Start small........

i started with my head unit. then i did my retro headlights. and today i did the secondary air filter removal on my 2tr and installed a new AFE pro dry s filter

 

agreed! The most important part for me, is that it is done right. I am very skeptical of the corner shop doing the work they're paid for. Not for someone like myself, but for the person who doesnt know left from right on their vehicle.
Perfect example is my gf. dealer wanted 240 for her recent service. I think it cost us about 50 in filters/oil/etc and I did everything for her.

 

Need to talk about this during the Maryland meet this Saturday. THX Chris.

 

Great advice! I learned most of what I do about engines from working with my old man fixing up his trucks as a kid and my dirt bikes. Having someone there who knows what they're doing is a big help. Having the proper tools for the job is also HUGE and often overlooked. My dad still pulls out tools I've never seen before if we get into a jamb with standard tools.

 

Good advice Chris! Its true, I like to think I can handle myself around a vehicle for the most part. What makes me nervous about cars/trucks today is the damn computers. I learned old school, in high school had auto mechanics and we worked on cars with carburetors. Defiantly helps with all the great write ups on this site to work on my truck though!

 

I started with...well fuck you, everyone knows what I did; anyways I did that now, I've switched out my suspension, and this summer I'll be finishing it with All Pro UCAs, Diff Fluid Change and SeaFoaming it.

People can make fun of me for doing what I did, but chances are 7-10 of them are ones that won't even change their own oil.

 

LOL, sorry that thread was and is still EPIC! We all do stupid shit sometimes though. We just don't tell anyone.

 

You are 100% right. No one ever was born knowing how to work on cars and trucks. Everyone made a few mistakes along the way. You thread probably saved quite a few folks from making the same mistake. And it was kind of entertaining...

 

Hell yeah! I agree, it was an epic thread and hopefully one you can laugh about now. Everyone starts somewhere, and I'm sure we've all done dumb things... whether we admit it or not.

 

Agreed. I finally got around to getting my A/C blower motor out and fixing that stupid chirp it was making. Not the most technical job, but i feel like I know my truck a little bit better than i did before

 

I was laughing at it then too! It sucked, but what did crying about it and telling no one do? Little bit of sweet fuck all.

I may not be the most mechanically inclined, but I learn fast and haven't made the same mistake twice. Quite frankly I love working on our own vehicles. I just saved the wife over $650 by replacing the actuator and motor on her drivers side power window that was busted. Stealership wanted over $750 dollars before tax to replace it. $80 and a few ebay weeks later, we're half a G richer than if I let those retards do it.

 

Working on your own stuff is well worth it, go slow and follow directions. and get directions! Dont just dive in if you dont know what you are doing.
And make sure you have the time, nothing like having the belt out and its time to go to work . I never worked on suspensions but I know I can now with the info I have gotten on TW. IF I had the time....

That being said, I worked on my own vehicles for many years and am now in a part of my life that I dont have the time to do everything myself. I have found a really good dealership service bay that is quick and honest. That is a good tool to have.

 

i love and hate working on my vehicles.

some added benefits not mentioned..as you learn your vehicle, some scumbag mechanic is less likely to rip you off, changing out your "chrome moly muffler bearings"

i had a jeep CJ7, i had to change out a fuel pump in the middle of nowhere..UTAH. some lady over heated right next to me. i saved her ass too. her radiator hose cracked right at the radiator. i took it off, cut it down and stuffed it back on. she was so grateful, she stayed around until my jeep started. just in case i needed a ride somewhere. some basic skill can save your hide.

 

Good thread Chris, I agree 100%

I think more would do their own work if they didn't let themselves get overwhelmed by the task at hand, like you said "Start small" Simple maintenance things , whatever it takes to get them to pop the hood & familiarizing themselves with their trucks is 2 fold, getting to know the truck & confidence building. Theres been a few guys here in SoCal that I could tell had the aptitude & skills to become decent wrenches but just didn't know it because of intimidation & lack of confidence, hey its alright to make a mistake while doing repairs as long as you learn from it.

Your idea of a kind of local members workshop per region is a good one , matching guys up with no appaent mech. skill with guys that have a little knowledge is a win/win I think.

I am by no means a master mech. But I do hold my own & have had about 6 San Diego mems. over to my place for repair/maint./MODS. From full susp. lifts, coilover R&R's, rear leafs, CamBurg spindles, Ujoints,drivelines etc; tune ups & lubes. ( I think everyone should know how to lube their rigs ) Most these guys hadn't done any of this before on their own & hopefully now that we've gotten some grease under their fingernails they are confident in the basic skills they learn & don't just run off to the dealership or local garage to have done what they can now do themselves.. just my $.02..

 

That's how I started wrenching on cars. Why pay someone, when I can do it myself. A vested interest in getting it right goes pretty far.
I'm also up for helping someone else...

 

X2 always a phone call or a pm away