20 replies to this topic

[thewheelman]

This used to be a LOT easier!  A few months ago I installed an ipod interface in my GT 500 after my son told me how easy it was to swap the radio out in his 06 GT.  This afternoon I put in a Shelby dead pedal.......I tried to take pics of both, but sweat kept dripping either: in my eyes, on the camera, on the parts or other places that made me jump and squirm.  I couldn't hold the camera steady because I had to have one hand to keep myself steady because my knees were hurting so bad I couldn't stay still.  Man, that concrete's gotten a LOT harder than it used to be.  And who has fingers small enough to get that a/c switch loose without losing either your patience, mind or skin off all your knuckles?  Ok, ok, I'll admit my body is not as youthfully supple as it used to be.....but I really think it used to be a lot easier!  I've taken almost 2 hours to put in the dead pedal and put a license plate frame on the car.  I just came in huffing and puffing and wiping sweat and my wife said, "What is it, age?  Weight?  Knees?  Back?"  Most of the time she's very helpful...I just replied, "All of the above."  Anybody know what the drying time is for sweat on paint?  I was about to put the sill plate back down, but spent at least as much time cleaning sweat off as I did pulling the thing out!  And another thing!  I know I'm not THAT blind!  Is the goal of 3M body tape to keep you from pulling the red liner off at all costs?????  I KNOW I spent at least as much time trying to separate the tape from the red plastic as I did pushing that little plastic pin back in the hole it was never intended to come out of......I'm looking for a chimpanzee to help with my next mod......if there ever is one!  BTW, my generation called it "souping them up".  Mod was a squad on tv.......

"Holy *#@%, where's the Tylenol?"

Have a good weekend.......mod-on!

[2007tungstenGT500]

i just installed the dead pedal and it was a little bit of a pain in the ass, for sure. the radio is fairly straightforward, though i cussed those connectors a couple of times myself. once you know how they clip on and off, it's not too bad. look at it this way, now it's done!

[Imatk]

Yeah that AC connector can be a total PITA.

I've found, for me at least, that unlike when I was younger I need to set aside a nice long block of time to do any mods.

That way I take my time, take breaks when I get frustrated or need to because my damn back is killing me that sort of thing.

Then it's fun... but sometimes when things go wrong it really is a pain in the ass, and back... and knees

[ingram4868]

With any project you need a six pack of beer.  Drink 3 while reading the instructions and have another every time you pickup a new tool.  This keeps you hydrated for all the sweating, you will be less frustrated, concrete is not so hard and by the end of the project your wife is looking pretty sexy.

[SVT NAJA]

^^^This...

[VTWLKWY]

I need two car lifts.. one for the never ending project and one to work on projects... Pete

[TAPD117]

It sure is "helx" when you get old, a common complaint with all of us baby boomers.  I had to laugh at your post. Cheers and hang tight and don't get any on ya................ GG

[MarcInUtah]

I can tell you I sold my 04 Cobra that was near 700HP to the rear wheels.  I did this because I can't work on cars like I used too.  My back is pretty much destroyed. Matter of fact, the military might medical board me into retirement after almost 29 years of service.  This is the main reason I ordered a new 2013 Shelby GT500.  I want something that is fast and if it breaks, I take it to a dealer to fix under warranty.

[6-Speed]

You just reminded me what a pain it was to install that dead pedal under a single bolt ... having to twist and contort myself in front of the driver's seat.  I was sore for an entire week.

[thewheelman]

MarcInUtah, on 29 September 2012 - 05:55 AM, said:

I can tell you I sold my 04 Cobra that was near 700HP to the rear wheels.  I did this because I can't work on cars like I used too.  My back is pretty much destroyed. Matter of fact, the military might medical board me into retirement after almost 29 years of service.  This is the main reason I ordered a new 2013 Shelby GT500.  I want something that is fast and if it breaks, I take it to a dealer to fix under warranty.

Oh yeah!  I gave up regular maintenance LONG ago....quit changing oil when I couldn't get up off the creeper by myself!  I'm so sore today I can barely walk!

[lbj]

Me too.

It used to be fun doing water pumps and things.

Now, I go have it done somwhere.

Not only is it hard to bend and get under things, think about those cut and scaped knuckles and hands.
Remember those?

I don't miss it.

I was pretty good up until around 50 or so.

Edited by lbj, 29 September 2012 - 08:15 PM.

[Snoopy49]

After reading some of the complaints from all these decrepit old farts, I feel like I have found some kindred spirit's.

[Husky44]

I turned 47 today...  You guys are making me dread turning 80.

[patrickshelby]

TAPD117, on 29 September 2012 - 05:49 AM, said:

It sure is "helx" when you get old, a common complaint with all of us baby boomers.  I had to laugh at your post. Cheers and hang tight and don't get any on ya................ GG

+1
Experience is what you have learned by the time it has become useless.

[TAPD117]

Snoopy49, on 29 September 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

After reading some of the complaints from all these decrepit old farts, I feel like I have found some kindred spirit's.

Hey Snoopy one thing is for sure, everyone eventually becomes an "old fart", you start feeling it at 50 and between 55-60 it really takes hold, but you also become wiser and have all the toys......  GG

[Snoopy49]

Relevant old quote.
"If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

[twobjshelbys]

Yep, working on the GT is fun.  I did the R&R on my Supercharger when the bearings went out last spring.  Leaning inward and lifting the supercharger out and in was tough on my back.

Getting the wheel well liner off the front was even more fun.

Reminds me, I need to order the K&N filter kit for my truck.

[HARLEYDEALER]

Age is mental and physical, but attitude is everything, well almost! A good can do attitude, along with the mechanical skills, you can do most anything with/on your car! Two lifts would go along way also, as Pete said! But I'm still a young, great looking 63 old dude, that's pretty sexy too!

[Snoopy49]

To bad they don't make a little blue pill that would not only get us up, but running.

[Helix]

I'm 19, so if it helps man....I get the opposite.
"Ok....I'll have no problem doing it....if i knew how to do it..."
watch, read, research, etc. but when you do it you still take forever.