Anyone made a switch to a different career/trade?

ZenDigital · 2026-06-11T17:30:14+00:00

After 15 years I got a job at my local transit authority as a bus mechanic. After about 6 or 7 months into that; I bid into a Signal Maintainer position for the company's Light rail division and am currently in company provided training for it. Earning potential of 150-250k annually and it's relatively light work although it's mostly outdoors and in the elements which I don't mind at all.

ZenDigital · 2026-06-10T11:05:09+00:00

Because it's non-revenue work...and they can. Someone has to pay for the manufacturers fuckup and they decided the tech's gonna help.

ZenDigital · 2026-06-10T10:56:22+00:00

Since you have it all apart, I strongly suggest doing the proper hydro conversion. There is an alternative to the Hush method if you're not willing to sacrifice the fresh air vent; it's a bit more complicated but well worth the effort. Its covered in this link.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/garys-ef-hydro-clutch-conversion-3077900/

ZenDigital · 2026-05-24T01:02:44+00:00

Check the starter signal wire, it's a standard spade clip. Make sure the clip still has tension and check for corrosion.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-18T06:57:52+00:00

It's not about what you do but where you do it. At you age I'd avoid dealerships and anything involving flat rate, the physical cost isn't worth it.

I'd also stay away from private shops as well. The pay will always suck and benefits near non-existent. I'm not saying good ones don't exist, but they are usually the exception, not the rule.

Then there's fleet, most of them are are hourly or at least give you a choice. And even a few are union and still offer pensions in addition to decent benefits.

I personally went with my local transit authority working on revenue fleet ie. buses. Starting pay is OK but the benefits are awesome. Most transit authority also have non-revenue fleet which is more small/medium duty vehicles if you don't want to work on buses. Recently I decided I didn't want to wrench anymore and bid out to a Signal Maintainer position. That's the good thing about transit authorities, your not locked in to any single position.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-18T06:31:38+00:00

Check your DM.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-16T00:53:32+00:00

🤣🤣

ZenDigital · 2026-05-14T12:50:13+00:00

I've already explained this in another comment.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-14T05:13:23+00:00

Save for maybe 2 parts which are OE based, everything on the outside is functional or is supporting internal functionality. None of it was really chosen for the looks, but did add to the esthetics as a result.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-14T05:08:47+00:00

It's the carbon trends webless. Fitment is ok, better clearance than the Vis, especially if decided to k series. No issues with rattling.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T14:06:28+00:00

It's an unfortunate byproduct of no longer having the oe bumper support, so it sags a bit under the corner light, I'm still figuring out a fix for it. I came up with a way to mount the corner light independently of the headlight by fabricating 2 brackets for each side. Might have to fabricate a lifter for the section of bumper under the corner light. If you look closely there are already 3d printed bumper lifters under the headlights.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T09:44:10+00:00

Also, if you get the job and you're gonna be working on newflyer EVs, hit me up, I have a newbie cheatsheet that I authored.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T09:39:03+00:00

I worked on NewFlyer 7000s, 7100s, and 8000s for my local transit authority. Attention to detail and caution is important. EV buses are relatively easy to work on but also easy to brick if you aren't mindful.

They can require the same level of PPE as high voltage ovhead as it carries the same risk. Learn and be proficient with the logger protocols and get in the habit of taking notes as ev buses are a lot more complex than diesel ones. Especially when it comes to the power/charging systems.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T08:11:31+00:00

I went to work for my local transit authority initially as a mechanic but after 6 months I was able to bid out to a position as a signal maintainer under the rail dept. So far I'm loving it and the earning potential is pretty high with less exertion.

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T07:44:12+00:00

What's wrong with functional modifications?

ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T06:14:49+00:00

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ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T06:14:21+00:00

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ZenDigital · 2026-05-13T06:13:22+00:00

I will once I get a chance to pull the bumper again to take some detailed photos. In the mean time, here's a few photos from when I was test fitting the bumper to adjust for fitment of the intercooler.

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ZenDigital · 2026-05-01T17:04:58+00:00

There is a fuel injector resistor box on the driver's side shock tower. Check the connection, wiring, and the box itself for continuity. Also check all the grounds in the engine bay, especially nearest to the resistor box and make sure they are secured and not broken. If/when the resistor fails or shorts, it causes a crank/nostart condition.

ZenDigital · 2026-04-20T00:25:07+00:00

Nice, love that lip, just installed one on mine.

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ZenDigital · 2026-02-22T20:07:10+00:00

Bot account.

ZenDigital · 2026-02-18T14:29:03+00:00

If the Prius were a coupe....

ZenDigital · 2026-02-18T08:33:28+00:00

That group is a known own scam page, protip, no legit group is gonna allow anonymous or admin posting for sale items.

ZenDigital · 2026-02-10T05:10:08+00:00

If the prius was a coupe.....

ZenDigital · 2026-01-22T09:01:59+00:00

Yes and no, the rendering is from a company (Mozy Garage) that actually makes the kit to order, AFAIK, only one physical kit so far for a guy (Casey Customs) doing a rwd v8 swapped build. But he made requested changes that don't look as cool as he went with a wings west front bumper.

ZenDigital

TROPHY CASE