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Where Bad Ideas Become Great Memories

Car reviews, project builds, DIY repairs, and the occasional terrible decision — all documented so you don't have to make the same mistakes. Usually.

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∞ Ideas, $0 Budget
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Every car that's passed through the garage — the ones we finished, the ones we regret, and the ones still in progress.

1998 Mercedes C43 AMG Ute with E55 V8 Swap Featured Build Active

Current Project

The C55 AMG Ute Mercedes Forgot to Build

1998 C43 AMG • E55 V8 Swap • Ute Conversion • Gambler 500 Veteran

We cut the back off a C43 AMG, swapped in a 5.4L E55 V8, and turned it into the Ute Mercedes never made. 1 of 1 — and that's probably less stress for everyone else.

Vehicle 1998 C43 AMG
Engine M113 E55 V8
Body Ute Conversion
Production Run 1 of 1
All Builds
1981 Subaru GL Hatchback

1981 Subaru GL Hatchback

Comma.ai on a 2017 Mazda 3

Comma.ai on a 2017 Mazda 3

The $800 Supercharged Nissan Frontier

The $800 Supercharged Nissan Frontier

1998 C43 AMG Ute

1998 C43 AMG Ute

1990 Subaru Justy / Mazda Miata Body Swap

1990 Subaru Justy / Mazda Miata Body Swap

1996 Chevy Beretta Z26

1996 Chevy Beretta Z26

2003 Honda Pilot w/Broken Timing Belt

2003 Honda Pilot w/Broken Timing Belt

1986 Chevy Diesel Wildland Brush Rig

1986 Chevy Diesel Wildland Brush Rig

1982 Porsche 924

1982 Porsche 924

2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible GT

2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible GT

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? Join our FINAL leg from OKC to Albuquerque to see (Segment 3)

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? Join our FINAL leg from OKC to Albuquerque to see (Segment 3)

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? We drive St. Louis to OKC find out (Segment 2)

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? We drive St. Louis to OKC find out (Segment 2)

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? We drive Chicago to St. Louis to find out! (Segment 1)

EPIC FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Why is Route 66 so popular? We drive Chicago to St. Louis to find out! (Segment 1)

2002 Lexus IS300

2002 Lexus IS300

2006 Range Rover Sport HSE

2006 Range Rover Sport HSE

2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG

2006 Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI Diesel

2006 Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI Diesel

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@openroad4wd_official sent me this awning for free. I guess my “tired dad with a stepladder” vibe was the creator feel they were looking for. I’m doing my best over here. So far, my best has gotten it onto the roof. Part 1 of the Infiniti QX56 awning saga. Now for the part where I actually mount it. Because as always, this is a a process. #theBadIdeasGarage #infiniti #Overlanding #offroad
I guess I’m an overlander now 🤪 #overlanding #awning #diy #shorts
Dale’s $2,000 auction Tesla adventure continues! He managed to get the car moving again, but that was only a temporary victory. Now Dale has to get into the battery pack to figure out what’s actually going on. He has to use a glorified can opener.  This is going to be delightful. 😂 What could possibly go wrong? #Tesla #CarAuction #ProjectCar #EVRepair #thebadideasgarage
Dale’s $2,000 Tesla Needs Its Battery Opened. Justtttt Delightful 😂 #diy #tesla #shorts
We’re installing an EVDANCE charger in the garage and Dale’s $2,000 auction Tesla is just reason we needed an upgrade. We remove the old charging setup, prepare the mounting location, install the new charger, and test it on Dale’s cheap, cheap Tesla. Along the way, we sort out a charging setting, discover that yes, this will charge an old Chevy Volt as well, and explore the EVDANCE app. By the way, should keep the manual that comes with it. This this video, we feature a cheap Tesla, a better charger, and our usual garage workmanship. Can't wait for the electricians to pop in to tell us everything we did wrong. Save 25% with code 25Dale at checkout. Shop EVDANCE: https://www.evdances.com/collections/portable-ev-chargers?utm_source=YTB&utm_medium=+Bad+Ideas+Garage Disclosure: EVDANCE provided the charger featured in this video for free and asked us to make a video about it. Disclaimer: This video documents our garage installation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult a qualified electrician for your setup. CHAPTERS 00:00 Dale’s Tesla has graduated from being a brick 00:10 Upgrading the garage charger 00:32 Installation plan and removing the old setup 02:23 Preparing the mounting location 03:17 Mounting the EVDANCE charger 04:22 Connecting the charger 05:27 Powering up 06:14 Cable routing and connecting the Tesla 07:00 Charging test and adjusting the car’s setting 08:05 Another car joins the charging queue 08:48 App controls and the manual PIN 09:36 Final thoughts and thanks to EVDANCE Subscribe to Bad Ideas Garage for more questionable purchases and the projects that follow. #EVDANCE #EVCharger #DIY #Tesla #TheBadIdeasGarage
Installing an EVDANCE Charger for Dale’s $2,000 Tesla
More discoveries on Dale’s $2,000 auction Tesla! No third row, but apparently it’s still Supercharger-enabled. Which would be fantastic news if we could actually get the thing moving. So far, it’s traveled m five feet. 😂 Baby steps. #Tesla #CarAuction #ProjectCar #EVRepair #thebadideasgarage
Our $2000 Tesla has moved exactly 5 feet 🤣 Otherise, it’s not bad! #dig #tesla #shorts
Pretty sure this is a Jaguar XF Sportbrake that I keep seeing it around town. Then again, if you’ve seen my other Jag posts, I probably don’t know what I’m talking about😬🤪 These are apparently pretty rare. And of course, we don’t get the best. European wagons here anyways.  Would you drive this? 👀 #Jaguar #jaguarxf #wagon #spotted #shorts
Jaguar XF Sportbrake Wagon Spotted in the Wild 👀 #jaguar #spotted #shorts
Part 2 of Dale’s $2,000 auction Tesla. Honestly, the interior isn’t nearly as bad as we expected. The screen has a little damage, the typical “drip”, but that looks like an easy fix. Then we noticed the soundtrack that was playing. Dale swears it wasn’t him. 😂 Apparently the previous owner was an 85-year-old pharmacist, which somehow raises more questions than it answers. #Tesla #CarAuction #ProjectCar #CarHumor #thebadideasgarage
The $2000 Tesla came with a nice interior and a weird soundtrack 🤣 #auctioncars #tesla #shorts
Dale (Bad Ideas Garage OG) bought a $2,000 Tesla at auction and immediately discovered one small problem: It wouldn’t move. 😂 After dragging it where we needed it, Dale hooked up Tesla Toolbox and managed to reset it enough to get the car moving again. Victory? Temporarily. Now he has to figure out what’s actually causing the fault and make the repair permanent. I have a feeling the lift will be involved. #Tesla #CarAuction #ProjectCar #EVRepair #thebadideasgarage
Dale bought a $2,000 Auction Tesla That Had One Small Problem #carauction #tesla #diy #shorts
iDoing BMW X5 CarPlay upgrade — iDoing provided the screen for this review. I may earn a commission from purchases through my link: https://www.idoingstereo.com/?code=7QJkVWaeV I bought an older BMW to save money. Naturally, the dashboard ended up in pieces. In this video, I install and review an iDoing Android touchscreen in my BMW X5 E70, adding wireless Apple CarPlay while keeping access to the original BMW interface. This is the actual installation: removing the factory screen and trim, transferring the fiber-optic connector, routing the AUX and USB cables, mounting the screen, and sorting out a loose CAN-bus connection along the way. Then I walk through startup, phone connection, the original iDrive controls, and the settings for the factory reverse camera. Does the backup camera still work? Does the screen return to CarPlay afterward? I show both. I also show the tradeoff: getting to some factory settings takes extra menu steps. Bigger screen, modern phone integration, still an old BMW. Skip to 23:50 for the installed result and review, or 33:27 for the reverse-camera demonstration. Before ordering, confirm the correct unit for your specific vehicle and original BMW system with iDoing. This video shows my installation, not a guarantee that every X5 uses the same hardware or settings. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why my BMW X5 needed CarPlay 01:13 Unboxing the iDoing screen 03:05 The original dashboard setup 04:31 Removing the dash trim and factory screen 08:10 Removing the factory radio 09:35 Transferring the fiber-optic connector 13:00 AUX cable and center-console disassembly 17:30 Routing the AUX and USB cables 19:55 Screen bracket, connections and microphone 21:28 First power-on 22:08 Fixing the CAN-bus connection 23:50 Finished fit and finish 24:28 Startup and wireless CarPlay connection 27:24 Using the original iDrive controls 27:48 Setting up the factory reverse camera 30:44 Original BMW menus and the main tradeoff 32:12 Is the upgrade worth it? 33:27 Reverse camera test and returning to CarPlay 34:06 Other apps and features 35:48 Final thoughts MORE CAR-TECH REVIEWS FitcamX Dash Cam Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Upgrade https://youtu.be/qJwBQm6kTM0 The Bad Ideas Garage: questionable automotive decisions, DIY repairs, and the occasional upgrade that actually makes sense. #BMW #BMWX5 #carupgrade #iDoing #thebadideasgarage
iDoing BMW X5 E70 Review: CarPlay Upgrade + Installation
I went to look at my friend’s Mini Cooper and immediately found…choices. Mystery wiring in the trunk, questionable stuff under the hood, and wires living suspiciously close to things that get very hot. “This looks fine.” It did not make me feel fine. 😂 #MiniCooper #ProjectCar #CarProblems #CarHumor #thebadideasgarage
My Friend’s Mini Cooper Gave Me Trust Issues 😂 #minicooper #trustissues #shorts
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Car Reviews

We drive them, break them down, and tell you what the press release left out. 14 reviews and counting.

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2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Dec 26, 2024

The Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid is the 4th Best Selling EV in America. And, the most sold PHEV overall in 2023. Even...

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Nov 26, 2024

The Ultimate Rental Upgrade: 2023 Mustang Mach-E GT: This. Why? It is the fastest vehicle I've ever driven, going from...

Tools & Gear We Actually Use

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Every product below has earned a spot in our driveway. No paid placements — just the stuff that's survived our builds.

Sofirn Flashlights 10% Off

Lighting

Sofirn Flashlights

The SK30 lives in our toolbox. Rechargeable, stupid-bright, and tough enough to survive being dropped on concrete. Use code STEPHENHODGES for 10% off.

Sofirn Direct Shop Now

iDoing Android touchscreen installed in a BMW X5 E70
CarPlay Upgrade

BMW X5 Car Tech

iDoing BMW X5 CarPlay Upgrade

iDoing provided the screen for this review. We installed it in a BMW X5 E70 for wireless Apple CarPlay, a bigger display, and continued access to the original BMW interface.

iDoing Stereo
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FitcamX Dash Cam 8% Off

Dash Cam

FitcamX Dash Cam

We reviewed it — the good, the bad, and whether it’s worth the upgrade. Use our link for 8% off.

Fitcamx.com Shop Now
Coverado Seat Covers 10% Off

Interior & Protection

Coverado Seat Covers

Custom-fit seat covers that actually look good. We've used these in the garage fleet. Use code STEPHENHODGES for 10% off.

Coverado.com Shop Now
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