Snowsnyper

jjwvett- Let me know when you deceid to come up and if you'd like help I could suggest some relieable halibut and/or salmon charters. Or just mail ya some Tourist Info packets. You'll need a good plan, cause this place will flat wear you out in the summer trying to see and do all the sights. lol:banana: And we have daylight 24 hrs a day. Our road system is not too bad actually, can be a little ruff on Vettes here and there compared to your 4A road down south. If you have any questions feel free to email. Jim

Superdutytd- Opps sorry...misunderstood. Wow you do have a great job. You must meet a lot of interesting folks and see some fantastic cars/trucks. Great talking with ya. Jim:hi:

Superdutytd- Lots of good times in Kodiak. Best hunting and fishing Ive ever had the pleasure to participate in. Sounds like you ATV'd into Sultry Cove. My favorite ride, great fishing and hunting back in there. Really miss the ole place, but kinda limited for cruzing. Being spoiled with the Harley and Vert doubt I'll ever go back permenately. Ya I was blessed with the opportunity to fly all over the Gulf. Now my flying is limited to back and forth to Deadhorse. Sleep most of the time. They are always hiring up here, but some out fits have been laying off recently try to meet budget cuts. Why I am not sure since they've been posting huge profits in the paper..... The liberty project is busy with construction, and the Aurora hotel is still under construction but heading toward completion. I would check the internet for CH2MHill, Peak, ICE Services, ASRC, AIC, Nana Corp., and Doyan....theres more... if you want I can do a little research if your serious. They prefer local hire... part of the terms for the leases up here. Jim

Wow, nice truck. You make me feel like I am abusing mine cause of the time Ive spent on the Harley and Vert. I admit my truck is looking pretty grim...needs new tires as well but I have to special order them since no one carries the 20" in stock up here. Iam embarrased to say I have yet to detail the truck myself cause my focus has been on the toys. I felt the same way when I was on board ship....got to know the Aleutions very well. Spent my first 15 years in Kodiak where I retired from the Coast Guard. Then the next 15 on the Kenai as a fish cop for the feds. Did alot of flying with the State Troopers (float plane) And halibut patrols in the gulf (helos) with the Coast Guard, and high seas drift net patrols in the Bering Sea with the Canadian Coast Guard. Now I fly a desk for a Security outfit on the slope, only work 2 weeks a month. Take care Jim

Superduty- Your always welcome to stay at my place, my garage even has room for another Ford, so your Tang would have a place to rest also. BTW it cost me about $1000 to ship my Vert to Anchorage via "sea-land" shipping and took about a week. If it was me and I had the time and money,I would consider riding the ferry from Seattle. Not sure of the cost but the inside passage is spectacular. Some of my best memories in the Coast Guard was aboard the CGC Storis and the CGC Yocona traveling up and back thru the inside passage to REFTRA or Yards. Bring a camera and plenty of spare memory cards. So tell me about your Superduty....I have the Harley version (diesel). Its a one ton 4X4 short bed, black with dark red flames (stock). Great truck, the vert gets twice the mileage. My plan is drive the Vert in the summer and the truck in the winter. lol:lol: Take care. Jim

jjwvette- Ya man we have paved roads. Some even without frost heaves...lol 20+ hours of daylight through out the summer.....you can keep going and going and going. Actually the roads take ya thru some fantastic sights. Departing from my place on the Kenai Peninsula, I get an excellent view of our active volcano across the bay. As I head north to Anchorage I pass thru Cooper Landing with some nice twisties, but due to tourist traffic its pretty slow paced, but it gives ya time to watch the folks fishing in the Russian River. When you get to the "Y" where the Sterling and Seward Highway meet you can turn south to Seward for some excellent Halibut or Salmon fishing or even drive up to the Exit glacier. Of course during all of this you need to watch out for Moose appearing suddenly on the road. If you continue North at the "Y" you'l be heading into Turnigan Pass. Beautiful mountain meadows and small lakes, with snow capped peaks & vistas. As you come down out of the pass now you'll be heading into Turnigan Arm with views of Beluga whales on your left, and mountain goats on your right. Sooner than you'd like your in Anchorage, no different than most cities in the lower 48. Once threw town you'll be heading to Wasilla (where our former Governer started her political career as Mayer). Then its on to the Parks Highway on to Denali with rich mountain views all the way to Fairbanks. Congratulatiions you have just traveled about 500+ miles. Now you have the choice, you could go back the way you came...boring or you chould choose to make a loop depart Fairbanks on the "Pipe Line road." Its all win win, but expect more gravel patches. Theres are plenty of gas stations, dinners, motel/hotels along the way. Spectacular views on sunny days, and not to bad on rainy days. Now if your heading to the lower 48 the road to Canada is awesome as well. Lots of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Ya we've got paved road, mostly like your secondary roads. At times they can be kinda hard on you nose paint and windshield, make sure you have a tire patch kit just in case. Take care Jim

C6 Bill- Hey thanks for the speedy reply. I must be tired....just coming to the end of my night shift and my p-brain has already started the shutting down process I guess. lol I looked up my answer after I sent the post...feel kinda dumb since I have used both those products at home. Just wasnt thinking I guess. Jim

When you say Machine Superwax is that the same as the Americana Wax? Jim

Dylan- Actually I follow the recommendations on this site and appreciate the sharing of your detailing tips. Thanks Jim

I too read here that we should "only" use Woolite to wash our MF towels and pads to maintain peak performance. So to put a finer edge on what your saying is, any liquid detergent is good enough for basic cleaning of our MF gear. But for preceived longivity we should wash em in Woolite. Fogive my spelling. I just washed my hands and can't do a thing with my fingers. Hmmm maybe if I used Woolite....? Jim:glasses:

C6Bill- Yes I would deff be interested in buying a used set of Z06s. So if you hear of anyone selling a Z06 exhuast system please let me know. I have been lurking around the "classifieds" hoping to find a set. No luck. I like your video sound bites for exhaust comparison. The Stingers sound pretty darn good. Borla - Corsa....sport, pace car, bullets, touring, extreme....the only thing I know for sure is I want the muscle car sound for my car. Thanks for your assistance. Jim

Junkman- I took your advice and registered at the dc site earlier. Had some operator error problems so I had to re-register and to make it easy, I used the sign on name of "Salty Dog." lol Carry over from my Coast Guard days. Good times. I wont be running to the dealer anytime soon. The only dealer with in 50 miles is being closed by GM this summer. So now the only dealer available is in Anchorage 200+ miles away. Besides Ive always been a kind of DIY kinda guy. Why pay a stranger to have all the fun with my Vert? Besides my DIY jobs provide me with hours of entainment during the long winter months. I have learned over time to simply plan on doing everything twice, casue its the second time around that I usually get it right. Although now, armed with your Videos and post, I feel confident I will get em done right the first time around. My winter projects are piling up like winter snow in tiny little mind, for instance changing out the leather on the Verts tired seats. (you have a instructional post on that) Who could resist painting their brake calipers after that "Mother of all post." Your instruction are fantastic....to bad shop manual don't read as well. So my only problem is decieding if I am gonna go wild or conservative with my color choices, yellow and black seat covers, and yellow calipers....or go with a more classy conservative color, like black and oak for the seats,(interior is Oak) and red for the calipers. This is so much fun. As of today my biggest challeng is decieding, "do I stick with my stock exhaust" or go for the Corsa Extremes for the American Iconic sound. I mean come on the decision of buying a Vert is not what some would consider conservative act in its self. lol So anything is possible, and thats what makes this so much fun. Thanks Jim

C6Bill I will check em out. (Corsa Extremes). Great color combo on your Vette by the way. Thanks Jim

C6 Bill- Thanks for the tip. The bra is coming off....wow sounds kinda exciting actually. I was thinking that with the varing road conditions we have up here the bra would hold down the rock chips in the bow that I know I am gonna get. Your right the Digitalcorvettes forum is worth joining. Ive already started torturing them with rookie questions about exhaust systems and cold air induction. lol Loudpedal- Thanks for the comps on the Vert. For me making the move to buy it ment I was speeding off the reservation on this one. (going rogue as they say) trying to decied if this was the right thing to do. I just chuckle now, thinking back how I did the pro's and con's thing. Con's being, only two seats?, a convert in Alaska?, short driving season?, that sort of thing. I only confirmed I had slipped a cog, when I sealed the deal with a vert, being the last color in the world I would have thought of. My original plan was to find a real dark blue, or black coupe. But somehow the irresponsible side of me kicked in when I saw the Yellow Vert. Really glad I did it. Ive been excited about the possibilities ever since, and my Visa card has been hemoraging from buy all the must haves......guess I am helping the economy for someone....guess that'd be a win win for everyone no matter how you look at it. Appreciate everyones advice and guidance in this exciting time:burnout:. Jim

Thanks Junkman, appreciate your help. With the help of the instructional video by Junkman, here at long last is a picture of my Vert. Propelling me into the world of Vetts. Glad to be here at last and able to meet such great folks. You all have been very helpful and I am looking forward to sharing ideas, and utilizing your DIYs. The Yellow is kinda shocking at first, never dreamed I would ever own a Yellow car. lol Life is fun. Now its time to start playing with all the ideas available for "custom improvements" Jim

Loud Pedal- Here's a picture of my recent purchase. For some reason I was reluctant posting a picture of the Vert taken by the outfit whose name is written across the bottom of the picture. Not really sure why, just seems odd. They actually treated me very well, and have gone out of their way to address every snifflying complain or request Ive given them. The car comes with a 5year/100k warranty on top of the mileage already has on it. Heck when the Vert was purchased new it only came with a 3 year/30k warranty. The fact is, its helped me into the world of Vettes, where where for most of my life I was a lurker, now Ive been given the opportunity to meet great folks like you, who enjoy their rides. Thanks to all of you. Jim

Loud Pedal- Your Vette looks fantastic. Can't make the move up right now, well worth the price your asking. When I sell my toyhauler, you'll be the first person I call, thats what stopped me from buying new in the first place. But Ive actually come to the realization that for me, the 2000 is a great place to start. Thanks Jim

Superdutytd- You know there was a time when a White King was considered junk fish. Folks thought it was too oily. The canneries wouldn't even buy em, so they were used with the Dog Salmon for crab bait, dog food, etc. Now every time one is caught its like finding a prize in your Kracker Jack Box. The times they are ah changing....stop by when your back up here again. Maybe we can load my F350 Super Duty Harley with fish lol. Jim

73VetteGirl- Thats funny, reminds me of a conversation my girlfriend and I had at Sturgis last summer. She asked me why was I so intently checking out all the "eye candy." At about the same time a long tall beauty, hardly dressed walk by, as I watched her pass, stupidly said, "its kinda like looking at a nice motorcycle or sports car, besides, your checking out the "hunks!" She claimed that was different. But the sun had baked my mind, so I didn't recognize I was entering dangerous territory.... I asked how so? She says, cause you look like someone who wants "a test drive." I darn near choked to death on my drink laughing:lol:,.....I am still recovering from the pounding I endured around my head and shoulders. We still chuckle about it. Jim

Superdutytd- Ninilchik is a small wide spot on the Sterling Highway 1/2 way between Homer and Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. About 250 folks year round, and about 1000 in the summer, mostly fishing guides and such. Lots of King Salmon fishing, but the really hot item (tourism) is the Halibut. I have family not too far from you in Lewiston where I was born. Drove thru Boise last summer on way back from Sturgis, in mid August. Worst dust storm I ever experienced, but the locals (in Caldwell) said: "ah you ain't seen nothing sonny!" Bought some corn on the cobb called Ambrosia (spelling is bad), from a road side farmer, best darn corn I ever ate, ate it like an apple, raw, right off the cobb. Beautiful country and hot, rode thru "Creaters of the Moon" National Park. Spectacular. If your ever headed my way let me know. We'll throw some fish on the Bar B. Jim

Steve & Adam- Thanks again for the welcome. I promise to get ya some pictures ASAP. Right now I m on the Slope and wont be home until May 25th. Junkman told me about this site, and I am glad he did. You all are great. I am excited about showing you some before and after pictures of my car and Adams products. Course I'll have to throw in a couple of smouldering volcano pictures and maybe a Harley picture for good measure. Later Jim

Thanks Mike for the heads up. I'll place an order for those items as well. Jim

Loud Pedal- I thought you'd have something interesting for exhaust because of your website name. lol I doubt I could afford your 08, but I gotta ask what your asking? Whats kind of accessories? How many miles? I looked at a new Vette here at the dealership and they wanted $48k. It is a soft top, with auto, and HUD, and that was about it. I am gonna try some tweeking on my 2000 since I actually got a pretty sweet deal. Then I am gonna put her up for sale and see what happens. If she sales and I make some extra money it will allow me to move up a couple of years. What the heck, all I can do is see what happens. If no buyers, then I still have a sweet ride with some nice up grades. I enjoy turning a wrench. Just little things mostly I don't have the training or equipment to do big engine mods, like cam changes, etc. My mech back ground is rebuilding the old inline 6s in Jeep CJ5s and 6s. And some Harley work. lol But with the Junkmans excellent DIY guides, I can do things like painting the calipers, install seat two tone cover up grades, change out the exhaust system, replace the rubber in suspension bars, etc. All during the down time I have this winter. I tweeked an 04 Harley standard, had some paint work, and made enough off the sale to but a new 08 Ultra Glide. Wow did mean to go on so long. Let me know more about your Vette. Thanks Jim Ordered Adams polisher kit today. With the electric buffer. Its one thing to polish a motorcyle by hand, but I wasn't looking forward to polishing the Vette by hand. Later

Loud Pedal- Thanks, I agree. I was trying to avoid the extension cord issues. Guess I'll just pick up a heavier dedicated extension cord. Nice looking Vette by the way. What are you running for exhaust? Jim

Wow, you all really make a person feel welcome. Thanks! No I am not one of those "crazy crab fishermen" but I use to be one of those crazy fish cops that boarding crab boats. Was good times. If ya ever visit Alaska your welcome to stay at my place. No its not an igloo, its a modern home, heck it even has 3 in door toilets. You can take Bear and Moose pictures from my upper deck and watch the silvers and king salmon swim up stream. Just let me know, I work a two weeks on and have two weeks off working on the North Slope. OK I admitt the hot sunshine you folks have down south of the boarder (Canadian) sure can be tempting espeically during our long winter months... but I never seem to grow tired of living here. Although last summer the temptation became to great, and my girl friend and I rode the the other American ICON (Harley Dresser) round trip to Sturgis 8500 miles, we had a blast and loved the 90F weather, still we were glad when we got back home. Sadly the last of my sunburn has almost completely faded away. lol I am gonna order the Machine Detail Kit, but I read somewhere there is a air gun buffer but I can't remember where I saw it. What do you all recommend? Air or electric? Besides the detail kit anything else you'd recommend thats not in the kit? Shine On! Thanks Jim