Mostly Chat- Maybe Poser will let it stay here. Thinking about a buggy.

[LukeZero]

So I can't figure out what to do.

I've been working on the 45 for 7 years in my non-existent spare time.

So far I have completed...

Small Block Chevy, stroked to 383, Vortec heads, port injection setup, roller cam.
SM465 to NP 203 gear reduction box to NP205 from Waggoner Machine before they closed up.
Front axle fully rebuilt, ARB 4.56 gears, Longfield inners and outers, IFS hubs with Bobbys new hub gears, High steer from 4x4 labs. Powder coated.
Rear axle fully rebuilt by Jeremiah Proffitt. LC center section, minitruck axle shafts, ARB, disc brakes, powder coated housing, bracket for traction bar
Front stinger from Metal Tech, assembled and powder coated.
Fully rebuilt Warn 8274.
Cage is partially done.
Bobby Long beadlocks on steel wheels, freshly powder coated.
36" Swamper Radials.
Aluminum radiator.
Electric water pump.
Aluminum fuel cell.
Seats from a Honda Civic.

I've been working on the body work. (it needs a bunch)
I've bobbed the bed of the 45 because I didn't like the rear overhang.
I've cut off the top (it used to be a fixed, non-removable top short bed)
I've sold the split hood, and roof panel.
I have some Metal Tech tube fenders that I haven't started to assemble.

Then yesterday a guy I know offers to trade me a complete, running FJ40 buggy for a CNC mill that I don't use.

It has.

TBI 2F
Sm465, Toy Box, Cruiser case
Front high pinion Rock Crusher Dana 60. ARB
Rear 14 bolt welded.
Disc brakes all around.
Both axles still on leaf springs, SOA.
Full Cage.
No windshield.
Body gone from firewall back.
Kirkey aluminum seats.
Ramsey winch.
Hummer H2 wheels with 42" IROKs (5 of them, one spare mounted to cage)
Comes with a minitruck T-case, with appropriate adapters to center the rear output to match the rear axle.
I'd probably put a windshield on it. Clean up the cage. 4 link the rear to gain some wheelbase and lengthen the rear driveshaft.

So, my dilemma: should I get it knowing it'll delay even further my progress on the 45? Knowing I'll need to steal parts from the 45 to 'finish' the 40. Just get it and beat on it for a couple of years then part it out, use those proceeds to fund the 45 completion?

It seems too good to pass up, I just have a hard time since I've been working with one goal in mind for 7 years- to now change my mind and head a different direction.

Thoughts?

And Steve, if you have to move this to Chat- go ahead. I just don't want those retards sh*tting in my thread.

Luke

 

[LukeZero]

Pics of said buggy.

 

[brokenparts]

Looks a bit rough but if your not using the mill it sounds like its a done deal. A little TLC and it looks like a decent base to beat on and keep your 45 on nicer side.

 

[mookie]

i don't know how much the cnc mill is worth so it's kinda hard to say if this is a good trade for you valuewise..... but personally i'd sell the cnc for cash, put the money from the cnc towards the 45 and save your precious spare time for the 45t....that 45 project of yours sounds like the heat.....

 

[Gumby]

I'd really try to minimize stealing parts off the 45. The buggy needs seats, but those can be had cheap enough. I've got a windshield I can donate to the cause of less parts robbing from a 45. 4 link doesn't have to happen.

it's enough you're going to steal time from the 45. Don't take parts too.

Stop spitting little irish fans for a while and the time will come for the 45 to get done. Meanwhile, this looks like it's something to do to keep you from getting burned out. I get stressed when I can't seem to finish a project. That's not what a hobby is supposed to do.

I don't like doing this with cruisers much because I never like the outcome, but it might be a good time for a cost-benefit analysis. The cost and future benefit of the mill vs. the price and benefit of the buggy + the parts you can use/ sell when you're done.

The problem with selling the mill to pay for the 45 is twofold. One: the mill might not sell all that well and two: a lot of what you have left is labor intensive. That will either eat up the money fast or money won't help depending if you hire it out or not.

 

[Mace]

Given the choice between a mill and that individual cruiser...

I'd take the mill..

Lots of other cruiser buggies out there that are worth the price of a CNC mill..

 

[LukeZero]

Looks a bit rough but if your not using the mill it sounds like its a done deal. A little TLC and it looks like a decent base to beat on and keep your 45 on nicer side.

I'm not using the mill at all- it's just collecting dust.

i don't know how much the cnc mill is worth so it's kinda hard to say if this is a good trade for you valuewise..... but personally i'd sell the cnc for cash, put the money from the cnc towards the 45 and save your precious spare time for the 45t....that 45 project of yours sounds like the heat.....

The mill is probably worth 7-8K (to someone who would use it)

I'd really try to minimize stealing parts off the 45. The buggy needs seats, but those can be had cheap enough. I've got a windshield I can donate to the cause of less parts robbing from a 45. 4 link doesn't have to happen.

it's enough you're going to steal time from the 45. Don't take parts too.

Stop spitting little irish fans for a while and the time will come for the 45 to get done. Meanwhile, this looks like it's something to do to keep you from getting burned out. I get stressed when I can't seem to finish a project. That's not what a hobby is supposed to do.

I don't like doing this with cruisers much because I never like the outcome, but it might be a good time for a cost-benefit analysis. The cost and future benefit of the mill vs. the price and benefit of the buggy + the parts you can use/ sell when you're done.

The problem with selling the mill to pay for the 45 is twofold. One: the mill might not sell all that well and two: a lot of what you have left is labor intensive. That will either eat up the money fast or money won't help depending if you hire it out or not.

No more little Irish fans for us. Two is plenty. I think I could, if I'd decide to, improve the buggy without stealing parts from the 45. I am pretty tired of not making any appreciable progress on the 45- this would be something to play with and not stress about (I think. Maybe.)

Given the choice between a mill and that individual cruiser...

I'd take the mill..

Lots of other cruiser buggies out there that are worth the price of a CNC mill..

This makes a lot of sense. Just because this is the Cruiser that's been offered to me doesn't mean it's the one I need to take.

The way it usually works for me is I'll decide to part with something, and about a week later, realize I should have kept it because now I NEED it for something.

Thanks guys for helping me sort out the pros and cons of this.

I still don't have a decision, but I'm at least thinking more clearly about it.

Luke

 

[mookie]

i would say that buggy is worth 4k or so.....bad trade

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Hey Luke,

You've done a pretty fair job evaluating the Cruiser. You might check on the value of the mill too. Put a post over on Practical Machinist and see what you get for value. Sure, they're LISTED on Ebay for $4000- $15K but what are they SELLING for? I'm gonna bet not close to $7-8K unless there's a pile of tooling on the pallet next to it that goes along for the ride.

Nick

 

[LukeZero]

Nick- You're probably right. I may have been thinking a little too optimistically about what the mill would bring.

Let's make a trade! With one request. When I need stuff made- can I send you the files and ask you to run them on the Bridgeport? I'd, of course, pay for your time and materials.

I'll send you an email.

Luke

 

[Uncle Ben]

It seems to me you have to decide what you really want. If you want a beater to thrash on now you can probably sink less than $1k into that 40 and have some decent entertainment. The trouble is I doubt you will be happy for very long and you will start upgrading the buggy and making it more capable and less of a rat. That will directly delay your 45 project for quite a while. Times are tough right now and you can find some great deals on decent rigs if you act fast when they pop up. I say pass on the rat and sell the mill. Use the mill proceeds to buy stuff to finish the 45 and that will also re motivate you into finishing it. My guess is this rat might be available for a while simply because of the economic times and you can probably score it later if you still want it by flashing cash in the eyes of the seller. Win win!