How do people afford this stuff??

How many of you guys have traded product or services (non sexual unless that is your thing) for your mods. I have been able to come up with free set of new wheels, free set of new BFG, and a couple other items I have installed. This has been the biggest cost saving for sure.

 

hey hey hey leave me out of it

i don't have cool mods like you guys

1 truck is a DD for starbucks and mall runs
1 truck is an illegal immigrant transport vehicle
1 truck is retired and sleeps in the garage

 

Business Administration has everything to do with economics. Control of economics is what makes a successful business.

Your engineer statement is true, but I'm not sure it supports what you were going for. The engineers you describe that are designing engines may have never worked on them, but it doesn't mean they don't have an advanced understanding of how they function better than the guy physically working on them. Same reason an architect isn't constructing buildings and construction workers aren't designing buildings.

 

Sorry brother.

 

Wish I knew you when I lived in Webster Groves. Treat to Chocolate Bar, and Ted Drews would be upon me, as a pleasure, to treat you

 

In my opinion, if you've never worked on an engine and have no hands-on, real world experience you probably shouldn't be designing an engine.

 

Webster Groves is beautiful place to live. My buddy works out there. Unfortunately I'm working out here in Bridgeton (Airportville) next to the gaping hole in the earth and (harmless?)nuclear waste.

 

Yikes! I still have family in CWE..... in those ridiculous houses...freaking mansions..yet dirt cheap...... off westmoreland by forest park. 9,000 sq feet house for only 1.2M$

 

They may have a better understanding of the theory, but practical knowledge is very important.

I work in timber frame construction, and plenty of architects don't understand things like shrinkage or short grain. These are things that woodworkers deal with daily and know how to design around. Same thing with engineers who design it so you need to disassemble half the engine bay to do something simple like replace spark plugs.

Luckily where I work they understand this, before job designs are finalized we go over it in the shop to make changes necessary for assembly and what have you.

 

My take on this thread's topic...

I'm married, have a kid, a mortgage, and responsibilities both here and the Philippines. Also, I'm only 28 years old and the only source of income. I bust out serious hours every week, 60-84 hours a week. The best thing I've ever done to improve financially was take up a trade. Last year $80k, this year possibly $90k and with stock climbing I should have $400k in retirement soon enough. I live within my means; my home is a rancher, but I do have a sweet garage.

Marriage has been the greatest upside. Everyday back massages, cup of coffee and bread of some sort every afternoon when I get home. To be honest, marriage just like life, is what you make it.

When it comes to projects, small mods and whatnot. I do my best to tackle them myself. Sourcing materials locally versus buying premade or fabricated products helps a lot. Whenever I come across something online that looks legit and I feel would prove useful, I bookmark it until I can get around to it.

There is no reason to rush into mods, projects, and such... These trucks are unstoppable... They'll be around for a long time.

 

Trade?

 

I wouldn't trade it for anything. Lol

 

Not asking for you to trade.

Just was asking..you said you took up a trade. as to what trade that was. thats all.

 

Both CNC & Manual Machinist. Currently working on G code programming as well for CNC Machining.

 

awesome

congrats! sounds like a great gig

 

Don't know many people that can still manually machine parts. Lots of people who can program nowadays.

 

I work in the railroad industry. Manual machining is still a must.

 

I somewhat agree. I believe the input of the hands on technicians is important, but designing an engine is really a different skill set than most mechanics have. That is why when there is an abnormal problem the dealership usually has to reach out to corporate for guidance. Sadly most mechanics now days it seems are just following troubleshooting steps laid out in advance and don't really have the knowledge for proper diagnostics. That's why its so hard to find a reliable mechanic that can actually fix a problem right the first time.

You are probably working in a very specialized skill set to which it sounds like you are very good at. Mine was more of a blanket statement taht certain people specialize in certain area. Basically meaning that design, construction and service is far to broad of a category for one person to specialize in and produce a product to the same quality level of highly specialized individuals. In your case it sounds like you work for a company that understands the value of collaboration between specialties to produce the best product possible.

 

There are various types of "engineers." However, engineers dont always have to touch an engine. There are engineers who design the engines, whereas separate engineers who analyze the engines, engineers who build or test the engines.

All the various engineers work on their respective projects and then... bring it all together to build that engine. Really, it is about team work and delegating tasks to specific members who possess specific strong skill sets because why? They are good at it. They are good at that one specific job. That is what makes them an expert in their respective field.

A degree means a lot actually. It takes you farther then an average high school diploma. A diploma (whether Bachelor's of Arts, Bachelors of Science, Master of Business Administration or even PhD) conveys the commitment an individual possess. Trust me, a degree does not alone mean you just completed course work. A degree lays a foundation for you to grow upon.
Like a house, the cement foundation is your degree. Your house is you bearing fruits.
(it works for some but doesnt mean it works for all)

Chemistry - fx : structural integrity of Metal components such as metals, alloy or carbon fiber
Biology - fx : Algae production for biofuels or algae life cycle for crude oil production
Physics fx : Force/power, resistance, Drag coefficient, efficiency
Math fx : Derivations for car molds, computer equations
Statistics fx : P value for statistical significance, target audience

The list goes on.

A degree is everything. Without education, we would be cavemen/women.

 

Some of the members on this forum, and a large number of truck buyers, would be ecstatic about that