Time saving tricks?

Thinking a head about your next move on a project is a very important concept to grasp. This is probably not what you wnated to read, rather you wanted a specific trick like using a uni-bit instead of going through a drill bit index, but this will save your more time than any trick in the long run.

It happens to every one from time to time, we get too focused on the details and forget what's to come next and end up having to go back and rip work a part only to start over again. Visualize what you are going to do in a chronological order.

Plan your install. lay out your equipment in advance. I use a Wahl Cordless Soldering Iron instead of Butane It heats quicker and will not burn anything and it has a light on it to see into those dark places.

Why waste time witha pee cup I use a cathiter and a colostimy bag.  Delious..

I use time between installs to pre-wire for the next job.  Remote starts were selling like hotcakes this year.  I would prewire the units on the bench before the cars even showed up.  There is always several wires you wont need that can be tied out of the way or cut off.  Relays could be prewired to the system on the bench. Wires headed for the steering column seperated from the ones that head for the kickpanel etc.etc.  This goes for alarms as well.  Makes install look clean and saves getting yourself tied up under the dash!  If you have some relays presetup for specific options (second ign., trunk, rev.pol door locks.....) that saves a minute or two as well.

Another thing is have radio harnesses for the most popular headunits prewired to metra plugs for popular cars. A lot of models within the same brand will use the same plug, so you can interchange as needed.  you cant have all the bases covered, but it saves time when you have some pre-done.  I put the prewired units back on the stock shelf with a note on it as to what it is prewired for.  The sales guys use that as a sales tool as well for the cash and carry people.

If you build enclosures, Make patterns for the custom ones in the event you ever have to make another. You wont have to lay it out from scratch.