Who Wrenches on their own truck here?

I can afford to pay for repairs, but I'd rather know that it's done right so I do it myself. My truck is currently in a shop getting the back box rebuilt on the transmission I had rebuilt at another shop 15 months ago. I don't have a press to remove some of the parts so I just take that stuff in because it's beyond my abilities.

 

I run 3 trucks and also have a full time job. I do almost all of my own work unless I need something fixed and I can't work on it because I am at my full time job and need the truck when on days off to truck. I have several retired guys who drive part time. They drive and I drive/ maintain the trucks. I run older equipment 77 peterbilt 85 mack 86 Chevrolet. I do anything from tires to in frame. But if time is a factor I have a great mechanic who will come to the shop and fix for cash. It all depends on a time frame on how quick I need the truck back on the road and my work schedule. But I would rather work on the trucks than drive them.

 

I do everything I can. Servicing the truck.myself saves $150 every time I do it. It's not a difficult job anyone can do it in their driveway and not make a mess. You can drop the old oil off at any parts house. I do my own tire work. Not necessarily the funnest job and truthfully if you're doing 10 or 18 at the day's end you'll probably think paying someone else would have been worth it but again a penny saved is a penny earned. About $300 labor for 10 tires at most shops. Rotating tires is something I always hated paying for because it was so easy and now I don't. Good practice to keep those drives all wearing evenly to get the most life out of them. I'll do anything external of the engine. Radiator, fan clutch, turbo, brakes or steering, whatever. Inside the motor, rears, transmission and clutch I leave to someone who knows what they're doing. Self taught on most things. What I don't know I ask here or watch YouTube videos. People at partshouses and shops are usually willing to impart advice and wisdom if you ask. If I screw something up start over and do again until it's right. There is a satisfaction that comes from working on your own and making it right or even just keeping it up. My truck doesn't look like much on the outside but I take pride in that hood being raised up. Anyone looking at it or inspecting it knows it's kept up. Engine so clean you could eat off of it. No.leaks. all new hose, clamps, nothing rubbing/chaffing - maintenance it's what gets me home without fail every time....

 

I do all my own work except major stuff. I don't have the means to pull a trans I could mange an in frame have the tools and know how. But I worked as a diesel mechanic for 8 years and went to tech school for it. So I'm a little different than most o/o but on the other hand I don't exactly have the driving experience most have

 

It would be good if you learn how to work on your own truck but what you should do is learn how to be a diesel mechanic and the start driving trucks therfore your making more money working on your trucks and other peoples trucks and also you should know how to put on a tire so when or if you get a shop have super singles in stock their about 800 a piece but you can charge how much you want to put it on dumb idea but your making money with tires like those they say less wear and tear but more money spent

 

I've been behind the wheel for a long time. I kind of enjoy working on my truck. My theory is that I get to see more than just the repair that's needed at the time. While I'm fixing one thing, I'm usually looking at other parts of the truck as I'm going along. Not to mention, I'm getting my money's worth out of my investment. Plus I'm still in a preemission vehicle that doesn't cost an arm and a leg at the dealership (2003 Pete 6NZ Cat). Bottom line is I still like to take care of it myself.

 

I do all the work on my truck (2000 Sterling) besides the windshield and alignment. I'll replace my windshield each season, unless it gets cracked, since my friend does them for me. I fear that anyone else that touches my truck (besides my dad) would see something that is about to go and doesn't say anything or would put their greasy hand print on my paint (have had it happen before). If you're going to own your own truck, you ought to do your own work. You'll understand the truck better and the way I see it, develop a "relationship" with it. I go so far as to wipe off excess grease that comes out of the fittings when I grease it, put fresh paint on any parts I take off (since it's a N14, I use the cummins black paint on the parts), always check to make sure the slack adjusters are in spec, and then of course make sure there are no leaks or anything of that nature. You'll be surprised at what a shop will not do since it's not "their job". Some people will claim they never have TIME to work on their truck, yet they have the time to sit in the shop. So you even if you aren't mechanically intelligent, you take the time out to learn it (buy the parts and figure out what you need to do to replace them) and you'll save yourself time and money in the long run. Plus there are MANY INTELLIGENT people on here that will be more than happy to help you out with working on your truck!

 

All good advice in the previous posts.
I assume you have a pretty good collection of tools from your marine job, so that is good. I'd bet you could spend today $1K in just the basics.

I'm 63 and do as much as I physically can on my '03 Pete. Did 8 drive tires myself last month and I felt it too, lol. But my rims didn't get scratched and beat up. I still do my own basic maintenance up to the engine and drivetrain, sometimes it's cost/time efficient to hire it out. Many years ago I did a clutch by myself, had to borrow a trans jack (I hate to borrow tools) took way longer than it should've and kicked my butt.

As has been mentioned when you work on your own stuff your eyes are seeing everything first hand.

 

Im tearing this apart tomorrow afternoon. Never did a fuller before, but if I screw it up I will have only lost $830 in parts.

 

With your mechanical background figuring out a truck shouldn't be a problem. Major engine work I leave to the experts, heavy stuff like clutches also. Started out as an automobile mechanic in 1972, bought my first truck in 1976 and fixing them ever since. Probably the reason I am still in business. 3 friends of mine are owner operators, none of them work on their own trucks, all 3 of them spend more than twice what I do in annual maintenance costs, which in my case averages $.12 per mile year over year.