How many of you complete your own work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BaggedC10 · 02-02-2003, 11:02 PM

Just curious how many people actually do everything to their truck themselves...??? Now that I have a real job, I'll be having shops do work on my truck. Although, I would prefer to do everything myself---I am too picky and it takes me forever to complete anything as a result. So, I'm having a shop bag' my truck now instead.

Prerunner1982 · 02-02-2003, 11:11 PM

depends on what it is, if i dont have the tools or the space to do it. then i will take it somewhere.. when i get a garage and a larger set of tools then maybe things will be different.

ocbaud · 02-02-2003, 11:15 PM

i try to do everything i can, but i'm gonna have somebody else change out my flexplate since i have such limited space under my truck now.

**swervin ervin** · 02-02-2003, 11:19 PM

Me. I won't dare let anyone touch my truck. Of course there is the things I can't do (re: without making a mess), like upholstery and painting. But anything mechanical, I do it.

low 84 · 02-02-2003, 11:25 PM

i prefer to do it all besides alignments and paint. and any painting will be done by my uncle who has 30+ years of expireance. if i don't know how to do it i'll invite some buddies over to assist. i did have my tranny built/installed by a local shop though, b/c at the time i didn't have time to do it.

gchemist · 02-02-2003, 11:28 PM

If I don't do it my brother does.

J-Spec C10 · 02-02-2003, 11:30 PM

I spin every bolt myself, I can't deal with people messing up my ride. Only oil changes/certifications done at a mechanical shops.

ElGracho · 02-02-2003, 11:38 PM

The more I do and have others do with my trucks, the more I don't want anyone else to touch them. The so called experts that I see working in the shops around here really have no formal training in what they are doing.

For example, I had a tranny rebuilt this summer and had trouble with it shifting after I put it in. I looked at the troubleshooting in the GM service manual and found the line pressure was way too high and never changed. I told the tranny guy this, and he wouldn't believe me. He said "I don't know what so called procedure you used or what port you used or what gage you used." I tried to explain, but the dude wouldn't listen. He claimed for a week it was my TV cable bracket (it never was) and had me running around buying a new one and modifying it to his specs. The problem finally turned out to be the governor was stuck because of debris they failed to keep out of the tranny when they rebuilt it.

I find that nobody cares about my trucks like I do so nobody will do as good a job as I want them too. I'd rather do everything I can myself, at least then I at least didn't pay for someone else to do it less than perfectly...

Blue Beard · 02-03-2003, 12:01 AM

To me there's no satisfaction in having someone else do my work.

Plus I stay away from the DEQ stations.

You never know what shops are going to do.

Prime example, the truck I currently have was previously owned by someone who wasn't mechanically inclined. And believe me it shows.

I've had to redo so much since acquiring the vehicle.

But then again, I'm retired due to disability. Can't afford shops.

Wojo · 02-03-2003, 12:23 AM

my problem is, that I get easly sidetracked with making everything perfect, that I lose the prime objective. As a result not much get done................

Yes, I try do do mechanical stuff myself. Shops are expensive and before they solve any problem, they want to replace half the components.......kind of like me....well, the reason behind it is different

I would love to learn body work, and rebuilding automatic transmissions

TX_Mudder · 02-03-2003, 12:32 AM

I do everything myself. Honestly, I even do the alignment myself these days. I can't stand for someone else to work on my truck.

So you have a real job - big deal. Keep doing the work yourself and with your real job you can buy cooler stuff to put on...yourself.

If I don't have the tool to do the job, I don't take it to a shop. I buy the tool.
When I did the gear set-up on my rear axle, I checked out how much professional labor would cost (about $250 - 300) and then bought the necessary tools to do it myself and still came out ahead. Plus, one of the tool was a 12 ton hydr. press that has come in pretty darn handy for other jobs.

The only thing I have had done is the exhaust. I put on the ram horns and drove it to the exhaust shop. I briefly considered buying a tubing bender and using my mig to weld it up, but I guess we all have our limits and the bender was just too much $$

-- Mike

Tom · 02-03-2003, 12:52 AM

The only time somebody else does anything to my trucks is alignment, emissions, or paint. I even make them let me drive my truck up when they put on new tires. Everything else is me. The only things on my trucks that I havent completly torn apart and made sure it was built correctly is the 2004R on my 79.

79BIG10 · 02-03-2003, 12:59 AM

I'll do as much as I can mechanically. If it's something like rear end setup, or tranny rebuild I'll send it to a reputable place. Even then I'm cautios.

ocbaud · 02-03-2003, 01:04 AM

damnit, now you guys are making me want to install my new flexplate

that means i'm gonna have to borrow my friends big jack!

87gmc · 02-03-2003, 01:13 AM

I do everything i can myself, if i need help my dads always there, but if its something verycomplicated like when i had my rearend rebuilt. Ill take it to a shop. other than that no one touches my truck.

BaggedC10 · 02-03-2003, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TX_Mudder
So you have a real job - big deal. Keep doing the work yourself and with your real job you can buy cooler stuff to put on...yourself.

I did notch the frame and install my current rear static drop setup this past year. It went from lowering the truck---To painting everything, replacing all the hardware, and much more! At this point, I don't have the experience, time, or the proper tools to bag' the rear. (Weld-in 4-link and a custom C-notch). I do everything else myself aside from bodywork, exhaust, and major overhaul tasks. It's easier to have a shop just bag' the entire truck at once though.

SCOTI · 02-03-2003, 11:59 AM

Hey, we all have buddies that work @ dealerships or service centers & have heard some of the stories (or witnessed them first hand) about taking customer cars for joyrides.....no 'F'ing way some dumb'a' is getting his fingers on my ride. I'm there (worse than stink on sh!t) if anyone does anything to my rides that I can't do @ home myself. I try & do everything possible w/my vehicles, but truth be told I'm running out of room @ home since my tool selection is growing. A mig welder is my next purchase so I can do more fabbing @ home.

TX Mudder, that is my next goal, I want to know how to set up rear gears (properly) @ home. My brother works @ a dealership & 3 or 4 guys up there said thay could do it 'no prob', but when I asked them about checking backlash & pinion pre-load they didn't know what I was talking about... SCARY!

LOHRTBT · 02-03-2003, 12:19 PM

Whenever I can I do my own work.

Izzy · 02-03-2003, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOHRTBT
Whenever I can I do my own work.

Same here. Body and suspension I can do but drivetrain is left to the pros.

LOHRTBT · 02-03-2003, 01:23 PM

BUT... I will be letting this clown do my bags!! hehe

BigRed · 02-03-2003, 01:28 PM

Everything that has been done to my truck since I bought it has been done by either me alone or by me and some friends. The only instance where I left my truck at a shop was when I had my pipes and mufflers installed, but I did install the headers.

I can't afford for anyone else to work on my truck!

Izzy · 02-03-2003, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOHRTBT
BUT... I will be letting this clown do my bags!! hehe

BTW hurry up the 98 will be bagged before your rig.

apstguy · 02-03-2003, 10:35 PM

I bought my truck from my dad so everything he didn't fix or the things that weren't fixed from the crash I have to deal with. My dad isn't that mechanically inclined. I do everything I CAN do. I don't have the tools for some stuff so I take it to shops. I have all my buds in Auto Shop or my grandpa who knows everything about anything that's mechanical. I'm learning more and more from all my sources. I LOVE taking things apart and fixing things. I'm not so wild about the put back together part though.

If ya know what I mean.

**68 Stepside** · 02-04-2003, 02:17 PM

I try and fix everything myself. I bought the 406 for my 68 already rebuilt, but it was rebuilt by a good friend, so I know it was done correctly. Just a heads up, when you buy a truck, don't ever trust the PMO's (previous moron owner's) work. My 68 has bondo on EVERY panel. The guy that owned it before me put it everywhere, and the kicker is, the truck is solid! The only rust on the truck, is now coming up from under the bondo, due to moisture being trapped in behind it...

Sorry for the long-windedness.

/rant off

LOHRTBT · 02-04-2003, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fiveeightchevy

BTW hurry up the 98 will be bagged before your rig.

Damn Izzy....Can I visit the Money tree you seem to have found???

02-02-2003, 11:02 PM	#1
BaggedC10 Under construction! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,065	How many of you complete your own work? Just curious how many people actually do everything to their truck themselves...??? Now that I have a real job, I'll be having shops do work on my truck. Although, I would prefer to do everything myself---I am too picky and it takes me forever to complete anything as a result. So, I'm having a shop bag' my truck now instead. __________________ 2001 Silverado bagged on 22's. Sold

02-02-2003, 11:11 PM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	depends on what it is, if i dont have the tools or the space to do it. then i will take it somewhere.. when i get a garage and a larger set of tools then maybe things will be different. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

02-02-2003, 11:19 PM	#4
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Me. I won't dare let anyone touch my truck. Of course there is the things I can't do (re: without making a mess), like upholstery and painting. But anything mechanical, I do it. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

02-02-2003, 11:25 PM	#5
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	i prefer to do it all besides alignments and paint. and any painting will be done by my uncle who has 30+ years of expireance. if i don't know how to do it i'll invite some buddies over to assist. i did have my tranny built/installed by a local shop though, b/c at the time i didn't have time to do it. __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

02-02-2003, 11:28 PM	#6
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	If I don't do it my brother does. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-02-2003, 11:15 PM	#3
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	i try to do everything i can, but i'm gonna have somebody else change out my flexplate since i have such limited space under my truck now.

02-02-2003, 11:30 PM	#7
J-Spec C10 Whats this wire for?.... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 378	I spin every bolt myself, I can't deal with people messing up my ride. Only oil changes/certifications done at a mechanical shops. __________________ Kyle CANADIAN CONNECTION '82 C10 Resto-Custom--> * 2 1/4" manifold back dual exhaust with Hooker Aerochambers & High Flow Cats Taylor Ignition Wires Centerline 15" Telstars with 32"x10" mudders

02-02-2003, 11:38 PM	#8
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,553	The more I do and have others do with my trucks, the more I don't want anyone else to touch them. The so called experts that I see working in the shops around here really have no formal training in what they are doing. For example, I had a tranny rebuilt this summer and had trouble with it shifting after I put it in. I looked at the troubleshooting in the GM service manual and found the line pressure was way too high and never changed. I told the tranny guy this, and he wouldn't believe me. He said "I don't know what so called procedure you used or what port you used or what gage you used." I tried to explain, but the dude wouldn't listen. He claimed for a week it was my TV cable bracket (it never was) and had me running around buying a new one and modifying it to his specs. The problem finally turned out to be the governor was stuck because of debris they failed to keep out of the tranny when they rebuilt it. I find that nobody cares about my trucks like I do so nobody will do as good a job as I want them too. I'd rather do everything I can myself, at least then I at least didn't pay for someone else to do it less than perfectly... __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed Last edited by ElGracho; 02-02-2003 at 11:40 PM.

02-03-2003, 12:01 AM	#9
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	To me there's no satisfaction in having someone else do my work. Plus I stay away from the DEQ stations. You never know what shops are going to do. Prime example, the truck I currently have was previously owned by someone who wasn't mechanically inclined. And believe me it shows. I've had to redo so much since acquiring the vehicle. But then again, I'm retired due to disability. Can't afford shops. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

02-03-2003, 12:23 AM	#10
Wojo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 16	my problem is, that I get easly sidetracked with making everything perfect, that I lose the prime objective. As a result not much get done................ Yes, I try do do mechanical stuff myself. Shops are expensive and before they solve any problem, they want to replace half the components.......kind of like me....well, the reason behind it is different I would love to learn body work, and rebuilding automatic transmissions

02-03-2003, 12:32 AM	#11
TX_Mudder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 126	I do everything myself. Honestly, I even do the alignment myself these days. I can't stand for someone else to work on my truck. So you have a real job - big deal. Keep doing the work yourself and with your real job you can buy cooler stuff to put on...yourself. If I don't have the tool to do the job, I don't take it to a shop. I buy the tool. When I did the gear set-up on my rear axle, I checked out how much professional labor would cost (about $250 - 300) and then bought the necessary tools to do it myself and still came out ahead. Plus, one of the tool was a 12 ton hydr. press that has come in pretty darn handy for other jobs. The only thing I have had done is the exhaust. I put on the ram horns and drove it to the exhaust shop. I briefly considered buying a tubing bender and using my mig to weld it up, but I guess we all have our limits and the bender was just too much $$ -- Mike __________________ http://home.houston.rr.com/chevy73/

02-03-2003, 12:52 AM	#12
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	The only time somebody else does anything to my trucks is alignment, emissions, or paint. I even make them let me drive my truck up when they put on new tires. Everything else is me. The only things on my trucks that I havent completly torn apart and made sure it was built correctly is the 2004R on my 79. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

02-03-2003, 12:59 AM	#13
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	I'll do as much as I can mechanically. If it's something like rear end setup, or tranny rebuild I'll send it to a reputable place. Even then I'm cautios. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

02-03-2003, 01:04 AM	#14
ocbaud Garage Queen Material Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 4,129	damnit, now you guys are making me want to install my new flexplate that means i'm gonna have to borrow my friends big jack!

02-03-2003, 01:13 AM	#15
87gmc I Got My Engine!!!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 253	I do everything i can myself, if i need help my dads always there, but if its something verycomplicated like when i had my rearend rebuilt. Ill take it to a shop. other than that no one touches my truck. __________________ F.O.R.D. "F*cked Over Rebuilt Dodge" -+-+-+-+Cameron+-+-+-+- 1987 GMC HIGH SIERRA LWB 1500 32X11.50 383 TBI/Vortec Heads/Intake MSD Ignition Dual Exhaust Custom Pinstriping Sweet interior & stereo http://www.cgalvin29.freehomepage.com



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02-03-2003, 11:59 AM	#17
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Hey, we all have buddies that work @ dealerships or service centers & have heard some of the stories (or witnessed them first hand) about taking customer cars for joyrides.....no 'F'ing way some dumb'a' is getting his fingers on my ride. I'm there (worse than stink on sh!t) if anyone does anything to my rides that I can't do @ home myself. I try & do everything possible w/my vehicles, but truth be told I'm running out of room @ home since my tool selection is growing. A mig welder is my next purchase so I can do more fabbing @ home. TX Mudder, that is my next goal, I want to know how to set up rear gears (properly) @ home. My brother works @ a dealership & 3 or 4 guys up there said thay could do it 'no prob', but when I asked them about checking backlash & pinion pre-load they didn't know what I was talking about... SCARY! __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-03-2003, 12:19 PM	#18
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	Whenever I can I do my own work. __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

02-03-2003, 01:23 PM	#20
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	BUT... I will be letting this clown do my bags!! hehe __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

02-03-2003, 01:28 PM	#21
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	Everything that has been done to my truck since I bought it has been done by either me alone or by me and some friends. The only instance where I left my truck at a shop was when I had my pipes and mufflers installed, but I did install the headers. I can't afford for anyone else to work on my truck! __________________ Scott Shelbourne

02-03-2003, 10:35 PM	#23
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,087	I bought my truck from my dad so everything he didn't fix or the things that weren't fixed from the crash I have to deal with. My dad isn't that mechanically inclined. I do everything I CAN do. I don't have the tools for some stuff so I take it to shops. I have all my buds in Auto Shop or my grandpa who knows everything about anything that's mechanical. I'm learning more and more from all my sources. I LOVE taking things apart and fixing things. I'm not so wild about the put back together part though. If ya know what I mean. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

02-04-2003, 02:17 PM	#24
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	I try and fix everything myself. I bought the 406 for my 68 already rebuilt, but it was rebuilt by a good friend, so I know it was done correctly. Just a heads up, when you buy a truck, don't ever trust the PMO's (previous moron owner's) work. My 68 has bondo on EVERY panel. The guy that owned it before me put it everywhere, and the kicker is, the truck is solid! The only rust on the truck, is now coming up from under the bondo, due to moisture being trapped in behind it... Sorry for the long-windedness. /rant off __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

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