https://ratsun.net/discover/Ratsun Forums - All ActivityenMon, 09 Mar 2026 05:29:01 +0000Thanks for the clarification, I didn't realize torsion bars and rods were two different items. Your photo of the torsion bars and rear adjusters were the rear adjustments I was talking about; I just explained it poorly. Here's what I was thinking, and I could be way off on this: given the low miles on this truck (just under 100k), I'm wanting to fix it up as much as I can as opposed to doing just what is needed to get it on the road. Considering the condition of the rest of the bushings (I've thrown a few photos below), I'd bet the lower control arm bushing should be replaced. I haven't checked the lower control arm bushing yet, but the upper control arm bushing rubber is bad and the tension strut rod bushings and cab bushings are bad/gone as well. So, I thought I'd replace the missing dust cover on the torsion rod and replace the lower control bushing while I had the torsion rod out. I'll probably take this opportunity to paint the lower control arms while I have them out. Photos of the torsion rod dust covers (passenger side is missing) I found an old forum post that backs up what I'm seeing myself, these dust covers are no longer available. I do think I've found a substitute and want to install it if possible. Nearly gone body bushing on the front passenger side Front passenger upper control arm I'm going to bead blast and repaint this and replace the bushings.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:41:06 +0000Do you mean taking off the little clip? I think you just place a screwdriver between it and the end of the shaft then slide it sideways, I think. If you haven't already, clean out the center cowl drain with a thin flexible thing, maybe a bicycle spoke will work to pull the debris out. For rusted bolts I douse in penetrating oil several times over days or weeks and if they still don't come I bust then off then drill the center with ever larger bits till I can pry the remaining shards out of the threads with an awl, and chase the threads with a tap.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:12:17 +0000So did Jane Fonda.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:44:34 +0000Just about finished prep today, pulled the lines right after this photo to finish scuffing and grinding. Just waiting for things to warm up now. Still want to jump in there one more time with the engine out and finally get at the rest of the joints I haven’t replaced/refurbished yet. Not going back to metal everywhere, just the spots compromised by 50 years of battery-acid or brake-fluid. Only two components remain. The fuse box is rust-welded to the body. And does anyone want to tell me what the trick is for getting the wiper motor assembly off? I tried shouting at it and now I’m out of ideas.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:30:37 +0000A serial killer in Cali can kill 100 and still get the same sentence as killing one.Only have 580 on death row.Dont even have a death chamber.So you can kill in that prison and nothing will happen to you.Dont piss anyone off in there.Same with all the States with no death sentence.You dont have to kill anyone in Alabama to get the death sentence.Just be with someone that does.Bama is executing one March the 11th for not killing anyone.The one that did the killing got a life sentence.Only one that can stop it is Kay.The Governor.Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:07:37 +0000Like making gaskets out of cereal boxes.Capt'n Crunch are the best.Dont forgrt the naner.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:58:24 +0000Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:37:39 +0000RIP, Joe, US navy veteran who spent close to 60 years opposing retarded wars ✌️ ☮️ 🕊Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:27:28 +0000I believe it's "Serial",not Cereal.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:25:32 +0000Serial killers that are caught are the only ones that can be studied and conclusions about all cereal killers drawn. What about those out there that are too smart to be caught? They go undetected except by accident rather than detective work. A good serial killer goes undetected, very likely unsuspected and under the radar. Criminals thrive on the good intentions (bleeding hearts) of society. Everyone should have a chance at redemption but lets not make it too easy for them.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 22:21:16 +00002 blocks from the house where I grew up, a serial killer was caught. He had been collecting girls and the parts of girls. The community was up in arms. "Here" they cried, "in our small town..." It didn't phase my family at all. Remember, we had loaded firearms in the house. The alarm when a patient escapes is a nice reminder, but when you understand that some nut is always on the loose and attacks come without alarms, then depending on others to protect or avenge who you love is no longer an option. What really bakes my biscuit, is the dimwitted fucking assholes that oppose alarms and locking up criminals, crying it is unfairly prejudicial and demanding reintegration with society. I assume there are lunatics living in or traveling through my neighborhood everyday, along with killer's and robber's and thieves and everything else and I smile and wave and stay ready. Keep things you value locked up, keep informed of the where abouts of those you love, be armed and sleep easy. Nothing is guaranteed, but you know that you have taken steps and done what you can.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:10:30 +0000wayno..... Everyone looks out for #1. Countries too.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:45:50 +0000President Trump States He Will Not Sign Other Bills Until ‘Save America Act’ is Passed March 8, 2026 | Sundance | 42 Comments President Trump is again urging the Senate to pass the Save America voting act that is a core element of restoring voter integrity in U.S. elections. In his Truth Social post, President Trump notes he will not sign other legislation until the Save America Act reaches his desk.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:36:51 +0000Mexico and USA Begin Bilateral Preparations to Dissolve USMCA Without Canada March 8, 2026 | Sundance | 86 Comments One of the most curious aspects to the predictable USMCA review, ie. dissolution, has been the incapacity of the Canadian government or trade delegation to accept the United States is going to create two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements and eliminate the trilateral USMCA. For 16 months the Canadians have refused to fathom the reality of what is going to happen this year. The Canadians just cannot believe it is possible they will be forced to negotiate a free trade agreement without the cover of a multilateral construct. It has been remarkable to watch their dissonance. Last week President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a phone call. At the conclusion of the call, Sheinbaum publicly asserted the reality the Canadians just refuse to accept. MEXICO – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning news briefing on Wednesday that her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, is open to doing away with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and replace it with individual trade deals with each country. […] “There might be revisions that create bilateral deals instead of involving the three countries because some things are more important between Mexico and the United Sates or between Canada and the United States,” said Sheinbaum. “Not everything has to be trilateral.” Mexico’s president said the subject was brought up by Trump during a Tuesday phone conversation. […] According to Sheinbaum, her country is ready to consider possible changes. (read more) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney finally started to realize President Trump was likely to ignore Canada and begin direct discussions with Sheinbaum. So, Carney went to Mexico to try and get assurances from Sheinbaum that Mexico would not proceed without Canadian interests in mind. Essentially, Carney wanted Sheinbaum to be on his team. However, as diplomatically noted in the phone call with President Trump, President Sheinbaum politely rejected the Canadian partnership. [Insert Trump’s position toward Mexican cartels as an overriding thought] The Canadians have been talking to U.S. media looking for sympathetic ‘Orange man bad’ coverage. However, within the contacts between Canadian government officials and U.S. corporate allies, the sentiment from team Trump is very clear: “The key thing that has struck me, and I think it has struck all Canadians, is so many of these guys in the Trump administration, frankly, they just hate Canada,” said Brian Clow, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy chief of staff who led Canada-U.S. affairs. {source} It’s not hatred, it’s annoyance. Years of compounding parasitic annoyances and sanctimonious, ‘holier-than-thou’ pontifications from the arrogant and uppity Canadian government. The only time Canada has been honest with themselves and with President Trump was when Justin Trudeau was exiting office and admitted Canada cannot function without all of the one-way benefits it receives from the USA {GO DEEP}. That’s it. That’s the only time Canada has ever been honest about the nature of the economic relationship. A time when Trudeau had already quit and would not be around to deal with the consequences. However, the level of Canadian arrogance is not only visible to President Trump, even the Japanese can see it. Remember that very close relationship between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Trump. That professional, personal and respectful relationship is going to become strategically important this year. Japan’s economic and trade representatives have told the Canadians that if the USMCA is dissolved, and if Canada no longer has the same trade access current available in the trilateral format, then Japan would rethink its entire investment portfolio in Canada, specifically the auto sector. In essence, specifically as it pertains to the auto industry, Japan is saying if the USMCA is gone, Japan may pull all their cross-border manufacturing out of Canada and transfer it to the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney was recently questioned about the statements from Japan and he waxed nonsensically [SEE HERE] about how Canada would use Chinese BYD electric autos to replace lost Toyota manufacturing. It’s a hot mess for Canada and getting worse. Last Friday, Canada’s worst nightmare began unfolding: WASHINGTON – Today, U.S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced the first round of bilateral discussions in preparation for the Joint Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The ministers instructed negotiators to begin a scoping discussion on the necessary measures to ensure the benefits of the Agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including by reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing the security of North American supply chains. Ministers expect negotiators to hold the first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter as part of the Joint Review. [LINK] Right there, you can see the exact same thing that took place in early 2017, when President Trump began organizing a bilateral trade discussion with Mexico only, in advance of his preferred approach to dissolve NAFTA and use two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements to replace it. USTR Robert Lighthizer was working with Mexico only. USTR Jamieson Greer, the studious protege’ of Lighthizer, now has the task of organizing the USA and Mexico while delaying any substantive contact/discussions with Canada until President Trump is ready to drop the hammer. I can assuredly say President Trump wants everything outlined and in place for a U.S-Mexico deal before he announces the dissolution (joint review withdrawal) to end the USMCA. There is little to no chance President Trump wants to renew a trilateral trade agreement that allows Canada to keep exploiting their market access to the U.S. without accepting reciprocity. Remember, Canada’s main export is energy, and Trump has diminished that leverage through the Venezuela operation. Perhaps another ‘ah-ha’ moment for deep weed walkers. Yes, in addition to giving China a body blow, taking control of Venezuela oil and minerals also weakens the leverage position of Mark Carney. Can you see it now? Canada has one key card they can leverage, congress. Prime Minister Mark Carney is counting on the UniParty in Washington DC to stand in his corner against President Donald Trump and block any attempt to end the USMCA. However, this is not going to be a surprise to President Trump, because Justin Trudeau did the same thing in 2018 when he coordinated his approach toward NAFTA through then Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. As I have said with great eagerness, it is going to be a lot of fun to watch this unfold. Posted in Auto Sector, Big Government, Big Stupid Government, Canada, Donald Trump, Economy, media bias, Mexico, NAFTA, President Trump, Trade Deal, Uncategorized, USA, USMCASun, 08 Mar 2026 20:29:12 +0000Why does Mike get the lobotomy? I want one, where's the que? There are many ways to lobotomize oneself, drinking, drugs, religion or a hole through the cranium. So far, I have lacked the internal constitution to make the jump. I worry enough of the former self would be retained to allow comprehension of what was lost or at least that something was lost. That realization would drive me insane or at least make me very grumpy, so status quo, no benefit. But, if you could be guaranteed that you would feel and believe in absolute bliss, as the wheel you from the day room to the TV room with a load in your diaper, isn't that heaven?Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:26:27 +0000I did and it came with an extra one..Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:46:14 +0000Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:44:28 +0000Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:43:26 +0000Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:42:34 +0000Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:21:05 +0000Sorry - been a while. My new garage is small, so hard to work in winter as I have to roll the pickup out to make room. Back on the tools now it’s spring, but progress will be slow as new house means lots of other jobs! I’ve started putting the MX5 floors, tunnel and firewall into the 520. Slow process of measuring, cutting and fitting and checking. Seat floors (includes MX5 seat rail mounts) are tacked in - I will remove remaining bit up to sills once the firewall is in so the flowers remain fixed to a reference point at all times. Working on the drivers side of firewall (520 narrower than MX5 so it needs to be cut in the middle making sure to leave enough room for pedals and feet). I may have to massage the throttle and or side of footwell near wheel arch as clearance is close). I will the lock in other passenger side firewall, and finish trans tunnel. I will have to lower the trans tunnel as too high for gear lever but don’t think I will get it low enough to use bench seat (I may weld in the runners to give me the option). I want to retain MX5 handbrake. Anyways pics added for reference and I will chip away and try to keep the updates comingSun, 08 Mar 2026 18:18:40 +0000I remember that emblem above the gas door - I had a B210 that I put 136 hours (I kept a log since knew epic project) of oxy-acetylene welding into - where I achieved my best mastery of managing gas sheet metal welding distortion.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:00:56 +0000WTF??? After 46 posts, NOW you start scamming? Did someone get your password????Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:17:37 +0000On smaller items I use a dollar store hole punch and scissors. Trace out on a sheet of gasket material or even a cereal box. My thermostat cover, water pump and oil pump are all from a Cheerio box.Sun, 08 Mar 2026 13:38:58 +0000