Its beginning to look a lot like 2015....

Deciding it was time to upgrade everything for the new chase vehicle, I decided to finally let go of my homemade computer stand in favor for the Ram Mount stand.  The cost was a bit pricy for my taste, but considering that I had enough of the original swing arm swinging when taking a corner, it was time for a serious upgrade.  I searched high and low all over the internet trying to find a decent priced stand which I finally did at GPSCheap.com  These guys did a great job hooking me up with a good deal and within 8 days it finally arrived this afternoon.  I was too excited to wait till spring to see what it looked like.  So here it is, after I signed for it.

Pretty much everything was accounted for opening the box, but if your not too savvy working without instructions, I would suggest going to the Ram Mount website and open the PDF files for your needed info.

The box came with 4 separate bags holding different parts to the setup.  The arm joint was easy to put together as was the floor brace.  The instructions for the base was easy, remove the two front bolts holding the seat in place and slip in the brace. Noting how hard it would be to attach the lower leg of the stand to the base with it installed, I decided to attach the bolts/nuts first before putting it in place in the Envoy.

As you can see, the base bracket fits well in the Envoy.  I used a 1/2 breaker bar to remove the 18mm bolts holding the seat in place.  With everything tightened down, it was time to return to building the upper half. I apologize for not taking pictures of the build of the computer base, but you can find info on it clicking this link:  Ram Mounts instructional page

With the upper arm joint built and the computer base set, it was time to set it in place.  I really like the ease of building this mount and I can't wait to test it out this spring.  Coming up in the next build is the installation of a new roof dome camera.

Gotta have a plan in place first

So I've been tooling around with different ideas for the GMC Envoy, and these are the final exterior details I've come up with to build.  Giving me an idea on the direction I'm heading for, will make the process so much easier during the long winter months.  Interior shots will be loaded up soon once I install the ram mount for the computer.  Stay tuned.....

The new chase vehicle. 2005 GMC Envoy

Ok, here's the latest post on my storm blog.  Following the departure of the 2003 Chevy Blazer comes my next chase vehicle.  I decided on the 2005 GMC Envoy to carry on the tradition of my storm chasing adventures.  I plan to do a complete writeup of each step as the vehicle is transformed and upgraded.  For now, I have switched over my ham radio and scanner to the new vehicle.  More serious upgrades will be posted at a later date.  I have found there is hardly any GMC Envoy chase vehicles out there on the web with pictures. I guess there's a beginning for everything.  Stay tuned...

End of a chasing era. 2003 Chevy Blazer..

I don't think I can write this up quickly, but I need to get this down now.  After 6 years of chasing in my 2003 Chevy Blazer, the time has come to step it down and move on to a newer vehicle.  When I got the Blazer back in 2008, it had only 90,000 miles on it.  Over the last 6 years, I've racked up countless miles on it seeing over 12 tornadoes with it, and multiple storms.  It's been a great vehicle for chasing in, having plenty of room for gear, great gas mileage and the 4x4 has never let me down.  Sitting now almost close to 180,000 miles, I cant afford having it break down somewhere during a chase so far from home.  Here I will post assort images that I'll always remember of it.  Cheers.

Storm Chasing funnies

Assorted images of silliness I've posted this year, that I just had to post.

May 30th 2014 forgotten chase

I was going through images tonight and came across some taken back in May that I forgot to post.  It was a picture perfect day for capturing a nice supercell that popped up over our home.  Enjoy the view.