I had an epiphany while replacing shocks...

I'm now at a point in life where I just don't care to f*** around with rusted bolts and I'll gladly pay someone else to cut this off and deal with this.

I bought the truck a few years ago, the prior owner lived in Northern WI and there is some rust. I've been working on addressing things over the years as the truck is fantastic, but the stock suspension needs to go.

Unfortunately, this bolt is not coming off and I need to cut it. Of course, my sawzall is in the cabinet currently blocked by the truck that is jacked up.

Pissed and cooling off, I am looking at the truck amd realized the juice just isn't worth the squeeze. I used to rag on my Dad who did all his own maintenance early in life about how he just pays someone else to do it now. He would tell me "When I (him) was young, I had the time but not the money. Now, I (him) have the money, but not the time". This has resonated with me the last few years now that I have 3 kids, but even more so today.

I used to enjoy doing this, less so now.
There are a thousand other things I'd rather do with my limited free time. F*** you rusty bolt!

End rant **

 

While I don’t have to deal with the rust, I totally relate even in my mid 30s. I used to enjoy maintaining our daily drivers and wrenching on my project vehicles. Lately it feels more like a hassle than a hobby.

 

Yep, I feel the same way.

 

I just don’t trust others to work on my vehicles.

 

I get it but alot of things i do is the time. I dont want to waste the time to drive 15 minutes to and from the dealership and the 3 hours to wait in the lobby while they change my oil. I can do it in 7 times faster at home. I can be done before I would even get there. And after many failed jobs, i don't trust anybody else. Been lied to constantly at dealers, mechanics.

 

Right there with you. I still enjoy wrenching but the maintenance and stuff I’m just over.

 

My back starts hurting when I think about wrenching on one of my cars.

 

Plasma cutter!

 

I mean hey if money isn’t an issue, I don’t blame you. And although I do enjoy working on my own truck, the only reason I even began doing it myself was because money is tight. And just like you mentioned, Im still young here, so it sounds like everything you are saying lines up.

Whatever it is in life, do what you need to do to stay stress free.

 

I know there are techs who know what they are doing and reliable and trustworthy, but I don’t get to choose who exactly is working on mine.

Until I literally physically cannot work on my own vehicles, I’ll keep doing so. Teaching my boys to wrench so they can fix my truck when I’m an old fart.

 

I’ve got 2 rods in my back. I have zero problems paying people anymore.

 

I Hear Ya!!!
Used to enjoy wrenching on my Trucks especially when installing Mods that would improve performance!!
Not so much these days.
Like getting the Magnuson installed.
Drop off Truck.....Pick up Truck with a couple hundred more HP.
I convinced the Wife I needed the extra Ponies by saying it would be better for towing the boat,which She Loves taking out!!!
Do I feel guilty about stretching the truth?
Hell No!!!
I might kill a litter of puppies for more HP!!!
Okay probably not since I'm a Sucker for Puppies.

 

It bugs the heck out me paying someone to do something I am perfectly capable of doing, but there are just other things I'd rather do. For example, instead of messing with this I packed up a bunch of bikes in the truck and took the family out for a trail ride.

 

I was all game to pay someone else to do the work until recently……I think my “progression” thread shows some or what some trusted shops did.

Then found out on wife’s 4 runner, 2 years after fact, shop didn’t replace lot of things I told them to even though they said they did (water pump, all idler pulleys, and timing chain tensioner to name a few things).

So as long as I’m capable I b doing everything I can myself just for peace of mind

 

Ya, I hate when shit kicks my ass.