So, growing up in a house hold that couldn't car less about cars, I never really learned how to wash a car properly. I've used dish soap my entire life, and I've learned that using that is a heinous crime against cars. Whenever I wash my cars, they turn out pretty bad. I just recently learned to wax and I managed to wax over a ton of water spots on the Miata.

What is your process for washing? What do you use? How can I strip the car of wax and start over besides a clay bar?

Hey, names Joseph. I'm a rising Junior majoring in engineering and minoring in robotics, computer science, mathematics and business. I love cars, and I like working on them even more. I haven't been really all that active into cars for the last few years but I find myself getting back into them. Not really a super social person but I'm considering joining the club this semester.

My favorite cars are Mustangs and Jeep Cherokees. I have had both at one point, started out with a black V6 '99 Mustang, sold to buy a black '01 Cobra, sold to buy a black '03-'04 Terminator but the deal fell through and I lost interest in cars after that. Jeep I still have but I took it apart to rebuild and never finished putting it back together, it was white, painted it black. I also have a black '99 Dodge Dakota, my first car. Crashed it, totaling it one very rainy day and let it sit behind the house for 5 years but I'm fixing it up right now and it's about finished, plan to drive it this semester. Currently DD is a black '00 Ford Excursion, dads but he never uses it so I took it, cleaning it up too. Recently sold my DD of 4 years, a blue '99 Lincoln Continental. My favorite color as you can guess is black, probably why I hated the Lincoln so much.

My future plans includes:
Getting my Dakota back on the road in time for next semester
Rx7 LT1 swap, have the engine, have the body, need the time.
Finishing my Jeep Cherokee frame build, bit off more than I could chew and project stalled
CNC Plasma table - want to finish this as it will speed up my work on the Rx7 and especially the Jeep.











Some random stuff I built:

So, after redoing the whole fuel system and some wiring, the rabbit finally wants to drive. After two months of enjoying the car it breaks, downshifted after coming off the interstate and just like that the tranny is done. Through every gear it grinded. Until it stopped wanting to work at all, couldn't get it to go into first or reverse(same gate) and in second the clutch was burning. So comes to this week. The tranny has been dropped and two parts of one of the four clutch springs was in the bell housing, the other part was stuck in the fingers of the pressure plate. Therefore i need a new clutch kit, however, i do not know how to assemble this type of clutch. With the pressure plate bolted to the crank and the flex plate bolted to the pressure plate. In-between the two is the clutch and some plate that had a circular clip around it(also stuck in the fingers of the pressure plate). Any recommendations on clutch sets and directions on install would be great. :thumbup:

Pressure plate with spring and clip stuck

Flex plate

Circle plate thing seems to engage the pressure plate and the clutch

So as I'm sure most all of you saw in the car buying thread, I picked up a truck last Saturday. The Big Horn edition essentially gets you chrome grill and bumpers, fog lights, leather wrapped steering wheel and 20" rims. This truck will serve as my daily driver in addition to other truck duties. I'd say 90% of the 'truck' duties will be picking up mulch, hauling wood, and moving furniture; typical Harry Homeowner shit. Truck will occasionally be used to pull a trailer but it isn't likely I will push the towing limits of the truck very often. Payload is rated at 1,380lbs and max towing of 8,500lbs with the gearing I have.

2010 Dodge Ram SLT Big Horn 4x4
32k miles
5.7L Hemi V8 with cylinder deactivation. 390hp, 407lb/ft of torque
Crew cab with 5'7" bed, line-x bed liner, bed extender and factory dodge hard, locking cover

Impressions after 650 miles (250 all interstate, 400 of 50/50 mix of town and highway with two trips to the farm to make sure the 4x4 works):
This truck will really move when you put your foot into it. Merging is a breeze even at half throttle and so far it hasn't left me wishing for any more power. 5 speed transmission seems pretty well thought out and hasn't done anything wonky so far.
When one bank of cylinders shut down a light comes on on the dash displaying "Eco" and you can feel it at low speeds. Interstate travel it transitions seamlessly from 4 to 8 cylinders. Going about 40-45 if you pay attention you can feel when it changes without looking at the light. Never any lag or problems going from one to the other.

Fuel mileage is about as expected. Truck is rated at 13/18. I didn't pay any attention the the 250 miles of interstate driving, but I reset it when I filled up last Saturday and over the last 400 miles of 50/50 I've averaged 16.7. I can live with that. We are taking the truck to Charleston this weekend, I'll reset it again and see how it does all highway.

This truck doesn't ride like a truck. These 4th gen Rams did away with the leaf spring rear suspension on the 1500 and 2500 models and replaced it with a coil and spring setup. This makes the highway ride much easier and going over bumps doesn't cause the rear to 'jitter' or feel unsettled like you sometimes get with a leaf spring setup, especially going around corners.

Holy storage and legroom batman! There are storage containers and pockets and shit everywhere in this truck. Underneath the all weather mats in the back are two storage bins recessed into the floor that are a good 8-10" deep and have a removable plastic liner. I've seen several people say they put ice and beverages down in it and use it as a cooler. Would also be good for dirty/wet clothing until you can get home. I swear the legroom for the rear seat passengers is more than the front legroom of my wife's Lexus.

I really like the Line-X liner on this truck. The few things I've put in the back haven't slid around when riding back there and it should be really durable. I had my chainsaw in a slick plastic case back there for two days while I was working on a neighbors shrubbery in the evenings and it never moved while I was driving around. The hard folding bed cover has proven to be 100% water tight and it's nice that it is lockable. The tailgate is also lockable for some extra added security. The only downside I've found is you have to open the bed cover to let the tailgate down. I could remove the plate that causes this, but I haven't decided if I will or not. I've also been pleasantly surprised with the bed extender; if you flip up just the back panel of the bed cover you can place groceries, luggage, or any other items you want to easily reach if you stop and they can't escape arms length. It easily comes out in less than 30 seconds when you don't need it as well.

Problems/issues moving forward:
The backup camera has been somewhat wonky. It'll work about 75% of the time. It is the factory backup camera but was added after the truck was purchased, along with the touch screen radio setup. About 25% of the time the camera feed will show up blacked out. I can put it back in park, get out of the truck and slam the tailgate and it'll work again. Must be a loose connection in there somewhere. Jeff advised me if it continues to be an issue he will send me another camera to install. I may take the current one out and make sure all the connections are good.

Samantha got stung by a bee today and went to get the first aid kit from underneath the back seat on the driver side. The carpet under the storage compartment was damp. No standing water or anything, but the bottom of the first aid kit and my wrench set were both wet. We've had some pretty substantial rains the last few days. Quick google search revealed that it is most likely the 3rd brake light. The seal from the factory is kinda crappy and tends to let water in and it leaks down between the body panels and ends up under the rear passenger seat. I took the brake light out and there was some water inside where the light mounts. Not a lot, but enough. I ran a thick bead of 100% silicone all around the gasket and re-installed it. Hopefully that fixes it. If not, the other, but less likely, culprit is the seal around the power rear window. I'll keep it updated to see if there is any more moisture.

No pictures of the interior yet, but I will get some tomorrow. Here are the only two I have of the outside:

So... I did a thing a bit earlier than I expected. I just went to the dealership to look at the new 2500s just to compare to used ones. Little did I know a used 2500HD was just put up for sale there for a pretty high price for miles, year, options, etc... compared to what I was seeing online. So, from there I was offered quite a solid deal after saying what I saw used trucks online with similar miles and year on them going for. I took the bait and just ended up going for it and yeah I don't know it just happened :dunno:. Oh well I was getting a truck eventually regardless. Carfax is 2 owner with no issues and most service records :thumbup: :thumbup:

Anyways, why I chose this truck... I'm sure some are dying to know so they can tell me why would I do it... Well my thoughts were:

A) Future Proof - Own this for a long time, tow heavy loads including possible 5th wheel with no issue
B) Resale Value - always going to be high unless diesel prices go insane again
C) Best truck in the segment for the generation I picked up besides interior but that's not what I bought a truck for so make fun of the shitty ass interior all you want because I agree it sucks :thumbup:

Really those were my main reasons for going for a diesel.

So on to the shit most people care about:

- 55k miles
- Newest Gen Duramax w/Allison
- Crew Cab
- 4x4
- LT
+ convenience package (adjustable pedals, rear park assist, rear defogger)
+ interior plus package (dual zone a/c, steering wheel audio control, bluetooth, usb, fog lamps, locking tailgate, ez lift tailgate)
+ HD trailering package (locking rear, integrated trailer brake)
- Z71 w/appearance package (All terrain tires, off road suspension, skid plates, some appearance crap that makes it look pretty)
- leather interior
- upgraded audio system (better than my old car but not amazing)
- backup camera
- remote start
- tow mirrors
- all weather floor mats

Basically from my understanding it is an LTZ that has a bench seat, no fake wood trim, and no heated seats? Not sure what else an LTZ would have came with hugely different.

Oh boy is this a huge change coming from almost a base model Mazda3. Things to note:

a) torque, torque and even more torque
b) holy shit this truck is faster than my car
c) wow this thing feels like a tank, I mean absolutely huge
d) this thing is about 5 times more luxurious than my car and I don't have to feel my head vibrating from the resonance of no rear interior and loud ass exhaust.
1. power door locks, cruise control, bluetooth, rear view camera, dual zone a/c, leather? Wtf? This is a lexus compared the Mazda3
e) the steering is lighter than my car. wut?
f) oh fuck I can't park worth shit
g) there are so many buttons idk what to press
h) what does my left foot do now?
i) yup these brakes suck then again this truck is double my cars weight

There is a lot more but I will stop there.

What I will say is included in my finance I decided to pick up GAP Insurance since I only put 10% down and I paid for their extended care program for 4 years/60k miles. That care program was only $800 which includes oil change/filter every 5k miles and tire rotations every 10k. This will indeed pay for itself and was well worth it, imo.

I would like to try going on an easier trail sometime with everyone else. I don't know shit about off-roading or placement but whatever I'm sure I will learn and have a great time. Should be tons of fun.

Last but not least, what I'm unsure of is modding path here. Mostly basic maintenance with maybe a hard bed cover and some touch screen HU if I can keep steering wheel functions. Not really sure what else I would want to do to the truck? Is there even a point? :dunno:

Now on to some dealer + some exterior pictures I took. There are some buttons on the left of the steering wheel which I'm unsure of what they mean or do but yeah. :lol:

2013 Jeep Compass Sport 4WD - 28,900 Miles (Approximate as current commuter)

This was my wife's car for the past 3 years and has served her very well. No mechanical issues and low mileage for the year as we have 4 vehicles. Quiet, comfortable and clean for the next owner. Mileage will go up slightly as she commutes to work 5 miles each way.

Includes Jeep black floor mats, rear Jeep weatherproof cargo mat, rear Jeep cargo cover, 2 sets of Keys with integrated FOBs.

Phone bluetooth/satellite radio/aux.

Tires and brakes are in good condition with lots of life left. Last VA Inspection completed in February 2016.

The car is in perfect condition with one exception. There is a small scuff mark on the rear bumper which I have included in the pictures. It is small and not very noticeable; but I wanted to reveal for no surprises when you come to pick up this vehicle.

Vehicle is just outside the standard warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles (year exclusion)

Clean and Clear Title, no Liens/Accident History
Can provide VIN for clarification

2.4-liter inline-4
172 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
165 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Sport MPG Up to 23 / 30

MM Price is $14,250, currently have it listed for $14,750. This car has been rock solid for my wife, and if you met her you know how OCD clean she is about her vehicle. It's not the fastest car ever for sure, but for a reliable commuter for the wife it hit it out of the park. Great car for Mom/Wifey/not car people as the 4WD system is absolutely excellent for a mini-suv. I wouldn't hesitate selling to anyone as this is a good car, but we got wifey her dream. :thumbup:

So my dad is starting to look at what he wants to do next in his life, and has decided he wants a Wrangler to tow behind an RV. He asked me for advice, and since I know exactly zip, nil, and squat about jeeps beyond what wikipedia can tell me, I thought I would see if yall had any great words of wisdom. This is still a ways off, so really I'm looking for advice about what years & engines are desirable/reliable.
Thanks in advance :thumbup:

I found out one of my customers at work is an instructor and hardcore track guy, which is awesome. We talked for quite a bit but one thing I found kinda funny is that he talked to me as if he assumed I don't have track experience, even though I told him I track with NASA, raced bikes, etc.

Then that reminded me of the owner of a BMW shop where I took the M, who did kinda the same thing. Nice guy, but he was explaining track days and stuff like I didn't know, when I told him I did track days and raced a bit. And not just for a minute or two, I feel like he talked for 5-10 minutes.

I guess people are so excited that they just go wide fucking open throttle into all of the stuff they like to do and have done without actually hearing you? Or maybe people are just so used to people not knowing anything about driving that they don't know how to handle it when someone does?

Do you guys get that sometimes?

NA/NB OEM factory hardtop, barely used and garaged kept. No cracks, chips, other issues. All latches are included. Located in Waynesboro, VA.

*not my top, but I am handling the sale and have it currently sitting in my basement.*

Creative financing is a possibility.


$1200

I'm going to be helping Chad's parents sell his 2004 Cobra. Let me know if you all know of anyone that is interested in one.

Matt, I sent you a PM about this too, but we would appreciate it if you could help us come up with a price.

2004 Mystichrome Cobra with 79k miles

I don't know everything done to it, but here are the basics:
Posi port eaton
2.92 pulley
bassani non catted x pipe with borla stingers
Some sort of mystichrome painted cold air intake
Dyno tuned (505rwhp)
Widened stock wheels (I think) with newish 315 NItto Nt05's on the back and Nitto 555's on the front.

FRESH built transmission good for 600hp, new flywheel and spec stage 2+ clutch as well. Plenty of documentation for this.
I literally drove this from the shop to his parents house yesterday, so it basically has no miles on it.

I don't have any current pictures, but I'll probably borrow the car to clean it up and take some soon.