Hobby

So back when I was struggling before the takeover of Kaongonomy, I apprenticed Ausbildung style to two mechanics in that rundown part of town where broken vehicles form the real estate. Remy was the senior, and his brother Kareithi was next in command, alafu I rotated between them kama mtu wa mkono(handiman). Bwana these nibbas taught me that a car isn't an unknown contraption that takes you from A to B. Each well made car is a beauty, an art piece and a testament to our civilization's reach for perfection.

Kwanza Japanese cars, specifically Toyotas, Hondas na Isuzus. Absolute mambas.

Back to the matter, so one evening during off-peak season again, tuko apo three men racking their brains on how to make the next buck, juu iyo siku ilikuwa imekaukaaa. We had fixed ile FRR kadere flani had issues with poor fuel economy juu some idiot had not closed down the cylinder head vizuri, and the gasket was worn down in a couple places so power strokes ya two cylinders zilikuwa vinyonge sana, you get my drift. But that had been completed the previous day.

That day we were seeing bad things; 3 dudes chaining a blunt, with the 2 seniors puffing Safari in addition, kujipea courage ya kuenda mtaa kuambia mabibi zao hawajapata kakitu leo.

This enigmatic dude(Yahaya type) called Otis shows up, wakaongea na Remy kidogo, then Remy calls us together.

Tumepata mishoni.

So si tukadanda senkee ya Kareithi, tumeshuka past South Nyari where a broken down LC J150 imetungoja huko Kiambu ndani. The owner wanted to get rid of it, and apparently Otis had brokered some deal for the spares, ile ya kuelewana tu. Condition ilikuwa tuichanue very fast, by mid morning demand izibebe zote we get a boost for our efforts.

Toolboxes zilishuka chini very fast, and the men got to work.

First off was the 1KD engine. Hapa ndio experience iliongea, juu mendem walishika wrenches and spanners tukadismantle kwanza both batteries, tukadrain coolant from radiator na oil from the engine block, disconnected hood hinges and radiator hoses.

Radiator na cooling fan assembly, out very fast. Intercooler and intake assembly, chap chap.

Saa iyo giza inaingia lakini bossy amesema kazi lazima iishe, someone akawasha security lights. Bwana tumetoanisha hoses, pipes and wiring tuko deep in her guts upto our elbows, grease and oil imetupaka overalls but iyo ni kawa.

Pace ndio different.

Engine sensors, injector plugs, glow injector rails and main ECU loom, very fast very fast.

AC compressor na power steering pump follow.

Minutes pass like seconds, ni baridi lakini tumesweat kwa iyo engine bay; Remy ako chini yetu lying on his back akitoanisha turbo from the exhaust manifold. Akaweka jack kusupport transmission assembly, alafu tukashift us four big men on either side of the engine bay tukadisconnect the giant through-bolts zinashikilia engine firmly kwa the chassis mount.

Power mara tatu stroooong, we lift with both the back and the legs juu iyo kitu ni din
g'oing'o fala, weighs more than your favorite fat comedian.

Iyo chuma inaskuma several tons of metal and cargo without breaking under strain huwa mnyama ajab, na tulipigana nayo mpaka ikakubali.

STRONG! adi we lifted it clear of the now bare looking compartment and manouevred it nyuma ya double cab ya bossy.

Tukapackpack accessories zote in brown boxes and they followed the engine. Missus wa bossman akaletea bigmen chai saa tatu usiku tukiwa cooldown before we leave. Tumerudi na jet ya Kareithi pale zabe, where broker wa Otis ametusort kabla tuachane kila mtu aingie kwake.

iyo 1600 I remember very well, noti tatu; bob, punch na nyanga, juu that was the hardest ever effort nishawai weka for coins. Priceless was that period, juu it made me fall in love with working with machines sana, na niligain experience and knowledge ya kupush my next project ya restoration.