To build or to buy? That is the question.
- Thread starter Skillet
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splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
How far are you from D'Animal's, He's got a shopThanks for the inspiration guys.
Off to stare at the beast and generate ideas.
FJBen
SILVER Star
build what ya got, built rigs looks nice, but you are dealing with a lot of PO's mods/thoughts/clusters/unknowns/not the way you want it.
for more capable, I'd say gears(orion etc) Lockers (i prefer arb) longfields, power steering, disc brakes, cage, winch, FUEL injection, some armor.
for more capable, I'd say gears(orion etc) Lockers (i prefer arb) longfields, power steering, disc brakes, cage, winch, FUEL injection
, some armor.
I'd say build it yourself, but without a garage... I had a one car garage with my first Cruiser and even that was a pain, just no where to place pulled parts or work on them. That made any big modifications out of the question for me to do. I ended up selling it. The most recent one I bought was a frame off restore job that someone sat on for a very long time. It was a steal and now I'm just fixing all the issues caused by it sitting and not being used for 14 years. Not a bad place to be. It would have taken me many years to do what he did and a lot more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I wanted it now and not later. There are still modifications for me to do like Lockers, it needs a hard top and doors, I would like to swap the carb for tbi, swap the ignition for a Jacobs, and other non-essential stuff, but that'll make it mine in the end.
About 3 hours, unfortunately.
Besides, he has enough crap of his own, he does not need my crap in there too.
As long as you explain to my wife that it is your Rig and not another one of mine it will blend right in.
LC_Hamma
The Anti-Leafer
If I didn't have a covered garage, I wouldn't even attempt to build up a rig PERIOD. Your tools, equip., etc. will get rusty & what happens when you want to weld on a breezy day? (assuming you'd certaily use a gas equip. 220V welder) Besides the weather to deal with, you got critters crawlin & buzzin around 'ya 
Even trail fixes are a PITA for me. Garage first, then build 'er up dude 
Even trail fixes are a PITA for me. Garage first, then build 'er up dude
Is that your rig in the pic you posted? Looks pretty nice already.
For a 1973 you do not have to worry about Smog in CA. That starts in 1976 model year.
If you want to do some upgrades, bring it down to my place. I have a 1974 FJ40 that has a rod throught the side of the block. The rest of the rig is pretty complete. It has a 4 speed transmission so you will have to change you driving habits. (poke with stick here)
I also have a spare 2F. A set of rear 60 springs, etc.
You can make a list of what you want to do and then bring it down some weekend. I can have my trailer in your area late next week if you do not want to drive it.
We can move some crap around put it in one of the bays. You can then come down on a friday evening and stay at my house in one of the guest rooms. We we can wrench on it saturadys and sundays. This will take more than one weekend.
When the rig is done we can take it over the my 36 acre rock park and try it out.
Let me know.
For a 1973 you do not have to worry about Smog in CA. That starts in 1976 model year.
If you want to do some upgrades, bring it down to my place. I have a 1974 FJ40 that has a rod throught the side of the block. The rest of the rig is pretty complete. It has a 4 speed transmission so you will have to change you driving habits. (poke with stick here)
I also have a spare 2F. A set of rear 60 springs, etc.
You can make a list of what you want to do and then bring it down some weekend. I can have my trailer in your area late next week if you do not want to drive it.
We can move some crap around put it in one of the bays. You can then come down on a friday evening and stay at my house in one of the guest rooms. We we can wrench on it saturadys and sundays. This will take more than one weekend.
When the rig is done we can take it over the my 36 acre rock park and try it out.
Let me know.
Can I get my hands on that project
Can I get my hands on that project
If he decides to do it, I have two guest bedrooms.
I also have a shop fridge that keeps things at 34degrees.
I jest want to be the one to start cutting
You can go from this
to
to
Last edited:
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I'll help too.
Stick with the basics of wider axles, longer wheelbase and lower gearing and you'll be fine.
If you have money-buy an orion now and scoop up D'Animal's 4 speed. If you don't have money, buy an SM420. Either will get you trail gears.
I assume you'll convert to disk brakes-you might also consider FJ60 axles for width.
Power steering-68 Impala box, 4x4 Labs Plate, and high steer
You will need a welder-Used MM 175 would do it.
Let me know if you want any specific help, where to source parts etc. It really is cool to do this, and you won't regret it.
Stick with the basics of wider axles, longer wheelbase and lower gearing and you'll be fine.
If you have money-buy an orion now and scoop up D'Animal's 4 speed. If you don't have money, buy an SM420. Either will get you trail gears.
I assume you'll convert to disk brakes-you might also consider FJ60 axles for width.
Power steering-68 Impala box, 4x4 Labs Plate, and high steer
You will need a welder-Used MM 175 would do it.
Let me know if you want any specific help, where to source parts etc. It really is cool to do this, and you won't regret it.
I have the Miller 175 welder.
Buy the SM465 from Greenfox. It will not have the characteristic SM420 whine.
totally agree
so you buy a built rig and something breaks? you gotta know how to fix it
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
If I were closer I'd offer a hand too....Looks like you could use some help on the Cummins conversion also, and the 45.
My weekends are just too darn short.
What's wrong with the truck as is? It looks pretty nice, and you already have a lift and 33's or so. Get some new tires, a couple lockers, PS, and discs if you don't already have any of it.
If you need it to be super-built, then go for it. You have a nice starting base.
If you need it to be super-built, then go for it. You have a nice starting base.
