He treats his equipment with a mixture of tender loving care to whatever-works laissez faire. The gruntiest equipment is treated with kid gloves (and gallons of grease) whereas he's like Dr Frankenstein to vanilla pickup trucks and similar. But still, gallons of grease. Andrew Camarata - in grease we trust...
What makes this channel so addictive for so many years is that despite well over $1M of equipment at his mountain site alone, Andrew recycles a toolbox from his junk pile at the castle. And fixes and drives his old truck. His videos make all the "reality shows" on Velocity, etc. look second-rate (by a large margin).
You just gotta love Andrew's "hunting squirrels with nukes"-approach to truck repairs. All effective, mostly ingenious, and certainly NOT for aesthetics! Thank you for another GREAT truck repair video...KEEP 'EM COMING!!!! 😆😆😆
@@jamesadams893 I agree, I'd say in this 'category', as I watch homesteading channels also and Simple Living Alaska and My Self Reliance, both are very well put together channels on par with Andrew's channel!
@@notaffiliatedwith7363 sometimes he has trouble realizing he's over his head and stop and get some help or advice from someone else, and it cost money like that bobcat he cracked the cast iron hub on it with a torch, trying to remove a stuck bolt, too impatient to use penetrating oil cost $5000 to replace that, and he bought a ditch witch trencher that has a big wheel in the front, kept picking up rocks and jamming and it wasn't cleaning out the trench, not knowing that it had parts missing or bent, he cranks down on the safety clutch and blows the chains off. After having to replace those, he continues picking up rocks and Jamming the blade, I don't know how he didn't bust the crankshaft I know at the least he bent it. He ended up shoveling out the trench by hand, far as I know he still hasn't tried to ask anyone what's wrong with it. Those machines are nice when it has the correct guard on there to keep the rocks out and move the dirt out.
Being a now retired life long mechanic I find Andrew's methods of repair and maintenance as unique and effective as they are entertaining . He gets it done . Results driven , just look at those seats , you could eat scrambled eggs off them now .
I’m not sure why but Andrews fixing up his stuff videos are my favorites. I miss him working on other peoples properties and his snow removal service. I don’t know if he does that anymore.
@@abergethirty he must still do some of that stuff. He buys machines for many thousands of dollars pretty regularly. He uploads a few videos a month max so I don’t think that’s enough to live like he does
As you can see ,he spares no expense or excuses when it comes to maintaining his work vehicles and keeping them in tip top running condition .Also his auto detailing is beyond question. Love your vids.
Andrew's mechanic's skills and proper use of tools are amazing. There is nothing that a sledge hammer can't fix. I have even heard other RU-vidrs say "Let's do an Andrew Camarata Repair"
@@jennifertucker107 Well if he does she'd be a keeper if she still goes out with him, if he turns up in that truck for a first date, it certainly wouldn't be about his trucks 80K impress her friends image. Some I've met if I even turned up within a mile of their houses and parked in the street after hours with my work pick up, the HOA or cops would be called and I'd be getting told don't do it again. My work trucks like new compared to this as well.
I often get a chuckle out of some of the stuff Andrew does and says but, after watching half a hundred other channels I can say without reservation that He has the BEST videoing and editing skills of anyone in the biz...
The only one I can think of that rivals him is Martijn Doolaard..been following his stone cabin renovations in the Italian Alps, every bit as interesting and engaging as Andrew's..and that IS saying something... :)
For the toolbox, my dad actually made his own cause of the same issues you addressed there. He is in the forest cutting down trees, fixing timberjacks etc just like you with his own business. Making it was definitely worth it, had his about 7 years now and it still works as it should.
My dad had a logging crew for the better part of 20 years and had this same issue. He bought a uws toolbox and it survived a good 12 years of abuse. It finally met its match when the top broke out of a pine he parked beside
Gotta love Andrews function over looks attitude, doesn’t care one bit to look good, as long as it works good.. not many young adults like him, especially the “hammer in sharp corners to make it professional”
I don't care what anybody says just look at his determination and his success in the time that I've watched him he Elsword high and excelled fast. I'm 58 years old had I approached life not giving a s*** what other people think and didn't sweat the small stuff I would have been a lot farther!
Bought my first toolbox for my first truck at 16. I’m like Andrew. Live my life the same way he does but with less money. I’m also just as tough on my shit as he is. When I went to my local truck supply to pickup my $700 toolbox i walked in picked it up, sat it back down, And had them give me my money back and walked out. A week later an old guy on Facebook was selling his for $100. Couldn’t tell you the brand but it has been through 3 totaled trucks, one that rolled, and hasn’t even dented. It’s had firewood thrown at it, four wheelers slammed into it when loading, and anything else you could imagine. I’d be willing to bet you’d pay $1500 for a toolbox like this one these days. One day I’ll be passing it on to my son then my grandson 😂😂😂
Man I love this guy's content, all of it, been watching for _years and years._ With that said, him just fixing vehicles and doing maintenance on them has always been my favorite types of videos that Andrew uploads :)
When your u-joint is tight after assembly, whack the yoke from each direction with a hammer, this will seat the caps on the snap rings and release the bind on the u-joint, otherwise looks like you have the repairs well under control. Keep it up man!!
Yeah - once ya make *sure* that the needles aren't being mutilated, and the snap rings go into *clean* grooves, then whap it back and forth a bit to push the caps against the retaining clips. This will "center the slack". It'll run easier.
Might be a fun project to watch you build your own custom bed toolbox out of some heavy gauge steel diamond plate. Then you could make it the exact width and height you want, and maybe even a guard in the front for heavy rolling objects in the bed. 👍👍
The only way it will survive Andrew nice and gentile handling. He is the best and friendly hille billie man I have ever see, just love the Man. Andrew if all man where like you we have a wonderfull world.
Well, he could, but he'd need to upgrade the suspension, brakes, steering etc. as well, and he'd need an overweight permit. You know what materials he uses when he builds something...
Agree totally. A good starting point would be remove this lid and make a new one that has a 3 to 4 inch bend that rolls over and in front to some latching mechanisms. Once that is sorted out, transfer that to the next case.
This episode is classic Andrew. I loved it! The boutique Kenwood radio installation was the cherry on the top for me. Kind of made my day watching this one.
The hammering of the brackets on your new radio unit made all the difference and it just blended seamlessly into the dashboard. The later technical adjustments and upgrades to the vehicle tool box added that extra touch of professional finish that was so badly required.
Rawson Koenig toolboxes are unmatched. Solid steel, durable and damn near indestructible. My dad has had the same toolbox in 5 different trucks over a 30 year span, and they’re still made to this day with the same quality and design.
Never thought I’d see the day where where Andrew cleaned and give the inside of his truck so much attention. Great video Andrew. I like these truck videos
Hehe right after he violate the same thing, I have never seen a worse mechanic. just bad, quick fixes of everything. I wouldn't want something he "repaired"
@@janlundquist3132 its only a beat up work truck, not a trailer queen, there Is no point on being gentle with It, Just fix It and keep going, It doesnt need to look pretty
@@gillespriod5509 Really?, this guy is the worse mechanic, and takes no pride in anything, having worked for constructions companies, they would be horrified to show up on a job site with equipment looking like that, you would be fired on the spot.
@@lazynow1 i dont know wich job sites you use to see! Heavy equipement has to be reliable and in working conditions, nobody cares about the paintjob!😂
The fact that this truck is still goin strong says a lot about it’s reliability. Idk anyone who tests their stuff better and more thoroughly than Andrew lol. I have one just a year or two older than this one and it’s been an amazing truck for over a decade for me as well.
@@joshuabest100 Yeah he’s been known to test a few things thoroughly too lol. There’s nothing he can do to make me like Fords or IDI Powerstrokes tho 😆
Andrew would have been the ultimate test if Top Gear ever did another Toyota Hilux extreme durability test. My prediction is that the Hilux would come through, but it would be a damn close thing!
I love the comment .....{ for no reason ) Camarata is awesome . Straight forward , down to earth , no frills , only thrills . He uses what he has on hand . I've been watching him for years , always a great video .
Good video as always. Maybe you could get a big bell outside the door that you ring and give them a treat a few times, then when they wander, you can ring it and they might hear it and come home.
GREAT VIDEO. When I first discovered you years ago, that video was about ' ' fixing stuff ' '. Your voice about junk is appreciated , because it's true. Hopefully manufacturers are listening. You repair things to last. (Like the wire splicing job . . . not like some that are just twisted and taped, your's are fixed . . . forever.) People and manufacturers seem to have forgot the importance of doing and making things correctly. You are completely right in noticing and correcting flaws and trash in today's marketplace. Not only are much of the products shoddy, but unnecessary as well. Thanks for caring about the little things . . . that is what the BIG things are composed of.
You never disappoint Andrew! I could've literally just spent the last hour watching a multi million dollar action movie but NO I'm here and I've got no regrets! Thanks!
As a 71 year old woman, I have learned a lot from you. First, and foremost, it doesn't have to be pretty as long as it's functional. Second, if you don't have the proper tool, use whatever is the closest object to you. Words of wisdom. Thanks, Andrew!!!
Something I found that makes u-joints really easy is finding a socket just slightly smaller than the cap bores, wrapping the socket in a fine grit sandpaper (1k or so), and spinning the socket in the bore to polish the surface clean. It still maintains a friction fit, but man is it WAY easier to get the caps in without messing up the needle bearings. The fit is snug enough that light taps will move the cap without the need for big hammer blows or a press. The clips will keep the caps from flying out, and over time they'll rust back in solid again.
Loved this episode of, "There I fixed it!". I'm a huge fan of "just getting shit done" mentality and love watching it in action! Keep up the great vids Andrew!
I am really enjoying your videos. You and Ants Pants are my two favorites. I especially appreciate your attention to detail and hands-on approach. Like me, you are a perfectionist. I also like the fact that when something needs fixing you not only fix it but everything around it that is not perfect - like changing hydraulic hoses. Keep up the good work.
Andrew, next time install one cap, push u-joint all the way as far as you can and use the press to push it past its position then flip it over and install the other cap. now you can start the other cap on the u-joint without ruining it and use the press to center them. Also, a tap with a hammer when done pressing on each side of driveshaft, pinion adapter and trans slip joint will loosen the joint so it's not stiff.
@@Kickyourass484 Andrew is the guy all men should strive to be. He is not afraid to tackle anything. I know people that pay others to do the simplest of repairs.
I had mine on my company truck and I work heavy and highway, my truck had 360,000 miles on it and that box worked perfectly. They got me a new truck so I got a new Weather Guard box for that one and left my old box with the old truck. It’s probably still working great.
Hey Andrew, when you get a stiff joint simply wack the cast steel portion of the joint yoke with a 3 or 5 pounder and it will set the trunnion into a neutral position making it last longer without binding.
Brings back the old days when you repaired a lot of the old equipment, you always figured out how it works and how to fix it! As long as it takes grease and moves! It’ll work itself out! Thanks for sharing my friend! Kirk from Louisiana!
Here's the trick to u-joints. Press the first cap really deep into the socket. That way the cross will extend out the other side enough to get the cap and needle brgs onto the protruding cross before pressing. Put the clip in the deep side before you install the other cap and then press the cap on the protruding side in from the top. It's not unusual to have a tight clip and brg. The biggest problem I always had was with inside clips and aftermarket joints and then having the cap fracture trying to get the second clip on. I specialized in Nissan/Datsun and the factory joints had varying thickness shims. Always used factory until they got hard to get. Hate to admit how many u-joints I ruined by not catching the needle brgs properly before pressing. I'd like to say I figured this out on my own but someone else pointed it out to me.
One trick I learned when doing U-joints is to use a washer (or two) the thickness of the space to the inner circlip edge and then press the housing down over the washers until the housing bottoms out to the table. Then set the circlip before you put the U-joint in, that way you can press the other cap from the top until it just reveals the bottom edge of the circlip groove. Then repeat the process for the other side.
Andrew C I am so proud of your ability to engineer and adaptability to correct machinery to working order. I have to admit you scare me sometimes but very little in the end I have followed you for years now and the one thing that keeps me coming back is your true honesty about the equipment you work on and how it could be safer or better built. Your work is very well appreciated by millions of folks your video quality top notch above most who blog the fact that your taking care of the property you own is above reproach to the planet Earth Thank you and bless you !!!!!!!!!
Great video. Loved the precision radio installation. Andrew ought to build his own toolbox to his standards. Then market it. He would sell a ton of them literally. That toolbox would be a heavy duty one for sure if Andrew built it. Good old Cummins engines.
I've done a few of these in my day a U-Joint is a marvelous thing and can be a bear. It's great to see a pro like (Can-Do) Andrew with the right equipment get it done right, fast.
Thank you Andrew for a educational and entertaining video,. The things I have learnt from this guy is more than i learnt at school over the years.. Thank you Andrew ..
I got a used weather guard toolbox. Things great. Got a compressor and all my air tools in it and a welder generator on wheels that bangs into it all the time. Both sides still latch, opens and shuts as it should. It’s been great
I'm sure someone has commented on it by now, but WeatherGuard makes the only truck box that has ever taken the abuse I've given out. Not the TSC version, but the real, commercial stuff.
One tip about the U-joint after you're done installing it and it's alittle tight, take your hammer and tap all around the shaft and yoke close to where the caps go in and it sort of brings the joint to equilibrium in there so it's not stuck too far one way
You are someone who could benefit from a flat bed my friend. I've now had a flat bed on my last two Reg Cab 3500 work trucks and I haven't looked back!
How this man finds the time to constantly tinker on his equipment, execute landscaping contracts, record all this video footage and edit it is just beyond me. I don't think he sleeps at all😁
I have been very satisficed with my Aluminum Weatherguard tool box, however I think you would need a steel one. These boxes are well built and aren't just a hollow sheet metal skin like the tractor supply boxes.
I was a little curious why you never seem to get rid of equipment, but after seeing your stereo installation I get it. Nobody would appreciate the same care and concern you have for it.
If you scratch it right away, then you don't need to worry about not scratching it and being careful. It's really a productivity booster to just scratch it right away and get it over with.
Thats nothing to be proud of, I know people who would give their left nut to have a 400 dollar Kenwood stereo like that then he installs it with a 4 inch angle grinder and people cheer for it. I just dont understand that at all .I was just not raised that way and if my dad ever saw my truck even a work truck in that condition he would put his foot in my ass. That was probably a nice a 40,000-dollar Cummins-powered Diesel pickup at one time. Now it looks like a load of rocks was dumped on it and driven down every muddy road he could find and it was never washed or cleaned ever. I realize thats a harsh climate up there but dam blow that chiat out with a leaf blower once a month and hit it with a pressure washer every once in a while . If somebody in property maintenance drove up in a truck like that i would say to myself if he treats his own truck and his own equipment like that what is the property maintenance work going to look like that this company does for me?
The labor value alone that he put into this truck is worth more than the truck itself, yet, he still rolls around town in this thing. A truly humble man who probably has an insane net worth.
You know I'll enjoy watching him I just wish you would be on a little more but I understand that life is busy and he's probably got multiple projects going on but I'm glad to see him out working and showing us how things are done
I had a welding shop build me one 25 years ago in 3mm marine grade aluminium, lid was same thickness checkerboard. Stainless piano hinges and marine clasps. Had it on a truck for about 5 years and then it sat in the garage, sold it for more than i paid for it some years ago. It was 10 times better than the things i saw you use, support your local shops!
As impressive as all your skills are with all your truck repairs, along with the...uhmm... "professional" radio installation and other fixes, I legit can't get over how goofy and adorable your doggos are.
The black steel weatherguard toolboxes are good, but if your gonna have unsecured buckets and stuff smashing into it…probably not gonna be good enough! Nice job on the radio install…can tell you’ve done that before!
Finally a repairing video again. I'm worried Andrew is getting too much new equipment that just works, so there will be less videos that start with "fixing" or "repairing". 😅
Andrew, love your videos. I think perhaps you would benefit from seeing a U-Joint replaced by an old timer. Your method (especially needing a second U-joint because you "always ruin a cap") needs a tune up. It is best to always ensure both caps are lined up prior to applying any pressure to one of the caps. I watched and knew immediately that the cap was misaligned and you were going to have a problem. I am sure you have replaced many but, it really is an easy process if you follow the correct steps. And Andrew, the cutting torch? Really? You had Blast penetrating spray right next to you but didn't use it. Penetrating oil is your friend! And the "new inductor tool"? Little red sticker says "Read Manual" and Andrew calmly says "I don't think so"!
Reminds me of an apprentice of mine many years ago. Having shown him quite a few times how to replace universal joints on propshafts, he still managed to make a complete mess of it first time he was left on his own to do one.
@@joemilton7552 He broke a new joint bearing by not aligning the spider ( center cross piece ) correctly. The way I was taught to do it was to press first bearing into place with ' spder ' engaged, and press it further than needed. Then insert second bearing and when it is just started, position the spider so it engages both bearings. Then continue to press scond bearing into place, which will then also move first one back into its correct position, while making sure the spider remains located in both bearings. Repeat for second pair. Doing it this way prevents the chance of pushing the bearing rollers out of position as I suspect Andrew did.
U-joints are easy if done correctly. Two things that make it very simple is when you press them together do one cap at a time. then put a little bit of bearing grease inside the cap to hold the bearings in place push the U joint through the hole and then slip the Over the end so that the U joint is holding the bearings in place. Don’t flip it over it either tap the cap in with a hammer or use press just make sure it goes in straight. Then slip the huge joint halfway over to the other side and do the same with the other cab slip it through so that the usual rate is halfway in between the neither press or pound the In the place. I prefer to put a socket in behind the cap and tap it in a little bit further, just till it clears the edge of where the snap ring goes in. Good luck. I enjoy watching people doing things on their own instead of depending on everybody else to do things for them and you guys are doing awesome.
Another awesome video Andrew. Love the old Cub Cadet - we had one similar in 1970 that was a beast. Hope to see something on that soon. Keep up the great work from someone 1 hr north of you. Cheers
You do a great job at everything you do Andrew…..and you always learn from the things you do, and you share those things with everyone on RU-vid 👍🙂 You provide a lot of knowledge for others to learn from when you share your projects. In many areas you save a lot of folks hours of wasted time and money by demonstrating what to do and what not to do👍
