it's dumb really

[riverfever]

I know most people on here prefer to build the rig instead of buy it and I agree...it's more fun that way. My experience "building and fabbing" is nil. Everything that's done to my Jeep was done by me. I'll admit...installing a lift and doing maintenance is not all that difficult. My better half and I have been looking at older FJ40's for quite a while now. We know what we want in terms of motor/trans and lift/tire size. We've been saving. Lately we've been talking about getting a Cruiser that needs restoration vs. buying one that is mostly done. Our end goal is not a fully restored/uncut rig but one that will be a blast to drive and will get us anywhere WE want to go. We know if we wait for one that's pretty much done, we'll be saving for 3-4 years and will spend in the 10-15K range. If we get one that needs a lot of work, we're worried that we wont be able to do the work and that we'll get frustrated with the time that it will take. We know that if we bought a beater it would probably be off the road for the same 3-4 years but we'd have tremendous satisfaction knowing that we did it all. Can people with experience please offer advice? We're really excited about doing this kind of project together and those that know her understand that she's not at all afraid of getting in the garage and getting her hands dirty. I guess we're worried that doing a body off resto with all new gear will be too much for us and we'll get frustrated and over our heads and sell it shortly after diving in.

-river

[chelms27]

Buy one in good shape for a little more money, and build it from there, there are many options for old FJ's. I dont know first hand, but a good friend of mine built one up and it was pretty cool. I would still recommend an old CJ. Good luck and take your time looking, it will be worth it in the end...ask how I know.

[Menzenski]

Why don't you look for one that's in rough shape, but driveable? Fix the things it needs to be roadworthy, and then you can take your time making it nice. You'd be able to drive it while restoring it, until you decided you wanted to/felt you were ready to do a body-off restoration.

[rocklandxjer]

agreed ^

not much engine work
talk to 5-90 about electrical
fix body work
then from there its up to you

[Hypoid]

Sounds like you have time to learn, Will you have room for a heap that needs a dolly to roll? How would the neighbors respond a non-functioning vehicle in the drive? Do you have to smog where you live? Those are the problems I contend with-more than money!

When people find out you're handy with a welder, you make new friends fast, sometimes a little money as well. That alone can be a good distraction from the project you started with. Just remember that it's a hobby. Some of the most talented people I've met can hardly bring themselves to look at a wrench or body file; making a living with them killed the fun.

One more thing, there will always be work that has to be farmed out. You and your lady need to size up your abilities, decide what new things you want to learn, and let the adventure begin.Keep it light, keep it fun!

Mike

[shortxjdoug]

honestly its something i've always wanted to do because i know how i love building the heep and it started life as a spotless 98, Im good with mechanicals but i want to learn about body work too, and i want room for design in a project that can be original to me. in fact i just pulled an 89 toyota supra with a straight body out of a field for free on my friends farm with a title, and i have already planned a minimum of 5-6 years for that car as a project, i don't really know what i'm getting into but i'll always have something to learn other parts of a project the i never had a chance to familiarize myself with and when im done someday it will be a clean car that i can be proud of, in fact in the next couple of months its getting stripped to bare body and media blasted to see what i actually got :D

[riverfever]

Sounds like you have time to learn, Will you have room for a heap that needs a dolly to roll? We have a 2 car garage and although I was worried about space for a while, I think we'll be OK. I know I will have less room than I think but in a pinch, I think I could get it rolled out to the top flat part of the driveway. How would the neighbors respond a non-functioning vehicle in the drive? I think the vehicle would be in the garage the majority of the time. There may be a short time in the winter where I throw a tarp over it so I can keep one of the XJ's starting in the morning. We do have an HOA but the house we bought seems to be where a lot of rich people make their summer homes. The place on one side of me has not had anyone at it since July. As long I'm not pounding away on the thing at midnight, I think my neighbors will be OK. Do you have to smog where you live? No smog. Those are the problems I contend with-more than money!

When people find out you're handy with a welder, you make new friends fast, sometimes a little money as well. That alone can be a good distraction from the project you started with. Just remember that it's a hobby. Some of the most talented people I've met can hardly bring themselves to look at a wrench or body file; making a living with them killed the fun.

One more thing, there will always be work that has to be farmed out. You and your lady need to size up your abilities, decide what new things you want to learn, and let the adventure begin.Keep it light, keep it fun!

We definitely have time whichever way we go. Thanks for the thoughts.

Mike

[XJ_ranger]

after building my rig...

im all for the dropping it off at a shop and picking up a professionally restored, built to my specs rig...

but that is just me with an unlimited budget...

[riverfever]

I'm surprised to hear you say that Opie. I don't think that would be an option for us. Taking a 1970's Cruiser (in poor shape) to a place and having them do all or even the majority of work would easily climb into the 20-40K range I'm sure. As a teacher and a social worker that aint gonna happen. We might easily end up putting 25K into it when it's all said and done 5 years after starting but at least I could chip away at it. I think my hesitation with buying one that's nearly done is that I won't know much about it and I sure wont know if it was done correctly. I want to end up with an older vehicle that's classy but has some modern technology and is reliable enough that we can load up and take off for the weekend and not really worry anymore than we would if we were in either of the Jeeps. I think I know which way we're leaning. We're just scared that it's going to be completely overwhelming after we get into it. I'd hate to have a garage full of parts and a vehicle torn apart and then have to try and get out from under it.

[RichP]

You could do a mix and match, find a decent one, get it home, pull the body and roll the chasis to a good shop and have them clean and paint the frame then get it home and work on the drivetrain to get it where you want it. From there the body comes next. Use a professional when needed,do it yourself when not.
I wish I still had my 69 Willys waggoneer with what I have learned and know now.

[riverfever]

Tomorrow after work we're going to look at a 68 that a buddy of mine just stumbled upon in town here. I just talked to the owner. It was his grandfathers and it's been sitting in this guys yard for 10 years. I asked how much he wanted for it and he said he didn't have a clue. Wants me to come look at it and make an offer. My buddy said he was asking if he could get about 500 bills for it. I'll get pics of it.

[chelms27]

sounds like a good deal unless it is completely rusted out! Even then, 500 bucks for an FJ is worth it in parts.

[FarmerMatt]

It all depends on how anal you are... My thought on it is that if you buy a built up rig than you're buying all the cut corners that the guy that built it took. The same goes for having a shop build it up. By building it yourself you'll know every nut & bolt on it & that it's tight & in good working order. It'll take you a bunch of time to do it right, but you couldn't have picked an easier rig to work on & learn from. You also may get burn't out on working on it from time to time, but let it sit for a month or 2 & you'll get the itch again, at least that's what I do with mine...