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Get Together '03
September 27-29, 2003
by Terry Mazurkewicz
The Scoop ...
The Second annual Northeast Diesel Gettogether was a one-day event in the northwest hills of Connecticut.
The weather was typical early autumn – clear blue skies and warm, with a hint of the colors to come in the changing leaves.
Participants some with their wives, children and significant others came from all parts of New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey to enjoy a day of relaxed chatter with other GM diesel enthusiasts.
Discussions took on many topics - juice / edge computer chips, Rancho versus Bilstein shocks, which size tire, which was the best wax, boost gauges, headlight harness upgrades. Lets say if it had to do with a light duty diesel the topic most likely got touched on at least once.
One of the participants from Upstate NY drove down in his fry oil powered 6.5 diesel. He provided lots of insight and information on the pros and cons of running used vegetable oil for fuel. The oil he is running is gathered from local restaurants, filtered, a couple of other chemical additives mixed in and "bing" fuel for his diesel. The diesel engine was invented by the Germans during WW 2 to run on vegetable oil.
The usual computer, air filter and air intake swapping and seat of the pants testing took place most of the afternoon.
Between testing sessions a potluck barbecue with all the fixings was being served all afternoon and into the early evening. Participants took a break around 4 PM and headed to Kent Falls (2 miles away) for a group picture of all the trucks and their owners. (click on thumbnails below to see them).
Jesse in his Carbon Metallic GMC got blamed for stirring up the local state trooper with his six-speed duramax. The local resident trooper paid the event a visit and asked the enthusiasts to slow things down a bit. Mackin couldn’t get blamed this time since the event proved bitter sweet with his newly rebuilt and upgraded Allison experiencing a few "gremlins". His Buddies pitched in and lent a tow, and a loaner Blazer to get home. The big bad Black Dooley was back haunting the streets by the next weekend.
Window stickers were handed out as goodies promoting "The Diesel Place.com" and the Northeast Diesel Gettogether 03. Thanks go to Shaun "chevmeister" and his graphics company for providing them. (Give him some business guys!)
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped put together the event. It was a success!