--Like many stories, I will start this story from the beginning, and then finish it..with an ending!
--May 24th, 2014 at Cecil County Dragway
So yesterday (5/24/14), was the first official D1 get together of the season, as well as my first official get together as a proud Dakota R/T member I brought my Pops with me as well as my gal' for my pit crew, as well as my 1999 Dodge Dakota R/T CC with it's fresh tune up, new parts & fresh fluids all around, frankly it was the most healthy she's ever been mechanically so all was well. I made my first pass, parked her to let her cool off, and came back afterwards to start her up and notice the parking brake light illuminated as well as my ABS light, but they speedo was still working? Weird. While at the starting line for the second pass, I noticed the brake pedal get a little soft, but truck still stopped relatively normally. Made my third pass and was then flagged by the sweet old woman handing out the time sheets saying that I left brake fluid at the start. Well, SHIT. That sucks, I got a 2 hour ride home and it isn't just MY life I'm taking into account, it is my fathers and gf's.
So, I get underneath to access the damage. Turns out it is the brake line going to the rears that runs along the inside of the frame, and it is leaking from like 5 F***IN' places, FANTASTIC! And my dumbass doesn't have AAA, and my mod money isn't meant for a tow truck drivers pocket Plus the fact, that this is my first time ever @ Cecil, I have noooo clue where a parts store is to help me out either. So I'm basically looking at a tow for a tune of like $600 bucks NOT HAPPENIN'! Brake reservoir is BONE DRYYYYY and even if it had fluid in it, myself as well as nobody else had any spare brake fluid to top her off and nurse it home nor any vice grips to pinch the line, either!
Then I see a man that I was introduced to earlier in the day for the first time (thanks to our VP RTChas ), and he goes by the name of Chris. And as it turns out, this gentleman is the Chris that is the owner of Performance Injection Equipment (P.I.E) as it turns out! I am by no means a lucky man, but it was CERTAINLY my Lucky Day!! He comes over and asks what I got going on under there, as I went to explain to him what the situation was and that I was about to have to resort to a tow. He gets down on his back, underneath my truck which is completely covered in brake fluid, and this man doesn't even think twice about lending me a hand!
He says after assessing the situation that he found justttt enough good line coming from the front that he could pinch the line for me if I had any vice grips. After telling him that I unfortunately did not, nor did anyone else around us. I also told him of the fact that I nor anyone else had any brake fluid to top off the reservoir, even if I wanted to baby the thing home.
After all that, he simply says "Come with me man, I'll help you out!" At the drop of a hat, Chris lent me a helping hand when he saw a brother with a problem He's a stand up guy if I ever met one, no doubt! We hopped in his truck, and he drove me down to the local Advance Auto which was wayyyy down there on Route 40 from the track, no WAY would my truck have made it there. Got in there, I bought 5 bottles of DOT 3 and Chris found a pair of vice grips that he could work with and back to the track we went... on a mission All in all, the trip took a little over an hour.
I filled up the brake reservoir and my new best friend, Chris, got underneath the truck and crimped up that brake line realllll good so I at least had some front brakes, hell yeah WE GOIN' HOME! And under our own power! F*** YOU TOW TRUCK!! After I thanked this man over and over again for his generosity, hospitality and ingenuity, he simply said "Anytime man, you let me know that you got home safe, okay?" You got it, Chris! All happy, safe and sound up here in PA!
Keep in mind, I only met this man JUST that day. I've never placed an order with this man, was not a customer and has never seen one penny of my hard earned money. Chris is one hell of a great man and a stand up guy! I mean it when I say that it's people like him that make me proud to be part of this community with the DRTC!! He had a general concern for me and my family's safety, and took it upon himself personally to see that we were taken care of and could make it home to see our loved ones. As far as for me and mine, he will forever be reffered to in our house as Saint Chris.
Chris, you have made a customer for life my friend. I wish nothing but the best for you and yours.
Oh, and looking forward to our trip down to DE to talk about my truck with you and it sleeping over there for a few nights in the future.
I highly recommend Chris and Performance Injection Equipment to anyone. He even brought his laptop as well as a few scanners to help a few members out with free tuning, just to see if they liked it, AT NO CHARGE! Chris is true blue, and I am confident to say - Chris is a true master at his craft, and goes the extra mile for people no matter what. He stands behind his work, and fixes what needs fixed. Period.
All in all, Saint Chris made it so we could all live to see another day, including my truck haha. Don't second guess yourself if you are looking for quality craftsmanship from someone who is EXTREMELY easy to work with.
Life is better, in the World of PIE.
Long live the
- John