Thatbassguy's financially irresponsible build and record of where all of my money went

Hope it comes out solid for you my friend

 

Got her all ready for her date with Caliber Collision.



I managed to score a pretty sweet rental! It's no 4Runner, but it's not bad.

 

You know that your insurance company would have paid for the removal and reinstallation of your winch, bumper, lights, etc., right?

When I finally take the plunge, I might actually have a body shop install mine since it really is body work.

Also, where are you wheeling with your rental? Technically forest roads are roads.

 

I don't care. It didn't take long, and I don't have to worry about them losing anything. Plus, I might repaint the bumper while it's off.

I wouldn't trust anyone else to cut my bumper, personally. Plus, the money saved can be used for more goodies.

Funny you should mention that about Forest roads. Here are some of the comments from Tacomaworld:

 

I’d worry a body shop installing a winch and bumper. Can’t imagine they do it too often, and finding out they made a mistake would really suck.

 

Tigerton is now closed for the season.

Also, unless the shop is doing some stuff that is slightly sketchy, your cost is the same regardless.

 

I mean, these are folks who we depend on to deal with re-wiring things like airbags and all the other vehicle sensors.

It really is in their wheelhouse as well, definitely more so than me doing it!

 

Yeah, I know. It was a joke.

What?

I don't care about the cost. I took off the bumper and lights so that I wouldn't have to worry about them. It's not much work.

Or, if you're referring to this:

That was a response to this:

Also, cutting off part of the bumper cover hardly qualifies as "body work."

 

You'll probably be the first person ever to use a body shop to install a bumper and winch.

Airbag sensors, etc, are all plug and play. They just have to be able to read instructions.

I'd consider using an off-road shop, but, again I'd rather save the money and do it myself.

 

Let’s just say that I’m amazed I’m able to get my sideburns close enough without shaving half my hair off.

I’m the kid the got decent grades in art because I didn’t eat glue or annoy the teacher.

 

Lol!

Fair enough.

I was super nervous about them at first, so I don't blame you for not wanting to do it yourself.

 

Except for the cutting, I bet my neighbor would love to work on installing a winch and bumper for me.

Only problem is that I can’t pay him in beer because he doesn’t drink and I can’t buy him a pizza because he cut out carbs.

 

Grill him a steak! That Metro Market in Pabst farms has some really good steaks sometimes.

 

My friend has been sending me progress pics throughout this process. It's been interesting seeing the steps, and how the body shop and insurance company work with each other.

Here's the front end, disassembled. Note the coating of dust on everything.



Parts mocked up. Some of the aftermarket parts don't line up well, so they end up ordering OEM.



Torn apart again, waiting for parts and paint.



OEM bumper cover, ready for paint.


Passenger door, scuffed and primed for paint, to blend in with the new fender and bumper.




The scratches on the passenger side are going to look weird when they start at the rear door and the front door and fender are unscratched. Ha!

I can't wait to get it back!

 

I’m more a fan of the Piggly Wiggly myself.

 

That's a good store, too. But, I've been seriously impressed with the quality and selection at that Metro Market. I don't even have any desire to look for a butcher shop in the area.

Either way, I know I always appreciate a good steak.

 

Do ya deer hunt? Give him some venison.

 

I miss the Brendan’s (or whatever it was) - had a great butcher shop in it. Great produce too.

 

Brennan's?

That was a nice place! Oddly, there was one in Monroe that I have stopped at before while camping in New Glarus. I think that one shut down now, also. I did some demo work at the one in Brookfield after it was closed and sold.

 

Yes! That was it. The butcher was great.

Hard to justify making the trek to Daybreak given we have the Pig, but that's another option if one finds oneself passing through Delafield.

 

I've never been there. That's my brother's neck of the woods. I'll have to ask him if he ever shops there.

 

My buddy sent me some glamour shots from the booth today.

Pretty cool seeing the color without any clear coat..



All shiny!

 

Looking good!

 

I do not - although I have nearly bagged them with a car on multiple occasions.

Hunting’s just not my thing. Not opposed to it in the slightest, but it’s not for me. Going target shooting is fun, and going out in nature and seeing animals is fun, but I keep those two activities apart from each other.

 

It’s inside the Mobil station. Funny to see something like that in such a high income area.

 

Looks nice! I spent a couple hours hand polishing my drivers side rear door and got almost all the nasty pin stripes off (I was quite pleased!) . Just mentioning it so you know that you wont be the only one running around with one super clean door. I’m not in a hurry for the rest of the car, since now I know I can get the rest of the pinstripes out. Good enough for me lol

 

I'm kind of the same about hunting. I don't like venison enough to sit in a tree and freeze all day. And, the idea of field dressing and processing a deer is not at all appealing to me.

This was the second deer I've had a collision with. First on was in an '87 MR2. We were pretty much stopped because one had run in front of us already. The next one ran right into the passenger fender and door, trashing both and breaking the mirror off.

I have close calls regularly this time of year. I can definitely see a full bumper paying for itself living out here.

 

Be glad you aren’t in moose country.

If you hit a moose, they’ll typically roll onto the hood, crash through the windshield, and cave in the roof in most vehicles.

Then, as they thrash around, you’ll likely pick up whatever fleas they are carrying.

Finally, they will lose control of their bowels.



Learned this from watching an informational video about driving in moose country.

 

That's why so many of the main roads in Sweden are bordered by 8 ft fences.

 

Looking good. What's the cost on the paint job?