was almost hit by a semi driving way too fast trying to get to the shoulder. They didn’t even slow down and overlooked my caution lights, but got it over and luckily no damage to the radiator, so I tied a rope around the alternator pulleys and since it was cool and at night made it without overheating. I got here about 3am Monday morning and slept in my truck about 4 hours to keep from waking everyone up. So I got up got ready went to the DMV around 2 since my appointment was at 2:30 and am now a Class A CDL holder with no restrictions...I major hurdle, it has been a long hard journey, one that covid almost prevented, just getting an appointment for my permit and getting there and back was the hardest parts, almost seemed impossible at times, but I never gave up and just kept pushing forward. So in the end I am thankful to be able to finally start this new career. Just working on my other truck at the moment getting it ready to head back up soon! I do have it running much better, but need to replace the fuel pump. So all of your prayers are still welcomed!!

Thanks to you and your family, Anne!!

The springs came in late yesterday evening, and finished installing them at 12:30 last night, the rented spring compressor was not a quality tool, so much so that my neighbor came over to help and stayed until we got it, it literally took four hands to use....cranked it up, and no miss....smooth as silk. Praise the Lord. I needed that. Woke up this morning to find a bad oil leak on the valve cover so I pulled it and am putting it back on right now. Planning to head back for home in the morning. Again, all prayers are welcomed. Will check back in when I make it back up here and officially start my job with pay. Should be sometime next week if all goes well. Thank you again for all of your help along the way. I couldn't have made it this far as quickly as I did with out it. If the mechanical problems didn't exist, and memorial day delaying Fridays test day, I would have been heading back home on the fifth day with all tests passed the first time. Again, I appreciate the CDL Training program, and pre-trip study guide. It is very valuable to say the least. I know my learning is just beginning, but am sure I can search the site for further guidance. Thank you to all who take the time share your knowledge and all that goes into maintaining the site!

Hey wait a minute. Were you talking about the Truck or Me? lol

Good Job....I'm right behind you!!

Antique...LOL Appreciate it!!

Pulled the valve covers off a couple days ago just for inspection before heading back and found a broken valve spring on the number 5 cylinder at the exhaust side. This would explain the missing and blowback into the intake. I ordered parts on Sunday, which are due wed. or thurs. and has delayed my trip back home to get my license issued. Was able to make an appointment at the DMV for Monday and hope to make it there safely. I am praying the valve isn't burned and still seats properly, but will have to wait and see. I did do my orientation today, and clearing house, and only need some reefer training tomorrow and orientation will be complete. I received a hat, gloves, lock, safety vest, safety book, manual, log book, ect. Also have much better directions back to avoid toll roads and CHICAGO. Cant wait to get back behind the wheel. I am missing it already!! Will be in touch before I head back. I welcome all of your prayers this has been one tough journey so far and thank you in advance for any prayers you would be willing to offer up for me and my families behalf.

Guys just got back from my early morning testing....Passed 100% on pre/trip and had to do the whole truck A, B, & C. Did get five points on backing, and eleven on the road trip...So thankful I passed.

Thanks everyone for you help!!

The weld isn't nice to look at but holding not too bad being on the side of the road, doing the safety squint. Can you believe I forgot my welding helmet??? I can...lol

In the beginning of the welding phase I was having trouble getting the weld to stick to the cast iron block, but finally found a nickel rod, I had about a 1/2 a rod..........but it was enough to get me here......lol

Just to show you guys how bad the starter broke the block I uploaded a photo of the break and repair. I am also glad I had my 20v dewalt grinder. I have never been this far from home, and with funds being just enough, when I left I tried to be prepared for anything and so far looks like a good call. One of the temp gauge, she went further at about the three oclock position once I turned it off, it was smoking so bad I got the fire extinguisher out, took about an how to cool down enough to take the cap off. Oh. and one of the whole set up........love my old truck, but the 6.2 diesel is giving me a fit right now. Our house flooded during hurricane florence and we lost everything. So instead of getting myself a new truck, I got my wife her dream car and I started working on this old girl. I got her about 15 years ago and it has just been sitting. I do miss my king ranch right about now that the flood got, but its ok, she got me here and could not ask for more. I picked up this camper about the flood time and rebuilt it because we didnt know what the house was going to look like, glad I had it, much less cost on staying in a motel....385.00 a week vs 350.00 a month at the campground and is only a mile from work.

I am hanging in there, nervous about tomorrow's test. The old girl is still cranking, and missing. I pulled one valve cover hoping it was a retainer, or valve spring, but need to pull the other one today, after I get back from practicing. I think I will go over and practice for about five or six hours this morning. She still has to get me back to NC if I pass the test to get my license issued, and then back here again to start driver training and finally earning some money. One of the guys is going to let me leave the camper at his house to lighten the load until I get back so that is helpful. At this point much prayer would be appreciated. If I happen to fail, it would really put me in a bind financially, but I am trying to only focus on doing the right things to pass the test. I have made it this far and hoping to follow through. Thanks for the comments, and humor. It is needed in a situation like this...LOL

P.S. I stopped at walmart to grab a few things yesterday and posted a photo, not sure where it will end up on the thread or in my photos, but tell me do you think the old girl is leaking a little.....lol She got so hot in W. Virginia that she melted the return lines off of the injectors guess it worked on all the gaskets as well. So glad I saved the old ones........

Yes I welded it on the side of the road with a 110v welder and a power inverter that I keep in my toolbox, also had to drill and tap the hole...it sucked on the side of the road, but was glad I had that little harbor freight welder.

Left the east coast around 7am on Sat. morning, late start truck would not start. Then truck has a breakdown and overheated bad in W. Virginia, then starter broke the block after getting fuel and checking all fluids somewhere not even sure what state I was in but think Ohio or Indiana, welded it and kept driving, and if that is not enough started missing and smoking somewhere in Ohio, but made it to Wisconsin about 11:30 Sunday night and got the camper set up and to bed around 2am. So that was about 1500 miles of driving and had one hour sleep in a two day period and only slept 3 hours Friday night. Was exhausted to say the least on Monday but showed up on time. Was sent for drug test and physical around 10am, then came back to the yard and was told to do a straight back and nailed it all the way across the parking lot up to a dock door about 400 yards away; was asked to do it again, so I did. Then the instructor said do you want a hard backing maneuver or easy? I said hard, he said ok cones or real world. I chose cones, he said this one is tough lets go real world first to see what happens and save the life of a cone, so I nailed it no pull ups. He said do it again to see if this is beginners luck, so I nailed it again, this time with one pull up.

Shifting is good going up and down in the yard but struggle when out on the road going back down with double clutching. I am too focused on not hitting anything but grinding gears at most intersections is very frustrating, but hey its my second day. Wednesday we went out into the city and interstate, and turned at a lot of intersections to get the feel of tracking. 70 mph was a little stressful to say the the least, and a lot to process with the traffic, curves, lights, shifting, ect. considering I am still learning to use the mirrors....All of them!! We drove about 5 hours in town and around then I went back and practiced backing and set up's which is another weakness, I usually end up on the far side of the hole I'm shooting for or and some weird angle but once I get it in both mirrors I can put it in. Need more practice for sure and glad that is not on the test...

Thursday we drove about 300 miles all over the place, even backed into my first spot at a real live truck stop, it was on an angle and took me about 3 pull ups to get it, but did. I am having trouble find a good reference point to go from out in the open, maybe it will get better in time. Love the truck and air ride seat!! He called my test in for Tuesday because Monday is a holiday and could not find anyone for Sat. Seems a little fast, the pre-trip and air brake test came easy because I studied the material that is provided on this site, went went through it a couple times and he said you are good to go on that...Thank you guys for that!!

The test seems a little fast, but he said I would pass, so I am going to go with it. Once licensed I will have about 5 weeks of real world training and if that goes well, will be assigned a truck and go solo. Thanks again for all of your help and that is too everyone, Big Scott, Old School, and all of the others, you know who you are!!

I will check back in Tuesday and let you guys know if I passed, I am praying that I will but can't help but be concerned, anything can happen. Friday we just drove around the different cities, and today I came in on my own to practice more backing, downshifting, and set up's in the yard, and plan too tomorrow and Monday as well. I have stayed late each evening to practice own my own in the yard, It seems the more time I have in the truck the more I learn. The spot and convex mirrors and getting easier to use with each passing day and can see how helpful they can be.

Almost forgot on the way here I went across the skyway in Chicago and through the city, had to run the heater wide open in the stop and go traffic to keep the old girl from overheating for about three hours and was so glad I fueled up a few miles out, man was it hot and the traffic was not fun considering I was pulling a camper. I hope I never go across that thing again, was rolling about 3 mph when I finally crested the top of it, the old girl was smoking and missing but got me over it, plus cost me about 40.00 dollars in tolls if I remember correctly. If I can help it i will never purchase the 1.50 ticket at the start of the skyway again. Whoever, thought up the first ticket you purchase must like the carnival and that's just exactly what it felt like to me a huge carnival ride, that was way to high in the air, why does the thing go so high? It looked like it was only missing a tiny little house or building... Anyway, I am nervous, excited, and just don't know all rolled up into one.....but am not turning back unless the man above tells me too...lol

Started on Monday, yesterday the instructor was calling to try to find an appointment for testing on Tuesday but may get delayed until Thursday because of the holiday....not sure yet. Downshifting beat me up the first time out on the road Wednesday, because my focus was absolutely on my surroundings and not hitting anything...Yesterday was much better, learning to use the mirrors a little better and not fighting the transmission at every intersection lowered my stress levels...I do much better if I just listen to the engine and not the tach, maybe just a glance before downshifting, iOS gifting and backing has came natural, not bragging just has, nailed all three backs first time, but I am struggling with the setup when choosing a spot to back in to though; usually I am lined up at a offset or completely centered the outer or inner edge of my target...lol but hopefully that will improve with time. I will try to give a better description of all that has went on when I get this testing over with... oh... and OLD SCHOOL... It’s J. Bauer Trucking out if Wisconsin. So far have been some of the nicest professional people you would want to meet and work for. The instructor is very knowledgeable, a good sense of humor and a good man as well, you know a person of integrity ...I think I have made a good choice to learn and will probably retire here. Yesterday I met one driver that has been with Mr. Bauer for 39 years and most have been here long term.