Category: Uncategorized

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…

Well, here I am again. If you’ve been following the channel, you know I’m not exactly a “transmission guy” by trade, but life has a funny way of handing you a wrench and saying, “Figure it out.” The victim this time? The 6L80E out of my wife’s Suburban. You know, the one we just picked…

By Alex Nothing—and I mean nothing—beats the look of a split window VW bus. When my buddy Adam told me he’d acquired his grandparents’ 1967 Westfalia, my heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t just any bus; it was a family legend. His dad and four siblings (yeah, seven people total!) used to tour the country…