Some wrenching tips for the youngster's workin' on their first rig

[bowtiepower00]

I think it can be overwhelming at first, especially for someone who thinks they have a handle on the whole GM Fullsize scene and stumbles onto CK5. There is a lot of information here, and it can be difficult to digest all at once, especially if you don't really understand what a lot of it means.

You don't have to have 1-tons, etc, to wheel. Don't be afraid to wheel what you have, everybody has to start somewhere. It's OK to break stuff on occasion when you're pushing it, but learn your rig's limits and try not to exceed them, that's where the damage happens. There are guys all over the spectrum on here, I think a lot of noobs don't understand how hardcore some of the guys on here are- and I think a lot of the hardcore guys have trouble remembering that some guys are just looking to bomb down fireroads, and get to remote hunting and fishing spots, etc. It's important to figure out what you're going to be doing with your rig before you start throwing parts at it.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes when you're wrenching, it will happen. Sometimes you may have to redo something a couple of times to get it right. This is where the manuals come into play. Whereas the Chiltons and Haynes manuals are decent, they can be very vague with wording and pics. The factory service manuals may be very pricey, but the detail, diagrams, torque specs, and special notes make it all worth it.

Someone mentioned acquiring other project rigs, that's true, it's way too easy to get two or three projects ahead of yourself while your first is sitting in the driveway a couple of hours/days/weeks from completion. This is especially true for those of us (most of us) on a budget.

Finally, assuming you've got a GM rig, join CK5 and use it. Everything you want or need to know is here, you just have to find it. Someone here has done what you want to do or are doing, and is probably willing to help you out. USE THE CLASSIFIEDS! I don't care what you're building, if you check the classifieds long enough you will find it- and generally, CK5'ers are a great bunch of guys- no worries about Ebay scams, etc.

 

[Smokin'Joe]

Do not forget personal grooming. Long hair needs pulled up and out of the way. Wear clothing that fits. Just because what you are wearing is big enough for two of you, falling off your a$$, and is "in style" does not make it appropriate. You can trip on pantlegs, loose clothes can be caught on moving parts, etc. Jewelry,too.

 

[bigblazer87]

Do it right the first time. If you do something thinking you'll go back and fix/upgrade it a little later, you might as well do it then, instead of when whatever it is you did fails a week down the road while you're trying to remember what it is you're supposed to finish on your truck, while you're driving in it. Another "Ask me how I know"...

While adjustable wrenches do fit on everything, it's much better to find the correct wrench/socket for the bolt/nut you're tightening so you don't round out the head/nut, making it even more of a pain to take it off.

KEEP YOUR TOOLS ORGANIZED! If my dad still had complete control over his toolbox, it would be considered a tool-mound. Only after I got through organizing it, was I able to do what is mentioned above efficiently.

While you're at it, keep your whole work area organized. And if you're in the over-achieving mood, take your organization into the living space; your wife/girlfriend/mother/dog/husband/boyfriend/cat/yourself/rock will thank you.

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

XA Billion on using a welding helmet. preferably an auto one. i used a crappy one the first time i arc welded and was having a lot of trouble keeping it in place. woke up at 4 AM thinking i had gone blind. scary, true, and a bit funny now...but i almost sh!t my pants.

2--cover up when painting or else you'll be dreading taking off all the paint
3--make sure you tighten up your lug nuts before heading out to the beach for a big bombfire and bbq. lol
4--take notes when doing a project and label everything clearly and permanently so you can remember what goes where and how

 

[thedrip]

Anytime you feel a fastener and guess at it's size (say 9/16 which is probably a 75% true guess when wrenching on gm vehicles of this vintage)... always grab at least a wrench up and a wrench down from that size... it'll save you 3 trips to the toolbox...

better yet, get yourself a big 'tray' maybe an inch or two deep you can drag under the truck with you. get in the habit of throwing your tools back into the tray as you use them. it won't be organized, but you're under a truck, its better than looking for a wrench for 15 minutes to find that you rolled on top of it. If you're good about always dropping your tools back into the tray, it makes cleanup a whole lot easier. All the tools are in one tray, making it faster to clean them all, and put them back where they belong.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

I am the poster child of what not to do...

From experience - Don't use ANY flammable sprays without proper ventillation. I was spraying brake cleaner on parts in my garage sink with the door open. The hot water heater ignited the fumes. A fire ball went up the wall. One fire extinguisher later - all was "good." I now buy only non flammible brake cleaner. Much safer for me.

From experience - Don't weld with anything ignitable nearby. The "nearby" is a lot farther than I expected. I now have a welder's blanket that I hang, drape or cover anything close by if I am forced to do a weld in less than optimal places.

ALWAYS have one or two good fire extinguishers available - from experience.

Don't try to buy all your tools at one time. I have been buying one or two tools at a time for years. Except for odd ball tools, buy them, keep them, you'll need them again and there is no reason to spend time renting and returning.

 

[goldwing2000]

To expand on AZ79K5Project's flammability warnings: watch out far batteries, too.

Just the other day I blew up a motorcycle battery that was charging on my work bench.
It was ignited by sparks from a grinder that were generated from a power steering bracket that I was fabricating.

That was a new one on me. I've always heard the warnings but never believed them. Luckily I was already wearing gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses, so my carhartt took the brunt of the damage.