Let's talk v8 buggies and dreams....

[Curtis_H]

10 years ago my whole build started because I had a random scout 2 frame, dodge 5.2, trans and tcase, and an old Cj hanging around. I didn’t have much money at the time so decided I’d try to build a rig with what I had laying around. I was successful but was never fully happy with it. Over the years I have pretty much redid everything from drive train to suspension. Only thing that remains from the original build is the scout frame and Cj body. I say all this because in the end it cost me twice as much building it twice. If I’d just waited and done it right the first time I’d been way ahead. But it was fun and made a lot of memories with friends building it over the years.

Also agree with every one else that buying one done is about 1/2 price of building one.

 

[77GreenMachine]

I don’t have the time/tools/space/patience to build one. I enjoy working on them and helping friends work on theirs. But I can’t stand not going wheeling for more than 2 months. If I don’t go wheeling for 2 months my wife says “you need to take the Jeep and go somewhere” it is my outlet for sure. I understand some love building, that’s great but that ain’t me.

Therefore, I came up with a budget and found a fantastic deal. My rig has near $30k in it, maybe more and I paid less than half of that and went straight to The Ranch and wheeled it.

I will say you have to decide if it’s worth it. Are you gonna have more time for 3-4 days weekends in a few years? Or you still going to Harlan once a year with a day trip to gulches sprinkled in between. If the latter, I say don’t do it.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

After this past weekend, I've been debating buying a 4 door JK so the family fits better, completely redoing the suspension on the jeep, or getting a SXS. I pretty much decided that the only logical thing is to (abandon the hobby altogether, but the next is to) redo the TJ. I am dead set on something I can drive around, and at the end of the day, I dont want to spend any more than I have to. A lot of the reason for these thoughts echos what Ron said.

I thought thats why you went to the axles you did this last time around? Is the 4500 the issue?

 

[jeepinmatt]

I thought thats why you went to the axles you did this last time around? Is the 4500 the issue?

Current issue is suspension. Same arms since 2003. Springs are shot. Shocks aren't valved right.

But I should have never gotten rid of the tons. Everything worked perfect on and offroad. See dozens of preceding comments in this thread about buying a well-sorted rig

 

[ghost]

Ok so yes I like to build things. @jeepinmatt I've been contemplating a JK hemi swap eventually. I want something not everyone is doing and I'm not an LS swap the world guy. My main problem right now is my build location is 45 min away. Working on a solution for that. One year and 8 month's at the most my alimony ends which frees up some monthly expenditures. My twins are 23 and both finished school this past spring. Freeing up time and money there too. More time than money. Pretty proud of how they did what they have done. Work is what is killing me from going 6 hours. If things don't settle in the next two years I'll be looking to make a move away from the family trucking business. I don't have a problem wheeling my big ass one ton rig at URE. I enjoy getting out there with friends. I also don't have a problem letting it sit and playing with it a few times a year. There is a reason it has not gotten redone yet. I'm loving all the comments in here and it's about what I was thinking and expected. Indecently I saw a cool rig on FB yesterday wor 12,5 in GA. Path forward is finish race jeep and get it wheeling. At the current rate it will likely take another year. LOL!

 

[77GreenMachine]

What can you do to free you up at work more?

What I mean is look at the bigger picture. Can you take less money so you can pay someone else to handle more to free up your time? The answer is yes, I don’t really have to ask. But most aren’t willing to do that.

They key is finding someone and delegating tasks. You take that free time to go bring in more business to make up the difference. It doesn’t happen overnight. But it is very possible to take those steps and find the right people so that you can take a 4 day weekend more often, and maybe you just send a few emails and make a few phone calls during that time.

 

[willness33]

Current issue is suspension. Same arms since 2003. Springs are shot. Shocks aren't valved right.

But I should have never gotten rid of the tons. Everything worked perfect on and offroad. See dozens of preceding comments in this thread about buying a well-sorted rig

Once that other project is off the lift, the TJ can resume residing in it's natural habitat. Only difference this time is I'll be there to keep you motivated or just do the work.

 

[willness33]

I might as well throw in my .02 if anyone really cares to read it. I hadn't wheeled anything for over a decade up until last weekend. Yeah I'm window shopping buggies or dedicated trail rigs now. Currently I have neither the $ or the time to wheel but I guess I must've missed it. A v8 buggy would be awesome of course. The build for me is probably more fun than the wheeling. I like the garage time. Having said that, time and money come back into play. Rigs with most of the bugs sorted out do come up for sale for far less than the parts list. If I was REALLY in the market I'd go for a complete rig and fix the things I don't like over time and wheel it in the interim.

 

[BigSouth]

I can only speak for myself here. I’m building a buggy because I want it to be mine and like no one else’s. That’s why I don’t do Jeep’s. They’re a dime a dozen on any trail. The trails I enjoy require certain modifications and side by sides don’t go there unless they’re heavily modified themselves. Let’s be honest…. ain’t nobody leaving there stuff stock anyway. As for how many times a year you use it, the answer is “as many as I want”. I’ll happily roll through the woods at URE just like I would at Windrock or Moab.

BUT, if you don’t own a buggy, you’re not one of the cool kids!

 

[adamk]

My opinion on buggies matches what, pretty much, all have said. You are leaps and bounds ahead, financially, to purchase a built rig than to build. For a frame of reference, I'm $20k+ into my YJ and don't even have the fundamentals of a buggy (ie V8, atlas, etc). There are plenty of sub $20k rigs for sale right now that are far more built than mine.

Now that I've stated I made a bad financial decision, I'll defend why. I whole heartedly and thoroughly enjoy building. For me, it's almost more enjoyable than wheeling...almost. I'm also very particular and knew I would never find exactly what I wanted in a reasonable budget that was prebuilt. Starting from scratch allowed the opportunity to build how I desired, make mistakes, learn, practice more fab skills, and know every single aspect of the rig. There are certainly better built rigs but this one is mine from beginning to end and that sense of accomplishment makes the blood, sweat, and crying wallet worth it.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

BUT, if you don’t own a buggy, you’re not one of the cool kids!

That brings the question... what qualifies something as a buggy?

 

[BigSouth]

That brings the question... what qualifies something as a buggy?

I’d say tubes…. with a conglomeration of parts not normally assembled together.

 

[77GreenMachine]

Yeah I bought mine and changed a lot of stuff. Moved the fuel cell, new cage from RLF, made it a 4 seater, new seats, new paint and made some other improvements.

When I got an “as stated” insurance quote I needed to give a parts list. I stopped counting when I got to $26k and hadn’t included a single bit of labor.

I saw a Poison Spider chassis yesterday for $1500. I’ve saw several unfinished projects that had about all of the core parts for $10k and less, just varies based on included parts. I think that is the beat way to go if you e joy the build but also want to be ahead. Take an unfinished buggy and a pile of parts, finish it out with the changes you like, and the paint scheme you want.

Changing my Jeep like I did very much made it my own and isn’t easily recognizable compared to when I bought it.

But it’s still a Jeep, so @BigSouth doesn't think I’m cool

 

[UTfball68]

I’ve saw several unfinished projects

That stimmy money is running out...this is the time cheap bastards shine.

 

[ghost]

What can you do to free you up at work more?

What I mean is look at the bigger picture. Can you take less money so you can pay someone else to handle more to free up your time? The answer is yes, I don’t really have to ask. But most aren’t willing to do that.

They key is finding someone and delegating tasks. You take that free time to go bring in more business to make up the difference. It doesn’t happen overnight. But it is very possible to take those steps and find the right people so that you can take a 4 day weekend more often, and maybe you just send a few emails and make a few phone calls during that time.

I actually have a lot of free time at work until I dont. It's not about help its more about the unpredictability of the transportation industry right now. It occurs to me I don't know what you do for work. I run 3 trucks. 2 have drivers which is part of the problem. The whole industry is crazy right now. Predictability went out the window with Covid for me.

I’d say tubes…. with a conglomeration of parts not normally assembled together.

By that definition my xj qualifies. 94 xj, Dodge 203 Ford 205 Ford axles and tube....

Yeah I bought mine and changed a lot of stuff. Moved the fuel cell, new cage from RLF, made it a 4 seater, new seats, new paint and made some other improvements.

When I got an “as stated” insurance quote I needed to give a parts list. I stopped counting when I got to $26k and hadn’t included a single bit of labor.

I saw a Poison Spider chassis yesterday for $1500. I’ve saw several unfinished projects that had about all of the core parts for $10k and less, just varies based on included parts. I think that is the beat way to go if you e joy the build but also want to be ahead. Take an unfinished buggy and a pile of parts, finish it out with the changes you like, and the paint scheme you want.

Changing my Jeep like I did very much made it my own and isn’t easily recognizable compared to when I bought it.

But it’s still a Jeep, so @BigSouth doesn't think I’m cool

Yea I definitely agree there are lots of rigs that pop up for sale that are good deals.

 

[BigSouth]

My other personal problem is my preconceived notion that everything I find for sale is being sold for a “bad reason”.
-wrong geometry
-broken parts
-fire hazard
-etc…

 

[77GreenMachine]

My other personal problem is my preconceived notion that everything I find for sale is being sold for a “bad reason”.
-wrong geometry
-broken parts
-fire hazard
-etc…

That is sometimes true. But I see some that go up for sale cause they’ve changed hobbies, moving, health problems, job loss, and the unfortunate most common: divorce.

That’s where the deals are at. In my case, dude was building a house on the water in Portsmouth and needed to free up cash to build a dock for his massive center console boat. I bought my rig from Jeff Gordon.

 

[braxton357]

I actually have a lot of free time at work until I dont. It's not about help its more about the unpredictability of the transportation industry right now. It occurs to me I don't know what you do for work. I run 3 trucks. 2 have drivers which is part of the problem. The whole industry is crazy right now. Predictability went out the window with Covid for

My neighbor has 5 trucks/dry vans and ~5 drivers. Definitely don't envy your headaches. My opinion especially now is to buy someones built rig and enjoy it, spend your time working on the trucks that make you money.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

That is sometimes true. But I see some that go up for sale cause they’ve changed hobbies, moving, health problems, job loss, and the unfortunate most common: divorce.

That’s where the deals are at. In my case, dude was building a house on the water in Portsmouth and needed to free up cash to build a dock for his massive center console boat. I bought my rig from Jeff Gordon.

As in the rainbow warrior?

 

[CasterTroy]

As in the rainbow warrior?

Different one...This one was taller, and cooler

 

[Jody Treadway]

...spend your time working on the trucks that make you money.

That's why I threw a ton of $$$ at Mars Fab last winter.
Now to finish it.

 

[ghost]

My neighbor has 5 trucks/dry vans and ~5 drivers. Definitely don't envy your headaches. My opinion especially now is to buy someones built rig and enjoy it, spend your time working on the trucks that make you money.

I just keep them moving. Number one problem in trucking is keeping drivers right now.

 

[obullfish]

Different one...This one was taller, and cooler

Hopefully less homo as well.

 

[drkelly]

@ghost have you seen the Goat Built chassis? It comes as a kit and you just weld it together.

ALPINE 2 SEAT CHASSIS KIT

Chassis kits are in pre-production and will ship begining of 2024. Pre-order will hold your spot in line for quickest delivery Important Note Shipping the JHF Chassis **

goatbuilt.com

 

[ghost]

@ghost have you seen the Goat Built chassis? It comes as a kit and you just weld it together.

ALPINE 2 SEAT CHASSIS KIT

Chassis kits are in pre-production and will ship begining of 2024. Pre-order will hold your spot in line for quickest delivery Important Note Shipping the JHF Chassis **

goatbuilt.com

Yes I've actually discovered a couple like that out there. Been researching that a little lately. There are a few out there now.