How much money do you have in your rig so far?

[STAG]

My first Jeep I think I had put about 3k into it (including 1k for the initial cost of the Jeep, and doing a 1st stage and 2nd stage build) however the 2nd stage was done too cheaply and it did not use the right parts so I parted it out and picked up a different Jeep.Currently with this new Jeep, I would estimate probably 5k in parts is already bought (not including the necessary tools, like welders, etc) but I am far from done. I am expecting that I will be around 20-25k into it when I'm all done. However this Jeep is only intended to get built once, no "stages" and so it will use all of the best parts that I want right up front. In the long run this will save me money from not paying to do it twice. Buuuut I can't really help with the wife situation. Because I am single. and that's the only way that I will be able to finish this Jeep.

 

[turbohaulic]

I figure any number I may post can be used against me as evidence.

Haha true true!! I like the way you think.

 

[Devel]

Too much and not enuff

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Since I bought it almost 11 years ago probably about $3400, not including the 4 sets of A/T's and 3 sets of M/T's I have gone through.

 

[Tallz]

I just started a low budget CJ5 build and I'm more than half way to the prize. My wife is awesome! She lets me spend my money how I want trusting that I will spend it wisely and keep some in savings. Its more a balance in time for us. Time together vs. time in the garage. As far as how much money I have spent, including the cost of the jeep, I am at about $3500 +/- using mostly used parts and a lot of wrench and fab time to do it.

I would say work out a scenario that works well for both of you. The last thing the wife really wants is for you to spend all your money and all your time on your project. Then she just has a roomate and not a husband. I think thats what scares my wife the most losing me to the garage all the time and never seeing me unless I am covered in grease and welding burns.

 

[neagtea]

I think it may be cheaper sometimes to have someone like Hanks build it.
Add it up= 2 welders, tube bender, 30-60 grand in a tool box, plasma cutter, torch and gasses and tons of time not to mention running around gathering parts and material.
I still build my own junk as my labor is free and I enjoy fab and mechanical repair and my work scedule gives me a couple weekdays off when she is not home wanting me to work on the "LIST".
Just 2 cents worth.

 

[cannoncrawler]

I have about 7k into it now. goes about everywher the high dollar rigs go. but doing the extra 10% of the obstacles is not worth spending 10's of thousands of dollars more. dollar for dollar, it holds its own.

 

[Greg]

I have about 7k into it now. goes about everywher the high dollar rigs go. but doing the extra 10% of the obstacles is not worth spending 10's of thousands of dollars more. dollar for dollar, it holds its own.

Good to hear it's still working for ya Chad.

 

[cannoncrawler]

Good to hear it's still working for ya Chad.

you wouldn't recognize it!

 

[jswainthug]

$14 in sawzall blades and $6 in zip ties!

 

[anderson750]

I bought my jeep for less than the parts that were in it about 3 years ago. The biggest upgrade I have done to it so far was the install of ruby d44's over the winter. The wife was all for it, since she was convinced it would be safer to wheel with stronger and locked axles.

This past week at EJS I let her drive Green Day (her first time driving) she did great. She bypassed the big obstacle and only struggled on the last obstacle (just look at my avatar). Anyway, she has always loved trips to Moab, but now that she has driven, the other upgrades are now sounding like a better idea to her:greg:.

 

[rockreligious]

anyone who has built a rig and not logged there expenses has likely spent far more than they think..Ive spent $600 on misc bolts and hardware alone that most people dont consider.. I have a notebook that I write ever single expense in and im over $30,000..My original goal was a budget build and I failed miserbly. MY WIFE KNOWS WHERE THE NOTEBOOK Is, and I have an understanding wife. My new project is a 2000 Grand WJ and my challenge is to not spend more building it than I spent buying it.

 

[DAA]

Expensive hobbies = angry wives....

That's what I am up against

Wives, getting angry, about expensive hobbies? Sounds like blatant hypocrisy to me.

Try making a hobby out of wives. If there is a more expensive hobby in exsistence, I'm not aware of it...

- DAA

 

[cj14]

My wife doesn't go as much as she used to but still strongly supports my hobby. I started out to build on a budget and she's the one that shot that out of the water. She was down buying the seats egging on the custom wheels telling me that 42's where to small and the paint needs to be brite. I suppose that's a good thing after 29 years together.

 

[Silly Willy]

Wives, getting angry, about expensive hobbies? Sounds like blatant hypocrisy to me.

Try making a hobby out of Marriage. If there is a more expensive hobby in exsistence, I'm not aware of it...

- DAA

I fixed it for you.

Wives would just be another expensive hobby for us. Marriage is just expensive in general

 

[broncomitch]

about 8 grand thats in mine so far, including the bronco.

 

[rockdog]

Between $20,000 and $25,000. I quit counting. It made me sick to my stomach. Most people who haven't done a ground up build, have no idea how much all the little stuff adds up to.
I'll give you an example. We were out at the snakes a couple of years ago. My nephew who had built his own buggy is climbing the nest. Two guys are standing to the side watching. One guy turns to the other and says. That wouldn't be hard to build or cost that much. All you need is the frame and some axles.
He kept track of all his expenses. He was well over $30,000. And two years of his life. It's just plain an expensive hobby.

 

[mierdota]

I am only into my jeep $9500 i sold the axles and stuff that was under it when i swapped the 60's so it only cost me $500 to do the 60 convo and new suspension because of the stuff i sold $9500 isnt bad for a 98 tj with one tons, air shocks, 37's, corbeaus ect. i didnt do it cheap by any means its built right, Owning a machine/fab shop has its advantages

 

[McGhie]

$14 in sawzall blades and $6 in zip ties!

HOLD IT! Them Zip ties was mine and i bought them! Now how do i count them in my build?

 

[jackjoh]

I have $0 in my ZJ other than the U4 stickers in the back window (membership). I am not counting regular maintenance.
My scout II which was purchased for $350 had about $2200 in it because all parts except the Torsen Gleason, electronic ignition, shocks, and front springs were purchased at junk yards and I did the work myself. Also this was 20 years ago so figure $4400 today.