Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT My New Garage

[sswiss3000]

After years of having to rely on random mechanics, I decided that too many of them are incompetent or simply did not care about their work.

So that I can do my own work from now on, I decided to build a new garage. It is still a work in process, but let me know what you think and if you have any good suggestions:

 

[sswiss3000]

and what's a new garage without a good set up to work on cars. So I decided to install a Dannmar MaxJax car lift. Best Decision ever

 

[sswiss3000]

While there is still plenty of work to be done, here is a picture of what it now looks like.

 

[A_Pmech]

Welcome! That looks like a nice space shaping up!

How did the masons do the lintel.

 

[sswiss3000]

Welcome! That looks like a nice space shaping up!

How did the masons do the lintel.

They put in 2 thick "L" shaped Irons.

 

[dubber]

Very Nice set-up. Looks great so far and thumps up for the purpose of the garage.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Major props to you for taking the bull by the horns and getting your own shop so you can fix your vehicles!

Really nice setup, I am impressed!!!

Many of us use photobucket so that our pictures show up full sized...

http://s1383.photobucket.com/

 

[sswiss3000]

Major props to you for taking the bull by the horns and getting your own shop so you can fix your vehicles!

Really nice setup, I am impressed!!!

Many of us use photobucket so that our pictures show up full sized...

http://s1383.photobucket.com/

ahh, good tip, will change them as soon as I have some time. Thanks

 

[sean Buick 76]

ahh, good tip, will change them as soon as I have some time. Thanks

No need to change the pics, just keep it in mind when you have new pics to add... It just makes the thread a lot more enjoyable to go through without having to click on each pic...

 

[zzflattop]

That's a beautiful garage man! In the next couple of years when I retire, I will focus on something like that.

 

[taumac]

Sweet set up

Have a good one, Gerard

 

[bonecrrusher]

Nice ZL1!

You will love the MaxJax - I love mine!

 

[MarioR34]

Nice garaga , thumbs up

 

[sswiss3000]

Nice ZL1!

You will love the MaxJax - I love mine!

bonecrusher,

I wouldn't give the maxjax back for anything. Working on my cars is so much easier that way. I already gave my 99 Deville a complete make over:

- New Alternator
- New Serpentine Belt
- New Rear Knuckle Bushings (all 4)
- all Hub Assemblies
- Replaced broken CV axle
- Replaced both inner & outer tie rods
- Replaced Fuel Level Sensor
- New Rear Sway bar links
- New Engine Torque Struts

Those jobs alone already paid for the maxjax by them self, compared to having the dealer do it.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Any plans to add more lighting? I know I need more in mine...

 

[madmanmerc]

looks good!

 

[sswiss3000]

Any plans to add more lighting? I know I need more in mine...

Yeah, I have two more lights to hang in the front and I am trying to find a good solution to light the under side of the car when it is on the lift. Not sure how to do that yet.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Yeah, I have two more lights to hang in the front and I am trying to find a good solution to light the under side of the car when it is on the lift. Not sure how to do that yet.

My plan (for my future lift) is to use two T-6 lights on an adjustable angled cart setup with a dimmer switch... Then I can roll it around under the car and angle it as needed. I am looking into GFI and other safety precautions but the idea looks promising...

 

[Hugo L.]

Moar pics plz!

 

[Tejas TJ]

What is the size of the garage?

 

[sswiss3000]

What is the size of the garage?

I made the garage 24' deep and 21' wide so that I can have a small bench in front of the cars

 

[mauris69]

keep posting pics, really enjoying your progress

 

[sswiss3000]

keep posting pics, really enjoying your progress

Too cold at the moment to continue working on it

 

[sswiss3000]

So I figured it was time to write a short update on my Garage. While I haven't had the chance to invest much more into the garage, I did do a lot of actual work in it.

Here is a short summary of my first project. A complete mechanical rebuild of my 1978 Buick Electra Limited. I replaced the entire rear and front suspension and sandblasted the entire under body to be repainted with frame paint. Below are a few before and after pictures

 

[sswiss3000]

The next project was to fix up my winter Car, the 99 Deville. At Almost 150,000 miles it was in need of some love and care. As well as some containment of the rust. I had to replace most brake lines, all Shocks and struts and some smaller miscellaneous parts that rusted away over the many harsh Chicago winters.

 

[bj383ss]

Man that was a lot of work. The undercarriage of the Buick looks very familiar to me. Did you remove the front inner fenders? I know how much work that was cause I cleaned and painted the underside of my Caprice laying on my back in the driveway when I was 18.

Bret

 

[sswiss3000]

Man that was a lot of work. The undercarriage of the Buick looks very familiar to me. Did you remove the front inner fenders? I know how much work that was cause I cleaned and painted the underside of my Caprice laying on my back in the driveway when I was 18.

Bret

Bret,

I can't imagine doing that all on my back on the floor I have done absolutely everything under the car, including valve covers, entire engine block, exhaust,... At some point my garage looked like i owned two Buicks The only thing i was not yet able to find is new Body Mounts. Seems I am the only crazy person restoring a 78 Buick Electra.

The next step will be the body work and paint job. After that the interior gets re-done and at the end the chrome work.

I decided to re-do the entire under-body and suspension as I was able to get a lot of factory parts for relatively cheap. The rest is just custom work and can be done for about the same price, even in 10 or 15 years

 

[sswiss3000]

Several Years later,...

After many years and my entire family now making me fix their cars, I learned a few lessons that i thought could be helpful for the next guy building his garage:

1. Bigger is better. If you can make the garage bigger, make it so. you can always get some more toys or tools to fill the space

2. Cars do in fact also brake in the winter. Insulate your garage. After the first time you can't feel your fingers anymore because you have been working on your car at -20F, you will wish you would have done it from the beginning. (Below are pictures of me doing the insulation right now)

3. Buy an Insulated garage door even if you don't insulate your garage right now. you will someday.

4. install a 220V outlet and plenty of available Amps. you might not need it now, but someday you will want a welder, heater, more lights,....

In the last 8 years I have now had my garage I easily paid it off with car and yard equipment repairs. not counting the cost of all the beers and whiskeys.

 

[sswiss3000]

Since Advance Auto closed 700 stores recently, I decided to go buy as many car parts as I could for all of my family's cars. At the end all that was left was a bunch of peg board walls. I think they were a perfect addition for my Garge especially for $150