Follow the Explorers

My Mechanics

On this page I want to thank all the mechanics who helped me to get back on the road with my numerous car breakdowns:

2009

• Jake and Jamie from Pioneer Auto in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
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  Pioneer Auto, Sergeant Bluff, IA
  
  Jake, Pioneer Auto, Sergeant Bluff, IA
  
  Jamie, Pioneer Auto, Sergeant Bluff, IA
  
  88 S10 Blazer, Pioneer Auto, Sergeant Bluff, IA
  In 2009, just two days after I have left Pittsburgh, the wiper and blower gave both in while driving in heavy rain. Jake and Jamie dropped everything in their garage to help me out and get me back on the road in an incredible short amount of time! Thank you so much for your help! If you need a mechanic in Sioux City area, I can highly recommend these guys at 101 Gaul Drive!
• Owner Greg from All Points Automotive (APA) in Mitchell, South Dakota
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  Greg from All Points Automotive in Mitchell, SD
  
  Greg from APA in Mitchell, South Dakota
  In 2009 it happened: I needed a tow for the first time! A bearing at the driving belt got stuck. My spare driving belt wasn’t very useful here. Greg helped my fast and very competent to get back on the road with just a minimum of delay. Great service, Greg, and keep up the good work! All the best to you and your family! If you need a mechanic in Mitchell area, APA at 601 S. Burr St. is the place to go! And be sure to say hello from this German guy with his white S10.

2007

• Jason, Jeremy, Steve and owner Jim from OK4WD in Stewartsville, New Jersey
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  Jason, Jeremy, Steve, Jim, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ
  
  Lift Kit Installation Finished, OK4WD, Stewartsville, NJ
  In 2007 the time was right: My little S10 should receive a lift kit. OK4WD in Stewartsville, New Jersey, was willing to do the whole installation work and a couple of additional repair work within the very tough time schedule of 3 days. Thanks again to all the guys for this great job!
  Read more at 88 Chevy S10 BDS Lift Kit Installation
• Kyle and owner David from Wheatco Sales & Service in Wheatland, Wyoming
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  David, Kyle, Wheatco Sales & Service, Wheatland, WY
  
  David, Kyle, Wheatco Sales & Service, Wheatland, WY
  After 6000 miles on the road in 2007 my right rear axle seal gave in. David squeezed me into his full schedule and after 2 hours I was able to hit the road! Thanks again for the great work! If you need a mechanic in this area, he is the best place to go! Read more about this in my Robert Stuart Trail Day 30.

2006

• Darrel from the Autocare Specialists in Omaha, Nebraska
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  Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE
  
  Darrel, Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE
  
  Darrel, Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE
  Just after I set off in 2006, my back differential started leaking awfully. Darrel took immediate care of the problem and within 2 hours I was back on the road again. Thank you for the quick help! Read more about this in my Wilson Price Hunt Trail day 10
• Precision Automotive in Boise, Idaho
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  Precision Automotive, Boise, ID
  When I arrived in 2006 at Dodie with my broken transfer case, she called around for more than an hour to find a dealer or a shop who could help me out. Eventually she was able to make an appointment for me at Economy Transmission and charged me nothing for all the work! At least I stopped by for an oil change on my way back and had the chance to receive one of the best services I have ever seen on the road. If you are looking for a mechanic in the Boise, Idaho area, Precision Automotive at 7300W Victory Road is the place to go — but be sure to say hello to Dodie from the German guy with his white S10! Read more about this in my Wilson Price Hunt Trail day 25
• Economy Transmission in Boise, Idaho
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  Economy Transmission, Boise, ID
  In 2006 I run into big trouble with my transfer case. The whole unit had to be torn apart und rebuild. Dan squeezed me into his schedule and Keith (doing the rebuild) was able to get me back on the road the very next day! And a couple of over tighten screws from my skid plates have also been replaced — perfect job! Read more about this in my Wilson Price Hunt Trail day 26

2005

• (from upper left) Ken, Josh, Randy, Sue, Earl and dog Ellie from A1 Quality Transmission in Miles City
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  A1 Quality Transmissions, Miles City, MT
  
  Ken, Josh, Randy, Sue, Earl and dog Ellie
  When in 2005 the sun gear shell broke in my transmission which took out reverse, second and overdrive, they tried everything to get me back on the road with a new transmission. But unfortunately all transmissions of my type where sold out, so I had to spend an extra day in Miles City. But when they put in the new transmission, they missed a little piece of paper on the upper transmission line outlet which caused a small leak. But the partner in Billings, where Randy made an appointment for me, was able to fix the problem. They also replaced the hose connections with steel ones. Read more about this in my John Colter Trail day 17, day 18 and day 19.
• Rob from the Conoco gas station in Cody, Wyoming
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  Rob, Conoco, Cody, WY
  He tried to help me in 2005 with my leaking transmission. But the replacement of the transmission cooler lines didn’t solve the problem, as the paper was still well hidden stuck at the fitting — read more about this in my John Colter Trail day 21.
• Adnan from the Shell gas station in Dearborn Heights, Detroit
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  Adnan, Shell Gas Station, Dearborn Heights, MI
  
  Adnan with broken water pump
  When my water pump broke 2005 in Detroit, he squeezed me in his overfilled schedule and was able to get me on the road by noon. He also discovered a crack on my driving belt, which he also replaced — that is real service! Thanks to my good friend Matt, who made the appointment for me and to Ad, who really helped me out this fast — read more about this in my John Colter Trail day 38. Adnan has moved out of the gas station in the meantime and runs a dedicated repair business named Tel Ford Service at 6570 N. Telegraph, Dearborn Heights.

2004

• Pangie and Roger from the Sinclair gas station in Downtown Dodge City
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  Pangie and Roger, Sinclair Gas Station, Downtown Dodge City, KS
  On Labor Day 2004 they helped me, when my rear wheel cylinder has blown and half of my brake fluid was lost. When you come through Dodge City be sure to enjoy one of the last full service gas stations — and say hello from the German guy with his S10! Read more about this in my Zebulon Montgomery Pike Trail along the Arkansas day 23.

2002

• VP Auto Service & Repair in Davenport, Iowa
• They helped me in 2002, when the guys at the oil change station discovered, that someone has over tighten the oil screw at the last oil change and they didn’t want to risk to open it. The mechanics at VP Auto Service & Repair helped me out this evening and got it fixed! They even gave me the discount they had this week for the oil change, even though they knew I am not from this area and I will probably not show up again soon — this is customer service! Read more about this in my Zebulon Montgomery Pike Trail along the Mississippi day 17.

2001

• Willard's Garage in Billings, Montana
• They helped me in 2001, when my 4WD always kicked in from itself. I just stepped in and they got it fixed! Read more about this in my Lewis & Clark Trail back day 33.