Pre-Trip: Where has the fall gone???

[Teamubr]

Lots of progress. And Yes, the time seems to go much faster the closer you get to the trip... Until the night before. Then it crawls... All night.

We started leaving after work the evening before we would normally leave. That way we could say we were officially "on our way".

Can't wait to see pics of the cart. And you still have 11 days to finish it. A guy we raced with built his Grand Am- Continental Challenge car in 5 days. Actually showed up to Belle Isle on Thursday with the car not finished. Won the race on Saturday.

j

 

[jbrostek]

The progress has been good, but it does seem to get crazy at the same time. The pressure is on to finish the custom cart. Though I do have examples of some builds we have done in the past.

This one was done for Meathead Racing, a miata race team/shop in the local area but also runs on the SCCA National.

And another recently built for a paving company.

 

[jbrostek]

Happy Christmas Eve

T-minus 10 days to departure -

Well the cart to be delivered fell a little behind schedule due to other shop work. We had hopped to have it finished before 5 yesterday, but the good news is the last bits and pieces where finished last night. Delivery was rearranged to be a Christmas afternoon surprise, my partner in all of this offered to take care of that part. I can't wait to post picutures, it turned out rather sharp for what they asked for.

Mickey Cart 2.0 also started to see some progress as we started to rebuild the seats. Since the seat wood is usually the first to do and we planned to use new seat covers we cut extra templates so we can rebuild them properly. We started to treat the new seat bottoms with some water proofing to make them last a little longer. After that we reuse the foam and upholster it with new covers. It is a bit of work, but they look great in the end.

Tonight and tomorrow there will be no progress on the cart. It is time for sharing and family and enjoying the magic of the season. I am looking forward to this evening and tomorrow spent with my beloved and her family. Friday we have now been given the day off so I plan to use some of the day making progress on the cart and start servicing the truck to make sure it is ready for the round trip.

To all of the DisBoard members, have a safe and enjoyable holiday season. To those that celebrate, Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

 

[bama_ed]

Those cart pictures look good, jbrostek.

Good luck with the work on the Mickey Cart 2.0.

Merry Christmas back atchya. See you in a couple weeks.

Bama Ed

 

[jbrostek]

T-minus 6 days to departure!!! What a flurry of activity it has been. First and foremost I hope you all had a safe and magical Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, etc.

The ordered cart from a customer turned out great and the Christmas day delivery surprise was a success.

Christmas eve and Christmas day where wonderful for me. I had a great holiday with my lovely lady, we both got to enjoy a lot of quality time together. Friday after the trip it was a flurry to get her packing final to go visit her sister this weekend. That went off without a hitch and I got a LOT of stuff done on Friday as well. First I got Mickey Cart 2.0 back into the bay and began the task for making all the final wiring and other arrangements for the radio install completed. I also detailed my truck (which I neglected to get a picture of when it was all cleaned and shiny.)

Saturday I got my love on the road to her sisters then off to the shop. Then took a huge load of clean linens and other items to the RV. It is not next to my house, but close enough to make runs per day. This time was all dry goods, drinks, etc. I got the bed made and everything put away, installed a few new command hooks in places I wish I had one in the past and called my RV work done. I then turned my attention to the golf cart. I did the final fitment and customization needed for the speakers and got 90% of the wiring done. I needed a few things to finish up the sub mounting bracket and other odds and ends so I moved onto my truck. It needed general service, checking fluids, greasing ball joints and a general once over. On top of that I needed to rotate tires, and I use that as the best time to check the brakes. Well I pull all the tires off and the rear pads are thin but would make the trip, the fronts had about 30% life left. Then I noticed something bad on the right rear. One of the pads was worn unevenly, one half was about 4/32 the other half was nearly metal on metal. I decided I needed to service the rear caliper slides and found that side was frozen up. So at 5pm on a Saturday it was a mad rush to get a rebuilt caliper, luckily one was sourced but not without some minor drama.

I decided if I am doing brakes I would do front pads too, the rotors all around where within spec, so I did not need to replace them. That ended my Saturday evening with a few cold ones and some take out pit BBQ.

Today we made reasonable strides. My morning was spent running to MD to get supplies of the adult variety. I could shop at the local ABC in Virginia, but within decent distance are much better prices (even with MD involved) to stock up on some liquors we like to have around. After that I got to the shop around 12. All was going well with the install, I did lots of finalization work to put the nose back on and we ran into another snag. While we bought the lowest profile speakers we could source, the where still too deep for the front cowl to be pinned on. So we focused on the final installation and wiring for the sub, the addition of a 36v to 12v converter to run the radio, headlights, and accessories rather then beat up on only 2 batteries. The Sub uses just the last two batteries of the pack. It should allow them to stay mostly equalized. And we got the rear body finally pinned back onto the cart. Sucess, but really had hoped to be further along then we ended up.

At the 8pm hour we finally found a solution to our speaker clearance issue and parts will be obtained to make it possible tomorrow evening. Tomorrow during the day John hopes to take care of the clearance issue and install the nose. Then move onto the seats and top assemblies tomorrow after hours. Since we plan to replace the seat covers, he already has two brand new cut seat bottom wood templates and the backs are reusable. So that should go quick in about 2 hours after we get all the covers aligned properly to stretch and secure them. The last bit is installing the lights, top, windshield and rear view mirror. So we should be able to make it by end of the week.

Tomorrow I am back to work, but once I get home I will make the shopping trip I need, head to the RV which happens to be at the shop to load it up and put it all away. Then I can give the cart another hour or so. Whew...that was a lot. But I will finish it with some progress shots.

 

[jbrostek]

T-minus 4 days to departure!!!! Things are going strong here, last night was the whirlwind of activity. I got home and started laundry, fed myself and the pups and by the time that was done the wash was done and moved to the dryer to make room for the next load. Once that was on its way, it was off to the stores with the list. I needed a few new shirts which this is the best time to shop thanks to the sales. For under 40 bucks I scored 3 polo shirts and 3 new tshirts. Works for me!

Then it was off to the mega super walmart. I had already shopped the sales over the past month now it was time to stock up on stuff and they have the best prices around. An hour later and a lighter pocket I had everthing but the few items I will pick up Friday (lunch meat and milk.) I piled it all in the truck and off to the RV to put it all away. I got there and John was still working on Mickey Cart, the shop had some busy work and issues that took his attention during the day. But he had the speaker issue solved and the nose section was now secured and rivited on. He was working on the seat hardware in preparation for getting the top installed. It was looking a little meh so he had sanded, gotten it in the paint booth and painted prior to reinstalling it.

I believe today he hopes to have the top on, and start the upolstry work this evening. I in the mean time hope to be able to help him this evening. I just have to make it all work out. I still have some laundry left to do and start sorting my stuff out. But I will be over at the lovely ladies for New Years helping her get packed after returning from visiting her family.

I hope to have some updated pictures tomorrow.

 

[jbrostek]

T-Minus 3 days to departure!!!! Actually not all that worried at this point. Yes there are still lots of things to do but it will all happen in time.

Yesterday after work was another good and productive evening. I got home, got the pups fed and gave them their baths. Oddly they gave little protest to this and they needed it. So now I have two clean puppies ready for vacation. During that time I continued the laundry cycle to just have it all done and what I want to pack cleaned in time. Then it was back to the shop to work on the mickey cart. Last night we got the headlight back on, the seat hardware reinstalled, all the diamond plate accents installed and the top is now bolted on. John has been a little busy with the shop, but making progress on doing the seat upholstery.

My cart for the trip wont be as pretty, but last night we pulled it in and put the charger on it. It is a factory 4 seat cart as well, but EZGO green. It needs a good power washing and servicing before it goes down. We had ambitions of painting the body and abandoned them before we got in too deep. It will have a state of charge meter installed and I did get the speedy hop up kit for the PDS.

Tonight is new years eve, not much planned. After work I will take another load of stuff to the RV and head up to see my lovely GF and her children to bring int he new year. New Years Day I will need to help her take down the outside decorations and help her get all set and packed for the trip. That afternoon and evening we will take her stuff down to the RV to load up. Since she flies in on the 9th we are trying to take as much down now to avoid baggage fees and make her trip through the airport a little easier.

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Years Eve not matter what your plans are. Have fun and be safe, we want to hear about your trips in 2015!

 

[PaHunter]

" Since she flies in on the 9th we are trying to take as much down now to avoid baggage fees and make her strip through the airport a little easier."


Wow the TSA is getting tough now a days.

 

[bama_ed]

" Since she flies in on the 9th we are trying to take as much down now to avoid baggage fees and make her strip through the airport a little easier."


Wow the TSA is getting tough now a days.

Good catch, PaHunter.

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

" Since she flies in on the 9th we are trying to take as much down now to avoid baggage fees and make her strip through the airport a little easier."


Wow the TSA is getting tough now a days.

Ha Ha!

Jbro it is all looking good. The pre trip report, the carts, the whole thing.

You should be just about at the point where you can't sleep because you keep running the list of things to take with you through your head.

 

[kcp1377]

You're close now! I love the anticipation of the trip when there's only a couple of days to go!

 

[jbrostek]

PAhunter - good catch. I proof read my posts, I missed that one. I hate flying these days, one of the many reasons I like to RV is due to the airport hassles and baggage fees.

T-minus 24 hours to departure!!!!!! New Years day was a full of activity. The morning started with helping Caren take down her outdoor Christmas decorations, and making sure she had everything she needed packed for the trip. By early afternoon it was off to the shop and RV. I had already packed my clothes and left them in the RV, they just needed to be put away which I commenced on doing.

I did a few last minute things inside the RV to have it travel ready and went over the packing and shopping list. Thankfully the lists have not grown!!!

Then it was into the shop to help John get the Mickey cart finalized. The upholstery work always takes the longest and two people so it had to wait until I was around to do so. But we finished that work and worked some on getting the tail panel and bumper back on. All that is left is the tail lights, windshield and rear view mirror which John said he will take care of today before I can get there after work.

On Wednesday we got the top on it:

Then we got the seats completed:

I am confident it will be done in time.


I then pulled my cart in to service it. It is not as built up, but its a solid runner. Got the front end greased, installed a state of charge meter (bone stock 2007 TXT it didn't have one.) and installed the rear view mirror. This one eventually will get built up in a burgandy and black theme with either saddle leather color seats or possible two tone brown and saddle leather. But its snazzy new wheels will be there today so I can sport more then stock.

Around 3 the 3rd family of our grand gathering should arrive at the shop. Since they have a class C they tow the carts down on my trailer and leave their car at the shop. They stay in the RV at the shop and I will be doing the same since cannot bring the RV here. It cuts out needing to drive to the shop and hitch up in the morning.

I have a short list of things to do before end of the day. Pick up lunch meat and milk, grab a bunch of stuff from the fridge that I did not pack before. And then the list is minor with just checking tire pressures and greasing the 5th wheel hitch before I hook up.

I am super excited and I know by 7 tonight we will be all loaded up and ready to head south. Our normal plan is to shove off between 8-9am tomorrow, and unlike last year I won't need 4wd to get out of the shop lot due to snow and ice. Weather man calls for some rain on the drive, but that does not bother us as long as traffic is willing to behave.

 

[Judique]

I am super excited and I know by 7 tonight we will be all loaded up and ready to head south. Our normal plan is to shove off between 8-9am tomorrow, and unlike last year I won't need 4wd to get out of the shop lot due to snow and ice. Weather man calls for some rain on the drive, but that does not bother us as long as traffic is willing to behave.

Safe travels, jbrostek!

Our next trip starts in exactly 3 weeks on Jan 23 but not staying at the fort this year, or at least this trip. We come back in November so you never know, we might add a short fort visit.

Next year, January 2016, we are planning one week camping and one week hotel stay with the camping week first.

 

[jbrostek]

With my dogs its always less expensive to camp then put them into boarding or pay a pet sitter which is why we do this. We used to split the two weeks, one week at the beach and a week of Disney. But FW is such a nice destination and no more expensive then the beach that we started just doing 2 weeks there. As always it will be hard to sleep tonight and not want to just get going. But once I get settled for the night, I usually pass out like a rock.

 

[PaHunter]

Safe travels and look forward to the trip pictures. Cart looks good.

 

[jbrostek]

Its on to the Trip report I guess!! Well to start, the Mickey cart is build and ready to roll. Did some rim changes to 12" and put the 10's on my cart instead, it looks much better.

This morning was a chilly and wet start. We went to hit the road and there was an adjustment to make on the trailer. We had to fix the hitch height and get the wireless brake controller that would not behave. We got on the road a little late by 10am.

The ride down was just on and off rain and traffic southbound. I was surprised to see so many northern license plates heading south after the Bowl week, but it happen.

We made it to NC and hit a major backup for about 10 miles of crawling. Thankfully we stopped before that so bladders where ok. A quick stop at JRs and the 3 families where back on the road. We made it to our overnight stop around 8:30 this evening and had some dinner. Now just waiting for some hot water to take my shower and head to bed. Tomorrow we have 6-7 hours on the road depending on stops and traffic and then pass through the gates of Disney World.

I will post up more tomorrow. For now its time to make a call to the dear lady and head to bed.

 

[garneska]

Safe travels. I kept looking for you on the drive down but then remembered you were up north and not coming my way. We had rain and clouds and fog through all of GA yesterday, but it was sunny when we got to FL and hit. Air ran all night.

 

[Judique]

We made it to NC and hit a major backup for about 10 miles of crawling. Thankfully we stopped before that so bladders where ok. A quick stop at JRs and the 3 families where back on the road. We made it to our overnight stop around 8:30 this evening and had some dinner. Now just waiting for some hot water to take my shower and head to bed. Tomorrow we have 6-7 hours on the road depending on stops and traffic and then pass through the gates of Disney World.

I will post up more tomorrow. For now its time to make a call to the dear lady and head to bed.

Back when I had to follow the school schedule and do xmas and easter trips I remember those 10 mile backups and my many attempts to follow a map to get out of traffic (before gps). I 'almost' decided to take a ride to Florida after xmas, since I was off until Jan 5, but those memories said stay home in Maryland - this traffic I can deal with!

Waiting for an update......

 

[jbrostek]

Sunday was a little fog but mostly wind as I went down I95S. We made the run from Point South KOA to the Disney in 6 hours with one fuel stop at exit 1 in GA. The ride went smooth and other then the crazy drivers weaving in and out in front of us it went smooth. But we found that during the trip the brand new windshield on the Mickey Cart got broken, the other carts windshield was fine.

It was so nice to come in and see the signs. I knew I was here.

Thanks to time delay snap shots and where my phone mount is, I was able to take these pictures without having to think about them.


By 5pm we where all parked and getting setup. I did most of my setup last night, but left the patio for today when it was light out. We hit trails end for dinner after no one wanted to cook to eat in. After that there was some hanging out at the campsites and off to bed.

This morning I slept in, it was wonderful. Had some coffee outside while sitting with the pups. Then it was time to clean up a bit and head out to the stores. We had to get a new windshield for the golf cart and then made a stop at camping world. I had a few things I needed like a new step cover and some other minor things and then a quick trip to walmart to get a few things forgotten (like cream soda I use to make a tasty adult drink with.)

Once back I finished setting up the patio and enjoying a beverage. Tonight we plan to eat in and then probably go check out Downtown Disney for a bit, or may just stay around the camp sites and not do much else.

After the patio setup was completed, I got to work putting the top on the golf cart. It should be a vast improvement over the open air running the carts at night.

Tomorrow will definitely be a park day and only a few days from now Caren will be flying in to enjoy the trip with me.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Your Mickey 2.0 cart looks great! Glad to hear you have a safe trip down. Your 5th wheel looks very nice. Weather here is in the negative temps and snowing and your photos are making me very happy!

I will be there next week! wohoo!

Thanks for sharing. Keep the pics coming.