Tips for driveway wrenching?

JoshRountree

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Location
Fleetwood, NC
Since I bought my own house, I don't go home to my parents huge 4 car garage. I really miss that flat concrete. Now I do all my maintenance outside in the dirt. I have a tarp I lay down, and a 4x8 sheet of OSB to give the jack something to wheel around. I also put 2x pieces of wood under the jack stands to properly support them.

Does anyone have any other tips for working on cars outside? I plan on building a garage one day, but it just isn't in the budget right now.

Thanks.
 
I used a 3/4" sheet of plywood when I did my TH400 in my 3+3. What a pain Try to figure out where you eventually want your garage and pour a pad.

Also you can get a big EZ UP for the shade.
 
you can do anything you need to do where you are now, just have to plan ahead a bit, I've rebuilt engines, pulled and installed engines, transmissions, rebuilt axles, installed lifts, tube work, all from a 16x16 shed at the end of a gravel driveway. on an incline at that.

I repair forklifts, so my shop is usually a parking lot or gravel lot, sometimes I get lucky and have a shady area to work, sometimes even get to work inside. it's all good. tough sometimes, but all doable.

proper cribbing and chocking to keep things from moving/falling is the most important part. Think it out carefully, and you'll have a good time. a 20x20 tarp makes a good shade cover as well.
 
Chock the tires... both ways.
 
- One of those 'jet engine' propane heaters in the winter is awesome!
- Cover-alls will help your regular clothes survive longer
- Some kind of tool cart with big wheels helps a ton

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting...
 
As said,
Light weight coveralls and heavy ones for when its cool.
Plywood
Not sure what your area is like but a few things to consider:
Looking on craigslist for a used carport. I've seen em go cheep (and fast) but keep looking. At least provide some shade and keep your project covered.

Also, Do you at least have one of those attached sheds ? If not hit craigslist again. But I'd get a roll around cart. Harbor Freight has a good selection. But keep your tools on it then roll it in/out should save some setup time.

When I was living in apartment (pre house) I had a lead cord on a wind up wheel thing. I had a smaller more portable jack that was easier to manage for most repairs. I used tote bins to hold/store my supplies.
 
An easy-up canopy is nice to give you some shade to work under. You can get them everywhere. I think the one I bought was around $80 on sale, but I've seen cheaper.
 
Keep some soap, etc around your outside water hookup to wash with....keeps you from getting door handles and the whole inside of the house from getting extremely dirty.
 
This is how I do all my stuff too. From restorations and now tackling/attempting engine rebuilds. To save yourself some walking, go to KMart and grab one of those 26" $20 plastic tool boxes. It might seem silly, but when you're under a rig and you have to get up 3 times and walk to your tool box because you didn't get the right sized socket or wrench you needed. It also helps to load up on tools that you think you may need.


If you have access to an air compressor, buy extra lengths of hose to get to you instead of extra lengths of extension cord because you'll constantly be blowing breakers...took me a while to figure that one out.


As the other guys said, keep rags and soaps close by...I prefer to use Grease Lightning on my hands if I'm really greasey or that orange goo stuff for light dirt/grease.


I'd also suggest getting a long, strong magnet for the bolts/screws you drop in the grass but didn't see exactly where it went. If you know the general area of where it should have fallen, then trace over that area with the mag and it works for me 9 times out of 10.

Finally, for those late nights or when the day just seems to get shorter, get a couple of good flood lights.


I've never had the luxury of wrenching in a garage, it's always been in a dorm parking lot, apartment parking lot or my parents' side yard. After a few times and some experience, you'll get creative and realize what will be pertinent to your set up.
 
I have a two car garage but the floor is gravel. It sux b/c it seems everytime you lay something down it dissappears. I made me a couple of large magnetic trays to put stuff in(got the idea from Trucks tv show) even if they arent magnetic go buy yourself a couple of cheap cake pans to put your tools and parts in. Keeps the dirt out of your tools also:beer:
 
I save the takeout trays from our local Chinese joint. They are 5"x8" plastic trays, and even have clear covers if I need to close up/store crap. I always try to put nuts/botls in a tray. The bar magnet sounds like a great idea I need to make happen at my place.
 
-a couple citronella candles for the bugs
-drain pans cause dirt/grass/gravel doesn't clean up like concrete and you don't want to lay in tranny fluid
-if your rig is tall enough consider welding jackstands to old wheels to give them a good base and more height
-I've always preferred a nice size chunk of carpet to lay on under vehicles. Tools don't roll and if something drips on the carpet it will soak in instead of making a puddle and you can hose it off and hang it out to dry when you're done. My driveway and shop are both concrete and I still use the carpet.
 
Remember to use the heavy industrial strength drop cords (make sure they are grounded too)...the further the distance, the greater the resistance(& heat) & therefore more voltage drop...same with air compressor, use larger size hose closer to the compressor if you are really a long distance away.

I was looking a the "Bone" Rough Rider creeper, but it's like $150 bux @ Northern...needless to say, I don't have it

Even my retired mechanic buddy in Raleigh has a gravel driveway...been at it all his life, swears by heavy cardboard...saves sheets from like appliances etc...

seen lots a wrenchin' happenin' wherever it had too, just because...:beer:
 
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