[Grumpy_G]

YouTube University is a great starting place for the DYIer. Biggest challenge for most people is getting the nerve up to actually attempt the fix. Trying and failing is the only way we can find out what our limits are. Most times they are a lot greater than we thought they were.

[Jen-in-Ok]

YouTube and the mechanics and do-it-yourselfers on there stepping you through repairs, diagnosis and problems is the only way I get alot of my vehicles running again. I suggest downloading really helpful videos on your model (or close to it) on things that you may need to do again. there are some really helpful people – if you follow their channel they’ll teach you about anything.

[Darren]

If you are willing to look, see if you can find a mechanic will to teach as well as repair. I know several mechanics that would do that, just don’t bother them when they are trying earn a living. I myself could answer most of your questions right here.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Darren.

[Art]

One thing I personally do is to acquire an “official” Shop Manual for each vehicle I own. It’s the same manual used by the mechanics at the dealerships. If nothing else, you can look up the part number to an item you need. Many items can actually be found being sold online by the company. At any rate, you will know you are getting the correct part that you need no matter where you purchase it.

Just my two cents worth for the day …. 🙂

[Darren]

That is what I have done for years and that is with all my equipment and appliances, we thank you for you experience and knowledge.

Darren.

[NoahC]

You can usually find the part you need on eBay motors

[Hilltop]

Being mechanically inclined on a newer car is rough. Too much computer controlled stuff to go wrong and if things went south there will be parts you can’t get. Brand new cars and trucks are sitting because they can’t get parts for their computer. Best bet for anyone is to buy an old truck. Like a 70s Chevy or Ford. Learn the basics is much easier. Buy a couple sets of spark plugs, cap and rotor, wires for a basic tune up. Keep them put up for future needs in case you can’t buy them later. Along with a few gallons of oil, filters, trans fluid and antifreeze. It may not be a new Cadi but an old truck will serve you well if the grid fails.

[HoneysGarden]

Don’t forget belts – they wear out too, having spares on hand is another good precaution. Get really prepared, and have brake pads/shoes, and fluids for brakes, power steering, radiator anti-freeze, etc.

[Know-Place-Like-Homestead]

All sound advice. Plus one on the older truck. I recently got out from under a payment on a shiney new pick up and bought a 95 f250 powerstroke. I have been saving the money from the payment and putting it toward a full rebuild. Truck may out live me when I’m done. I can post up some pix thru the process if that’s something that might interest the community

[Darren]

Love the old truck, payment free is the way to be. I have lived the way for years. My newest vehicle is a 99 Ford F150 played 150 dollars and drove it 3 years with a tired engine. Finally quit last winter.. Saving for new engine and then back on the road. Older parts are easier to find I think. Having them on hand even better.

[CauzinKaos]

Thanks for telling me about this group KPLH! I’m feeling a bit more at home now lol anyone else love points like me? If any of my electronic ignition systems give me the slightest issues I convert it! I keep all the points distributors I come across even though most are fairly reasonable

[Know-Place-Like-Homestead]

No prob brother. I’d like to see a place where people who are more knowledgeable about vehicles can help out some of the folks that might be having vehicle issues.

Older tech is the way to go w vehicles. Don’t get any more simple than points! I’m a mechanical diesel guy. I’ve got a 12 valve Cummins back in Bama that’ll be my next project.

[CauzinKaos]

Yea, that’s the beauty of working together. Things just tend to workout. I’m pretty fluent in the 86-96 ford space and some BMW stuff. Kinda why im here, im not that great at homesteading yet lol currently fighting with weeds 🤦🏾‍♂️

[Know-Place-Like-Homestead]

I feel that in my soul lol. I have weeds tall as the corn that did nothing but feed the local deer population. There are some amazing resources here that will help us figure it out tho!

[CauzinKaos]

Tru, I tell you what though Billy’s bone sauce works! Because of that stuff I still have produce

[gods-child]

so true

i read on another thread in the freesteading community whereby someone changed out the gas and ut fresh gas in and a new battery on a 1950’s tractor and it started and runs well

any-thing prior to to electrical computerised nonsense is the best way to go

most might be fixer-uppers just like homesteads

bona-fide

[Recon0302]

In 2009 I bought an old 1975 Chevy C-10 from my friend’s father for $500. It’s been a BEAST! I hauled 2300 lbs of Hardwood flooring from Dalton, GA to Atlanta GA, then went back and got 2000 lbs of carpet the next week so I could renovate my house preparing it for sale so I could move to the country. It’s titled and registered and is my “Farm Truck” now on my 12 acres. Just had the carb rebuilt and had the transmission rebuilt last year. Probably got $ 2000 in repairs since 2009. I used it with a Brinly moldboard plow I got off craigslist for $ 100 from an older couple who brought it to me for FREE! I used it to break up the clay soil on the back 40 before I got my tractor. Improvise, adapt, overcome.

[CauzinKaos]

Now that’s how you suppose to use a classic truck! I’m south of you if you need any parts for it.

[Recon0302]

Awesome! Thanks. I’ll probably need a new hood as I have the infamous “taco hood” that folds when closing.

[CauzinKaos]

Lol yea that’s common for that model

[Lostinplace]

Your plow trick is very innovative. My first time seeing that. Nice find on your truck and a great one to keep for the long haul. I have a 78 Ford F100 I need to dust off and get running again very soon.

[Mandalorian]

Awesome truck! I inherited my dad’s 1973 Chevy C10. Dad used it for a service truck until 1996 when he was forced to retire due to mesothelioma. Between him, my two brothers and myself we put well over 1million miles, three 350 CI motors, and two turbo 350 transmissions on it. I am currently doing a cab-off resto-mod. I am sandblasting the frame and painting it black with a high gloss Rust-Oleum. I have been told that high gloss paints protect better than low gloss. I prefer to go “Functionality before Fashion”. I know, flat looks cool, but I don’t really care about that. The frames on the older trucks from that era are not as stiff as the newer ones, therefore, I am going to weld some 3/16 plate on the inside of the frame to “box” it in so it won’t get a flex shear in the frame. This is probably overkill, but “It is the way”. I’m doing this because in every scenario of my power train day dreaming, each of the motors will have tons of gut-wrenching torque. I haven’t decided on rebuilding the existing 350CI, a newer 5.3L LSx, or a Cummins 12 valve. I tend to over engineer everything. We just moved to our new place in the country, so everything is put on hold until we get stuff done in the house and prepare for next year’s planting season. I know this old truck, like your 1975 C10 are work horses. My family has proven it. I look forward reading more impossible tasks performed with your awesome truck

– Mandalorian

” He is the way”

[msgal]

❤️❤️

[CarolinaCarefree]

Love my 2000 silverado. Paid cash for it and it is my driver. My wife has the car. The truck is older and needs some cosmetic work. But I’m not worried about that. I had someone ragging me about my junkie truck. My response was how much is your car payment. He stated $450 a month. I laughed and stated it’s just like my truck, it’s gets you from a to b and back. Besides, I’m putting that money in the bank. He walked away mad. Not my fault he wanted to give his money away.

[The_Duke]

I similarly love my 2007 Expedition EL. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but virtually everything under the hood is less than 4 years old, and she has 200k more miles to give. I must say, however, that I envy some of the pickup trucks I’m seeing here!

[CarolinaCarefree]

Me, too. I would.rather have one that is a pre-electronics myself. But until then I’ll drive my 310,000 mile one, until, as mom would.say, the doors fall.off. it too has a newer engine and transmission 90,000 or so.

[The_Duke]

I think an older Expedition is a very good “gray-man-mobile”. My next one is going to be a 2006 model, because it’s a generation back and has fewer bells and whistles. It also makes much better use of space (for example, the shifter is on the column, making room for a much larger center console). The 2007 isn’t bad, though.

[Lostinplace]

https://www.1aauto.com/ is a great resource for diagnosing and fixing problems. There are general repair videos as well as specific vehicle videos. Also Scotty Kilmer offers a lot of savvy advice with 50+ years of hands on mechanic experience. Very entertaining as well.
I’ve been doing most of my own repairs since the early 1970’s starting with a brake job in a dairy barn on a 1951 Ford. My neighbor at the time offered to teach me how. After a lot of busted knuckles I had new brake lines and brakes all around on my $100 car out of a field.
My advice to anyone just getting started is to pay particular attention to your safety. Vehicles weighing 2 tons and up are very unforgiving if the jack fails or they start moving while working on them. One close call is usually enough warning for most folks but always take the extra few minutes to make sure everything is secure and safe before starting your repair.
Changing a tire and changing the oil is a great place to start to get a feel for what you are dealing with if you’ve never worked with tools. Find someone with experience for help and advice first time around
Experience is something you have just after you need it! (Words of Wisdom from a source I can’t remember)

[gods-child]

in the UK we have Haynes manuals that for older vehicles can be bought cheaper second-hand

if i am keeping a vehicle till the end of its life here is a list of what i find best to keep spares of, in no particular order from memory are;

1. fuses
2. bulbs
3. wiper-blades
4. tyres-tires
5. brake-shoes / brake-pads
6. bearings
7. gaskets
8. clutch-plate or clutch kit
9. points
10. spark-plugs plug-leads
11. glo-plugs
12. belts
13. chains
14. belt-chain tensioners
15. oils gearbox axle engine
16. anti-freeze
17. brake-clutch fluid
18. injectors
19. brake line
20. fuel line
21. filters oil air fuel
22. carburettor carburettor jets – needles
23. tracking-rods
24. hoses and hose repair – kits
25. bearing grease
26. brake and clutch cylinder seals

feel free to add to this list for anything i may have forgotten

i also like to use an engine-oil flush to remove loose particulates that normal oil-draining will not remove

clean and adjust plugs and points regular as the condition can tell you if anything is wrong or about to go wrong

put vaseline on battery terminals to help minimise or prevent corrosion

keep carburettor clean by regular maintenance [i like to swap out the carburettor for a clean maintained one to keep vehicle going to save on downtime] force of habit from needing to keep vehicle on the road 24/7

listen attentively for any changes in the sound your vehicle produces and attend to those changes as quick as possible

get your wheels balanced when you get new tires-tyres or even a puncture repair or when you swap them around

learn how to use string and chalk to adjust the tracking

check liquid-levels such-as brake-fluid engine-oil gearbox-oil axle-oil water regularly and top us as required

learn how to adjust parking-brake and clutch-cables

learn where all grease nipples are and keep them topped off with appropriate grease

[CauzinKaos]

good idea.