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22:10:28 - 04/24/2024
Dakota Performance
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Erod
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2002
21:31:23
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 Subject: What to do ???
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Message:
If you were 20 years old again and loved restoring cars, working in the garage, and the like...what would you do.
I am 20, attending Iowa State, and can't stand my major of Landscape Architecture. I own a perfect '72 Camaro and have a 75 and 68 in the garage to restore. This helps me show what I love. Now, all you gear heads and mechanics, if you had the chance to do it over....what would you do. I plan to take a 2 year ASE certified mechanics major starting next fall. I would die to restore classic and muscle cars the rest of my life. I feel I will have to start out basic and work up the ladder, but I am lost as to what to do. Right now I am putting the 3" body lift on my Dakota and would do the 4x4 work as a career as well. So....any suggestions?
Thanks to any and all who reply, I sincerely appreciate the help....
'97 Sport CC 4x4
3" lift
33" Pro Comp X-terrains on AR 767's
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D
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2002
21:48:20
| RE: What to do ???
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Message:
I'm 22 and am majoring in architecture...4
years completed...4 years left! damn, I wish I
could just restore cars for the rest of my life,
but would rather get rich first, and restore cars
for fun, not as a job. tinker with cars as a
weekend hobby, you dont have to make it your
career.
mechanics make money as long as they are
cars to fix, if you pick the right company to work
for, you will stay busy and make some decent
money(if you are fast and good at what you
do) Go to a technical institute, I think the
closest one to me is UTI (universal tech
institute) My brother in law went there, other
wise called Hot Rod University, when he
graduated he got to pick where he went for
training...mercedes, bmw, volkswagen, etc.
he chose VW, they paid him to go to chicago
for VW training, so far, he gets paid like
$20.00 an hour, flags way too many hours for
his own good, and seems to like it. I think he
has all of his ASE certificates, but it took a few
years.
good luck.
D
01/4.7/CC/3.55/airaid+homebrewed3"/180stat
Jet2/DynomaxUltraFlowRaceWeldedMuffler+
3" catback/TBspacer/NoClutchFan/
DJMdrop3-6
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DaveR
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2002
01:09:43
| RE: What to do ???
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I'm 21 and was working on mechanical engineering in PA. Seeing an add for Wyotech sparked my intrest so I talked to them. It seems to be a very interesting program there, but i can't picture myself being happy doing a hobby as a job. Usually when a hobby becomes work it isn't a hobby anymore. I'm kind of in limbo now and this coming weekend I am flying to Florida to look at a school where I can learn industrial lighting and sound design. I figure if i'm gonna have a change of plans in my life it should be now, while i'm young.
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Erod
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2002
22:44:30
| RE: What to do ???
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Thanks for your input...I am really struggling on whether to keep it as a hobby or persue it as a full time job. Hopefully having a part time job in the garage this summer will help to answer it.
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Danny
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2002
23:05:49
| RE: What to do ???
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Erod,
Boy does that sound familiar!!
I had the same thoughts at that age. Here is what I did, so maybe it will help you!
I got into cars when I was about 12, my dad had just bought a 70 olds 442 convertible, and he restored it completely. I helped off and on, but it was the neatest thing I had ever done. My interests were cars from then on, when I turned 15 my dad helped my buy a 56 2 door chevy, and it had a straight 6, so I cleaned it up and threw a 454 in it and drove it around for a while then sold it for a 68 corvette with a 427, played with that for a while a got a 69 nova, then a 69 chevy shortbed truck all with big blocks. Then I went for a 70 camaro and built me a 427 for it.
I graduated high school and went to college, put all the car stuff on the back burner, then I took off a semester, and worked for a freind who owned a full mechanic shop,I got my master ASE certification, all 7 tests!(fibbing on years worked in shop, of course!) that semester turned out to be 2 years, I then had aquired over 30,000 dollars in snapon tools(which isnt much) and kept 3 of my cars...camaro,nova, truck...I went back to college and got a degree in computer science, got a high paying job for the university I graduated from, and now get to work on my hot rods whenever I want, I have a 5 bedroom house, 3 car garage, and lots of money to play with. If I had stayed working at that shop I dont think I would be nearly as successful as I am now. Not to mention, I was told by my father, you want to save the things you really love doing as a hobby, and make your job something you just like doing. If end up doing what you really love as a career, what do you have to come home to?
It is my philosophy, it has worked for me so far, hopefully you figure it out, it would be a shame if you go be a mechanic and end up hating it....
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SuperBeeDak
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
01:18:03
| RE: What to do ???
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Well I don't know if this is the way to go but here's my story. I'm 20 and am currently running my own custom shop and parts locating service. A friend of mine and I decided to do this for a summer and see what happened. That was a year ago. Well the business expanded and I've decided to pursue it while I'm attending college (Automotive engineering major with a minor in business).
I'm going to be taking the next year off from school to take some more ASE tests and save some money to attend WYOTECH. Now I may not be making the most money doing this but I can easily get by and am paying for college and can afford all of my car toys. So hope it all works out cause I'm having fun so far.
Ben
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
11:06:28
| RE: What to do ???
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Message:
EROD et al, Good input.
From an old(er) war horse, a few more words:
1)Complete your education and get a degree in hand. If you don't like your major, change it. But, above all, get the degree. It is documentation no one can ever take away from you. Additionally, it will show everyone you have the determination and dicipline to complete a very difficult task you started.
2)Small business has little to no glory. (Have been there). Remember, you need some depth in business training, accounting, planning, &tc. as well as money should you want to make a real success of any small business, especially a resto/rod business. A note to determination and dicipline: a hobby ceases to be a hobby when you have to finish the 8-10-12 hour day to meet a deadline instead of going inside and popping a brewsky when a particularily nasty part won't do what you want it to do.
This is not to say don't do it. If you can't keep out of the garage, dream about degreasing an engine compartment and would rather hold a differential than your gal, go for it full bore-you'll probably succeed. If, though, this seems a more fun and 'easier' 'route to riches' than the L/A degree you are pursuing, I expect you'll not do too well.
Show the strength of character to complete the difficult task of getting your degree. You will feel a tremendous sense of pride in your accomplishment than will translate to success in almost anything to which you set your mind.
Take this from a 53 year old guy who's been down the trail. I went back to college in '75 and earned a dual in Business and Chemistry. Never really used 'em. I'm now an electrical inspector (for the past 6 years) with about 27 years in the electrical construction trade. My only regret is I didn't get my degree years earlier. Lost time can't be reclaimed.
Best to you in making a difficult decission.
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CThomp
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
11:18:22
| RE: What to do ???
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It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. My majors were in order: Archeology (boring), Anthropology (even more boring), Environmental Law (to much paper work), and finally Environmental Science. Got my degree December '00. Took me 5 years and alot of changes to finally decide what I wanted. I'm glad I got my degree in Environmental Science and am going for my master's in about a year. My advice would be not to rush it. You've got 40 years of workin ahead of you so make sure you enjoy it.
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Erod
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
22:30:30
| RE: What to do ???
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Thanks for all your input again.
Did anyone here get a degree in Mechanical Engineering? I am also thinking of doing this here at Iowa State, it will get me a good salary to support a good hobby.....still thinking of all my options.
No matter what, I am young and need to get the education now...I know this much...any more input would be appreciated.
Thanks a ton, Evan
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CASDAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2002
23:13:56
| RE: What to do ???
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Evan,
I didn't get the Mechanincal Engineering degree that I should have, but a friend of mine did. He and I both work on my Dakotas and let me tell you, he is very smart which is very helpful when you are trying to complete the projects that we have undertaken. Take my advice get your degree, get the good job, and then take time to enjoy your hobby, but don't let your hobby become a job.
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