Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 5: August 16th, 2007 West Chester — Stewartsville (OK4WD)

The day starts really great with headaches. First I take half a pill of Ibuprofen with 200mg. Breakfast is really hectically with the big family of my friend. I take some oat meal (now I eventually know what this means) and then we drive quickly over to Sepp’s company. We throw his bicycle just on the truck bed of my pickup truck. It’s pretty cool to have such a truck bed.

Sepp shows me briefly his company and the prototype construction, where he is working. This is all very interesting with all the implants. But finally he must start working — and I must be back to my S10, who probably already is yearning for me.

Mounting Shocks, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Mounting Axle, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Mounting Upper Carrier, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Mounting Brakes, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Mounting Brakes, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Greasing New Parts, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Around half past nine I say good–bye to him and drive back to Stewartsville. Around half past eleven I arrive at OK4WD. Jeremy was really diligent. Almost all parts of the lift kit are already installed! But there is still a lot of work to video tape. First the front axles must be installed. Then the shocks must be mounted. My new brake discs and brake pads are next. Then is still a lot of stuff to do at the rear.

Rental Car, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

During a short break I use the opportunity to take a picture of my rental car.

Mounting Leaf Springs, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

Now it’s time for the Spring–Over–Conversion, which means the old spring leafs will be placed above the axle. But there is one side really resisting to give in. So they are fighting with three guys to move the axle in a position, that the leaf spring package is finally passing. Finally also this obstacle is made and everything can be mounted in place.

Then my truck also receives new rear brake drums and pads. Finally everything will be painted. That’s it now for today and I have a nice chat with Jeremy until 7pm. He is really a very nice guy! He has is own racing car and you can tell that he is a full blooded mechanic.

Jason, Jeremy, Steve, Jim, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ

To finish this day I take a group picture of all people involved in this lift kit installation. Then I drive over to the Super 8 which I have already quickly reserved by a phone call at noon. Originally I expected to find it in a completely different location. But this one is located really in the worst area. You can really tell if the reception guy is sitting behind a thick glass, that you are not in the best area. Somehow I have a real unpleasant feeling — and I will stay there now for the next two days! Hopefully my Chevy is not standing on bricks tomorrow!

As expected I receive no valuable recommendation for dinner. But on my way to here I have seen a sign to an Outback Steakhouse. It is around 10 miles away and due to a construction zone I get completely lost. But eventually I arrive there.

The service is perfect! And absolutely satisfied I drive back to my motel around a quarter to ten. There I check the video taping of yesterday and today. Then I fall into my bed dead tired. I am really anxious to see, if my truck is still there tomorrow…