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A 'not' so funny install story,,,#@*#

I

idocpilk

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Mar 3, 2002
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:C: I just about had it. Subs boxes designed and built, subs installed and wired. Amp wired, speakers and all wiring replaced. HU installed in custom double din kit. Even installed soundstage tweets in the A Pillar. Had it all together and was going to a local guy to put the final inspection on my work and run the power to the HU (I didn't want to tap it myself). He couldn't get to it until tomorrow so I headed home. I look at my HU and realize the kit needed a couple of washer behind to it flush it with the dash cover. I think...20 minutes...I put it in L, pull the dash cover off and jump out to get the washers. (Anyone catch my error?). After picking up my washers from across the garage...I hear a strange noise....turn...look...Avalanche on the LOOOOSE!. Unfornately I left the drivers door open and CRUNCH...it takes a hit from the side of the garage. :C: :C: :C: :C:
At first glance it looked ok...then I tried to shut the door. The top corner the the door had been double over!!!!!!!!! First estimate = slightly over $400. I saved about $50 installing the HU myself....bad math. Now, if I can keep my wife from finding out until it gets fixed it will be a miracle. She's been saying...."why don't you have someone install it for you. How much could it cost?" Fortunately I got a buddy who owns a body shop...he takes care of my wifes car about every 18 months or so.
Maybe he can cover my tracks! Always you the Emergency Brake. :E: :E: :E: :E: :E: :E:
 
You could top that by trying to do the body work and paint yourself.
I thought things like that only happened to me. Usually about 3 or 4 AM, when I am really determined to finish a project.
 
Got to watch that leaving it in gear thing. My buddy had a '96 Silverado and did the same thing... Except his rolled across the driveway and down a 15ft embankment into a bunch of trees and a small stream. He thought he was lucky as it only did about $2,500 in damage.

I'll try to find some pics.
 
Ouch is right... you know the worst part? Is how much of a doofus you feel after doing it.... sorry, I'm guessing you already know that.

I know that wasn't funny... but I do feel your pain... quick get it fixed before she finds out.
 
I'm actually feeling better now. It's not so much dinging my 4500mile AV...its that I was trying to save a few bucks doing it myself. And the fact that it was something I didn't really need to do anyway. I don't mind paying for doing stupid stuff...I just hate paying when I'm trying to be responsible. I've been to the garage several times tonight to look...it's not getting better :6: Oh, well...hmmmm... my own body work....how hard could it be? A little hammerin', sandin', grindin', a can a paint from Pep Boys. I could have it done before my little woman gets up in the morning. Will post pics in the morning. ;)
 
You know what would make me feel better? A little Karma...come on, show me some love ;D
 
Kinda reminds me of the guy that decided to launch his vette :-[ :rolleyes:

Fortunately my mishaps have been minor (knock on wood) but I dinged my door frame the other day... :8: :8: couldn't look at it for an hour..... not too bad but enough to make my want to trade it in ;)
 
Idocpilk,
I sent you some + karma. Anyone with an AV boo boo deserves some. :love:
Traz
 
idocpilk said:
You know what would make me feel better? A little Karma...come on, show me some love ;D
Click to expand...

You got it. Sorry to hear about your runaway Av. I know the feeling. It's about a hundred times worse when you do it to yourself
 
Don't feel to bad man! I know a fellow who was installing his head unit and amps in a classic Camaro that had just be redone from head to toe. He went in to get some lunch and got a call from his neighbor down the street. The message was short......"John!!! You're shop's on fire!!!"
 
Ok...it was all a hoax to get some Karma...the door is fine...the door is fine...the door is fine. Wait..I'll be right back...............................................................d#*n...door is not fine...door is not fine.... :D:
 
DS said:
Don't feel to bad man! I know a fellow who was installing his head unit and amps in a classic Camaro that had just be redone from head to toe. He went in to get some lunch and got a call from his neighbor down the street. The message was short......"John!!! You're shop's on fire!!!"
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Tell me it wasn't the amp and Hu install that caused the fire....I may never sleep again.
Thanks for all the pity....for some reason the humor makes it kinda funny....still expensive....but funny.
 
Sadly, yeah, it was the amp/head install that caused the fire. Fuses people! Fuses....... :E:
 
Sadly, yeah, it was the amp/head install that caused the fire. Fuses people! Fuses
Click to expand...

Seen it! Had a neighbor ask to use my garage to install a new stereo and amp in his POS car. I am totally NOT kidding it was -17 degrees outside. I say "OK, if you want to. If you need anything just come inside and grab me." I was not going to watch him when it was that cold ouside.

Came out 2 hours later ask how its going. He stands up and says "Almost done; I almost didn't have enough wire, but I got it to reach the amp." He goes to close the driver's door and walk around the car when all of a sudden I see smoke coming out from under the hood. "Woha - your car is on FIRE!"

He had run wire direct from battery to the amp via RUST HOLES in the body (I said it was a POS) through the door hinge area. When he closed the door the wire was so tight it ripped off the insulation at the rust hole and melted about 12 feet of the insulation. Little plastic = LOT of smoke. I asked him if he needed wire or fuses or anything before he started. Oh well, lesson learned.
 
idocpilk said:
It's not so much dinging my 4500mile AV...its that I was trying to save a few bucks doing it myself. And the fact that it was something I didn't really need to do anyway. I don't mind paying for doing stupid stuff...I just hate paying when I'm trying to be responsible.
Click to expand...

Amen, brother. My last goof was putting my foot through the ceiling to install a vent fan - the 25 bucks I saved covered about half the taping and floating I paid to have done.
 
When I was a young lad, I attempted to revive my father's car's looks by buffing the paint. What I ended up with was a roof with basically no paint left. :cautious:

A few years later I had a car that had a windshield with water spots that would not come off. I ended up using a kitchen scrubber on the glass. What I ended up with was a windshield that needed replacement due to scratches. :E:

When I went to take off my Z-71 decals and apply the mountain ones, I used a level to make sure that the decals were been applied correctly. Like a dumbass I forgot that the driveway was not completely level. At least I figured out my mistake before it was too late! :2:
 
There is good news...the stereo was hooked up today...walaaaa>>>>IT WORKED! (y) It sounds great and everything worked first time around. That's never happened to one of my installs. I got it fused properly and I had the local audio shop double check all my wiring and I let them tap for power. After looking at what they had to do to get power...it was worth the $25. Peace of mind was worth something. I got a little fine tuning to do and once I get the AV back from the body shop I can forget the whole ugly episode. Wife still unaware...she tends to ignore me when my feet are sticking up out of the AV from some ridiculous position.
Thanks for all the 'stupid' stories...makes me feel somewhat....ummmm....normal ;).
 
This reminda me of 2 vehicles ago and a move from one place to another.....

I had isuzu trooper and the back full of stuff....I was backing up and could not see so I open driver door....I then looked out passenger door for a bit....and next thing ya know I kear CRUNCH.....then I cursed...as I bent the driver door backwards all the way forwards as I backed into a VAN....

a real HOMER DOH moment for me....

I feel your PAIN brother....

Good luck
 
Don't know if this will help ease the pain but others make wrong turns also.

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ok, my turn LOL.

This is not me but my oldest sister.

Back in 94 my father bought a brand new subburban. 2 weeks later my sister wanted to go somewhere, but dads truck was blocking her car, so she go the keys to move it out of the way. Well she didnt bother to move the seat forward (she is 5', dad is 5'8"). She backed it up, and moved it to the other side of the driveway well, when almost at the garage door she went to hit the breaks, but seeing as how she could barely reach the pedals, wrong pedal. WOT through the garage door and center post that holds up the roof. $2000 damage to the truck, my father and I fixed the garage with material we had on hand, and we found the left over paint to patch up our work.

The only good thing is, I had just left a half hour before this happened, and I park my car in that garage bay. Luckally I was not home, as I had just got my brand new 94 t-bird the month before.
 
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