Doing the maintenance yourself

Am I the only one here who doesn't work on their own truck?

It's not for a lack of wanting to learn, it's just my living situation (city living, apartment, no garage, no driveway for that matter...) doesn't allow for it. I once did an oil change on my old truck but that was the extent of it.

I envy you guys who seem to do everything yourselves. Pretty cool to have that kind of knowledge and skills. If I ever move out of the city I am sure I'd want to learn how to do more of this stuff myself.

 

I can understand your situation.

Any friends or relatives that you can ask to use their garage for servicing your truck?

Maybe find a garage or a place that will allow you to service your truck there using their jacks or lift? Of course you bring your own tools and materials?

If not then your only alternative would be to take it, at your own risk, to a quick lube place or dealership to have the basic's done? Oils and fuild change's, filters, etc.?

The last and most expensive option, buy a house with a garage?

 

For the first time in 15 years I actually have my own garage. It's a small one car that the truck barely fits into, but thats not a problem. The problem is that i had $8K worth of tools stolen from me couple of years ago. So all i have now is 3 small plastic bins of old crappy tools that i've had sitting in storage for years.

 

Meanwhile I'm eyeing one of these for my garage... You do as much as your circumstances/abilities allow. Some jobs (like drum brake service) are too tedious for me, so I take it to a dealer.

 

I feel your pain.... I have a classic truck in the garage and won't take it outside if its raining, I have very little time, and sometimes I weigh the +/- and factor in down time, busted knuckles, parts runs, and wife whining about not having a car

 

As busy as I am these days I'd rather pay somebody else to do it so I can enjoy what little time I have off with my family. I still like to knock out little projects as time allows though.

 

Since my truck is not even a year old I will let the dealer do maintenance while it is free, this is a no brainer.
After that I will need to decide if I want to do it.
I have an lifetime power train warranty that the dealer gave me, no way I want to screw that up.

 

For years, I used to do all my work on the street or in a driveway. That's actually where I learned to do most everything. Never had a garage until recently. It sucks when it's raining or there's snow on the ground, but you can get by without one. I still help out on friends and family's cars and some don't have garages, so you can get by. If your apartment has rules against it then that's another story, maybe some late night stealth maintenance.

 

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Depending on where you live in Cali...yeah, it can be difficult. I've done an oil change right on the street. but it was not my first one. Meanwhile it's the relatives, friends or search for an independent certified Toyota shop. Liability is such a big issue, especially in Cali, I doubt you'll find someone in an urban area who will let you use their facilities

There is so much information online these days including You Tube videos of just about every procedure, your learning curve as a shade tree mechanic is not like it used to be. Learning to do basic maintenance is a survival skill.

When I was working lots of overtime I had my oil/filter changed at Jiffy Lube a couple times and the service person out some of my crash plate bolts. Noticed the rattle first time I took it off the pavement.

Where you don't want to take it is Ted Weins ..if you have those around you.

As you accumulate hand tools buy the best you can afford. I got my construction lock box broken into in Santa Monica years back and the thieves got a full set of Snap-Ons (sockets and combination wrenches); that hurt. I never could afford to replace them but now I keep hand tools, breaker bar etc. under the back seats of the Toyota Access Cab. A handy tool to have around is an inexpensive floor jack and 2 decent jack stands, old moving pad to lay on. You could store that in a condo.

 

Having a garage is nice, have a good selection of tools is nice too Harbor Freight around the corner a blessing. I cant remember the last time I bought a new car/truck so warranty work's out for me I'm sure it's nice . I did the King reservoir shocks, TC UCAs and Dakars a few months back by myself. Used DIY sections of various Tacoma forums and You Tube the job came out perfect, I've got to say it was fun Even though it was 105 deg.

 

Its real bad when you have the national harbor freight warehouse right down your street here in camarillo ca..... makes all the other HF's look like childs play.


Though not sure i would trust a full frame lift from HF.

 

Agreed , product selection is critical.

 

Buy one with greater rated capacity than your's truck's weight. The one I linked to has 6000 lb capacity. My truck right now is about 4300 lb with armor.

 

All you need is some 2x4s and plywood.

 

You can park anywhere and do oil changes pretty easily on these trucks. You can reach the oil drain plug without going under the truck and there's enough clearance to get underneath a stock height truck to grease the drive shaft.

 

I would really like to see how you get to the oil pan drain plug without going under the truck!!

 

I meant you can reach it just by sticking your arm under the truck. You have to get down on the ground but don't have to get more than your arm under the truck to reach it.

 

Well hello there........... Dexter Morgan

 

I'd trust this

Over this

 

My dad has a similar setup at his house. It's not flimsy like this one though. It's made out of crib blocks and iron beams. I used it a lot when i lived there.