Also if you looking for a workshop manual I think my site or TnPshows should have what you want....actually I think I only have a Sunny one scanned in....but that is still a good start.

not easy with kids either is it.

ill give most of it a go now but not before lots of questions and research (even inthe dodgiest of spots )

Awesome story and advice Trav...one I can hope to live by as well.
Thanks for all the encouragment peeps, just hope not to get too obsessed for the last semester of uni...but its something to look forwards to

Hey mate,

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was in exactly the same boat when i first bought my ute about 6 months ago. I didn't know anything and didn't have the confidence to change a spark plug......HONESTLY!!!

My advice is just to throw yourself headlong into the world of datto and pick up as much as you can from different sources. I have just lived datto for the past few months and learnt a whole heap.

This site is a great source of info. Just start reading as much as you can. If you come accross terms you don't understand look up some auto sites that have dictionary's for auto related words.

Another great source is people you know who can help you. My missus' old man helps me out heaps (and hinders me 2 but thats another story). Any questions i have i just ask him and he usually knows the answer.

That's the other thing too. Don't be afraid to as ANY question, no matter how silly, as by asking is the only way you will find out.

Another good thing is the generosity of others. There is a dude on this site (he knows who he is) who has helped me out a tonne! He has had quite a few datto's over the years so has a fair knowledge of all things datto, and he has been kind enough to help me out with info and contacts that have helped heaps.

The final tip i can give you is just get in there and have a go!!! Sean told me that piece of advice when i first started out and it's been the best piece of advice i've had. Just learn as much as you can, get yourself a workshop manual and go to work. Don't worry if you don't know about something, the only way to find out in my experience is sticking your head in there and seeing it for yourself. Most of it is just common sense. I found the hardest thing was all the different terms and lingo. Once you start to pick that up you should be fine.

6 months ago i didn't even know what a carbie, inlet manifold, strut or a contol arm was, now i'm just on the verge of doing a complete front end strut conversion, rear end lowering and shock swap, prepping the whole ute by myself for a spray job plus a whole heap of other body and interior work without a mechanic in sight.

In fact the only thing i will need a mechanic for in builing my car will be building my engine and maybe someone to rebuild my diff if needed. That's about it. Everything else i plan to do myself. And trust me if i can do it with the knowledge (or complete lack therof) that i had anyone can.

As they say JUST DO IT!!!

That's my story and advice anyways.
Trav

Busy Bees are a great way to learn and get things done. over here in WA we have organised a few with the ozdat guys. and it's been great. a big pool of knowledge and you get heaps done on the car. all it costs is some beer a few snags and some softy's. you get things done and learn as well. plus it's a good day for the guys.

Yeh all good advice fellas...cheers, Ill get there one day.
Its not easy to admit ignorance...especially when it comes to cars for some reason.
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As you have done already Ange...much respect and gratitude...but I feel theres a fine line between that and not wanting to become a burden on anyone when I havent got much to offer in return...but yeh ill keep a look out for sedan or wagon for ya (or is it for jody?) too ;)

and get a work shop manaul and do things step buy step

being in uni did you cut and copy paste that from google (half my uni class did while i busted my balls too)

ive know how you feel, if i had time to help with my limited skills and 2 left thumbs i would but strugle on my own too. never touched a car or did anything until i turned 20. learnt from there and its been a steap learning curve.

I take my time with my limited tools and do the basics now. Also if i bugger it up ot my cheap dodgey mechanic that lives round the corner to help bail me out. he will talk to you and explain stuff if hes not busy (one man show).

If you half competent he will let you do it in his workshop with his tools and stuff (he does for me).

Like i said before at the last cruise, if you need something, most folk our side of town are pretty good.

If you can find a nice sedan or wagon for ange, he might even help put arotor in fr you

i agree the only way to learn is to give stuff a go!

you may not be confindent or have the knowledge to fix certain things,

but i personally (without claiming to be an expert) would be more than willing to get my hands dirty to help you work on your ute,
especially if it means keeping it on the road while at the same time helping you the gain the knowlegde you need to maintain it.

i would expect there to be more members that are also as willing

no need to go paying a mechanic i say

become your own mechanic, its more enjoyable and with a datto its definately do-able!

glad to hear your enjoying the 1200

tafe course or local college is a good idea to help you, and the only other way is to give stuff a go, you learn on the job...just dont take on tasks that are too way out of your skill level.