DFW BS Thread : ********NEW MEET!! CHECK POST #1*******

First, I'll say that there are two different types of guys that wrench. Some are great at being parts monkeys and then there are true mechanics. Anyone can take parts off and replace with the same or upgraded part. But it takes a different kind to actually diagnose a problem and make the repair. It's like a chef versus someone who can cook by following recipes.

My wrenching days started when, at 19, my mom "gifted" me a 1989 Toyota Supra Turbo that didn't run well, blew white smoke and had no a/c. It wasn't as pretty as it used to be, 140k on the odometer and obviously wasn't running. But, being a 19 year old with access to a Turbo Supra (just as the first Fast & Furious came out), I was determined to get it back on the road. So, I bought a $200 Craftsman Mechanic Set and took it upon myself to go through the whole cooling system, change the spark plugs, timing belt, refresh the stock suspension and started driving it. After a lot of time and effort, the head gasket finally blew. Head gasket was too expensive to pay someone else to do and I felt it was out of my capabilities. I was 21 and broke and had to trade the car for a Toyota Corolla...ugh. I did a lot of the oil changes, brakes and some minor repairs to the Corolla but it was a simple Toyota, so not much went wrong. Got a Honda Accord after that and it was mostly oil changes, but after 100k, small things started to go out. An alternator, a starter or the a/c would go bad, so I started tackling those repairs myself. As each of these things broke, I learned more about how each system/component worked and I just got more and more comfortable with doing many of my own repairs. I always regretted that I had to get rid of that Supra, and after a few months of looking, I finally found another that I could afford. So, I met with the seller, test drove it and bought it. On the long trip back from Houston, I started to see that the car had more problems than I thought. I got it home and started diving in to fix what I could. Before Tacomaworld.com, it was Supramania.com for me. Many hours of scanning the forums and asking questions to diagnose problems and figure out upgrades. After 5 years and many, many dollars and hours of my own labor, I've replaced, repaired or refurbished everything in the engine bay, suspension and interior. I've now progressed to pulling engines for rebuild, turbo upgrades, wiring, soldering, recharge a/c systems, all kinds of stuff because I bought a shitty car and had the desire to fix it myself. I've had my Tacoma for almost 2 yrs and 30k miles, and everything I've done on the truck has been simple upgrades (suspension and lighting upgrades) requiring me to only be a parts monkey. I don't plan on getting rid it, so eventually as things go out, I'll need to learn more about how the systems on the truck work. But when they do, I'll be on TW reading others' posts and asking questions. Over the years, I've become an excellent parts monkey and better mechanic who can do some diagnosing, but still have much to learn.

TL;DR - Get a decent tool set and start with small stuff, learning how components work and simple repairs or maintenance items. Use the forums and Youtube for instructions and advice from fellow owners. Go to some wrenching sessions and watch, learn and ask questions. Get a shitty car (the older, simpler the better) and start making repairs or help a friend with theirs.

 

@Zac of all trades Shannon replied, they are all good with our meet and cookout.

We need a headcount to make sure the taproom is staffed properly. Can you tag me if you are definitely in?

 

@Silverspool I'll be there

 

@Silverspool I'll be there. Its dog friendly, so the pups coming with me!

 

@Silverspool I'm in if I'm off hurricane duty.

 

Thanks guys!

 

@Silverspool I'll be there with the lady and my dogs

 

@Silverspool something something beer

 

@Silverspool I'm down like charley brown

 

@Silverspool I'll swing by after I get off work

 

In with lady

 

Spent the afternoon at the Pick-N-Pull with @Tundra2Play and upgraded the horn. It's no train horn but definitely louder.

 

Guinness beer cheese burgers on pretzel buns! Great end to the week.



I grind my own meat, usually a 30/30/40 blend of beef rib, chuck roast, and sirloin. The onions are sautéed in butter, molasses, and a few other spices. Different beers will make your cheese more or less robust, depending on your taste. I highly recommend trying it out and I'd be happy to share the details. All in all, a delicious Saturday project

 

Haha sounds loud! Find anything else there?? I will be needing an 6 lug 5.5 axel soon im sure, ive been looking at enclosed trailers pretty hard recently.

 

Spent the day at my moms, went there to weld on my hitch receiver sleeve into my bumper, also cut a hole for the trailer plug so i am ready to pull a trailer, minus the brake controller still need that.
Got a couple night shots while i was out there...

 

Don't put a full axle under a trailer, just put the appropriate hubs on, save weight where you can

 

Those bed lights are hella bright

 

The pods are cali raised side shooters, and then i have led strips in the bed and on the frame under the doors as courtesy lights. The first 2 photos i think i had my door cracked so they would be on, the last photo they are off.

Just so you know it was a 25 second exposure, i turned on each set of lights for 1-2 seconds and then turned them back off and i still got that much light!

 

Thats what i meant, no way would i put a full axle on a trailer!