CH> I like the Chevy trucks for the parts availabilty.  For example, the
 CH> whole rear floor pan was readily available for my '88 K5 Blazer.  Not
 CH> so for the comparable Ford Bronco or Dodge Ramcharger.

Not to mention a lot of interchangability through the years.   

 CH> Start with a reproduction frame made of 316 alloy stainless.  That'd
 
Oh man, I'd hate to see the price on that! It would be great if somebody
offered it. 
 
 CH> outlast me. Then drop one of those reproduction fiberglass body tubs
 CH> from US Body Source on it.  End of rust problem.  Probably cost about
 
I was just thinking about those last night, after sealing up a couple water
leaks in mine, and looking it over at what the body man will have to replace,
fibreglass is looking good.  Easy enough to tear down the interior, so I don't
see it being too much headache to outfit one. 

 CH> $10,000 by the time I was done.  Not bad, actually, compared to the
 CH> cost of a new truck.
 
Yeah, with more than enough left over for other things. 

 CH> I wonder just what the problem is?  Small compressor?  Limited
 CH> capacity from the street?  I wonder if there's any way to put in a
 CH> high-capacity meter/regulator in a residential application?
 
 Probably a combination of things. 
 Safety nazi's probably the biggest roadblock. 
 Line limit perhaps. 
 Undersized unit to keep it "affordable". 
 I do know for where I work, that the gas company has pumps that serve both 
 the next door NG public card access station, and our building (Just guessing
 there are some 60-80 hookups (never bothered counting)) for the 'fast fill'. 

 CH> Less power.  I've looked at generator ratings, for example.  A 10kw
 CH> gen set is derated to maybe 8kw on natural gas.

Any apples to apples comparisons of gas vs lpg vs ng ?  

 CH> Of course, I'd be interested in some way to use tree/shrub/lawn waste
 CH> like leaves in a still to produce fuel alcohol.  Kill several birds
 CH> with one stone.
 
Probably legislation against it due to the methanol producers wanting a 
captive audience... 
 
Alex.


... Sorry...My mind has a few bad sectors.
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