22 August 2020

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 093, 094, 097, 098 - Part II

This is a bonus multi-issue post.  We last left off, exhausted, at Issue 091.  Luckily, we found some 'time' to dive back into this project.  So, quick build of last shipment of issues before we get to our current box of parts.

We start off with Issue 092 - Tail Lights

Contents of Issue 092

Ah, they tail lights.  These boards kinda look like the PCB in my car.  There are a bunch of LED to light up the tail lights.  Want to know what is exciting?  You get to dig up that rear fascia from Issue 001.  For me, that was way back in September of 2017.  Almost three years ago, and we are still waiting for issues to arrive.  Anyway, you get to finally mount that first ever piece onto the car.

Note, the LED's that are mounted on the PCB may not line up perfectly with the holes on your rear fascia.  Find out which hole is not quite fitting and shave a little with either a knife or drill bit.  You may want to remove the tail light housing.  Do not alter the LED bulbs.

Oh...also, you need to remove the rear bumper just to fit it on the car...then replace the bumper.  Why do they do this?  I bet since it was Issue 001, they wanted to make a nice display piece, a complete rear fascia for you to display.  I am sure many have dipped their toe into this project, only to find out that it takes months...years to complete.  Well, at least if you bought into it, you have something.

Here is where we need to jump into another box of shipments since.

Issues 093, 094, 097, 098

Between the last box and this box, we are just going to power through this.

Issue 093 - Front Fascia

Contents of Issue 093

Well, it makes sense that after we installed the rear fascia, we get to the front.  I would have made more sense to ship us the rear fascia around this point rather than in the very beginning.  

Anyway, here is something fun.  The folks at Eaglemoss have captured an imperfection that exists in some DeLoreans.  This is what is known as the 'eyebrow'.


DeLorean eyebrow

To my knowledge, the A Car has a near perfect front fascia.  No eyebrows.  On a side note, I think the headlight sockets looks like koalas.  I like koalas

Issue 094 - Grille

Parts in Issue 094

The photo-etched rock catcher is quite beautiful. 

Issue 095 -  Front Bumper

Parts in Issue 095

We go back to previous shipment for these parts.  This is also the last of the flux band brackets, they go along the perimeter of the front bumper.

Like the front fascia assembly this is a quick and easy build.  You may have a little trouble connecting the wires from the main body to the headlight wires from the fascia.  But, this is nothing like the task from our last post.

Issue 096 - Left Rocker Panel

Parts in Issue 096

Issue 097 - Right Rocker Panel

Parts in Issue 097

Issues 096 and 097 are mirrors of each other.  Just make sure when you stick down the door sill that the DMC is facing the correct way.  

Issue 098 - Front Flux Boxes

Contents of Issue 098

Our first flux boxes!  This is exciting. We also have some fiber optic tubes that will help those flux band glow.  But first those flux boxes need to be mounted on the front fenders.

When you are done up to this point, it will look like this:  

Progress up to Issue 098

I know, it has been a while since we posted a progression photo.  Yes, I tape up the doors, hood, and engine cover so they stay closed.  Otherwise, they will flop open when transporting or when there is a need to work on the underside of the vehicle.

Progress of build up to Issue 098

While we are missing some issues:   103, 104, 105, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 142 143, 144, 145, 146

We have another set of parts ready to assemble, that is it for now.

Screw count:  94-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 2-EP, 19-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 3-GP, 14-NM, 1-MM, 7-KM, 2-LM, 10-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 4-MP 1-RM

to be continued...

13 August 2020

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 087, 092, 095, 096

 We finally got Issue 087, an important issue needed to move on to other issues.

Issues 087, 092, 095, 096

We are just going to jump right to it.

Issue 087 - Roof interior

Contents of Issue 087

We have waited months for this, and it is finally here.  This issue completes the ceiling panel.   More wiring for lights.  If, like me, you moved a little ahead on your build while waiting for back issues to arrive...well, you will need to undo some areas to get pieces to fit.  For me, this included removing the inside panels so the ceiling piece can be fitted in.  Once complete, you can move on to the next issue.

But, if you are in the same goofy-ass schedule as me, you move on to Issue 091.  Way back in January, like eight months ago, I had already completed some areas of 091.  Of course, I was stuck with a number of issues yet received.  Well, here we are in August and we can finally tackle this issue.

Get ready for a ride.  This issue (091) is the most involved and will test your patience. The main task is to merge the upper body on to the chassis and interior.   

First, you need to connect all the wires from the body.  This includes the lights for the doors, ceiling panel (just completed in 087) and trunk (bonnet).  Remember those little number tags?  Make sure you double-check those and make sure they match.  Then, check again with the colour of the wires.  

Once you have your wires connected, the fun begins.  Make sure your wires are out of the way.  The engine bay wall will want to pinch the wires.  You will never get the top to meet the bottom.  Also, remember those inside panels?  They are in front of the door.  Make sure those are mounted flush.  Otherwise, the dash will not allow the top to settle into the bottom.  At this point, I am over an hour into the struggle.

Tired yet?  Oh, pro tip:  To get the wires out of the way, remove the passenger side air deflector from the chassis.  It is only seven screws.  This will give you access to the wires and a bent paper clip can hook the wires back and allow the engine bay wall to sit properly.  The nightmare is not over.

Before I continue, there is a new screw introduced in this issue, the RM.  Anyway, back to your regularly schedule nightmare.

When you finally get the body to settle onto the chassis, there are eight screws to secure it.  Two on the front, two in back, and two on either side.  Good new, eight screws...this should be no problem.  Oh, no.  You may need to see a psychiatrist after this part.  Maybe it is just on my build, maybe it is because the damn parts have been sitting for months and things shifted and warped.

The screw bosses do not line up with the holes!

One is perfect.  Half of them are okay.  About three of them will put you in a fit of rage.  I think I lost five pounds from sweating during this phase.  It will help if you had an extra set of hands.  I needed to squeeze the sides while someone else started the screw.  Once you get a few turns of the screw, you are home free.  Now, do it three more times..

Lucky for me, I noticed that my wires were being pinched.  So, I had to take it apart and do this again.  I think I spent about two hours on this part.  Once I was done with 091, that was it.  I did not get to 092, which is in this shipment.  Too damn exhausted to continue. 

We will get to the next few issues in the next episode.  We have a few shipments that should keep us busy for a few weekends.  Looks like Eaglemoss is restocking and shipping back issues.  Still, we are missing a few.

The missing issues include:   104, 105, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 142 143, 144, 145, 146

Screw count:  92-AP, 23-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 34-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 2-EP, 19-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 3-GP, 12-NM, 1-MM, 5-KM, 2-LM, 9-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 1-LP, 4-MP 1-RM

to be continued...

02 August 2020

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - August 2020

There has to be some sort of algorithm to telemarketer calls/texts.  I doubt it is random.  Sometimes there is a long break between calls and texts, sometimes we get multiple per day.

2 August 2020
  917-972-8264  New York - As expected, another CBD text.  This CBD campaign seems to have replaced the DoorDash attacks.  I may have jinxed this.  Surprised that there was no call/text yesterday on the first of the month.  But today, on a Sunday, I get a text.  What is the pattern?  Here is something we can always count on, fuck you!

6 August 2020
  creditalertsauqnahmwp@47dybv.com - Let us take a look at this email address.  Credit Alert Sauqnahmwp.  What the fuck is Sauqnahmwp?  Okay, maybe it is Credit Alerts Auqnahmwp.  So, what the fuck is an Auqnahmwp?  Pro tip:  If you have a credit alert company, maybe name it with something more legit...like "Miramar Credit Alert".

creditalertsauqnahmwp@47dybv.com

Now, check out that link.  Is the "ogruuqw" part of the link?  Why is it not blue? 

Speaking of company name, maybe invest in a better domain name than a number and some letters.  This is not a license plate, this is your "company".  I am going to do out on a limb and say this is a scam.  Fuck you!

10 August 2020
  210-729-2422  San Antonio, TX - Look at this mess

210-729-2422

First, they sent to to ten people, hoping that one of these idiots (including me) bites.  There is "phishing" and there is "kasting a wide knet".  

Second, what the fuck are they trying to say here?  What does that number mean?  What website ends with a % sign?  If you are trying to get people to fall for your shitty scam, make an effort to make your message look legit.  Also, do not sent it o ten people at once.

Third, fuck you!

  213-201-7273  Los Angeles, CA - Total robocaller.  Left a message, but it was automated.  Only a portion of the message was received.    Something about mileage and warranty.  Uh, have you checked the news lately?  There is no mileage on anything when shit is on lockdown. Fuck you!

12 August 2020
  310-599-4292  Compton, CA - Another one to add to our block list.  Fuck you!

17 August 2020
  619-762-6194  Coronado, CA - Oh, they left a voicemail.

619-762-6194
Yeah, looks totally legit...NOT!  Total robocall.  Their machine was talking to my machine.  There will be Judgement Day.  Fuck you!

19 August 2020
  541-325-2603 Oregon - Apparently, they are hiring folks to work from home for $500 a week.  Yep, that is it.  No info on what the job is, just $500 a week.  I assume that is before taxes.  No information on how many hours a week I need to work to get that $500.  Am I working 20 hours a week, or are we talking about 80 hour work weeks.  Fuck you!

21 August 2020
  f74c3445@dyfl4h.com - Well, holy shit!  Apparently, I have over $500 from the state that I need to claim.  Uh, just look at the address this bullshit is from.  With all these ridiculous taxes, do you really think the state is owes me money?  Fuck you!

22 August 2020
  cashappalertsjxoibtfcjfsduxfvfl@yahoo.com - I know it totally looks like I just typed 'cashappalerts-at-yahoo-dot-com', then my I moved my mouse and my cat attacked the mouse, leaving the cursor just after 'alerts'.  I know it sound crazy...but, then my cat stepped on the keyboard and "jxoibtfcjfsduxfvfl" was inserted in before the '@'.  No, that was the actual email address that sent this. Here is the screen shot:

cashappalertsjxoibtfcjfsduxfvfl

Also, why does Cash App have a yahoo email address?  Fuck you!

25 August 2020
  inw-k-e-t-o-iqnowegyeg@yahoo.com - Imagine looking at a resume for someone and they give you this as their email address.  That resume goes straight into the shredder, regardless of qualifications.


Wait, are you saying I am fat?   Although losing 50 pound in 60 days sounds great.  Knowing these scams, I will most definitely lose more than £50 in days (see what I did there?).  Oh, but it is free.  Fuck you!

  310-683-6068  Redondo Beach, CA - No message left, so I know idea what they are trying to push.  Looks like another spoofed number.  Still, fuck you!

27 August 2020
  860-574-5786  Connecticut - So, I got a text message.  I also did a quick search on the number and someone else got about same message.  With a questionable link.  

we came across a package from March owed to you. Please claim ownership and schedule for delivery here: l3smr.info/i4ZOxUu9OvC

Some of the information, like the web address is slightly different, but it is essentially the same message.  Usually shit like this are from spoofed numbers.  So, it looks like they are reusing these numbers to try to scam others.  It is all scams however you look at it.  

What kind of operation are you running where you sit on someone's parcel for six months?  Since you texted me, i is obvious you have my information...just fucking deliver it, like you were supposed to six months ago, you fucking slacker.  Fuck you!

28 August 2020
  917-943-8437  New York - Oh, I got another one of those "claim your package" notifications.  This time from New York.   So, it seems that  I have a package in New York and one in Connecticut...and both have been sitting there for over six months.  

Hey everyone, this is the new scam.  No more CBD stuff.  Wait, what if the packages are CBD supplements?  Fuck you!

29 August 2020
   rewardsandmoreqrhwwsncj@yahoo.com - Again, the email address is questionable, but everything else seems legit.
  

Okay, the grammar is questionable, but other than that, this has to be legit.  Wait, the kinda incorrectly  spelled PayPal...and the address is totally questionable.  So, other than that, this is totally legit.  Fuck you!