Hello All,

Let me start off by saying that I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the mind. I can do very basic stuff but that's it. But I want to learn. I have always wanted to become a mechanic. I have plenty other skills but mechanic is my dream skill. But how do I achieve it. No one in my family has the skill except my cousin but I rarley see him. Do I try to read up on it. I learn more than anything by seeing and doing. Or do I find some body that I know working on a vehicle and try to watch and help. Another problem is time and money don't have a lot of either.

Just some advice would be nice. Thanks

 

try to do stuff yourself.
Start with simple things like fluid changes.

 

Get a Haynes book for your jeep then pick a problem and go for it.

I am in the same spot as you. A year and a half ago when I got my jeep i had no clue how to even change the oil.
I have learned a lot using my Haynes guide and a lot of google'ing

 

If you're looking for a career, go to WyoTech. Great school. I personally have learned tons, and I thought I was mechanically inclined before.

 

I've always said the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty doing it. Reading up on things will help, having manuals will help but what do you do when its not going as planned? Ask ANYONE who's worked extensively on something mechanical, sometimes improvising has to come into play. Things learned come from first hand experience (getting hands dirty). Take on some projects with a friends help, get up with your cousin (when both have the time), start small and just grow with it. Go to a local junk yard and pull some parts, tinker with a junker, see if a friend could use something and try and pull it for them (make sure they pay you back! Hahaa).

If you don't have a great selection of tools just head to the nearest Sears and pick you up some tools. You can find some great deals certain times of the year (Fathers day, Christmas . . . ) Thats where the majority of my collection has came from. I just keep adding to it when somethings needed.

I to am NO mechanic. I can do some moderate things myself but I have the worst of luck with breaking bolts and rounding things off. lol!

 

You don't need to invest a ton of money but get ready to spend time. If you're unwilling to dedicate time to it, you won't get very far.

All things worth doing take an investment of time.

 

the best way to lean is to take something apart and then try to put it back together...

 

just start working on your rig. That's what i did about 6/7 years ago and now I'm building a buggy for a buddy and have done 90% of the work to my XJ