The plan did not go as planed. I checked in on the progress in April 2021 when I returned from the camp job. It is better defined as anti-progress. I will get into the details when I undo and redo all that was done.
I pressed for the hack shop to get it road worthy and got it out of there a month or so later. A frustrating day to say the least. As I drove towards the open highway some issues arose that did not exist prior to the work I had done by the “experts”.
Engine brakes no longer working, failed gauges, no speedometer and maximum speed of 60klm an hour. None of those systems are in any way connected to or involved with the process of installing doors.
I ended up crawling back to my destination on secondary highways doing 60k in 80k zones. A line of traffic following behind was patient, no horn ragers.
The entire experience was a hard learned lesson that cost $12,000. Correcting that error in judgement will end up costing another $6,000 at the very least.
PLANNING A REMEDY
The experience delayed my planned move in for at least a year.
I took the vehicle to the dealership and had an extensive mechanical diagnostic inspection done. That didn’t reveal any causes or solve any issues.
Getting nowhere I decided to move forward on to other things confident that these setbacks will resolve themselves in time.
FOCUS ON WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED
The vehicle was still insured so I was able to get it worked on.
I took it to Abby Spring and had the entire suspension refurbished. New king pins, re arced front leaf springs, new shocks all round. The rear leaf springs fell to pieces during removal so they had to be replaced. Those people at Abby Spring rock, highly recommend them for any suspension work.
“ IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME “
As the companies founder, my employer, would say. Built a multi million dollar company instead of graduating High School. With nothing he built something from nothing. Pretty much were I’m at now.
That means learning some new trades, hence that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s a deep rabbit hole to go down. Hours and hours have been consumed learning to understand the processes related to each task I must accomplish. Understanding a tool and its purpose is one thing, developing the skill to use that tool and becoming proficient with it is a whole other thing.
Before that can even happen one must figure out where to get the tool and learn which tool is best for the project. Then its on to the various materials involved, their preparation and the installation process of said materials. The tricks of the trade.
Before any of those issues can be addressed you have to learn the specific trades language, the terminologies, the insider lingo. A simple statement like the following will be foreign to many. Selecting the right consumables, adhesives and mechanical fasteners. What does that even mean?
Consumables are the various supplies used in the process, shop supplies. Lubricants, cleaners, tape, sandpaper, bits, blades, discs, bags, rags, towels and so on.
Adhesives and sealants. Glue’s are often referred to as chemical joint welds or chemical fastener. Adhesives are better suited for expansion joints for instance. Soft, malleable and elastic properties when cured. Gaskets provide a seal between surfaces.
Mechanical fasteners, nuts and bolts and nails, and screws, and rivets. There must be a billion or more variations in existence. Some are metal, some are synthetic others may be alloys or even be metal synthetic alloy combination hybrids.
FEMALE BE NUTS, MALE ALWAYS BOLTS
The male also nails and screws while the female anchors and holds in place.
Getting familiar with trades and industry terminology opens up hole new world of vendors that you may have not even knew existed. These vendors aren’t concerned with gaining you as a new client. Their smallest clients have six figure purchasing accounts.
These vendors can spot an amature even as they walk in the door. Don’t even try to pretend you are some all knowing master expert. That only confirms that they are, indeed, dealing with an idiot. Be stupid, ask stupid question, its okay. Even pros have those moments.
My advice when engaging with these vendors. Do all that you can to understand the product you require. Know some trade terms. They are not the typical retail outlets you may be accustomed to. They have little patience for completely clueless customers. Make every effort to understand what you are looking for and they most likely will be very accommodating. Don’t expect them to design and build what you need.
Avoid going first thing in the morning, staff are busy tacking care of contractors. When you do go let them know you are in no rush and let the contractors cut in line ahead of you if need be. That includes encouraging staff to handle calls firstly. You will be rewarded with better service.
An amature says ” solar panels ” and the expert says ” photovoltaic panels”.
WERE I’M AT IN SPRING 2022
I have collected most of the tools required or know where to find them.
I have developed a very basic understanding of the trades related to the build.
I have located the various vendors related to those trades.
I have purchased some of the materials and components needed for the build.
THE BENEFITS OF BEING DELAYED
It has given my concept design time to evolve virtually. I don,t have any prints at all. Its all in my head.
The trouble with prints, no matter how detailed and critiqued. They are always wrong, they are always revised. Best just keep the draft in my head. Every cubic inch of the build.
When I have a completed and installed system in place it can be documented. It can be tweaked and refined in the process. It can then be reverse engineered in a precise and detailed manner without fault.
I can then open source share those documents, copyright free, without restriction and with confidence of their accuracy to all.