God, I feel so young now Dead Link Removed
I have had the luck of inheriting the large tools from my father and grandfather. As nice as it sounds, I usually hear "Hey Benjamin, since you've got my (insert tool here), why don't you take my truck back home and fix (insert problem here)." Fortunately, I've also inherited experiemce too.
To Kial, and anyone else, the best answer I can give you is to take your time and if you absolutely feel out of your league on the project, take it to a pro. Watch the pro, it's the easiest way to learn anything. If you ever feel overwhelmed, take some more time, it can help a lot. The last time I was under an Explorer, I actually fell asleep under the thing (don't try this at home, it's very unsafe, but I didn't really plan it either). When I went back to work on it, things went a lot smoother.
People regularly ask me to help them, and I usually do. I showed one person how to change oil a few years back, and he now drives a 66 Barracuda (the one he changed the oil on) with a 318 he swapped in himself (although I was the one putting his carb back together at the dragstrip in the dark).
And as far as tools, when you think you have everything, you will always find yourself buying another.
And to Rick, the point about working on your car for 8 hours, and for money for 8 hours is well taken. However; I think the one difference is in satisfaction. If I tried hard enough I could probably earn enough to buy another explorer in the time it takes for an engine rebuild, or swap, or whatever. But you don't get the same satisfaction as you do from being able to accomplish things on your own. That's what it all boils down to, for me at least.
Sorry for the lengthy message, but I hope it helps someone.
And happy birthday Rick!!!
-Ben
hopefully you knew what i meant. Dead Link Removed I feel like a dumbass..lol.
