i was just wondering, because all of you seem to know so much about trucks and truck related things. HOW DID YOU LEARN ALL OF THIS???? i mean i know nothing and feel so stupid because every time something goes wrong with my truck i have to bring it to the dealer and i get charged up the ass. i was just hoping i could learn a few things.....any books, classes .......??......anything

I DON'T WANNA BE TRUCK STUPID ANYMORE!!!

 

find an FSM for your truck. Check Ebay, or list you year and model here and maybe someone has an e-copy you can have. I probably do...just let me know what year. you can learn a TON by searching and reading here on YT. There are clases to get ASE certified to be a mechanic, and then there are even toyota specific schools....it all depends on how far you want to go...

 

Learned from my father.

From there, on things he didn't teach me, i learned by using his method: grab a manual, and don't be afraid to tear it apart. A vehicle is just nuts and bolts, if you work at it, it will go back together again.

 

fsm? 1986 4runner!!!

 

yotatech

 

an FSM is a Factory Service Manual.
I think I have one for an '86 around here....that should be fairly helpful to you...let me see what I can find for you...

 

I take Toyota vehicles apart for a living. 5+ years dismantling experience, plus owning 6 4runners, and having friends at SCC (TTEN program) and at a dealership will learn you a thing or two.

Not to mention the two FSM's i have for my first gens, and access to Techinfo.toyota.com

btw, they do make fsm's for 86 4runners...I have one for a 1985 4runner.

 

Start by doing lots of research and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know. The only stupid question is the one not asked. Definately get a good manual, factory is the best but a mitchel manual is good as well. If you are looking to do some work yourself or want hands on learning check out your local community college for summer classes. The more you research and do to your truck the more you learn, just takes some time

 

pops didn't want us wrenching on things. So he didn't show us too much. I learned from reading.
books , magazines, anything i could get my hands on.
I took the basic automotive service exam and beat the national average, just by reading a 60's book on automotive and reading mags like super Chevy and hot rod.
i also learn well just doing it. experience is a fun teacher.

just get out there and try, plenty of people around to help out if you get stuck.
remember it's always hard the first time but next time it will be better.

the first time i had to pull the tranny in my chevelle it took me all weekend.
after i got it all figured out (had it out 5 or 6 times) i could pull it rebuild it to the sun gears and back in in under 4 hours.

good luck and have fun.

 

X2 on classes. and on asking questions
and don't forget they usually have pretty decent welding and auto body classes too.

 

Just pay attention when your around people. I learned every thing I know (given I still done know that much) from my dad, service books, power block tv, car shows, off road shops around town and just diving in to a project and getting my hands dirty!

 

oh ya

as corny as they may be.

original wrenching shows like
shade tree mechanic , or its called 2 guys in a garage or something. and the classic car show with the dude with the crazy mustache are good for beginner stuff.
think they are on PBS and DIY

 

i have a copy of alldata. so whenever i need to learn how to fix something there it is. its alot better than haynes or chiltons. my biggest advice is to find people who also work on cars, thats how i learned as much as i did.

 

I started way back repairing all kinds of stuff and general DIY stuff. I was the go to kid for whatever you needed fixed (within reason of course).

I will admit I took a small engine repair manual and a friend and I went to work using basic tools on an very old go kart that had belong to his much older brother. 4 hours later we had it running, to bad the clutch died like 2 weeks later and we couldnt ever get it repaired again.

Later on I wrenched on cars somewhat, then in HS I took auto and I was the star pupil really. I knew it all and I am the self proclaimed king of the brake job and tire change-gimme the right tools and time and I can get it done. I was so good (not bragging either) that the autoshop teacher and woodshop teacher let me drive their vehicles around the school and work on them.

It isnt really that hard with a manual in hand, the right tools and some spare time. If you dont feel comfortable doing something yourself or dont have the tools find a good repair shop and go there. The mechanic I use lets me in his shop and allows me to do alot of the work with him to help him out as its a very small shop. I also have access to all data and a similar program, plus know a few mechanics.

But overall expierance has been the greatest teacher, dont feel bad if you mess up either, it happens. I would recommend taking some kind of auto class either in HS or college.

 

Practical knowledge started with a now good friend of mine who helped me/showed me how to redo the suspension on my truck a little more than a year ago. The rest has come from reading a LOT on this and other boards and just living/breathing truck stuff I guess. I started with doing my own fluid changes, etc. then moved on to other stuff.

The only stuff I still don't mess with is the engine and electrical shiat because you can put yourself dead in the water and SOL real quick if you don't know what you're doing. Ask me how many times I swore at the heavens during my aux light install

 

Watch the old spice commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af1OxkFOK18

 

Yotatech and trying things myself

 

You can also check the local technical high school if you have one where you live. The one near me has very cheap adult classes at night that include basic auto mechanics for those who know nothing and another more advanced one for people who at least know the difference between the hood and the trunk.

A manual is very useful. You can start by just doing your own oil changes, then tune ups, etc and work your way into it. Read through whatever procedure you're on first, like while sitting on the throne. Then read it again, step by step, as you start taking things apart. It will make more sense that way. The more you do, the less you will need the manual, at least for the basics. And join forums. I have found them as useful as the manuals.

Make friends with some gearheads. I took automotive in highschool. But I learned a lot more from working next to people who actually do it for a living. One of my best friends has been a deisel and truck mechanic for about 25 years and another has been wrenching motorcycles for at least as many. My older brother is a machine mechanic, my father was a machinist and machine mechanic, etc. You learn a lot just watching some of these guys. Exposure is the key. The more you are exposed to something, the more you will learn.

Too bad my friends and family weren't doctors and lawyers. I'd probably be making a lot more money than I am now.

 

Mostly from my father, who has been fixin em for over 40 years Since I was old enough to hold a wrench, if something of mine broke (be it a bicycle, dirt bike or a car) I fixed it while he coached. I spent what time I could at his shop working for him sometimes as well. My 4x4 knowledge is probably more limited that the other stuff simply because I have spent less time messing with them, but once you have that good solid base of understanding and a FSM , intuition will guide you from there.

And I agree, exposure is the key. And fixing them teaches you worlds about them.

 

Learned from my dad. Then lots of reading / trying out. a good manual with step by step instructions is key. I have also learned alot from reading this and many other MB's by reading and asking.