Jeremy. I was a part time mechanic until someone stole my tools last night. Now im a homemaker. I busted my legs in airborne training, so I spend most of my time at home now. They are healing, that was exactly 1 year ago.

Anyway, I live in nebraska, but Ive been all over the country. Ive been fortunate enough to hunt and wheel in some amazingly beautiful places. Ive met a lot of great people in the wheeling community, and do my best to help out others when I can.

I was a mechanic/tire tech a while back. I gathered most my knowledge from being to broke to pay other people to work on my cars. This unintentional strategy has been the single largest benefit of my life.

Ive got a wife and 2 kids to keep my busy.

 

Well i guess i will post! Im Josh, im 19 i live in nw montana, i have a 1996 1500 4x4 with the 5.9L. I enjoy anything outdoors. Im a firefighter and hope to stay one the rest of my life.


Josh

 

Damn... People coming out of the woodwork here that I've never seen before!

 

Only if they go on backorder and no ETIC for delivery.

 

I'm another Kevin, and, like the previous one, I work in the computer field. I'm a software developer who recently acquired a low-mileage, former gov't service Dakota, ostensibly just to have as a backup vehicle and to haul junk to the dump and my motorcycle to far-off rides. But that view of the truck is quickly changing! I'm already seeing it as a means of comfortably camping with my girlfriend, instead of sleeping on the ground...

Anyway, I've been reading the forum as a means of educating myself since I can't seem to find a local mechanic who: a) is competent, b) is reliable, c) will utilize the parts that *I* want used, d) doesn't charge $100/hr, and e) isn't just trying to make money off me. Unfortunately for me, I am starting from scratch as far as tools and mechanical experience. So, I want to thank you all for sharing what you've learned as you work on your own trucks!

 

Go to sears and spend 2 hours worth of mechanics labor on a set of tools. They have a 260 piece set thats perfect for starting out. Its actually what I bought 2 months ago(and IM not just starting out, I love craftsman), and got stolen last night. Its well worth every penny.

Then go buy a chiltons, or haynes, or FSM and your well on your way. Honestly 90% of auto mechanics is just getting over the fear of breaking things when you try to fix them. Its mostly just pulling a few bolts, installing your part, and putting them back in.

At the end of the day you end up with a tool set youll have your whole life, and a lot more money in your pocket. My friend just got charged 500 dollars for a water pump because he was too stubborn to accept my donation of labor. It would have cost him 40 bucks for the pump, and I would have put it on free.

 

Jeremy, you have it right, at least for me. My biggest issue is that I'm afraid of making matters worse instead of fixing them. Mostly because a couple of times I *have* made it worse, lol...

Thanks for the great suggestion for a tool set (sucks that someone liked yours so much they stole them from you), and for some manuals to purchase.

 

I completely agree with that theory. My truck is my daily and only transportation, so I do have that hesitation in the back of my mind. The way I have learned to overcome that fear with things like sleds and watercraft (and honestly my truck as well), is to have/work on things that arent worth much so theres not alot to lose. The fear is DRASTICALLY reduced! Also teaches you the value of taking care of things and that it "dosent have to be the newest/most expensive, just the nicest!"

I have some of the nicest old worthless crap I've ever seen!

 

+1 to that! You hit the nail on the head Wes. Call me crazy, but if someone came up and offered me a brand new truck for mine, I wouldn't do it, mostly cause I spent a lot of time making my old truck the nicest looking, fastest one in town.

 

hey my name is Red.... just kidding lol. i work for a construction/reno company. and if im not sleeping or working, im usually working on my bike, racing it, or working on my truck or my friends stuff. I live to race, and hate anything thats stock
Scott