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  Putting the Stretch in Home Stretch

  Mar 25, 2024

  Well, this "Home Stretch" thing is taking longer than I thought.  I don't remember installing stereo speakers in the back of a car being so difficult.  And, to make running the wires easier, the interior had to come out.  I didn't remember the seats being so heavy either.  Of course, it could be due to the fact that I don't fold up into the trunk as well as I did when I was 20 years old.  I also don't remember having a "duty cycle."  One day on and two days off with the applications of IcyHot, Yuengling Lager and Jim Beam! 

  Anyway, I'm adding a set of replacement kick panels up front that have provisions for speakers.  I didn't want to cut holes in the originals.  However, that also required the modification of the parking brake pedal lever to accomodate the driver's side speaker.  The new kick panels will also have to be painted to match the rest of the interior.  Since I don't have a spray booth, any painting has to wait until the temperatures are consistently warmer or unless the odd warm day comes along.  In the meantime, I do other things trying to get ahead.  The result being that, once again, the whole garage now looks like a bomb went off in it.

  While the interior was out, it was also the perfect time to remove the dashboard again as it would make removing the original and reinstalling the new tilt steering column much easier.  We had one warm day, so I managed to get the steering column painted so it could be installed along with the speaker grills to better match the interior when the speakers go in.  Once that was done, the dashboard went back in.  Still, the inside of the GTO looks as if someone threw a hand grenade into it.  Looking at this mess, I constantly have to remind myself to focus sharply on only one facet of this project at a time to avoid becoming depressed. 

  So, I do what I can and have at least been able to strike a line through some of the items in my list.  The new tilt steering column looks and works great. The painted speaker grills will make the speakers look more like a factory option than an aftermarket add-on.  The rear bumper was removed and reinstalled.  That process revealed a shim that was loose behind one of the mounting brackets - a likely source of road-going rattles we were hearing.  Also addressed were the bumper brackets that we discovered were not properly tightened when reassembled by the previous owner.  While finishing up the bumper, I also got the Bluetooth backup camera mounted.  Not too bad after all. 

  The fact that the finished product will ultimately exceed my expectations doesn't always help.  A big part of my current disappointment stems from the negative effects that inflation and the current political and fiscal state of our nation has had on our income producing retirement investments.  With this being an election year, I unfortunately don't see that improving anytime soon.  The reality is that the biggest item on my list - the rear axle - will likely be put on hold until such time as things improve.  Either that or else I'll be looking for work.  One thing's for sure.  I didn't do all this work on the GTO only to have to sell it.  

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