Plumbing

The PartPimp has been having beaucoup plumbing problems! It started with the septic tank pump, then a overflow of the cistern, then another septic pump problem. Now there's a bad stink in the bathroom, like sewer backup smell. ARRRGGG.

The funny part of the story was the changing of the septic pump. The PartPimp had a mechanical by-pass when he was very young so easy household maintenance can be somewhat challenging. I plugged the pump in, connected it to the long pipe and placed it back into the tank. As I was connecting the pump pipe to the field pipe the pump turned on. I know the pump works REAL good. It was blasting the black water all over. As I was trying to stop myself from puking as I fumbled around trying to unplug the pump. Needless to say, the PartsPimp became the PooPimp.

I guess if life was easy, everyone would be doing it. Onto the parts! We've used the guys down at Houston Drive Train several times and they really know what they are doing. They handle driveline, rearends and transmissions for light, medium and heavy duty. Their website is http://www.houstondrivetrain.com.

Property Taxes

So I received my annual increased property taxes. I was talking this over with my neighbor who is renovating their house. She said we are lucky our increase was only 25%; theirs went up 40%. Apparently, three weeks before assessment, they applied for a building permit for their kitchen reno. So, here's the mentality of local municipalities: improve or update your house and we'll charge you more. Does this make sense to you???

Anyway, onto the parts: whenever you need Allison parts, try Dartco Transmission. They have locations in California, Florida and Indiana. Honest with fair prices. Their website is at: www.dartco.net.

Economy Slowing Down?

The 'ol PartsPimp has seen a few cycles of economic highs and lows. The economy IS slowing down, although our media keeps preaching, "Its nothing major." In my opinion, the economy is slowing down is because the new heavy duty parts and new HD truck business is down. If the parts and trucks business is down, then shipping must be down. If shipping is down, then consumer spending must be down. (Still following me?) If the media says it isn't happening, I might be living on another planet?!? They might be trying to prevent mass hysteria.

What is very curious to me is the used truck parts businesses are slow too. In prior slow-downs, the used parts businesses pick up. It stands to reason that companies want to buy used heavy duty truck parts to save money. This makes me think we are in for a rough ride.

Anyways, not to be like Chicken Little. The sky isn't falling and everyone will still wake up tomorrow, need to eat and have roof over their head.

Onto the parts!

If you are looking for used heavy truck parts, I've worked with Larry Schmidt Truck Parts in Perryville, MO for a number of years. They are top shelf. Website: http://www.SchmidtTruck.com/

High Visa Bills

Whew, the PartsPimp got a whopper of a Visa bill today! The thing is, I don't make a ton of money. With a name like 'PartsPimp' you probably think I'm rolling in dough. I try and save but it just doesn't happen. I guess that's what you get when you roll like me. Keep me in your thoughts as I battle.

Now, onto the truck parts. I recently did a deal with some folks at Acme Truck Parts in Stockton, CA. If you're in California and you need parts these guys are good. Everything went smooth and parts were represented as advertised.

Back to work...

Slowdown

Things are slowing down for the Partspimp. It was extremely busy back in Jan and Feb but things have died. The phone was ringing of the hook and now...only a few times a day. What I find really wierd? When the economy is slow, the recycled heavy duty truck parts picks up. As I mentioned Jan & Feb up, Mar and so far April have been down. Everyone is a bit skiddish before an election but nothing like this. We'll just have to ride it out.

One cool thing that happened yesterday is a new website launched called TruckPartSurplus.com. It will make my life easier. You select the manufacturer, then type in the part number. Not sure how it will help folks without the part number? It sure is handy if you DO know the part a number. There's a bunch of old, obsolete and surplus parts on it.

Back to work.

Recycled Parts not Like Sanford and Sons

Buying recycled parts to some, calls up memories of junk yards with rusting hulks laying everywhere. We may joke around about ‘junk yards’ but they simply don’t operate like that anymore. Most salvage yards are professional, courteous and organized. Let’s take an inventory of the benefits of dealing with a yard:
1. Hands-on knowledge of what will work and what won’t work.
2. Parts applications going back 20-30 years and sometimes more.
3. All the extras you get you buy a component: brackets, mounts, etc.
4. You're saving parts from going into landfill.
5. You're saving energy to create a new part.
6. You're saving money.
7. You're finding parts that no one else would bother stocking.
8. You're able to locate old, obsolete parts.
With all these benefits, why wouldn't you try buying recycled parts?