I was a construction mechanic, honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1993. I then got a job as a medium-duty truck tech at a local dealership, working mostly on GM/Isuzu diesel. I have been working for GM dealers for the past decade, and even worked for an Int'l dealer for a while, where I was introduced to the 444T (7.3 furd). I've been an ASE Master Tech since 1995. Well I am finally opening my own shop. If anyone needs any parts or any work done, please let me know. Programmers, exhaust, supertanks, nicktane, lifts, propane, the list goes on.... I've done work for some forum members and maybe they will chime in with some feedback! PM if you want to set something up, because I'm not at the shop to answer the phone, have to wait a bit to quit my day job!! Thanks !

Congratulations! :ro)

And knowing of your reputation, I think you'll have more business than you can stand. :D

Good luck socal....May your good reputation bring you plenty of business :)

Any thoughts to moving to central IL?:confused: :D

Good luck:)

Good luck so cal.... Give us a holler when you have the shop set up........

Forgot to name the shop, West Coast Diesel Performance. Sorry Ratlover, but the name just wont work in IL, thanks for the invite though!

Blinky, we're open for business on Saturday and Sunday by appt, but it looks like you're all hooked up already, based on your sig, lol. Maybe just time to accessorize or propane!!

If the CalIfornIa rain storms and mud slides keep up, the West Coast Diesel name will work great here in Phoenix .... and you would be more than welcome.

Thanks for all the help you have given the members on this board. Best of luck on the new venture and don't forget to carry Stanadyne!

Cool SoCal. Whats the location of your shop?

Lake Elsinore

Hickvilledieseltech or cornfeddieseltech has a nice ring to it IMO):h

So what made you decide to take the plunge?

I have thought about it many times..but GM contacts are hard to give up

My thoughts exactly!So what made you decide to take the plunge?

I have thought about it many times..but GM contacts are hard to give up

Congrats!!

Congrats and good luck.

I live in Corona.

At the end of the first quarter I will be installing a larger gas tank, electric steps, exhaust, new gears, locker, and possibly a trans upgrade.

Would you be able to get these items and install them? I am looking for a good shop.

socal,

It's always good to know where a reputable diesel shop is.... they are few and far between around these parts....

I'll be out of warranty soon...;)

Good luck!

Self employment is very hard!

Nice it will be close...I live in Corona.

Hey Radvans, where about do you live in Corona? My cross streets are Sarfas Club and Greenriver.

Congrats again Socal. Hope too see you soon!!!!

LATER!

Sound like you are going about this the right way, easing into it. Still, real scary - the very best of luck. You seem to be someone else we can refer others to in confidence. Lake Elsinore? When I am in Temecula in March, I'll try to look you up. Again, best of luck.

Radvans, I can absolutely get that handled for you, let me know details, you can PM if you like. Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I know it will be hard at first, but I think it will all pan out in the long run. I have quite a few jobs lined up as it is, so thats a good sign I guess. Give us a few months and we'll have a grand opening sort of deal when the shop is in full swing.

With a shop in Elsinore, I assume you live nearby. Not having to make the drive everyday to Garden Grove (Nicholas Chev) is worth a lot right away.

Congrats and Good Luck.

I know that self-employment is a tough battle. The first year is always the hardest. Just finished my first year and so far so good, for me. I know you will get lots of work and orders from this forum. Although I am across the country from you, I may have some orders that you may fill for me. Plus, anyone I know in your area will get the word on your work that you have provided to folks on this forum and be sure to stop by your shop. As my business is in communications, I know people in lots of places.

Again good luck and welcome to the world of self-employment.

Good luck to you, socal. Working on the vehics will be the easy part. It's the running of the business that can eat your lunch. Keep a good accountant on call and be honest to your clients.
Watch your debt. Buy used equip. when you can to keep the costs down. Yada yada yada.... I Hope you make a million.:ro)

Actually OCDmax, I live in Irvine, so I have a longer drive. But that orange crush can be a pain at times, at least I'll be going opposite of traffic now. Dmaxallitech and MaxPayne, I have been wanting to open a shop for a while, what better time than now. NCMIC, I appreciate anything thrown my way. (when thrown in a good way)

West Coast Diesel would work GREAT in Seattle ):h. Good luck and may your business be successful. I can tell you the tax advantages are great ;).

Congrats on the giant leap! Lake Elsinore? I'm in Moreno Valley(right behind Lake Perris), so it's not that far of a drive for me! Now I know where to find good quality parts along with awesome service(from what's been said:) ). How big of a shop did you get?, sq.ft? Any plans to include a dyno?):h

Ralph

Good luck. I joined the Navy reserve as a CM back in 93. It was great training at Port Hueneme.

052500HD, shop is about 5,000 sq.ft. plus showroom if I remember correctly. There are plans for a dyno, but not anytime soon! Rockin, I wanted to train in Hueneme, but I was sent to Gulfport, MS instead.

Congrats!!! when do you plan on getting a web site up for orders? Make sure you advertise on the d/p so we can all check out the goods.

Hey crawler. good looken chevy

Good luck to you....maybe you can help me with the propane in the future.

Clyde (Socaldieseltech) is not worth calling up unless you guys want some of the best quality work around with honest answers!:ro)

You won't go wrong having him take care of you.

TT

I'm from Hemet. (about a half hour from Elsinore) I've been thinking of getting some gauges and a trippin mount for the overhead console. Let me know when your up and running. Nice to have someone with your expertise close. Good Luck with your business!

Thanks TerrainTwister. Are you just buttering me up since your truck will be in this week? lol

):h ):h ):h ):h ):h Is it working?

If you are even remotely close to socaldieseltech and you have a problem or want to do some mods, definately take it to him. He helped me out at Nicholas with some warranty stuff after getting jerked around by another dealer. He also put my Nicktane in this weekend at his shop in Lake Elsinore. His place is only a couple blocks off the 15 in Lake Elsinore.

Its really tough to find someone who not only really knows their stuff but you can also trust and is a good person. I'm glad I found him especially since this is my first diesel.

Best of luck with the shop Clyde. I know word of mouth will bring you lots of business. I know I will be coming to you for all the stuff I want to do. Now all I need to do is find the money...

Oh, by the way, for you duners in socal, he's got a rail and goes to Glamis too!

Socaldieseltech is a master tech and I know first hand since he has serviced my truck.

I am glad that you decided to open your own shop. Like any business enteprize the beginning is tough but the rewards are really sweet $$$$$:ro)

Now the big question is, with all the $$$$$$ you are going to make, are you going to buy a Duramax??????

Just kidding....

Can you PM me your phone/address for the new shop??

CUL
Marco Polo