projects

[olranger]

i was wondering how do you guys afford to do the projects you have done. i have alot of ideas i want to do to my 91 ranger but no money. i was just wondering, some of you talented people put some money in your rides.

 

[TS6034]

I work a lot of over time at my full time job. I also do auto repair at home on my days off. I use all the profit from fixing cars to fund my project truck. I also shop around for parts. Ebay is my friend.

 

[wrecking-crew]

i have a friend thats a good mechanic. he works on my truck free(sometimes charges food). most of us have friends that are good at one thing or another. and some people here have friends that own shops and stuff. and alot of parts that some people use are from the local jy

 

[mhughes165]

me im independently wealthy, people pay me to work on my own cars just to observe the awe and wonder that is my mechanical abilities............im just kidding, plenty of bud, beer, hookers, time and searching for parts, and blood sweat and tears doin the work

 

[TS6034]

I worked several years at a dealership. I'm still a master certified ASE technician. But just on the weekends now. LOL

 

[crawlin91]

classifieds, craigslist, junkyard gems, hard work, shop manual and a lil time is all it takes

 

[fordxranger]

Growing up I would always work on cars with my dad and grandpa and I grew to love it. during that time I knew that I (or my family) couldn't afford/nor did I want to let someone else do the work so I wanted done so I learned all that I could about basic auto mechanics, welding and machining. In high school I took auto shop one year, took a half a year of machining and took welding classes in the summers between grades 10-12. I took a summer class of CAD in 9th grade but unfortunately I forgot most of what I learned since I never got to use it since then. I also learned the basics of auto body from a family friend. after high school I took come CC classes in welding and got a job at a machine shop where I was trained the basics of conventional and CNC machining. so needless to say I don't really have to outsource any work on my projects cause I know how to do a lot of it(except real in depth wiring). I don't mind crawling around in cheap junk yards like pull a part for parts and I like to look in other cars for parts I can interchange or make work with my project. I also lurk and post on a number of forums and browse craigslist for deals. when I want/need parts I can't get cheap or in a junkyard without luck I would work as much overtime as they would let me and I would shop around for the best deal.

 

[WNY964x4]

alot of time and effort , scouring the classifieds on here , bought a parts truck off craigslist , we have a used car dealership so we have an account with ford , i am on a first name basis with the parts guy , doing all the work myself , no matter what it is

 

[olranger]

i see (Awesome truck ts6034) thanks for all the info. i have to save my money and get so much a week. I love following all the builds on here, keep em coming.

 

[4x4builder1]

also try to brainstorm and get a good plan on paper so you have an idea of what you want and what it will cost. If you dont have some sort of plan youll be like me Ive changed tire sizes 3 times (actually have 3 sets of tires! 46"s 57"s 72"s) and made the project more expensive each time. What direction are you going lift lower street/strip?

 

[koda6966]

My blood sweat and tears..

Mine's not really a project though, more of a "lets see how long this poor truck will last me" type of thing.

 

[layd88]

i just dump all my money into this thing. ive got shitty credit and a low dollar bank acount. i can make enough in a week to pay my bills, buy grocerys, eat out twice a day and buy expensive ass tools and still make a little for the savings acount. its an addiction yea, but its better than crack.

 

[JohnnyU]

It's a fine line to walk. I cobbled my Ranger together fairly cheaply while I was still in college. My recent Chevy build I spent more money on than I should have. I had graduated, and been working for a couple of years before built it.

This hobby is synonymous with having a race-car, or a boat, or an RV. That is, until you have a family.

To answer your question a bit more directly, when I did the majority of spending for my Chevy project, I was a single guy working a good job and still living with my folks. That has changed now, of course.

 

[olranger]

i would like to repaint it,lower it 3/4 and v-8 swap.

 

[olranger]

yeah i bet. i am heavy equipment mechanic, married with 2 kids, possibly 3. So i am thinking i may have to wait way down the road before i get to do my projects