Bacon Sparkle Pony

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The Pony

to-do list

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Bacon Sparkle Pony

Jeep Sat 1 Aug 2010

For many years I've been jealous of those who have dedicated Burning Man vehicles, that entertaining and functional blend of Mad Max and whatever art they're inspired by. After last year I began thinking of acquiring my own set of playa wheels in celebration of the fifteen year since my first burn; it'd make it easier when I'm on-duty and possible to be on standby without depending upon an event vehicle.

The poor state of the economy, my own job hunt, and related financial caution made it seem as though 2010 would pass without playa wheels. And so it was until last week, when I decided it was plausible to consider the idea anew.

Quick visits around the 'net, looking for Toyota LandCruisers, Range Rovers, and Jeeps, looking for something that seemed to be more used to the outdoors than the urban landscape, and within a very tight budget, was satisfying. The pick of the litter was a blue 1987 Jeep Wrangler with rock-crusher bumpers, a winch, and an expedition rack.

By the time I did my research and acquired Bacon Sparkle Pony, is it's now known (it's a Burning Man Ranger in-joke), it looked a wee bit more pedestrian than adventurous, but it still sports the rock-crusher bumpers and winch:

Jeep

Tue 3 Aug 2010

Today is the second day I've owned the Pony. The goal for the day is to have a second automotive opinion on its health; I had a quick once-over inspection done where I picked it up. This is, as they say, for reals. I own the thing, so now it needs my money to come up to par. This is what things look like as I step in to drive the Pony downtown.

inside, as is

Here we are at the mechanic; the Pony will spend a day or two being poked and prodded.

at the mechanic

Conclusion: it's in great condition, body and motor, and needs no major anything! Woo hoo!

Sun 8 Aug 2010

It's been a busy week of learning about Jeeps, restoration and repair, and mechanical things. I have a long to-do list to get her ready for the playa. Some mechanical, some cosmetic, some functional.

In keeping with my esthetic, I'm striving to buy nothing new for the Pony, but use salvage parts where safe and sane. Case in point, I got Pony a new soft-top (and fitting doors) more in line with the whole "abandoned in the desert" look:

Jeep

Sure, it screams "paint me" even more, but that's low on the list.

Mon 9 Aug 2010

This morning a friend gifted Pony a radio, to fill that lonely cut-out in the dashboard. The radio's look is perfect: a slab of black, hinting at old military gear:

Jeep

Wed 11 Aug 2010

Driving the Pony is an enforced contemplative experience, which I prefer to schedule on my own. So in goes a radio - sadly not the one gifted to me because the wiring harness is missing (a future project) - and new speakers (replacing the dried-out original pair).

installing radio & power

While down in the wiring, Ed fixes reconnects the cigarette lighter (a power port for GPS, etc.) and leaves two 12 volt pigtails with 20 amp inline fuses, for future excitement.

Thu 12 Aug 2010

The Pony is loud. Too loud. The exhaust can be smelled inside. Unacceptable. So off it goes, for an exhaust check.

replacing muffler

Turns out there's a specially loud muffler without a tail-pipe. Fixed. The Pony smells nice, and is suitable for nice people. And - this is no small thing - it passes the mandated smog inspection on first try; not bad for a 23-year-old vehicle.

I glance up and realize the muffler guys are also a body shop. On goes the disconnected side-step, and the existing one is reinforced. Things are getting done!

welding side-steps

Fri 13 Aug 2010

The Pony is at our local newly-reopened Earl Schieb, about to get a khaki paint job. What color *is* khaki, actually? I had quite the issue when I did the

paint job

Have you found errors nontrivial or marginal, factual, analytical and illogical, arithmetical, temporal, or even typographical? Please let me know; drop me email. Thanks!
 

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