Some of you undoubtedly have wondered what happened with my junkyard transmission for my old F100. I had to get a few things before I installed it, like new bushings and clips for the Hurst shifter and a seal for the solenoid. The installation went reasonably well, meaning it took a bit longer and involved more physical effort than getting it out, but the transmission jack I got was a real boon.
I filled it up with 90 weight, got in, started it up and drove off. Yowza! It’s just as noisy in first and second as my old one was before it imploded. Bummer!
Well, it runs, and I can use it to haul a load of gravel if I need, but I parked in the back lot under the tree, and I suspect it’s not going to get much use. Why? I bought a utility trailer. Not so much to replace the truck, but because it’s going to be essential in our impusive new undertaking.
Here’s the new addition to the Niedermeyer fleet, a 5 x 8 utility trailer. And where is it going in a few hours, loaded with chain saw, pole saw, weed whacker, and some other tools?
To Port Orford, on the southern Oregon Coast. We’ve stopped there a number of time in our travels and camping trips over the years, and developed a real soft spot for it. This southern Oregon coast is the least developed stretch of the coast, as it’s not near any larger cities and there’s no easy access to the towns inland. This is the Port Orford head, which made for a natural harbor, and is why the town of Port Orford is the oldest one on the Oregon coast (1851), but it’s also one of the smallest (pop. 1,190).
The top of the head was the site of the first Coast Guard (Life Boat) Station, established in 1934. It’s now a museum, incorporated into a state park that also includes extremely scenic trails that offer stellar views.
Like this, looking back east to Humbug Mountain, a great hiking spot. I shot this last week.
Looking north. Cape Blanco, the westernmost land tip in the lower 48 states is partly obscured by the fog.
Looking directly west.
And down between two fingers of the heads.
We’re not just going to be the concessional visitors anymore, as we’ve bought a piece of property on the head.
Seven acres, to be precise. It’s defined by that blue line on this Google satellite image. The town and the harbor, with an active commercial fishing pier, is just behind the head.
Here’s a closer view. Most of it is a wild and steep canyon, leading down to the lower reaches and the beach.
Here’s how it looked when we first looked at it a few weeks back, from the driveway. That’s the ocean out there between the trees.
There’s a two car pole-barn steel garage. The plan is to convert that into a “camping cabin” until we decide what and where to build a house. All of that area in the front I cleared out over Labor Day weekend with my power tools. I labored hard.
Looking back up the driveway. The branches were so low I couldn’t drive my van in. They’re now all pruned back.
Stephanie pondering what we’ve gotten ourselves into now. It’s going to take a lot of work and imagination.
There’s some old trails; one can hike all the way down the canyon and then to the beach.
A pond just a short way down.
I had to haul two trailer loads of garbage to the dump.
I had quite a job on my hands to get this totally rusted hulk of an utility trailer to the dump. I had a couple guys working on a roof across the street help me tip it over, and then used a 4-way lug wench and a bit of PB Blaster lent to me by a neighbor up the road to take it apart. The nuts and bolts were all deeply rusted; I’m surprised that some of them even came loose. I had to remove the axle and springs; it was the back half of an old Japanese pickup. Goof thing it wasn’t an old Ford!
The neighbor, who’s building a house a ways up the road, came back to help me lift the frame, axle and springs into the trailer. He saw the aluminum roof of the canopy and took a chunk to use for something related to ducting his downdraft stove exhaust. he showed up in his Ww2 Jeep. He’s driven it up the Alaska Highway, which took a month. The hard seat was a bit hard on his backside. He also has a ’39 Ford pickup.
That’s just one of three piles I created over Labor Day weekend. And that’s my trusty 34-year old Stihl AV28S chain saw that still runs perfectly. Never needed anything but an air filter or two and a new spark plug once.
But every morning before breakfast and in the evening, no matter how tired I was, the dog and I walked the couple hundred yards up to the Coast Guard station and took the loop trail around the head. It’s always a bit different; the swells, the fog, the light, the birds, and all the other things that make the coast so irresistible.
And of course that big group of seals sunning themselves on that rock down there.
I need to run, as we’re heading out today (Saturday) still. And there’s a bit of packing up to do. We’ll be gone through Wednesday, so you’re on your own. See you then!
Wow. What a beautiful area and piece of land. Looks like an exciting undertaking with a bonus of interesting neighbors.
Bummer on the transmission though.
This is so exciting! What a beautiful part of the country. Definitely keep us updated on this
Godspeed and good luck. Sounds like a wonderful project. I can see you eventually living there permanently.
First of all, congrats on the land purchase. That looks like such a beautiful setting. The Oregon coast is a breathtaking place and now you own a piece of it! That garage will give you a great base of operations while you develop your homestead. I’ve go a timeshare on the coast that I spend a week at every year, I’ll admit that I’m not as adventurous as you are! And this will be a real adventure, so many people talk about doing this, but few actually do. Kudos to you again.
It’s a bummer about the tranny, but it was sourced from an old worn out truck that was scrapped. It would probably best be thought of as a core. If the case is sound, a rebuild with new bearings, bushings and maybe even some new gears and shafts will get it back up to snuff. I know, more money, more time, and more distractions from your exciting new project. Maybe we’ll be seeing more Coastside Classics in the future? Best of luck.
When this Saga started I sort of wondered if it would make more sense to get the old transmission rebuilt instead of taking your chances on a used one. I guess I have my answer.
On the bright side a utility trailer is endlessly useful and will last almost forever with almost no maintenance and very low costs. For most homeowners it’s a lot more practical than a pickup truck.
Oh man that looks like a slice of sweet living. We’re jussst on the precipice of abandoning Florida for cooler climes and more progressive thought. A piece of land with a creek / spring or other source of falling water would be ideal for power generation as well as the Zen it brings.
If possible would you ping me outside of the comment system so I could ask a couple questions?
Also: boo on the transmission. Maybe it’ll hang together longer despite the gear whine?
Actually it’s “progressive thought” that keeps me from considering places like Oregon or California despite their scenic beauty and car-friendly good weather. Texas or Tennessee are more my style.
@JACG :
Oregon is widely considered the Mississippi of the West .
I find all types there , not a bastion of progressive/liberal thinking IMO .
-Nate
This is going to be interesting. Looking forward to seeing and reading about your new sea ranch endeavors.
Congratulations on the purchase of such a beautiful piece of land! I’m sure whatever you do with it will be great judging by your other projects. That area of the county is so beautiful and I’m truly envious of everyone living out there.
I agree with the others regarding your transmission. Have you thought about trying a little bit of Lucas mixed with the oil to see if it quiets it down? I know it’s just a band-aid, but maybe it’ll last a little longer.
May you enjoy your new property! Thanks for sending pictures of the coast and explaining each one.
Congratulations on the land purchase. I always dream of having land in beautiful places!
As for the transmission, shouldn’t there be plenty of T5s you could use? Maybe go automatic? I’m sure there are transmissions that can be made to work.
Wow, just wow. Congratulations and looking forward to more, perhaps there is yet one interesting house left in your imagination?
Bummer about the transmission, maybe since it hasn’t grenaded yet you could send it out for a rebuild?
Nice, Paul. Congratulations on that purchase—it looks beautiful.
Nicely done sir! Well deserved!
Congratulations – absolutely gorgeous area…
Bummer about the gearbox but it could be rebuilt you may need that pickup with this new land venture and nice spot youve chosen there Paul. Used gearbixes are always a lottery that why I changed the box in my other Hillman 3 times 3rd time was the charm it was perfect the ‘new’ Hillman came with 4 spare trannys and Ive been selling them off as the box in that car is smooth and quiet and Ive got a spare guts for it and bearings and thrust are available new should it ever fail
A coastside classic. A good decision, for sure.
What a beautiful property, and *just* the right man bought it .
That discarded truck bed trailer looks like a Datsun 620 to me….
Pretty stout, I bet it would have been easy to return to service .
What can you do with the cut brush ? I assume you’re not allowed to burn it maybe mulch it and begin a compost pile ? .
-Nate
A magical coastline, and a wonderful inspirational project. Best wishes!!
Seven acres is quite something – more than just a piece of property! Hope you have more luck with it than with the F100.
I have always been leery of major components sourced from a junkyard for just this reason. I bought a diff with leaf springs for my 71 Scamp because I had a broken main leaf and a noisy diff. After the swap I had good springs and a diff that was just as noisy as the first one, so I finally paid for the rebuild anyway.
Wow, what an adventure you have signed up for. There is something uniquely beautiful about coastal areas, and it’s a little surprising that some of them remain so undeveloped. How exciting!
The transmission needs to be repaired, no sense letting it self destruct. Rework is always a disappointment, but it won’t be that big of a deal.
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Beautiful property. The invasion force needs to be mechanized. lol
What are we thinking first, wheel-loader, skid-steer?
This project can’t have front burner time right now – too many other pots to stir.
It can’t be put in service as-is. Risk of blowing up the OD and possibility of related inconvenience and tow bill exceeds value of trying to “nurse” sick transmission.
I’m back to advocating conversion to integral “cane shift” transmission. They’re everywhere.
Same clutch housing, same mount. Possibly different length driveshaft necessary. Save the custom length OD driveshaft. Source another driveshaft of correct length, if necessary.
With one fell installation swoop, shifter and all will be completed.
Cut the floor for clearance or source a 4-speed floor pan. For now a mudflap could fill the bill.
That gets the truck back in service. When leisure time permits the OD can be fiddled with and possibly reinstalled.
May be found that value of granny gear at new worksite may outweigh value of OD on the road.
The truck will not be making the trek to Port Orford. As I said, most of it is a steep ravine. The somewhat flat area at the top is not all that big. No need for it there.
This sounds like an exciting and beautiful place for the next stage of your life adventure.
Out of interest, what’s the white round building east of your plot – Google maps seem to offer few clues.
The city water storage tank.
Congrats on the property, Paul. We’ve loved the south-of-Bandon coast for years and have toyed with the idea of doing just this…but we’re too far away to enjoy land ownership there. You couldn’t have picked a better location.
Beautiful property, the pole garage will be a great retreat as you build your dream home.
When I blew the 3 speed trans on the old ’70 C10, I picked up a used Saginaw 4 speed for I think $75.00, then got a Hurst shifter for it to complete the installation, it was a direct bolt in, driveshaft fit perfectly. But it was noisy, so out it came, took it to Reseda Transmission, this was in the early ’80’s, and $400 later back in it went. It had problems going into second after the rebuild, I drove it in to the transmission shop, manager test drove it with me, said, yes, something’s not right with the rebuild. He asked me for the keys, gave me a loaner car, said he would call me when the truck was fixed. No charge, said no reason for me to do the R&R twice when it was their fault. What a cool guy.