How much time do you spend researching how-to guides?

[ScubaS]

Hey guys,

Just about all of the work that I've done to my 4runner and previous cars has been heavily reliant on guides written by forum members. I usually spend an obscene amount of time researching the project and looking for the best write-up to get it done. After I find the best write-up (and after digging through hundreds of less than helpful comments in threads to find the info I'm looking for) I spend even more time trying to decide where I should buy the parts (do I really need to go with OEM? Should I just upgrade with aftermarket parts?).

Are other people in the community following a similar, labor intensive, process? If there's enough interest, I'm considering researching the best write-ups, methods, and info to get the job done and creating a simple to follow format with everything you need to get off the computer and get to wrenching on your truck.

With that in mind, please take a minute to answer a few quick questions or let me know what your thoughts are. I want to gauge interest before devoting a lot of time to this.

1. How many hours do you typically spend researching how-to guides and write-ups before you are ready to start your project?

2. Do you tend to use a single write-up to get the job done or do you end up finding out that you need more info or pictures?

3. How many hours do you typically spend researching the right parts for the job? (i.e. deciding on OEM vs performance upgrade vs napa or other parts store)

4. Where do you usually find the guide that you use? (Forum/ google search/ Haynes manual)

5. What is the biggest obstacle or missing piece of information that you encounter when following a write-up?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Unner]

Hey guys,

Just about all of the work that I've done to my 4runner and previous cars has been heavily reliant on guides written by forum members. I usually spend an obscene amount of time researching the project and looking for the best write-up to get it done. After I find the best write-up (and after digging through hundreds of less than helpful comments in threads to find the info I'm looking for) I spend even more time trying to decide where I should buy the parts (do I really need to go with OEM? Should I just upgrade with aftermarket parts?).

Are other people in the community following a similar, labor intensive, process? If there's enough interest, I'm considering researching the best write-ups, methods, and info to get the job done and creating a simple to follow format with everything you need to get off the computer and get to wrenching on your truck.

With that in mind, please take a minute to answer a few quick questions or let me know what your thoughts are. I want to gauge interest before devoting a lot of time to this.

1. How many hours do you typically spend researching how-to guides and write-ups before you are ready to start your project?

2. Do you tend to use a single write-up to get the job done or do you end up finding out that you need more info or pictures?

3. How many hours do you typically spend researching the right parts for the job? (i.e. deciding on OEM vs performance upgrade vs napa or other parts store)

4. Where do you usually find the guide that you use? (Forum/ google search/ Haynes manual)

5. What is the biggest obstacle or missing piece of information that you encounter when following a write-up?

Thanks everyone!

You sound just like me... Hopefully these answers help.

1) Depends on the job. The bigger the more time. With my upcoming timing belt job probably way too much. Maybe 10 hours at least of reading through stuff looking for tips and tricks and finding write ups.
2) I like to try and use one if possible if it is good enough. If I can't figure something out with the one I like the most then I look through the others and see if they explained that section a little better.
3) For the most part I try and use OEM if at all possible unless the cost is ridiculous. Probably a third of the time I spend reading about the job I spend researching the parts I should use.
4) I usually use a google search but use it to search through T4R or YT because it works better than the search bar here. I don't use Hayne's manuals for either of my cars now that I discovered the factory Toyota Repair Manuals.
5) Reading something they wrote and just not understanding it until you are in there yourself. Sometimes a lack of pictures or me just not being able to understand what point they are trying to communicate.

Basically I just like to know what I'm getting into before I start it. Going into things blind never works out too well for me...

 

[mnofpeace]

Sure, ill play...

1. How many hours do you typically spend researching how-to guides and write-ups before you are ready to start your project?

If its a new-to-me job, product, or situation in general, ill spend about an hr. Ive spent way too many hours trying to fix what i thought was the way to do something, only to find out i then have broken 2 or 3 other things in the process.

2. Do you tend to use a single write-up to get the job done or do you end up finding out that you need more info or pictures?

Ill usually find at least 2 references. Or try to find the 'best' way per a few look-ups

3. How many hours do you typically spend researching the right parts for the job? (i.e. deciding on OEM vs performance upgrade vs napa or other parts store)

30 min tops. I may not buy the tip top of the list, ill go with #2 or 3...$$ aint free ya know.

4. Where do you usually find the guide that you use? (Forum/ google search/ Haynes manual)
Google is a good step 1. You tube is 2. Haynes has always been the best way to find anything auto out. then Ill ask a person or two.

5. What is the biggest obstacle or missing piece of information that you encounter when following a write-up?

unsure, i mean...if i dont know about it going in, how would i know what is the biggest missing piece, ya know.
I just like these types of information look ups to be complete.

 

[KidVermicious]

1. How many hours do you typically spend researching how-to guides and write-ups before you are ready to start your project? - If it's a completely new process for me (like my next job, pulling and repairing the sunroof on my F*rd), a couple hours at least. Most often more.

2. Do you tend to use a single write-up to get the job done or do you end up finding out that you need more info or pictures? - Depends.

3. How many hours do you typically spend researching the right parts for the job? (i.e. deciding on OEM vs performance upgrade vs napa or other parts store) - That's a nobrainer. I almost always go with OEM or an aftermarket brand I already know and trust.

4. Where do you usually find the guide that you use? (Forum/ google search/ Haynes manual) - FSM is the primary resource. If I don't have one for the vehicle I'm working on or need clarification on a process, forums and youtube are next. I don't think I've cracked a Chiltons or Haynes manual in years.

5. What is the biggest obstacle or missing piece of information that you encounter when following a write-up? - Tools. I hate crawling under the truck and getting set up to find I grabbed the wrong size socket. Time running back and forth between the truck and the toolbox is time wasted. A writeup isn't complete unless it details what tools are used for each step.