What would you do first

[AlaskanWheeler]

Of these modifcations what would be the first on your list ?
1. SOA
2. POWER STEERING (SAGINAW)
3. REBUILD 2F
4. RE-WIRE
5. REPAIR RUSTY TUB

These are the biggest progects that I can think of for my Cruiser. I'm just trying to think of a logical way of doing it.
Thanks

 

[Pin_Head]

The logical way to do it is:
1) Fix any safety issue first, like brakes, steering or rust that would compromise the seats, seat belts or roll cage.
2) Fix running issues next, like wiring and engine. If it won't run, who cares?
3) Decide what type of wheeling you intend to use it for and then build it one or two steps up.
4) Fix any cosmetic things that still bug you after wheeling if for a year or two.

 

[skyshark186]

Personally i like to get mechanics done first. Thus to me the list goes something like this

1. Rebuild 2f(depending on severity of need)
2. Rewire(may switch first two depending on necassity)
3. Power steering
4. Repair rust
5. Soa

I have nothing against Soa necassarily. Just that to me i would rather have everything i wanted done to it before i start getting too out of hand spending money on tires, lifts, blah blah. Not to mention that if you do the Soa first it may put more stress on some specific parts thus making more projects.



Pinhead made a good point about the structural rust. That could move up the list quick like he said.

 

[Jman]

The logical way to do it is:
1) Fix any safety issue first, like brakes, steering or rust that would compromise the seats, seat belts or roll cage.
2) Fix running issues next, like wiring and engine. If it won't run, who cares?
3) Decide what type of wheeling you intend to use it for and then build it one or two steps up.
4) Fix any cosmetic things that still bug you after wheeling if for a year or two.

This gets my vote.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Of these modifcations what would be the first on your list ?
1. SOA
2. POWER STEERING (SAGINAW)
3. REBUILD 2F
4. RE-WIRE
5. REPAIR RUSTY TUB

These are the biggest progects that I can think of for my Cruiser. I'm just trying to think of a logical way of doing it.
Thanks

I'd do Saginaw PS before I even put fuel into it...

 

[Roswell Rat]

By all means, rebuild the 2f! You won't be sorry.

 

[Romer]

If the 2F is bad I would do that first. If not the wiring and rust. SOA would be last. I don't have Power Steering (thats why I have tall skinny tires) and don't have any problems without it.

Before you do the Power Steering and SOA. You should go through and baseline your mechanics. Potentially rebuild your front axle. I also would install a locker before Power Steering or the SOA if you plan on doing any wheeling.

 

[usmcruiser]

I would rebuild the 2f by putting a 350 ram jet in it. and at the same time do power steering. Then SOA.

 

[clemson55]

Rust first for sure the longer it sits there the worse it will get. Get rid of it as fast as you can. Then I'd go with engine and rewiring they kinda go together. Followed by the power steering. And last the fun stuff SOA.

 

[haystax]

Ha - lots of different opinions so far, here's my list...AKA what I wish I had done

1. Start small, basic mechanicals - brakes, new seals and bearings in front end, leaky TC, parking brake...etc.
2. Figure out how bad your motor really is, will it strand you?
3. I bet the wiring has more issues than the motor, mine did at least
4. What are your ultimate goals? if you want a built wheeler, forget about the rust for now
5. Saginaw PS is probably the best mod but lends itself nicely to doing at the same time as SOA

Are you like Napolean and have some skillz?

I tore into mine and tried to do everything at once, that meant I spent a lot of time wrenching and riding shotgun in my buddies' rigs while my s*** sat parked in the way in the shop. Start with a small project and stick to it until it's done, whatever route you take is up to you but pick something and finish it to perfection before you start a new mod. got any pics??

 

[PUPTLAM]

Gotta agree with pinhead. Safety stuff first, Then wires, then engine. By the time you finish those you will have a new list of things you found.

 

[hammerhead]

I mostly agree with pinhead. Safety first. Function second. Appearance, well, some of us can't be helped...

The first thing you need to decide is what the rig is to be used for.

 

[cruiserwanted]

I agree safty first. If you are going to fall through the floor while driving what good is a rebuilt engine? Than I would pull the engine and rebuild. While that is out would do the wiring and than power streering than engine back in and do the SOA. Good Luck. Take pics.

 

[nuclearlemon]

of the five things you listed, i agree with skyshark.

 

[Poser]

Where is have a beer?


I think that there are A LOT of people that have thier priorities way out of line....

 

[camcruiser13]

agree with skyshark

 

[Pin_Head]

The other general rules are "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "don't fix it twice".

Make it safe, make it run and then wheel it for a while. This experience might make you change your rmind about what you want to do with (usually upward) so you won't have to do it over.

 

[cruiserwanted]

Where is have a beer?

Ha Ha. ok.

have a , look at cruiser and all the work that needs to be done.

crack open another and look at cruiser some more.

Start cruiser and have another , realize engine sounds fine and most lights work,

crack another , rust is not so bad solid underneath your seat what more do you need?

crack another and go for a little drive, just out in the driveway and maybe around the yard, realize no powersteering builds your arms up and is not really needed just need to start lifting.

park cruiser back in garage, crack another and realize you just need to put bigger tires on it, do not need the SOA, bigger tires should help with the steering too.

Finally have another and feel good about all the work you got done, go in the house and proceed to drink till you pass out.

 

[redrustbucket]

If you were LOWTIDERIDE you'd spring it over before you even figured out how to change the oil.

" Rust? What rust? "

About a year after springing it over you'd find out you already had lifted srings on it in the first place. ( which would explain why your cruiser seemed so ridiculously high ) Then you'd adress your rust issues after you poked your finger through the frame.

I'd say do whatever the hell you want as long as you are having a good time doing it and nobody gets hurt.

 

[Jman]

If you were LOWTIDERIDE you'd spring it over before you even figured out how to change the oil.

" Rust? What rust? "

About a year after springing it over you'd find out you already had lifted srings on it in the first place. ( which would explain why your cruiser seemed so ridiculously high ) Then you'd adress your rust issues after you poked your finger through the frame.

I'd say do whatever the hell you want as long as you are having a good time doing it and nobody gets hurt.