I've been thinking a lot about this hobby lately, and what the end goal is. Up to this point, every rig I have ever wheeled has been modified, but it has been done by the previous owner. Our current rig is the best example. We were living in apartments, going to school, and I wanted a rig that could do as difficult of trails as possible and still be streetable. I didn’t have the storage space to keep a tow rig, trail rig, and a trailer. So I got what was (at the time) an amazing deal on a 2000 TJ. Built with rubi axles, on 35s, ARBs front and rear, etc.
Also important to note at this time I simply didn’t have the capacity (the tools, time, money, place or skills) to build a rig on my own. I did imagine that one day I would have the ability and desire to build my own rig.
Fast forward a couple years… We bought a house; we are a little more financially prepared to dig ourselves more into rock crawling. We have the garage, plenty of parking for tow rig and trailer, but still lack tools and skills to build up a rig on my own.
So if fabrication was something I wanted to pursue, right now would be the time to do it. I still have some electives left, and UVU offers some welding/metal fabrication classes that would actually count towards a degree. When I started seriously thinking about this, I asked myself why? Why should I fab my own junk. I see guys that spend years building their own rig, get frustrated as all get out, and one day finally finish it and enjoy it for a few years, then sell it for less than they are into it in parts. I realize there are lots of advantages; probably the best I can see is if you build a rig, you know that rig in and out, because you built it.
Let’s be honest here, I’m an accountant, not a metal fabricator. You need someone to do your taxes, I’m your guy. I will never have the skills that I could pay someone at a shop to do for me. And if money is an issue, you could buy an already built rig for less than just the parts cost!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid to wrench on a rig. I won’t be trailering the buggy into Jiffy Lube for an oil change and to get the brakes worked on. I’ve done some basic maintenance on my vehicles, including clutch, motor mounts, tranny mounts, installed one ton steering on the TJ, basic stuff like that. The more I wrench, the more I realize how much more I love being out on the trail!
There is also the sentiment of built, not bought. I have the utmost respect for those that can build their own rig, but I think it’s hilarious when I tell people I bought it how it sits, and they act like I should be ashamed for not building it myself! I am not ashamed
All this rambling leads me to the question. Why do you build your own rigs?
Also important to note at this time I simply didn’t have the capacity (the tools, time, money, place or skills) to build a rig on my own. I did imagine that one day I would have the ability and desire to build my own rig.
Fast forward a couple years… We bought a house; we are a little more financially prepared to dig ourselves more into rock crawling. We have the garage, plenty of parking for tow rig and trailer, but still lack tools and skills to build up a rig on my own.
So if fabrication was something I wanted to pursue, right now would be the time to do it. I still have some electives left, and UVU offers some welding/metal fabrication classes that would actually count towards a degree. When I started seriously thinking about this, I asked myself why? Why should I fab my own junk. I see guys that spend years building their own rig, get frustrated as all get out, and one day finally finish it and enjoy it for a few years, then sell it for less than they are into it in parts. I realize there are lots of advantages; probably the best I can see is if you build a rig, you know that rig in and out, because you built it.
Let’s be honest here, I’m an accountant, not a metal fabricator. You need someone to do your taxes, I’m your guy. I will never have the skills that I could pay someone at a shop to do for me. And if money is an issue, you could buy an already built rig for less than just the parts cost!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not afraid to wrench on a rig. I won’t be trailering the buggy into Jiffy Lube for an oil change and to get the brakes worked on. I’ve done some basic maintenance on my vehicles, including clutch, motor mounts, tranny mounts, installed one ton steering on the TJ, basic stuff like that. The more I wrench, the more I realize how much more I love being out on the trail!
There is also the sentiment of built, not bought. I have the utmost respect for those that can build their own rig, but I think it’s hilarious when I tell people I bought it how it sits, and they act like I should be ashamed for not building it myself! I am not ashamed
All this rambling leads me to the question. Why do you build your own rigs?
Last edited:
