I had an epiphany yesterday whilst elbow deep in a 1969 Ford F-100 that I am converting into a prerunner (a desert racing truck). I am an Insurance salesman. I am trained at my craft. People seek my opinions and thoughts because I am good at what I do. So why did I think I could magically fix trucks?
I got the truck cheap and knew that there would be lots of little things to fix on it initially. I was smart enough to have someone else rebuild the carb ($400, ouch, but it will run at a 60 degree angle now) and thought that I would take the opportunity to change the oil and replace the plugs. I actually broke 3 spark plugs getting them out of the block. Fortunately no damage was done to the block and the installation went effortlessly. It took me 2 hours to replace 8 plugs. I am a relatively smart man, a college graduate, and a father of a two year old. None of these matter when I am looking at wires and hoses and bolts that won’t unbolt.
I make enough money that I can easily afford to pay someone to do this for me, but I thought, hey, how tough can it be? Now I know. It took 2 hours to install some additional lights and now 2 hours to replace the plugs and change the oil.
Since I get so frustrated at clients who think that they can handle all of their issues without my assistance, then fail, why am I shocked that I am inept at something that I have no experience with?
Please tell me there is a short learning curve involved with this. I would hate to see me do some serious damage to a play car by trying to save a few bucks. Or am I better off leaving these things to professionals, who actually study, rather than trying to kill it myself.
Is it just ingrained in my skull that auto mechanics are rip-off artists?
I figured out a while ago that there are people who will do these things for you if you just hand over some cash. I don’t like getting greasy and bruising my knuckles enough to really learn how to do things right, so that’s just what I do. As long as you didn’t crank those plugs in as hard as the last person apparently did, the next minor tune-up should be easier. Same with changing the oil, although I have a car (Toyota) that’s so low to the ground and has its oil filter in such an awkward place that I just pay someone else to do that, too.
As for more ambitious repairs, even if you’re reasonably knowledgeable about how to do one, half of the time it takes a specialized tool to do it efficiently or at all, and that tool costs a sizable percentage of what the repair would cost and there’s no point buying one if you don’t plan to open a shop. So, good luck in the mechanic search. There ARE plenty of honest ones out there, you just have to look around and ask some questions.
Some mechanics are underpaid and some ain’t.
Some mechanics are rip off artists and some ain’t
The trick is to find the right one,
Being an Insurance man you are familiar with flat rates. Sometimes they cause more harm than good.
If the mechanic quotes one price and the insurance man says no,whats an honest man to do? What if the problem was misdiagnosed and it costs more?
Are you building this truck because you are a frustrated mechanic or to show off to the ladies? NO offense.Or maybe to sell as a hedge on inflation???
Sorry no good news here.
—Are you building this truck because you are a frustrated mechanic or to show off to the ladies? NO offense.Or maybe to sell as a hedge on inflation???—
Well, the ladies thing is out seeing as how Mrs29813 is co-owner. I am frustrated, just not a mechanic. I actually bought the truck after chasing for a pretty big team during last years season. The best part by far was the week in Mexico for the Baja 2000. I instantly fell in love with desert racing and wanted to drive. After speaking to several teams and owners they all steered me towards getting a prerunner. I guess the theory was if I could make it through a year with this truck (dollars and frustration level), I would be ready for anything. As far as the money goes, there is a saying in desert racing, “I’m only $10,000 away from having a $7,000 truck” so there is no way this is an investment, just a whole bunch of fun.
There is a learning curve involved. I prefer to do all of my own work, but I have a possible advantage over you. I only live about 45 minutes from my dad who has just about every tool I could ever need. The first time you fix or replace something, it’s always a good idea to have somebody around who’s done it before. Once you do it once, you can do it again. If you have a friend who knows about working on cars, have him over. For some free beer, he’ll probably be willing to help you with quite a bit.
I know a lot of people don’t like doing their own work, but I enjoy it.
I certainly hope you make a LOT of money. You bought a '69 F-100 to turn into a desert RACING truck? Dude it took you 2 hours to replace spark plugs and change oil. Get out now. Sell the truck, take your losses and watch the races. If you must get involved, get on someone’s pit crew or help with someone else’s maintenance. This will give you a better idea of what’s involved.
Paying someone to develop a racing truck for you is one thing. It will cost you A LOT of money in the long run. But remember you bought it to race it. This means it’s going to break down and someone will have to fix it. If you can’t change spark plugs it ain’t you. There is a learning curve but you still need someone to show you how to do these things. A '69 F-100 is much easier to work on than a '99 Celica but if you don’t have a clue it is going to cost you, BIG TIME.
I have pitted for two years now, I know exactly, to the penny in some cases, what it will cost. 302 Engine with racing cam and timing chain—$2,895 installed (tax extra), AutoFab 16" wheel travel kit front and rear, $3,500 installed, Ford C-6 tranny with floor shift, $850 installed. The plugs were an issue because the engine is puking oil into the cylinders and gummed some threads, hence the new engine on order. The lights needed a new ground. All in all, I am learning a whole bunch about the process.
I have two race shops to do the big stuff like engine swaps and suspension rebuilds, I am just hammering through the small BS stuff to see what I can get away with. All safety upgrades (roll cage, harnesses, fire suppression etc.) are being done by pros. The first $5,000 on this truck was all safety because “being on fire sucks.” At least my wife maintains a good sense of humor about this. We call the truck “Benjamin Hoover” because it sucks up hundred dollar bills faster than a crack whore. I am trying to do as much of this as possible because I want to know how to fix my own truck out there, and I would like to save a buck or two if possible. Just more parts on an old truck than I ever imagined. Besides, everyone loves a project, especially when it’s not their money.