Who works on there own trucks

I love the reasoning guys use that they"don't have the tools" 99 percent of the tools needed can be picked up in a good size craftsmen set. Three hundred, maybe four hundred bucks. if running a truck isn't worth that piddly wink amount then what the hell are you doing even owning a truck.

 

And a few made at home with a torch and welder.

 

So you do DOT fixes without being certified?

 

Certification is a matter of going online and downloading a annual inspector and brake inspector certification form. Check all that apply, sign it, You may or may not be qualified depending on what you can check. Some after market parts stores do offer classes sponsored by the factory that will give a factory certificate. "brakes, air systems, hvac, suspensions.

 

Thought I would respond to your post seeing the amount of electrical related problems. performing voltage drop test on all the major cables, ie batteries, starter, alternator, especially grounds. may reveal hidden bad connections. or something as simple as batteries bad from the factory, ie Alliant brand.

 

I could not agree with you more! No matter what business you are in it must be prepared to operate. whether you sell pizza or provide transportation. You would not bring in someone to prepare the dough.

 

Absolutely. As a mechanic for 23 years, I saved myself and the wife thousands and thousands of dollars by performing my own PM's and repairs. What one does for oneself(and the wife) is it's own payment in return.

 

started out only doing pm's and light duty stuff ie alternator belts and hoses that has morphed into everything which has meant a suitable garage and I spend at least 3 grand a year on tools

 

Local fellow here yea

local guy here years ago spent several thousand dollars aat the dealership + a tow bill. Lots of small stuff but included a new ecm... when they finally found the problem, it was bad battery cables.

 

You should buy what you are comfortable with and would enjoy spending most of your life in. Face it, truckers live in their trucks. You need to be happy, not miserable to make it.

With that said. I post somewhere in another thread. You want to avoid the emissions engines from 04-2012 or so...imo of course. That leaves you about 3 options. 1. A really old truck 2003 or older. 2. A new or used glider with pre emissions engine 3. As new of a truck as possible...preferably brand new with all the extended warranty you can buy for the engine and emissions components.

From the research I've done, they seem to have finally made a lot of progress on these emissions engines in that last couple years 2014-2015. I would still want the warranty though.