I'm only 18 but I ain't afraid to tear into stuff head first. I just fixed the plenum and I understand much more about engines now. Im still a novice but I'm getting there.

The more I do the more I can understand all the lingo you people use on this forum

Grew up around my Dad who has many wrenches, contracted houses for years, remodeled both of our houses with him. Messed around with lawnmowers and about everything else since I could walk. The only thing he cant do is weld, oddly enough. So I have good roots I guess

 

I'm 34, And scored very well in mechanical aptitude tests... I am also a hands on guy.. went to trade school for carpentry but got an apprentice job repairing electromechanical equipment when I was 19 and still have the same job as a field engineer 15 years later even though the company has changed ownership 8 times and most of my coworkers are gone... I must be doing well because I am a national product specialist for the company on certain lines and help others with equipment they are trained on even though I may not be. I also travel to other states to help resolve problems that others are having difficulty with....I was also the maintenace man for a restuarant/plaza real-estate owner for like 15 years doing what needed to be done until my full time job demanded more from me...

And to think it all started with dismantling my sisters record player to see how it works when I was 5 then garbage picking and repairing things growing up... I moved on to bikes and making gocarts out of tractors and riding lawnmowers and went from there.. The most automotive experience I have has come from an unfinished kit car I bought and had to finish and repair... and this damn truck has been a challenge there hasnt been much that hasnt needed attention..

 

I am old enough to know better and young enough not to care. I have access to The Interweb Thingy, repair manuals, and a garage full of tools.

 

51, started working in my old mans auto parts store/ machine shop when I was 8, worked the counter and helped rebuilt engines,starters, alternators,troubleshooting electrical,(a lot simpler then) you name it. Moved on to construction later in life. I can fix almost anything. (Pisses the wife off because we never have to buy anything new) LOL

Anyway, if it's broken and needs fixing I'm the one everyone goes to. (which of course a lot of times has it's draw backs) Like dealing with family. LOL I wish could make money just fixing things.

 

43 yrs old. Been doing work of a mechanical nature since I was about 16. Spent almost 20 yrs in industrial repair. Owned and ran my own business for years until my hearing loss took a nose dive. Now I'm semi-retired but do all kinds of contracting work on the side. As far as mechanical ability I manage ok. Lol.

 

37

Helped dad rebuild 2002 BMW Bavaria and several VW squareback and Vans. Typical repairs for Dodge Van Tradesman 200 and some motorcycles here and there. I was tinker-er, but probably not as much as some of you around here. Became an Engineer, with 1.9 degrees. The 0.9 b/c started a family....and it changed everything. Never dove into an engine until my own rig. Went big rather than going home by doing a camshaft swap and new intake among other things. Everything runs smoooooth so I can enjoy messing with the rocket engines at work.

If only my welding skills were so dialed. LOL

 

I'm 22 yrs old and I have always done my own work, if I have a manual or even a few pictures I can do it.
Also I have installed all my truck mods myself, just recently I've gotten into collecting and modifying rifles and guns.
I also have a passion for car audio I've installed over 100 different stereo system in different cars, trucks, boats and even my uncle's big rig (that one was fun including 16 speakers 4 amplifiers and two 12" subs all hidden throughout the cab and sleeper)
Also I'm pretty sure almost everyone on this site does their own work, why else do you we scan each and every thread trying to solve each others question before the next guy

 

43 and lost my edge a long long time ago.

I have rebuilt a ford 400 (351 C) in my youth, owned a 81 malibu that i tweaked on, replacment 350, cam headers, ect, that was fun car!!

I can figure out what is wrong is but don't want to take a intrest in fixing it, dextearity in im my fingers leaves alot to be dersired.

I have nursed and repaired many a beater and I miss those days, but Now I'm working hard and find its more fun to yell at some one I pay to the work, than yell at my self.

I don't miss the days crawing under a car to replace a starter in a snow storm to save a buck i did not have.

Cars, and trucks are like coumputers to me, I know how they work, I hate when they break, but yet I have to stay some what in the game.

Ever since I bought a new ford f-150 in 1997, evey car or truck has been new and at best i have changed bulbs, whiper blades sorry whipper blades, ect ect.

 

39.. former Marine grunt, scout/sniper, FAST company back in early nineties.. got out, owned a couple businesses merchandising and then cigar shops.. back to wonderful and weird world of defense contracting in '01.. been doing it since..

Was brought up around tools and working with my hands.. has served me well- and I'm always amazed at folks who lack any mechanical ability at all, not that I'm an ace or anything, but I get by..

For last several years I've ran the CBRNE program for the Corps, and build/install/maintain/repair networked detection devices for anti terrorist/ force protection.. I used to travel a lot, but lately I haven't.. I kinda dig being stationary after living abroad as long as I did.

Long ago, when engines were a matter of mechanics and theory alone, I could rebuild without thinking much about it.. I'm just getting back into auto mechanics, and I'm intrigued by the computer management (which is akin to what I do for a living), so I'm usually off on some tangent about sensors and pcm's.. one day, I'll break down and get the mac daddy programming software and REALLY figure it out.. not today, though.. its kinda fun feeling your way through the dark and figuring it out by yourself..

Yeah, I learn better by effin' with stuff more than books.. sometimes, that means effin' things up.. sometimes.. rarely.. well, okay.. sometimes..

 

That part in bold -- were you still talking about trucks?