The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Helpful Bolters along the way

I was recently reading, with great interest, about a Bolter that was about to drive a 65 Chevy, 900 miles home from Texas to Sioux Falls,South Dekota. Also I read somewhere in the forums about a Booklet that a group of car guys put together called, Inliners.
Apparently they are friendly folk who can help a Bolter along the way in case of emergency repairs to get them going again.
This is a very good Idea. Why couldn't Bolters who would like to help out from time to time create a similar booklet? Sure would encourage us to Travel longer distances with our ole Chevy's.
What do you guys think?

Not sure there's a whole lot of transit through Massachusetts, but I'd sure be listed and help out a fellow bolter if such a directory were put together... i've got a lot of help from the folks in here along the way.

Its a good idea. I live almost right on the trans-Canada highway and would certainly do my best to help out.

There is already a Stovebolt locator.

The 'Stovebolt Locater' is great, but if most people don't know it's there or don't sign themselves into it, it's of little use. It's also not something you can toss in the glove box for 'just in case'. A booklet on the other hand is a great idea, but just like the 'Stovebolt Locater', it would be of little use if too few people are aware of it or don't 'sign themselves into it'.

We have over 29,000 members but only about 1300 are registered in the locater.

The idea has been tossed around before, the same issues pops up. Who's going to manage it? Will it be private, so only stovebolt members can use it. What type of information should be made available? Will it be accessible through the internet?

Once someone decides they will put it together, I am in.

I think that there was a start to this many years ago, but I don't know what happened to it.

You need an Ipad and a cell phone.

You are the man with the vision. You are in charge.

You could count me in to. I think I understand what vickcraft is getting at. First off a person would have to "want" to be listed and also be one that would come out and help a Bolter at 1am if need. In these days and time it would really give one a piece of mind if broken down in a strange unknown place and knowing no one. A bolter who knew "his way around" would be a blessing.
A list of those who "want" to help could be had in the glove box and if the need did arise it'd be awfully handy.

....you could/can count me in. Program or not guys if your in my area and need a hand let me know. If I can't help I'll get someone who can!

...and, we are "friendly folk" too!

Also, come to the Stovebolt reunion in Kansas City. Meet and party with the gang. A face to the name with a hand shake means a lot.

HEHEH You missed it. That was in 2007.

builder, you still got the hood with all those kansas city signatures on it? Curious minds want to know

Count me in for the south central Tennessee/north Alabama area near I-65. I could probably include north Georgia and Mississippi if necessary.
Jerry

I'm in the Colorado Springs area, available up and down the front range.

Anyone heading North can always get in touch with me. Don't know how many of you plan on a trip to Alaska, but I am smack in the middle of the state. I will try to sign in to finder.

I'm here for WA state, live right off the I-5 north of Seattle. Would be more than happy to help anyone needing it.
Joe

I highly doubt any one of you are going to take off without knowing your destination. There is no need for you to have a booklet in your glovebox listing everyone in North America. Plan your route and use the locator to find people along it. Send a PM before you go.

I would be more than glad to help someone passing through my area, so you could put me in the booklet.

And Cletis is right, might pm those along your route and see if you broke down if they could help.

About 4 years ago I (with my family in tow) broke down in the middle of Oklahoma, and didn't know a soul to call for help. Luckily a nephew was about an hour ahead of me going to the same destination. Finally got in touch with him and he came back and helped.

So having something with contact numbers would be helpful on a trip.

Yes, I still have the hood. I am looking for another that is as nice as that one. Peg wanted the hood for the Stovebolt head quarters. If it don't go there, I will find a place in my shop for it. There is no way I will destroy the art of the trip. The whole truck is as it was on the trip with the exception of the engine. If you remember, I borrowed the engine from my Uncle Carl. I rebuilt the 327 and put some so cal valve covers on it. It looks good. I was thinking of placing a 700R transmission in it to make it a little more highway friendly than the powerglide. I have to really debate myself on repainting the truck. It is such a memory for me, I hate to change the history of the truck. It does deserve a shiny new paint job though, Don't you think?

And by the way, I am in Sioux Falls, SD near the interchange of I90 and I29. I will help if someone is going through.

Hey Cletis
Thanks for the heads up on the Stovebolt locator. I had no Idea it existed. This is great news! Back in August of 2007, I drove 3,700 miles in my 98 Nissan 4x4 Frontier pickup, from San Lius Obispo in Southern California to my home in New Brunswick, next door to Nova Scotia, Canada. Fortunately, I had no problems.
When my 51 Chevy Pickup, frame off, is done and all the bugs are worked out, I plan to make the same trip, within the next 2 years in my old Chevy pickup. The Stovebolt locator could give my wife and I a little peace of mind along the way, just in case. And hey
I think it would kind of cool to meet a follow Bolter.
Here's afew interesting pics I took along the way.
http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/98%20Nissan%20Truck%20Tent/
http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/?action=view&current=highway41morrowbayca.jpg
http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/vickraft/?action=view&current=grandsonsinheritance.jpg



Its time for me to also register in the Locator.
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and I would like to wish
everyone a happy New Year for 2012.

I wasn't aware of the locator as well. Sweet!
I just entered my info!
I agree with Cletis. A printed booklet will never be fully up to date and the majority of it isn't useful for your trip.
When you hit the road in your bolt, you already have a desination. Print off a list of the bolters in the area you'll be in.
I would encourage everyone who says they are in, to submit their info to the locator.
As a side note, it would be nice if the locator had cities alphabetized and a print feature for the section you need.
Jerry

I thought i was on it, but no. i did sign up. i think.

I think the Stovebolt locator is a great asset and has already been said, not everyone knows about it or uses it frequently. I am registering today.

Along the line of the "On the road, find a fellow Bolter" topic, Has anyone thought about making one of those new fandagled smartphone apps where you can look up registered & willing Stovebolters within a certain radius of your phone when you're on the side of the road? Or even a Stovebolt.com app where the locator info can be accessed from your phone via internet? There's a lot of logistics and work involved, but with interest it can be done and worth while.

It is not difficult to make a Google Maps based map with a pin for each member. They can allow information to be saved on each person entered on the map (any info, such as: name, address, phone, trucks, tools, photos, websites, email address, etc etc).

The "hitch" to using this type of app is that someone has to enter the information into the system, including geo-position coordinates for each person/pin.

Here is a site that allows maps to be built and stored for free (with advertisements).

http://www.mapbuilder.net/

I used the locator back in 2007 for the triple dog dare.