What about a TLCA mechanic series??

[Eric_FJ40]

Here's an idea that I'll just throw out there. It would likely take some volunteer effort from a group of members to accomplish...

I was watching the "Weekend Mechanic" on the DIY channel where they cover vehicle maintenance in a 30 minute show.

I know that among the TLCA membership there must be some TV production types and mechanics and other necessary skillsets to pull this off.

What if the TLCA produced a series of DVD's or tapes that covered some of the basic and commom maintenace procedures on our beloved Toyota's?

There could be a episode on rebuilding the front axle, one on general tune-up and maintenance, one for installing a locker or any aftermarket part.

It would take a concerted effort to get the members to come up with the time and the resources to produce such a series - that could then be sold for a reasonable price through the TLCA.

Is this possible? Just an idea!

Eric - shadetree mechanic.

ALL comments are welcome - good and bad!

 

[sbaker]

I'd buy it!

If it was pretty detailed, discussed all the steps and tools needed, and had enough info for beginner mechanics (who else would it be geared towards anyways?), I would buy it in a second. I would easily pay $20 or more per DVD for that kind of info.

There could be a series for beginners (e.g. front axle rebuild, general maintenance as you mentioned above), and an advanced series (fabrication, engine swaps, etc.).

The production wouldn't have to be perfect, I just want the info!

Love the idea.

Sean.

 

[woody]

in other words, http://www.ih8mud.com/cruisertech.php on video, supplemented by online discussions where you can ask questions on those things you don't understand and get answers...kinda like https://forum.ih8mud.com

awesome idea

 

[Eric_FJ40]

in other words, http://www.ih8mud.com/cruisertech.php on video, supplemented by online discussions where you can ask questions on those things you don't understand and get answers...kinda like https://forum.ih8mud.com

awesome idea

Well, yeah - I'm not saying that the information isn't out there already.

It just struck me that while I was watching this guy change the CV joints on an IFS Toyota truck that it would be great to see other projects too.

Speaking for myself - I'd like to see some of these common repairs that we will ALL have to do at one time of the other covered in video format. I think a front axle/birfield job would be a great candidate for this.

Keep the comments coming!

Eric

(afterthought) - Even if this isn't done on a professional level (keep cost down) I know that there are clubs and groups of wheelers that get together and do these repairs. So instead of just taking pictures and doing a writeup later have someone there with a video camera and have the person doing the work do a little more explaining while they work. Give the viewer the background on the problem and why this has to be done this way and not that way.

 

[woody]

Shooting a digivid of the process is actually not difficult....heck, if I remember it, I'll shoot one of my knuckle swap when I do it in a couple weeks...webcam style maybe....

problem will be editing down the 6 hours of video into something that won't bore the viewer to tears...and editing out the curse words that occur anytime you work in the shop I know how bored I get curing my own build projects, watching every single stud get lock-tite'd into the knuckle will drive anyone to

Some tranny rebuild videos are out there for automatics....IIRC, they are supplemented with a book however, since most of us don't have video powers in the garage, or room on the living room floor for the axle.

I know many clubs hold build parties too, getting the noobies involved in the process first hand, and the ability to ask questions during the procedure is the advantage there.

 

[Eric_FJ40]

I agree getting involved firsthand is the best way to do it, but that may not be possible for everyone.

If this were to happen, it would take some amount of coordination among TLCA members - maybe some who didn't even know each other at first and some that lived in different geographic locations.

You would need a mechanic or host that knew "okay - I'm doing this for a how-to vid, I need to watch what I'm saying and keep it professional. I also need to be clear and explain what I am doing as I go".

Then if there were TV production types who volunteered their time and services, the raw video could be sent to them for editing and voice-over (where necessary).

As you said, the key is editing it down to a 30-60 minute format. The show I watched took a 2-day project and made a 30-minute show out of it. I didn't see every nut and bolt get turned, but I saw exactly what was being fixed and how it was removed/replaced and what extra things had to be done so that the part would come off easily and what special tools were needed (and how to properly use them too).

I know it's a far-fetched idea and the logistics are a bear, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see what comments I could get - sort of get everyone thinking about it.

Eric

 

[65swb45]

Run it past Mark W and see what he has to say. On paper, he sounds like a great candidate.

 

[nuclearlemon]

sounds like a great idea...if you could get someone who could teach it correctly and if important things weren't edited out for the sake of trimming the vid. i personally like the idea of seeing cruiser parts being worked on, since generic videos wouldn't show the same as cruisers (i.e. rebuilding front ends would involve u joints, not birfields).

 

[Chef]

I'm a TV writer/shooter/editor/director for a living.
We charge $150 an hour to shoot or edit in the small market of Columbia Missouri. I'm so overbooked it's crazy.
It would be very easy to have $1500-2000 in any particular one of these series, from knuckle rebuild to valve adjust, maybe more including dvd duplication.
That means we'd need to sell 100 at $20 per to break even.
It also menas you have to have someone who can actually look and speak well on camera for at least brief periods of time. The rest can be voice over and edited in, which is much easier.
Doable, yes...Valuable? I dunno. Maybe?

 

[Eric_FJ40]

thanks for the reply, Chef:

That's good info to have. I don't know whether this could be done on a volunteer basis or if we could even get sponsorship from some of the Cruiser vendors.

I won't beat this to death, so I'll fade away and see if the idea has any life to it or not...

Eric

 

[dd113]

I think the idea is great but will be very hard to make reality. The ideal situation would be a club doing a video on their own then selling it to TLCA members among others.

As Alan pointed out that stuff is not cheap. I also worked in that industry for a while and the quality of your production is 100% determined by you wallet. If TLCA produced the media it would need to be at the same level of quality as TT and making that happen would be very expensive in both time and money.

On the other hand, a $2,000 camera and some good softwear and you can produce a nice video on your own. Just look at all the videos of Junks mom. Not only does he star in them he produces them.