Fixing Fords Across America

[Tyleryac]

I came across this guy who is a former dealership mechanic and puts up repair videos on YouTube.

He is starting a project where he goes across America fixing Fords. I found this project very interesting and wanted to share...

YouTube Video

Fundraiser

 

[skyactiv]

Might sound good and all, but it seems like he wants people to fund the way he wants to work and live life. It seems like everything has to have a cause anymore.
Is he going to cherrypick who he helps i.e. people along Route 66 or along Skyline Drive in Virginia?

 

[97f150]

I was subscribed to him for a couple years while he was still working in a dealership. He has some very informative videos up about various Ford vehicles. About a year ago the dealership he worked for took issue with him filming and posting videos so they parted ways.

For a while he was undecided on whether to start his own shop (wish he would have) or do something different. This is the something different.

I quit following as much since he bought a Ram though.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: 97f150
I was subscribed to him for a couple years while he was still working in a dealership. He has some very informative videos up about various Ford vehicles. About a year ago the dealership he worked for took issue with him filming and posting videos so they parted ways.

For a while he was undecided on whether to start his own shop (wish he would have) or do something different. This is the something different.

I quit following as much since he bought a Ram though.


+1

A lot of automotive enthusiast YouTube channels have a nasty habit of going downhill, that eventually they lose the plot, and I unsub. (Looking at you ETCG)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?

 

[KGMtech]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


The exact details of what the dealer took exception to are unknown, however he was known to do videos from the seat of his car while on break. These front seat videos did have some negative comments about Ford designs and some Ford warranty claim processes.

He was biting the hand that fed him, he got what he wanted I guess.

 

[Tyleryac]

I honestly think that what he is doing is awesome.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


It's the whole attitude that the dealer thinks they "own you" and ergo your intellectual property.

Since the guy worked flat rate, I kinda take his side.

 

[Vikas]

Quote:
A lot of automotive enthusiast YouTube channels have a nasty habit of going downhill, that eventually they lose the plot, and I unsub. (Looking at you ETCG)
Yes, I understand but I sympathize with him. Now it is no longer his hobby but his livelihood. His channel puts food on the family table, will put his kids to school and pays his mortgage and pays salary of his assistant or two. I consider him to be a truly American success story. He also has learned to mark promotional videos as such too.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


It's the whole attitude that the dealer thinks they "own you" and ergo your intellectual property.

Since the guy worked flat rate, I kinda take his side.


I think it would be more along the lines that he worked for Ford and, while at the dealer, he would be bashing their products.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


It's the whole attitude that the dealer thinks they "own you" and ergo your intellectual property.

Since the guy worked flat rate, I kinda take his side.


I think it would be more along the lines that he worked for Ford and, while at the dealer, he would be bashing their products.

I guess he would be the one who really knows where Ford decided to save a few nickels and screw the long term owner. Now showing your face while letting everyone know is probably not going to go over well with most employers. I'm sure if he had a lawyer guide him on what he could say, he could've probably walked the line and then successfully sued for wrongful dismissal, but even that might've taken too deep pockets to win.

 

[The_Jeff]

He probably didn't care. Someone charismatic who can garner a following doesn't need a dealer franchisee to bring in work anyway.

Look at the "rock star syndrome" where someone appears, to us, to throw it all away. Jesse James cheating on Sandra Bullock. Clarkson punching a guy and leaving Top Gear. Etc.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


It's the whole attitude that the dealer thinks they "own you" and ergo your intellectual property.

Since the guy worked flat rate, I kinda take his side.


I think it would be more along the lines that he worked for Ford and, while at the dealer, he would be bashing their products.


Brian wasn't bashing Ford products but he was honest about shortcomings which isn't a "bad" thing all consumers realize that there are compromises faults with any product so it isn't like the consumer is learning something they don't already know.

I've worked for a number of dealerships and can tell you that the
management treats many of the best hardest working and most beneficial to the customers the worst while the lazy and incompetent often get free passes, of course it is true that the reason for that is nepotism much of the time as these stores are disgusting with their habit of giving jobs to friends and family that are in no way qualified for it. When that Illinois Ford dealer let Brian go they lost a FANTASTIC ambassador for both the store, and Ford as well.
Customers appreciate businesses that are upfront and honest, and yet again a dealer blew it with their choice.

As for guys like EricTheCarGuy, FordTechMakuloco, and ScottyKilmer...they are provide a lot of valuable help to
consumers and while sometimes they might stray a bit from their best efforts on occasion, they generally want to help people, and of course hope they can make a reasonable living at the same time, not a bad way to go.

 

[97f150]

Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
He doesn't work at the dealer? Did he get fired for warning people to not buy Ford products?


It's the whole attitude that the dealer thinks they "own you" and ergo your intellectual property.

Since the guy worked flat rate, I kinda take his side.


I think it would be more along the lines that he worked for Ford and, while at the dealer, he would be bashing their products.



Brian wasn't bashing Ford products but he was honest about shortcomings which isn't a "bad" thing all consumers realize that there are compromises faults with any product so it isn't like the consumer is learning something they don't already know.

I've worked for a number of dealerships and can tell you that the
management treats many of the best hardest working and most beneficial to the customers the worst while the lazy and incompetent often get free passes, of course it is true that the reason for that is nepotism much of the time as these stores are disgusting with their habit of giving jobs to friends and family that are in no way qualified for it. When that Illinois Ford dealer let Brian go they lost a FANTASTIC ambassador for both the store, and Ford as well.
Customers appreciate businesses that are upfront and honest, and yet again a dealer blew it with their choice.

As for guys like EricTheCarGuy, FordTechMakuloco, and ScottyKilmer...they are provide a lot of valuable help to
consumers and while sometimes they might stray a bit from their best efforts on occasion, they generally want to help people, and of course hope they can make a reasonable living at the same time, not a bad way to go.


I agree 100%. I wouldnt describe what he did as "bashing", he just pointed out little known design flaws as well as methods to fix them. Information meant to help the consumer and DIYer. Through private messaging he even helped me with a problem I had with my 2012 F-150 that resulted in an engine replacement. Had he not took the time to answer a PM from someone across the country that he has no obligations to, the dealer would still be telling me that the noise I was hearing was normal, only for the engine to fail later out of warranty.

I still do follow his channel, just not as closely as the content no longer holds my interest.

 

[Clevy]

So the guy is a ford mechanic but bought a dodge?
That alone tells me all I need to know. If it's a hemi that tells me even more.

I remember seeing a few of his vids. I completely understand why he got fired. He was talking smack about ford corporate AND exposing lots of fords little secrets and short comings.
Yes he told the truth which in itself will help some people along the way,however him helping those people actually burns corporate. Not that it hurts my feelings whatsoever when a mega corporation has to stand behind their product and his voice helped people not get wrongly invoiced when ford should be covering the bill.
All I'm saying is that I'm not surprised. That's all.
To be honest this sounds like a really cool gig. To heck with the dealership job. He's going on an adventure. A paid one at that.
He'll meet new and interesting people,make friends all over the country and net 15 minutes of fame from the deal to.
Good on him for finding a revenue stream where one didn't exist before.
Hopefully it won't be any of this semi scripted reality TV type programming. Just focus on the cars.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: 97f150


I quit following as much since he bought a Ram though.


Now that's funny. I'm sure FCA would pay him to put a decal on that Ram for Fixin Fords!

 

[oliveoil]

Very cool idea and what an effort he's putting into it. [censored] he quit the dealership or was fired,(who cares) my guess,.....telling customers what repaires are necessary and what are not, and now he's trying to be a Good Samaritan. Who cares why truck he drives! He knows fords and those are the cars he's going to fix for free. What is not to like a about that? Maybe it's not a money maker but he's making a difference in this world. We should all try to do similar things in our own way. An he's a vet!!!!! Let's give him a helping hand.

 

[97f150]

I mentioned him buying the Ram in jest. He actually made a video when he bought it and basically his main reasoning behind it was the Eco diesel. He stated that he always wanted a diesel truck but couldn't justify a 3/4 ton Ford, and Ram offered the Eco diesel in a half ton.

 

[PFP]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
So the guy is a ford mechanic but bought a dodge?
That alone tells me all I need to know. If it's a hemi that tells me even more.

I remember seeing a few of his vids. I completely understand why he got fired. He was talking smack about ford corporate AND exposing lots of fords little secrets and short comings.
Yes he told the truth which in itself will help some people along the way,however him helping those people actually burns corporate. Not that it hurts my feelings whatsoever when a mega corporation has to stand behind their product and his voice helped people not get wrongly invoiced when ford should be covering the bill.
All I'm saying is that I'm not surprised. That's all.
To be honest this sounds like a really cool gig. To heck with the dealership job. He's going on an adventure. A paid one at that.
He'll meet new and interesting people,make friends all over the country and net 15 minutes of fame from the deal to.
Good on him for finding a revenue stream where one didn't exist before.
Hopefully it won't be any of this semi scripted reality TV type programming. Just focus on the cars.


Can you post some examples of "talking smack". Because I think I have watched most of his videos and never saw this, at all. He merely pointed out common problems and in many cases made the effort to say that Ford was fixing the problem under warranty. For example, the (very common) driveshaft slip yoke clunk in 2010-14 F150s - he shows his own truck and speaks of how much he likes it and how Ford is replacing his driveshaft under warranty, to fix the clunk. He then explains the cause and solution. Hardly smack or trash talking. It's on YouTube.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

The thing that gives me great satisfaction in the case of
Brian is that MANY folks who watch his channel probably went to that dealership exactly because he worked there, and once they canned him those customers proceeded to ask what happened and how Brian was an upstanding guy, you know that must make the store principal and manglement steam because those folks will probably no longer go to that dealer for ANYthing at all. Serves them right for making such a bonehead move.