Do you do your own work

[Jeepless]

Like the title says, do you do all your own work on the Jeep?

I’m talking about everything. From:

maintenance; oil changes, tire rotations, alignment, fluids, cabin filter, windshield wipers, car washes, etc.

aftermarket upgrades; speakers, electrical, lifts, decals, wheels/tires, etc.

why do you do your own work? If you do your own work, when do you decide to let someone else do something and why? If you don’t do your own work, Why don’t you do it?

just curious.

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[Beachcomber72]

All 4 JK’s and 3 JL’s front to back, electrical to mechanical unless it was a warranty job.

 

[Jeepless]

All 4 JK’s and 3 JL’s front to back, electrical to mechanical unless it was a warranty job.

You self taught, take classes, or work on cars for a living by any chance?

I do all my own work as well. I learn as I go. Forums. Installation manuals. YouTube. My brother is electrician for 20 years and helps with most wiring, harness builds, etc and also contemplated career in automotive and studied it until he decided he liked it as a hobby not profession. But he has all every tool you could imagine and is a good resource although I try not to rely on him

I was just curious if it’s purely to save money (why I began doing my own work) but then I loved the process. Using hands, fixing or upgrading, solving the never ending unforeseen problems that arise. Plus I have OCD and want it perfect.. that’s how I do it. Doesn’t matter how long or what I have to do, I do it right. I made the mistake yesterday after installing 10-12 parts, nothing went right, slotting, grinding, running to get tools, snapped a bolt (76in lbs and ft lbs are not the same ??‍), adjusting and readjusting, painting.. I was over it. Done. Paying to get toe corrected and alignment. Welp.. huge mistake. Alignment was great. Drag link was not at the right angle. Steering stabilizer all off and wrong. Went to adjust it so shaft had more travel on full lock instead of bottoming out, and he jammed a Torx in the Allen bolts for tie Rod clamp and striped em.. sooo… I one time didn’t do it myself and now I got more work to do. Don’t really want to take it back to fix it as I don’t trust their work or them at this point. Anyways. Curious why others do it or don’t..

I also had a feeling with it being a jeep forum there wouldn’t be many that don’t do anything at all. Lol. Never know tho.

 

[Philly_]

I do all my own work because I enjoy it.

Owning and modifying a Jeep is probably my biggest hobby. I’m not afraid to have someone else do work, as I know a couple great mechanics, but outside of them, I know I will do it better and with more care. I’m not afraid of any job, but I do keep in mind the tools required and if I can’t get my hands on a set, or know I won’t have the time to do it properly myself, is when I would look to a shop to install.

Particularly, gearing is where I will likely hire a shop for the first time on this Jeep.

I don’t know how to weld yet, but it’s something I’m looking to learn so that will be one less reason to go to a shop as well.

EDIT: I should also add that I don't do paint/body work. Without space for a good setup, or a junk car to practice on, it's something I am happy to leave to professionals. And depending on what it is, I will often do the prep because it saves money, and I know that I will probably care more about it than any shop would.

 

[LiVinIt]

I do everything except oil changes. Lift, steering, replaced both axles, aux switches etc all done in my garage.

 

[Jeepless]

I do everything except oil changes. Lift, steering, replaced both axles, aux switches etc all done in my garage.

Can I ask, why not oil changes?

 

[LiVinIt]

Can I ask, why not oil changes?

i did all my oil changes up until a few years ago. I’m 65 now and it’s just not worth the hassle. I have a trusted shop that does it for me. I still check everything before I leave their parking lot.
I do tire rotation and all other fluid changes myself. Lifting that 35” spare onto the back is no fun either, I may give that procedure up soon!

 

[swflfireguy]

I do all my work, nearly everything ( ok- I didn't mount/balance the tires). One or two times I had someone do something, it was F'ed up and I had to redo it myself. (tie rod/drag link). Grew up working on cars with my dad/brothers and can confidently do almost anything I need to. Lifts, engine replacement in my TJ, any kind of maintenance.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I don't do oil changes as these days the savings vs headache of getting rid of used oil etc just isn't there for me. Gearing is the only other Jeep project I've ever passed off as I like having them installed by someone who's done it thousands of times and offers a warranty just in case. Everything else I've always done my self. Back in our xj/zj/wj building days I even did most of my own fab from bumpers to a couple 3 link/4 link suspensions. We've been fortunate enough to improve the financial situation over the years so now I just buy things like bumpers and sliders but still do all my own installs.

 

[wibornz]

The only thing that I don't do is re-gearing axles.

 

[JPAloha]

I’ve done most of the work on mine so far.
Exceptions were the lift (installed by the dealership prior to pick up so it had warranty), diff covers (because there was a buy 2 covers, get free installation offer), painting half doors etc. (because I don’t know how to do that well enough) and oil changes (because they were pre-paid as part of the extended warranty).
Of my future projects I’ll leave gearing to an expert for reliability purposes and welding on axle trusses because my welds look like an air raid by diarrhoea ridden seagulls.

 

[Terrymo]

All mods and maintenance (so far) except this. I paid a tint shop knowing that if I did it myself, every flaw or bubble would be there, just silently mocking me, every time I looked at it.

 

[Roky]

my welds look like an air raid by diarrhoea ridden seagulls.

Preach brother….. I can so relate to this……?

 

[Grayhound]

I do everything I can because I enjoy knowing how it works!

If I get stumped I’ll reach out to a shop. I recently paid for diagnosis because I couldn’t find the broken wire tripping my abs light.

I try to be realistic about my abilities, and I’ll stretch my skills, but if I mess up or just am not getting it, I’ll take help!

 

[Buckster]

I do my own work because I own a Jeep shop and it would be silly not to ?

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