A Boat in the Woodsvideo
Saving My Car from the Junkyard So I Can Save My Boat | No. 27
January 17, 2026 · 1h 0m · 131K views
Mechanic welds car chassis, sparks fly in garage
What this video covers
Joshua performs a comprehensive mechanical overhaul on a 2002 Toyota RAV4 to ensure reliable transportation while restoring a 20,000-pound wooden sailboat.▶ 0:22 Over two weeks in a shop, he replaces the front and rear subframes, the entire rear suspension, and the belt tensioner, which required lifting the engine six inches to access a single bolt.▶ 14:50 He harvests replacement components from a donor vehicle, including trailing arms and fuel injectors, while utilizing an induction heater, grinder, and sandblaster to manage extensive rust.▶ 3:07 When a mounting point for the trailing arm shears off due to corrosion, he fabricates a repair with the assistance of a friend.▶ 37:42 He also addresses a fuel tank pinhole with JB Weld, replaces the catalytic converter, and performs a full synthetic oil flush.▶ 19:02 The project concludes with a professional alignment, resolving steering issues and clearing engine codes.▶ 58:22 Using a donor vehicle and performing deep rust remediation can extend the life of an aging vehicle significantly compared to purchasing a replacement.
More from A Boat in the Woods
From A Boat in the Woods — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.