[decided advantage]

As I read through most of the Cruiser builds here, I learn tons and I'm amazed at the skills and attention to detail. A big difference with my plans is budget.

My goal is to end up with a safe and reliable vehicle that we can drive to the trails and have some fun with for a total dollar investment of around $4K (Unless than the price of the Atlas transfer case popular in many builds.

Sharing which budget strategies work and which don't would be great.

Right now I'm recreating the tub on my cruiser. I started with holes big enough to put your leg through and push it and so far gone that I couldn't even salvage dimensions to work from.

Any interest?

I'm working on creating all the more or less flat panels myself, purchasing the front fenders and rears quarters. I'm elimating the tail gate altogether to help stiffen the tub by replacing the amby doors with a hatch off a 74, I'm framing the tub in steel tubing and then bolting in new floor plan and wheel wells out of aluminum tread plate(MN salt kills vehicles). I'm going to order a gallon of red paint off ebay for color. I may pop for some sporty seats and Attempt to create a roll cage that is tight to the body and windshield frame that still fits inside the hard top. I hope to keep the drive train original with the exception of a change out of the weak front drums to discs.

Defintely not a true restoration or outragous build but I hope to have developed some new skills and end up with a fun 40.

[BELMONT148]

Absolutely not! This place has become a zoo of "sections" I can't even navigate through everything so I have resulted to only reading 3 sections. Here, classifieds, and my local board. There a lot of great threads on here in various sections, its just way to spread out to enjoy everything.

If you want to start a thread they might put it in the FAQ sticky but it doesn't need a budget build section on it's own.

Jeremy

[Texx]

Before you decide to "bolt" in a floor, think of what might happen in an accident. Not trying to be Debby Downer here, but I shudder to think of a side impact. Why not buy a harbor freight (inexpensive welder) and learn to do it right? All the rest sounds fine, but just name your buildup and put it in rig of the week.

[D'Animal]

Everybody builds on a budget, hopefully.

You really need to search in the classified section and start with something.

You will be in the rig you pictured over $4k just getting it safely road worthy.

[dgangle]

How does one define a 'budget build'?

I think that in just about everyone's mind, their creation is a budget build. Where one starts and plans to end up determines the price of admission and often times compromises must be made along the way. It all comes down to where one is starting and wants to end up. It's the part there in the middle where the dollars can be consumed. It's all about priorities.

Good luck and whatever budget you determine, double it because that's where it'll end up!

[SouthBostonFJ]

Originally Posted by dgangle

How does one define a 'budget build'?

Easy...

Budget = searching the mud classifieds, craigslist and eBay for used stuff.

High $$ = buying new OEM or aftermarket stuff or fabricating new parts from scratch.

[dgangle]

First, that was a rhetorical question.

Second, you missed my point. That being everyone builds on a budget. It's just that one person's budget may be different than someone else's. If I were building one in that condition on that tight of a budget, it would not include "some sporty seats and Attempt to create a roll cage that is tight to the body and windshield frame".

It all comes down to priorities.

[Poser]

Originally Posted by decided advantage

Is there enough interest to start a “Budget Build” section?

All builds are on some form of a budget. This fits just fine out here.

Originally Posted by decided advantage

I'm framing the tub in steel tubing and then bolting in new floor plan and wheel wells out of aluminum tread plate(MN salt kills vehicles). I may pop for some sporty seats and Attempt to create a roll cage that is tight to the body and windshield frame that still fits inside the hard top.

Just so I have this strait:


You are going to use some steel to reinforce what is left of that tub, and then bolt aluminum panels into the body?


Then, you might get around to making a roll cage that then bolts to these aluminum body panels?


So then you are going to mount some seats to this bolted in aluminum floor?


What sort of elaborate bolt together seat brackets are going to be used?




Good luck with all that.....








Simply because this is some sort of inexpensive build does not mean that common sense concerning safety and structural integrity should get tossed to the side or ignored completely.

[bustanutley]

First budget tip, bolts and drill bits are expensive, welding is cheep

[rockcod]

No matter what your budget is, safety is not a budget item. Buck up and do it right.

[D'Animal]

I see a pattern.

Please don't feel that we are not bashing you, just looking out for you and who ever rides in those extra seats.

Originally Posted by decided advantage

My goal is to end up with a safe and reliable vehicle that we can drive to the trails and have some fun with for a total dollar investment of around $4K.

Originally Posted by D'Animal

You will be in the rig you pictured over $4k just getting it safely road worthy.

Originally Posted by Poser

Simply because this is some sort of inexpensive build does not mean that common sense concerning safety and structural integrity should get tossed to the side or ignored completely.

Originally Posted by rockcod

No matter what your budget is, safety is not a budget item. Do it right.

[FJ40_68_Nick]

I think a budget thread would be great. Make it your Budget thread. Be safe, consider what all of these guys say, they're very smart and will help you when you need it. Budgets are also determined by skill, I can't weld so I would never be able to restore a tub like that so part of my budget would go towards paying somebody to do it. If it's not your DD take your time and have fun.
peace...

[jackbrad]

I would be interested in a LOW budget build section.. All builds are budget builds true but, neat tricks to save big money would be interesting..

Jack

[ocdbeetle]

There are many build threads that have "low budget tech tips" in them...One thread with low budget ideas wouldnt be bad....contribute what you did and move over for the next guy...I'd throw in a couple ideas...

A thread with a low budget build however would just be another build thread...

[apeterson]

FYI... how you just cut that tub away you dont need to worry about your roll bar being under your hard top because you will never get it straight enought to get the hard top to fit again...

[piecemeal]

I'm definately working w/ a limited budget as well considering my 73 FJ40 cost $500. I would be interested in a budget thread!! Safety is key though.... I think others are being a bit harsh, but I know what you're thinkin' as far as wanting to do so much and seeing all these rigs with a million doodads. Keep in mind, probably half the guys that check this out have rigs in the same condition as you. We're all lucky to have our unique rides. I don't know how many tools I've had to correct about mine not bein' a jeep.

[D'Animal]

Welcome to Mud.


Many rigs on this site have started life on worse condition than the one pictures above. That is just East Coast Mint with the rust actually removed.

Originally Posted by piecemeal

I'm definately working w/ a limited budget as well considering my 73 FJ40 cost $500. I would be interested in a budget thread!! Safety is key though.... I think others are being a bit harsh, but I know what you're thinkin' as far as wanting to do so much and seeing all these rigs with a million doodads. Keep in mind, probably half the guys that check this out have rigs in the same condition as you. We're all lucky to have our unique rides. I don't know how many tools I've had to correct about mine not bein' a jeep.

When building a rig, bringing it back to "stock safety" is a minimum.


Everybody has a budget. The hard part is the time frame of a build which people do not understand. The only doodad blinged out rigs are the ones in chat that we all laugh at.

Heck, I have been building;
My 1982 CJ-8 for about 8 years.
My 1976 FJ 40 for about 6 years.
My 1977 FJ40 for about a year.
My 72GMCummins Tow Rig for about 2 years.
My FJ40.5 for about 3 years.
My FJ60 for about 3 years
My etc, etc.
None of them are "done" but I wheel them all.


Most people post up thier finished projects or close to finished projects. They will not add up thier reciepts since they know they are way over what they intended to spend over a period of years and dollars. Some people have been working on thier rigs for over 10 years to get them were thay are today.

If you re-read Decided Advantage original post, you will understand. Starting with a safe base vehicle to build from is crucial. Nobody is bashing anybody, just letting them know to start with the end in mind and build a safe base vehicle.

[Maros N Bagos]

Ambitious project.

Be safe and have fun!

[decided advantage]

Not to worry. I built a 2x3 rec steel frame tied together with an 8 point cage in a street/drag V8 Vega and it was all good, with less body flex than most(My interior never filled with tire smoke and left straight). My current plans will tie the cage into the frame and provide support to the tub. A friend that build flat track chassis has a bender that we'll be using to bend up the cage. I'm drawing on the expertise on many experts in the business, however the rule on this one is I'm doing it all myself(Mechcanical, chassis, body, electrical, etc.)

"how you just cut that tub away you dont need to worry about your roll bar being under your hard top because you will never get it straight enough to get the hard top to fit again" Honestly due to rust and someone in the past backing into a tree or something, the tub and top were both far from square but I'll take that challenge. Admittedly finding a source for accurate dimensions has slowed work so far. This poor truck offered few hints. Just so you know the top and doors will be fit (and adjusted I'm sure) on the tubing frame before the quarters and floor are installed on it.

I'm waiting to finish the back third before I finalize the supports and mounting to move the gas tank under the floor.

"If you re-read Decided Advantage original post, you will understand. Starting with a safe base vehicle to build from is crucial. Nobody is bashing anybody, just letting them know to start with the end in mind and build a safe base vehicle."

Absolutely!! I've learned tons reading this forum, every build and thread has new information and ideas. I enjoy and have learned from them all. Safety is important to me. The locals in the know are questioning me on the weight of this creation rather than safety conncerns.


Not to say I won't have to sort out some issues. But I'll learn from them.

Actually I have welders in my shop. It has been awhile since the Vega, so I'm using this project to polish some unused skills before I jump into a prostreet Corvette project that must be perfect.

I have left out lots of details. Just thought I'd provide some teasers.

Now All I have to do is find a spot in the shop for it.

[D'Animal]

Decided Advantage

Sounds like you are off to a good start.

I looked but could not find it, but in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section there are exact dimensions of everything on the frame, tub, etc. It is posted for people like yourself who are undertaking a project such as this. Some vendors have actually made T-Shirts with the blue prints on them with the dimensions, et.

Poser is a great resource for finding things in the FAQ section. My search skills suck compaired to his.

[bustanutley]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Poser is a great resource for finding things in the FAQ section. My search skills suck compaired to his.

Ctrl F in the FAQ Thread