Dealers suck...the Bright Side

[brazos]

I’ve been letting overpriced and under-qualified, and especially don’t give-a-shit morons wrench on my vehicles for too damn long.

I used to wrench quite a bit, but as I got more affluent, and the vehicles got more complicated, I stopped.

My time was worth more to me than the cost of having others do my dirty work, and in many cases I was simply clueless.

Computers and such.

And you know, that worked for a while. No longer.

I have no confidence in the folks who charge me $110/hour to service my Jeep.

The bright side? It feels really good to be back in control.

It’s fun again, to take care of my own bidness, to the extent that I can. And I can, to a large extent.

Twisting wrenches on my baby ain’t the worst way to spend an afternoon, and the sense of knowing it’s done right, and if it ain’t, it’s all on me, is gratifying.

The only downside is I won’t be able to keep vehicles long-term anymore.

Unless it’s been problem-free when the warranty runs out, it’s gone.

Edit: Btw, @Stickerhead and @UKCATS were really influential to me in this regard.
Thanks to them.

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[Wanted33]

I was what we called a "Shade Tree" mechanic for years. Basically I could do the little stuff that entailed regular maintenance. Like you Joe, as I became more mature I let others do those jobs. Now every engine you see has some type of plastic cover on top. That tells me I probably have no business messing with something that is ran by a computer. Thankfully I still have my Dad's '67 Camaro. As I'm sure you know I can tune that thing up, and set the gaps using a matchbook cover. The only problem now is no one uses matches anymore........

 

[brazos]

Setting point gap with a matchbook cover....that’s a trip down memory lane.

And pulling over when crossing Colorado passes to adjust timing by giving the distributor a twist...by ear.

Damn I’m old.

 

[Wanted33]

Setting point gap with a matchbook cover....that’s a trip down memory lane.

And pulling over when crossing Colorado passes to adjust timing by giving the distributor a twist...by ear.

Damn I’m old.

You're not in that boat alone brother.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I’ve been letting overpriced and under-qualified, and especially don’t give-a-shit morons wrench on my vehicles for too damn long.

I used to wrench quite a bit, but as I got more affluent, and the vehicles got more complicated, I stopped.

My time was worth more to me than the cost of having others do my dirty work, and in many cases I was simply clueless.

Computers and such.

And you know, that worked for a while. No longer.

I have no confidence in the folks who charge me $110/hour to service my Jeep.

The bright side? It feels really good to be back in control.

It’s fun again, to take care of my own bidness, to the extent that I can. And I can, to a large extent.

Twisting wrenches on my baby ain’t the worst way to spend an afternoon, and the sense of knowing it’s done right, and if it ain’t, it’s all on me, is gratifying.

The only downside is I won’t be able to keep vehicles long-term anymore.

Unless it’s been problem-free when the warranty runs out, it’s gone.

Edit: Btw, @Stickerhead and @UKCATS were really influential to me in this regard.
Thanks to them.

I gotcha and know exactly what you mean. The passion and attention to detail is getting harder and harder to find

Brett

 

[PavementWarrior]

Even the wrenches changed... I realized my old tools from the 80s (my newer stuff) are all sae.
Probably jsut as well, I went through and bought sets of metric stuff.

I laughed when I saw some of my tools were from Grand auto, they have been out of bussines for a while now it seems.

 

[TrailTorque]

I was what we called a "Shade Tree" mechanic for years. Basically I could do the little stuff that entailed regular maintenance. Like you Joe, as I became more mature I let others do those jobs. Now every engine you see has some type of plastic cover on top. That tells me I probably have no business messing with something that is ran by a computer. Thankfully I still have my Dad's '67 Camaro. As I'm sure you know I can tune that thing up, and set the gaps using a matchbook cover. The only problem now is no one uses matches anymore........

I’ve got some for ya brother lol

Was reading your post and got to the matches part and looked over and boom I had a set right there haha

 

[UKCATS]

I’ve been letting overpriced and under-qualified, and especially don’t give-a-shit morons wrench on my vehicles for too damn long.

I used to wrench quite a bit, but as I got more affluent, and the vehicles got more complicated, I stopped.

My time was worth more to me than the cost of having others do my dirty work, and in many cases I was simply clueless.

Computers and such.

And you know, that worked for a while. No longer.

I have no confidence in the folks who charge me $110/hour to service my Jeep.

The bright side? It feels really good to be back in control.

It’s fun again, to take care of my own bidness, to the extent that I can. And I can, to a large extent.

Twisting wrenches on my baby ain’t the worst way to spend an afternoon, and the sense of knowing it’s done right, and if it ain’t, it’s all on me, is gratifying.

The only downside is I won’t be able to keep vehicles long-term anymore.

Unless it’s been problem-free when the warranty runs out, it’s gone.

Edit: Btw, @Stickerhead and @UKCATS were really influential to me in this regard.
Thanks to them.

Heck, I would prefer Stickerhead do all my wrenching for me. But he won’t.

 

[robaw]

I’ve got some for ya brother lol

Was reading your post and got to the matches part and looked over and boom I had a set right there haha

I'd be more impressed if you were able to find some "strike anywhere" ones. Ah the good 'ol days.

 

[TrailTorque]

I'd be more impressed if you were able to find some "strike anywhere" ones. Ah the good 'ol days.

Haha for some reason most gas stations in Florida have those in small “books” like the ones that used to be in MRE’s. Maybe it’s a southern thang, I mean thing lol

 

[brazos]

Even the wrenches changed... I realized my old tools from the 80s (my newer stuff) are all sae.
Probably jsut as well, I went through and bought sets of metric stuff.

I laughed when I saw some of my tools were from Grand auto, they have been out of bussines for a while now it seems.

I’ve just got them all jumbled together in an ammo can. If it fits, I’ll give it a twist. Lots of machinery is a mix anyway. 7/8” and 22mm will both work fine on a JL lugnut. Less than ten-thousandths” difference. Other sizes are similarly close, I’ve found.

 

[Dvol]

I used to wrench on my JKU , Jeeps, Audi’s and Vdubs. But after receiving titanium in the back, and knee I’ve slowed waaay down. I’m still a mechanic at work but not a car mechanic.

Maybe I can convince UKats to wrench on my Jeep for some Chickfila and a few atta boys!!

 

[GreyFox]

M

I used to wrench on my JKU , Jeeps, Audi’s and Vdubs. But after receiving titanium in the back, and knee I’ve slowed waaay down. I’m still a mechanic at work but not a car mechanic.

Maybe I can convince UKats to wrench on my Jeep for some Chickfila and a few atta boys!!

Me too! I'll throw in the beer and moonshine

 

[UKCATS]

I used to wrench on my JKU , Jeeps, Audi’s and Vdubs. But after receiving titanium in the back, and knee I’ve slowed waaay down. I’m still a mechanic at work but not a car mechanic.

Maybe I can convince UKats to wrench on my Jeep for some Chickfila and a few atta boys!!

M

Me too! I'll throw in the beer and moonshine

As I did my lift a couple weekends ago, I seriously contemplated letting a shop do the next one. But, if y’all drive to Texas, we will work it out.

Adding my skid plates this weekend. At my friends house. Where he has a air conditioned shop with a lift. That will be a nice change.

 

[HealthRebel]

I’ve been letting overpriced and under-qualified, and especially don’t give-a-shit morons wrench on my vehicles for too damn long.

I used to wrench quite a bit, but as I got more affluent, and the vehicles got more complicated, I stopped.

My time was worth more to me than the cost of having others do my dirty work, and in many cases I was simply clueless.

Computers and such.

And you know, that worked for a while. No longer.

I have no confidence in the folks who charge me $110/hour to service my Jeep.

The bright side? It feels really good to be back in control.

It’s fun again, to take care of my own bidness, to the extent that I can. And I can, to a large extent.

Twisting wrenches on my baby ain’t the worst way to spend an afternoon, and the sense of knowing it’s done right, and if it ain’t, it’s all on me, is gratifying.

The only downside is I won’t be able to keep vehicles long-term anymore.

Unless it’s been problem-free when the warranty runs out, it’s gone.

Edit: Btw, @Stickerhead and @UKCATS were really influential to me in this regard.
Thanks to them.

We're brothers from different mothers. I can relate.

It turns my stomach whenever I read about how the Jeep dealers are consistently putting too much oil in the Jeep with the oil changes. CHECK IT YOU MORON!!!! Oil Change 101: After performing an oil change, bring the engine up to operating temperature, or close, turn the engine off for a few minutes then check for leaks AND check the oil level. Add or subtract, but make the level perfect! While, what a concept, right? I too have let others do my dirty work. I have to be very careful with my hands. In my line of work as a chiropractor, even a small cut on my hand or fingers is devastating. I can't work wearing a band-aid and my patients don't appreciate me bleeding on them either! Lol! But, I'm looking forward to getting my new JLRU and doing my own maintenance work, like oil changes, where I can ensure the work is done right and the correct amount of oil is in the engine. I just need to wear my examination gloves when the hood is up!

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