A long winter's nap

[Jeff G 78]

Today was the day my two Z cars were put to bed for the winter. Even though there will be a few nice days left this fall, I am already tired of scraping my truck's windows every morning, so my Z cars got tucked into the corners of my garage so my truck would fit. I have a 24x24 garage and with the right shuffling, I can fit two Z cars, a spare engine, trans, suspension, a snowblower, push mower, lawn cart, an engine hoist, my wife's 4Runner and my Tacoma 4x4.

I really hate winter more and more each year. My toys are stored six months of every year.

[pwd]

I really hate winter more and more each year. My toys are stored six months of every year.

Move to Texas.

[Jeff G 78]

I'd love to, but I doubt Ford would let me telecommute. :disappoin

Selling my house isn't much of an option either with our economy.

[d240zx2]

JEFF! I've done the mental gymnastics on how you fit all that into 24 x 24. I can't make it work! Can you post a sketch of how you cram all those vehicles into that space?

[Jeff G 78]

Frank, Just for you, I made an Excel sketch. Now I just have to figure out how to upload it.

I have to run out for a bit and then I'll upload it.

[JohnnyO]

I'd love to, but I doubt Ford would let me telecommute. :disappoin....

But they are OK with you owning a Tacoma and a 4 Runner?

I'd like to see that sketch too. I just can't picture it.

I am rolling the dice for another shot of nice weather up here in St. Paul. I will drive it on dry days until they salt the roads. Until then my truck gets the driveway, the Z gets the 3rd stall all to itself and I get the heated seats and mirrors to help fight the frost.

John

[Jeff G 78]

But they are OK with you owning a Tacoma and a 4 Runner?

Shhhh.

I get some crap, but I don't buy anything new so nobody really cares. The Ranger doesn't fit my needs and the Explorer is a soccer mom mobile.

I'm still trying to figure out how to post the sketch as a picture rather than an Excel file.

[Jeff G 78]

OK, here it is. The block sizes are approximate and I only showed the big stuff and what is on the floor. Also in the garage on the floor are two floor jacks, four suspension corners, a scaffold, battery charger/starter, etc. I have lots of stuff hanging and tucked above the rafters.

I have parking stops between the Tacoma and Z and the 4Runner and Z. There is only about 3" between the 260 and 3" between the Tacoma and garage door.

See? It all fits... barely.

BTW, the Rubbermade yard cart is rather light and has rubber bicycle tires. It is also on the hood of my $500 racecar, so it's not doing any damage.

Edited October 26, 2010 by Jeff G 78
Added info

[JohnnyO]

Nice work!! You must be an engineer.

My wife takes up the double side of the garage with her Highlander. She's not "comfortable" parking with a car next to her.

I guess if she's not "comfortable" parking next to a car I'm not comfortable parking my Z or F150 next to her.

So she gets the tractor with 48" snowblower parked next to her.

[Jeff G 78]

Nice work!! You must be an engineer.

Well duh! Who else would use Excel to draw a sketch?

I know it's hard to believe, but there is still a lot of room in the garage. My wife doesn't really have to be close to anything and she can open all four doors fully without touching anything. The only hard part is backing in with my 280Z right next to my truck.

I forgot to mention that the key is using dollies under the tires of both Z cars. I can roll them tight to the walls without worrying about tires going flat over winter. It also gives me room underneath for things like the extension ladder.

Edited October 26, 2010 by Jeff G 78