u/fwdctrl

I did Bolt, then Offroader, then Rally Car, then Racing Truck.

I know it’s big for a “shed,” but I like you guys and wanted to share. It’s a 22’x40’ with an office in the back and a car lift.

We bought this house in 2005, and it had an empty lot next to it. The house has no garage or basement, so I started dreaming about putting a shop on the empty lot back then. Then I was able to buy the lot in 2010, and had it graded. Now 16 years later I can finally afford to build the shop I’ve always wanted. I am stoked.

I’ll be doing most of it myself. I did a lot of the trenching and plumbing myself, but of course got a concrete guy to pour the slab. Should be just me from here on.

See little holes like this on one of my steps. Is this normal? We had a private home inspector who didn’t mention it.

EDIT: Yes, I got a private inspection before closing. This issue was not included in the report.

Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Chevy/s/SdPtHleATy

This sucker is all done. We installed the rebuilt trans along with the refurbished subframe and new frontend parts.

We also installed new struts and rear shocks. We wire brushed the surface rust all over the underside and converted then painted it.

To finish it off and make it more functional, we installed a CarPlay receiver and backup camera from a kit from Crutchfield.

Got it aligned this morning and it drives so nice. Runs well, shifts well, all good. About $4,000 all in, but I think it was worth it for a 2011 with 93k miles.

It’s a 2017 X1 sDrive28i. Has 90k miles. Would appreciate any input on ownership of these. I do all of my own maintenance and work on my cars, but have never owned a BMW. Looking forward to learning!

I’ll be ordering the Andream MMI box tomorrow. Anyone have experience with those?

Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Chevy/s/PQtXC3dp4A

Just an update to my previous post about helping a young man out by teaching him how to fix his car up. Of course we’re using my tools, etc. He’s just graduated HS, and needs a car for college, job, etc. Shares a car with his mom currently, which isn’t ideal.

We got a good deal on this car with 94k miles that wouldn’t go forward. It was very clean inside and not too bad outside.

I scanned it and the transmission didn’t have any codes, live data showed me changing gears, and the shift linkage was fine, so we removed the transmission and dropped it at a local transmission shop to have it rebuilt. According to them, it was “low piston in center support and case.” Not sure what that means exactly but he said it came with the rebuild kit so we’re all good.

Picked it up yesterday, but while we have the subframe out, I had him find all the rust spots, scrape and brush them, then rust convert, then paint. Subframe is looking good now, and we have new control arms on it, as well as new struts on the car.

Tomorrow will be new end links and sway bar bushings, and then we’ll get the trans in place and all bolted up. Hopefully we’ll get the new CV axles in and maybe even get the subframe back in place and drivable, but not trying to rush it. He’s learning along the way so that slows it down a bit.

Once it’s back together we can replace the rear shocks, then we will just have to install the CarPlay stereo and he’ll be good to go!

This 2011 Malibu has 94k miles on it and it’s super clean. We got it for $1,500 because the transmission needs to be rebuilt, so here we are!

Helping out a young man who needs a car, so we are doing it as cheaply as possible.

Taking it to a local transmission guy who will rebuild it while we’re on vacation next week. He said $1,000-$1,400 to rebuild, so that plus various front end stuff that I’m replacing while I’m in there like ball joints and tie rods, we should be right at $3,000 for a pretty low mileage and reliable car!

Mother in law gave me some Amazon money so I got a few Antivibe ball peen hammers I have had my eye on. When doing mechanic work, I usually just grab whatever hammer is closest, and I destroy deadblows by using them when I should probably use metal. Thought the 8, 16, and 32oz was a pretty well-rounded combo.