Author: DPVJosh

Hey everyone, Josh here. I just spent the day hanging out with Alex, and man, there is nothing like that feeling of progress. We were out there framing the new lean-to roof section for the shop [00:58]. I know, I know—it’s not exactly “automotive,” but you guys know how it is. If you want to…

By Josh There comes a point in every gearhead’s journey where you realize you just need more space. You can only wrench in the driveway for so long before the weather or the neighbors start pushing your buttons. Well, the 40×60 shop is finally going up! It’s the ultimate “Victory” in the making, but man,…

If you’ve been following the Big Chief build, you know we’ve been struggling with some fueling issues out on the trail. This week, we’re trying out what a lot of old-school wheelers call “Poor Man’s Fuel Injection”—the Quadrajet. Now, why a Quadrajet? They have tiny primary bores for great throttle response and a central float…

There is nothing quite like the feeling of watching a structure you’re building by hand finally start to reach for the sky. This week was a massive milestone—we officially have the trusses up! The Muddy Grind (The Pain) I’m not going to sugarcoat it: the property is a sloppy, muddy mess right now. We’re doing…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about building a 64×60 dream shop, it’s that “Victory” is earned one post at a time. This week was a massive milestone: we officially have posts in the ground and concrete in the holes. It’s starting to look like a building! The Backhoe: A Back-Saving Investment I said it…

There’s something special about a tool with a history. Every time you pick it up, you’re not just working on a car; you’re connecting with the guys who used it before you. I just got back from a road trip to pick up some incredible legacy tools from my family. These aren’t just shop upgrades;…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of wrenching on old rigs, it’s that a plan is just a starting point. Last time I checked in, we were battling solid basalt rock at the original shop location. Well, after some reflection (and a little bit of a headache), we made a big decision. We…

I’m doing it. I’m building a new shop, and it’s going to be absolutely massive. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the “Victory” side of this channel, it’s that it usually comes after a whole lot of “Pain.” The Vision We’re talking a 40×60 main bay with 16-foot walls and double lean-tos. One…

Well, I did it. I finally went out and got some real dirt-moving equipment. Meet the new toy: a classic Case 580E backhoe. As much as I love “Betty” (the tractor), she just isn’t built for heavy earth-moving. If we’re going to get this new shop started, I needed something with a bit more muscle.…

If you caught my last post, you know the Suburban’s 6L80E gave up the ghost. I had a choice: cough up between $6,500 and $8,000 for a shop to fix it, or roll up my sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty. Since we’re all about the Pain and Victory cycle here at DPV, you already…