So the bitch wuz put back in the shop for a winter project and me and momma and dawgs used tha 'rango to haul to the rallye last week. Got about 80 miles and the 'rango turned ta shit with a blowe'd head gasket or sumthin'.
Got the package drug back home and then flogged through tha nite makin' the badly-abused beater a driver agin so's we could make the rallye. Dave snaked me sum mudflappers so's we'd be legal along with some lights to scab on.
The fully loaded bed/cap weighs about 1600lbs. So tha bitch wuz kinda light in the azzend for towin' I strapped the truck box fulla spares on the rails, that put about 500 lbs. Right where it wuz needed. With the bed gone, that's the same effect as addin' about 60 horsepower! Bitch izza rocket ship now and will light the tires at the slightest nudge.
Early next mornin' we hit the road agin and made it to tha rallye in plenty time. Allow a long-term set musta sealed up them woreout piston rings so I didn't even have to add oil this trip!
Only problem...once the bed was off and I powerwashed the azzend, two big cracks magically appeared in the lower frame rail flanges where the receiver mounts. That's what happens when ya overload one of these lightduty rigs by a factor of about four (wilbur, knute, numerous trenchers, backhoes, etc.)!
Ain't got time to deal with that overnight, but we got friends in low places (Loomis) that got all kindsa fab gear and guess what, we're spendin' a whole week with 'em!