Anybody else sometimes afraid?
- Thread starter Utopia
- Start date
dkyleb
New member
Thanks. But I'm looking for an upgrade. Although, after a lot of research, I might not have an option. I think I may end up purchasing a set like this, and modifying them.
Yes...I get nervous but...often I find things easier than is often discussed here. Reading about it and actually working, just can not be compared.
I have almost screwed the pooch by not anticipating the difference in jobs I have done on cars and the same jobs on "trucks" everything is bigger and requires way more force
I do have a commuter car! That does help, not only lower the anxiety but also lowers that in-town wear and tear, and the need to pack or un-pack for the road trip all in one day.
Another type of anxiety is the drive home! My better mechanicahing buddy lives two hours away...so it has to be right or I cant get home!
I have almost screwed the pooch by not anticipating the difference in jobs I have done on cars and the same jobs on "trucks" everything is bigger and requires way more force
I do have a commuter car! That does help, not only lower the anxiety but also lowers that in-town wear and tear, and the need to pack or un-pack for the road trip all in one day.
Another type of anxiety is the drive home! My better mechanicahing buddy lives two hours away...so it has to be right or I cant get home!
Wingman707
Member
JEL
New member
What's rust?
One thing I don't like about wrenching on any Japanese car/truck is the soft metal used in seemingly all the bolts and nuts. I cut my teeth on old 80's and early 90's Mercedes, those things were built great and made working a snap for the most part. The steel used in the nuts and bolts of those cars would sometimes round the Craftsman (or even Snap-on in one instance) metal before they rounded themselves, even with a noob at the helm.
These rigs are fairly easy to wrench on, though. They're well-engineered and access is typically pretty good, unlike some of the smaller Hondas.
Utopia
New member
Sure sounds simple. Except for my wife and kids and my entire family is here
having fun
New member
So what kind idea did you have in mind for modifying them. I'm by far not scared to reinforce pre existing part on our rides. Especially if it's going to make it more rock poundable on them.
lifeandffl
New member
You know, I never used to be concerned about working on my vehicles (I was a Toyota tech for a number of years) but this 4Runner I just got spent the first 6 years of its life in New York. Let me just say, rust is a *****. Being a dealer tech I didn't work on many older vehicles on any sort of regular basis and we don't really have to salt the roads around here so I've gotta hand it to you guys that live in the rust belt and do your own wrenching.
It can be difficult when you don't have a parts runner and inventory on hand. One of my first real jobs was brokering exotics for a small independent euro shop and I got spoiled by having tons of parts on hand. One thing I did was purchase an assortment of bolts, nuts and all the stupid clips and fasteners that I may need. This keeps me from either having to partially assemble and re-do things or not being able to finish at all. If you do this get the good stuff because it sucks when you one bolt takes a 13mm and the rest are 12.
chitown40
Member
I'm a FF as well. I put on my Bilsteins and FJ springs at work on a Sunday with only a floor jack and hand tools. (Maybe a sawzall as well). Monday I could barely stand upright from back pain, but I got it done while being paid the entire time. :thumb3:
Blackhawk_194
New member
I'd say to just do enough research on the job at hand if it is your first time, then map out your plan of attack. Once you are ready to begin teardown document how it came off (pictures and numbering can help) and then depending on assembly you can try a mock setup with the old parts till you are confident on the real assembly. Then check and double check your work and then if everything checks out its time to test it out. Remember if it was easy everyone would be doing it but that's why the nice people of t4r make write ups so that you can do it yourself.. At the end of the day it's okay to make mistakes and even if people on here don't always admit it, it happens.. but with the right plan you can limit those mistakes and build confidence in your skills. I skimmed through the comments and didn't really see anything so hopefully I didn't just copy someone lol.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
I worry all the time when working on my cars, especially since a lot of what I did to my project car has never been done before and is completely custom. However, the worry is good because it helps you stay focused and not want to screw something up. I feel that the worrying is what goes into my focus to detail, my OCD, and my perfectionist ways. I've done a lot of stuff that half way through I said no way did I ever think this was possible, but you just have to be smart, take your time and go slow.
Pop those covers off the light bulbs and get those LED's in there! They're designed to pop right out, you'll be fine, just take your time
Pop those covers off the light bulbs and get those LED's in there! They're designed to pop right out, you'll be fine, just take your time
BioHAzard050
New member
My 89? **** no! Hand me a set of metric wrenches and sockets and Ill get to work.
My 2005? Yeah, mostly due to lack of familiarity.
My 2005? Yeah, mostly due to lack of familiarity.
