if you could do it over again
- Thread starter 98dango
- Start date
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
Spend way less on the vehicle and more on USING the vehicle...
I have tried to do that on my current 1970 Suburban..even down to putting 130 miles of dirt on it the day I bought it with old tires, shag carpet and unknown everything.
Over the last 2 yrs I have spent very little time building and more playing with it and just this summer got it painted. Now it is getting axles (disc instead of drums & ARB lockers), an overdrive trans (to boost mpg and deeper first gear), and a few other bits.
But I will put off a diesel swap till spring as the winter is the best time to travel the desert and I don't want to miss out on more camping trips.
My first rig was an FJ Cruiser and I dumped 10 grand into it, beat the crap out of it and before too long realized it wasn't the right rig. Would have been way smarter to use it stock for as long as possible and got rid of it before sinking all that cash.
Other rigs I learned lessons on but they usually were spend first, learn second....even with Expo to draw knowledge from.
The most important thing is to make travel/experience/memories the top goal...building something physical is the byproduct.
Although I will say my sons and I have created some pretty fun memories this summer/fall working on the old iron.
I have tried to do that on my current 1970 Suburban..even down to putting 130 miles of dirt on it the day I bought it with old tires, shag carpet and unknown everything.
Over the last 2 yrs I have spent very little time building and more playing with it and just this summer got it painted. Now it is getting axles (disc instead of drums & ARB lockers), an overdrive trans (to boost mpg and deeper first gear), and a few other bits.
But I will put off a diesel swap till spring as the winter is the best time to travel the desert and I don't want to miss out on more camping trips.
My first rig was an FJ Cruiser and I dumped 10 grand into it, beat the crap out of it and before too long realized it wasn't the right rig. Would have been way smarter to use it stock for as long as possible and got rid of it before sinking all that cash.
Other rigs I learned lessons on but they usually were spend first, learn second....even with Expo to draw knowledge from.
The most important thing is to make travel/experience/memories the top goal...building something physical is the byproduct.
Although I will say my sons and I have created some pretty fun memories this summer/fall working on the old iron.
verdesardog
Explorer
I like my slightly lifted Dodge CDT just as it is, I'm in the slow process of building an off road capable Gypsy Vardo type trailer. I'v had several different old jeeps, the one I miss most is the FC170 with a 9' bed........
graynomad
Photographer, traveller
Amen to that, when I think of the money I spent building rigs it almost makes me cry. Not that I haven't enjoyed the process and the final products, but if I'd just bought something close to what I wanted I would probably have an extra $100k in the bank and 3-4 extra years on the road instead of in a workshop.
And now I'm thinking of doing it again...slow learner I guess.
Magilla82
Observer
I wouldn't do anything different... Though i purchased my rig 2 weeks ago... 79 F350 Creger 4x4. I have already used it 3 times, my plans are to do nothing to it, except for normal maintenance/upkeep until next April/May. By then i will know how i am using this rig and what i like/want to change. Thats when i will strip the interior, and rebuild it as needed/wanted. Eventually i want a 12v Cummins installed... But that is a want, not a need... So that is way down on the bottom of my priority list.
From a race on Sunday
From a race on Sunday
Larry
Bigassgas Explorer
You could accuse me of many things, and many of those things could be true, but you would never be able to accuse me of ever being a Ford fan but I will say this…… That is a cool old Ford truck! If you know me, Ford related comments never come out of me because if you can muster up anything nice to say about them, just don't say anything at all. Heck, I would probably give more engineering props to the 70's Dodge truck bed trailer in your picture!
Even being a Ford platform, that is a really cool old survivor and will even be better once you wash it from its 5 MPG gas eating carburetorated/old oil leaking Ford powertrain to Cummins power! Old Fords never die, they just get Chevrolet or Cummins power, because Ford has no modern engines worth swapping into old trucks. The 68-72 and 73-78ish F-series has to be the best of the Ford trucks ever builds in my opinion. Can't wait to see what you do with this gem. Love the rig! :sombrero:
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edlaffoon
Adventure Every Day
Well for anyone that knows my story this may come as a surprise but at the moment I can't think of anything I rather have than what I have.
Sometimes I wish it was Fathom Green.
If you twisted my arm I could be coerced into swapping my 14bsf/D44 for a 14bff/D60 combo, maybe go with 4.56s and 37"s but I'd be REALLY hard pressed to be motivated to do it.
Frankly I love my truck and all the bull it's dragged me through.
Sometimes I wish it was Fathom Green.
If you twisted my arm I could be coerced into swapping my 14bsf/D44 for a 14bff/D60 combo, maybe go with 4.56s and 37"s but I'd be REALLY hard pressed to be motivated to do it.
Frankly I love my truck and all the bull it's dragged me through.
4x4junkie
Explorer
My BII has worked out pretty well for me & my travels... Any do-over probably wouldn't be too radically different. It's built to handle fairly extreme terrain, though is still very comfortable to drive (even over long distances) and has excellent space-efficiency, making it an all-around great rig even for milder ventures.
Once in a while I'll think about how nice it might be to have something a little newer (dash has a few cracks, seat is torn, paint flaking, odo not too real far away from 200K, etc.), except no one currently offers anything that really interests me. Fortunately to this point it's given me very few problems.
Once in a while I'll think about how nice it might be to have something a little newer (dash has a few cracks, seat is torn, paint flaking, odo not too real far away from 200K, etc.), except no one currently offers anything that really interests me. Fortunately to this point it's given me very few problems.
ftballman125
New member
1994 12v reg cab 4x4 dodge. Slightly beat up body so I don't feel bad about scratching it. 31.5" tires. Perfect for my needs.
Just wish I went with my gut 7 years ago and didn't go down the Toyota crawler route first. Spent a year building and basically no time enjoying. Costly mistake.
I agree with the above. Buy a relatively affordable reliable 4x4 and spend money on traveling. A well maintained 4x4 will get you most everywhere you'd want to go in this country. And, if it can't get there, get out and walk in with a pack on.
Just wish I went with my gut 7 years ago and didn't go down the Toyota crawler route first. Spent a year building and basically no time enjoying. Costly mistake.
I agree with the above. Buy a relatively affordable reliable 4x4 and spend money on traveling. A well maintained 4x4 will get you most everywhere you'd want to go in this country. And, if it can't get there, get out and walk in with a pack on.
Chevrolado
Cruisin'
I wish I would've kept the 97 Silverado Z71 I bought when I was 17.. Thing was awesome. I could've built it to be such a great rig by now! But I had to sell it and go into the euro car tuner scene and spend lots of money and time there before now back into Chevy offroad business..
Maverick1701
Adventurer
I would have never sold my 96 F350 7.3 CC 4x4... I had it setup just how I liked it...I loved that truck. I sold it due to the influence of a chick. I'm saving for another one now (truck not chick)...all it takes is money.
olly hondro
mad scientist
I would have gone with the 5 ton on the right rather than the 2 1/2 ton on the left. I really like the 855 cubic inch Cummins in the 5T 
