So I recently started modding my 13' jkur and a friend of mine asked if I wanted to go look at new jeeps since he wants to buy one and mod his own...

Today we went to the dealer that is about 20 minutes from my house, a new 4 door Ruby is about $38K!!! I paid a lot less than that in 13', I know the sticker was something like 44 on mine and I paid about 10 less than that, this dealer said they could do about 6 less than sticker...

Anyway, I was thinking, $40K will build a heck of a lot of jeep, I have built frame up resto mods and he did his own 70 big block ss chevelle clone a few years back {car was a mess when he got it and now is laser straight and worth about $50K}, so we are capable of building a jeep, except we are hot rod muscle car motorcycle guys.

We went on the net and got an idea of what it would take to build a custom jeep, he said he would be able to spend $45K total, which makes sense because after taxes and the annual property tax {welcome to CT, after you buy a car you get to pay $1500 a year to own it untl its worthless} he will save money, plus if he bought a jeep for 38 and put 10K into lift wheels, bumpers, lights, etc that would get him to $50 fast......

So figure a donor jeep at $10K {c-list we found a 4 door jk for $9800 obo has high miles and engine noise} but that was after looking for 5 minutes, I am sure we can find a better deal} ..

Then a V8 kit LS with tranny and kit $15K

Front and back axles {terraflex 60's} with terraflex braes $8K

Left kit and wheel and tires {he wants 37's} $7000

interior {just leather recovering seats local shop} $1000 for something custom with new floor cover, etc...

Bumpers and winch $1000 {just going by what I paid there}...

All of that puts him just over $40 leaving a few thousand for any other items we are obviously not looking into but will be needed and paint {we get a great deal at a friends body shop}...

When we rebuild a classic car, we normally pull the body off, remove the axles and front end, repair, blast, and por15, rebuild the rear and front end From steering to suspension and brakes {these have always been 2wd, at least everyone I have done}, then replace all the wiring drop in the drive train, brake lines, fuel lines and tank, etc. So the rolling chassis is 100%..

WE pop the body back on to bring it to the body shop, John does the body for us and it comes back home, I have the glass guy come and do my front and back glass, then its just a week or so of interior, door handles, trim, bumpers, wiring, etc etc etc...

NOW, with all the cars I have done, they were 40 years old {my 39 tudor was over 70 when I built it}, so I just changed everything, with a 6 year old jeep I am sure there will be a lot of salvageable soft and hard parts, he wants to do heavy duty, suspension, rear ends, and brakes so that stuff will get replaced, and the drive line will be in the same boat with a v8 LS swap.

Obviously we have a lot of research to do, I admit I am a little of my comfort zone, I have no problem calling jegs and ordering a $16K crate engine for an $80K restomod, but with jeeps I feel they are a different beast. I agree with him that buying a new one would cost more than building an insane machine with all new parts. At first I thought it wouldnt be but then 30 minutes on the net and it showed to be close, and I will be honest he will get more for his money, kind of wish I thought of that with my jeep because I want to v8 it someday... Although mine only has 4k miles on it {its an extra vehicle we hardly use}, I like owning it...


SO what do you think of this plan, he is looking for a donor right now, he left here an hour ago and already texted me 3 different jk 4 doors that are pretty cheap. Also a really good deal on a 4 door rubicon {2012 hit in the front, but has salvage title}...

 

If you can afford the parts outright, and can put the labor into it, it's always goin to be cheaper to build than it is to buy. Go for it.

 

Just my opinion, I would go wild on a CJ or other older cool Jeep model before a JK. I do love my JK, but the value won't be there in a JK even after dropping that kind of cash in it.

 

The guy at the dealership actually mentioned that he said if he was going to do something like that he would use a CJ. But he wants a 4 door I am sure the modern a/c, power doors, airbags, etc would make for a better finished product than an old cj, although all of that can be added its going to add cost to the project. He just called me and asked if I want to take a ride to New Hampshire tomorrow, lol... He said there is a 2012 unlimited rubicon up there, it has no axles, motor, tranny, fenders, wheels, tires, hood, top, bumpers, grille, or seats. It has a good body, frame, glass, and 4 doors no tailgate and all the interior is there except for the carpet and seats. It has a clean title and they want $1500 for it I told him the title is worth that, he can buy a salvaged jeep on ebay cheap and use that title and frame for the build, but really if its nice enough it sounds like he would just need a tailgate and seats and we could build what he was planning... He wants an aftermarket top, bumpers, etc anyway, he also like the angry grille look so that one not having a grille is no big issue either... Sadly I can not take a ride with him tomorrow and its going to be bad weather but this is how he works, he will order $30K of parts before this weekend, lol...
His wife is going to hate me even more now, it all started with me buying wheels for my jeep, lol, same thing last summer I bought a new X10 and a month later he spent $120K on a 1 year old xstar to surpass me lol....

 

Be sure to start a build thread if y'all go that route!!!

 

If this is the plan with a new JK too, then starting with a Rubi doesn't make a lot of sense. Start with a Sport that has a sticker of 26.5K instead of a rubi at 38. That just made the new one 11,500 cheaper. But if you have that kind of shop and know how at your disposal (and the time), whatever you come up with as a customer build is going to be way cooler. Just post up a build thread so we can see what you do.

 

I'm basically looking to do the same thing once I get out to California. From what I've found either a salvage jeep or well used 2WD is the best bet for price if you want to go 4 doors. I'm leaning toward a 2007-2010 2WD with as many miles as I can find or even a blown engine seeing as how I will replace with either a new/used LQ9 or L76 (haven't decided that yet either) due to being out in Cali I'm gonna have plenty of emissions requirements, thus the newer GEN IV or V engines. Salvage cars can come with a lot if issues if you don't know exactly what you are doing, so I'd be careful there.

Seems to only makes sense to go with 2WD to 4WD conversion if replacing both axles anyway. Transfer cases are all over the place and if you are building an awesome jeep with a lot of torque (which it sounds like you are) beefing up the transfer case and drive shafts will be needed as well. I'm planning on a 2 speed Atlas, but there are plenty of options there that may be less expensive.

Looking forward to what comes ahead!

Paul

 

The value won't be there in a cj either so that's out the window. If going that old might as well go to a YJ where u get the better frame and springs and go from there or if you hate the square headlight go to a TJ like 97 or 98 the do a long arm stretch kit. Bring it to right around 101-103" and call it a day

 

Take a gander at our friend Earth Siege's build. Essentially doing what you've described.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-s...e-40-a-299576/

 

Thanks, I sent him a link to that build, almost exactly what he is doing...
I told him if he does it he has to start a build thread. He is a member of a hot rod board so not new to the concept...

We spoke last night, he is going up north to look at a stripped jeep with a clean title, he ran the car fax and it came up that is had hurricane sandy involved claim, but the seller said it has a clean NOT salvaged title... It may be just what he is looking for, sounds perfect...

Also a friend of ours knows where there is a 4x4 gmc 2500hd that was rolled over, supposedly it was super low miles and they wanted short money for the motor and tranny, {"its a pick and pull yard so he is going to call them today to get the details and make sure its still available...

As far as the time, he works from home and I am retired, although it doesnt feel like it sometimes... So that is what makes it make even more sense, time, a shop, connections in the custom vehicle business, and his money {LOL} are all available... I was adding some stuff up last night, you can build a really nice jeep with all off the shelf parts... My wife just shook her head and said "we already have a jeep" and I didn't mention building one, but I will be honest, I was thinking it...

Ill admit it looks a lot harder than building a hot rod, I have a 32 vicky as my next project, the frame is done, I bought a brand new complete Heidts mustang ii front end for $1600 and a brand new Moser 9" for $2050, both complete with brakes, after I get them mounted I will buy a set of wheels {waiting for the thompson speedway swapmeet always awesome wheel and tire deals there}, then I'll buy a ram jet 350 {$5600} and I'll have my local tranny guy {great guy, works out of a home shop, builds a great tranny} build me a 200r4 {$800 with the controller}, Ill do the exhaust myself {they are super cheap} and Lastly Ill install the painless wiring kit {not actually painless brand}, plastic fuel tank, ss fuel lines, and brake lines {thats another $400} and I will have a complete roller brand new for around $9500, just the body and interior left which I have 100% of, Ill be able to get it into paint for around $2500, then $1000 for the interior, and another $2500 for the rest of it {A/C, Heat, battery door handles, column, glass, etc... I could do it even cheaper, BUT I know what it takes to have something special, you NEED leather, A/C, Fuel injection, and disc brakes, there is no way around that, if you want to build a car that brings $40K+ it needs them 4 things...

So for around $20K I will have built a $50K hot rod!!! Years ago if you spent $20K on a hot rod it was worth $10 when you were done, now its worth 3 times what you invest! Parts are so cheap now, I remember when I did my 39', the steering column cost me $1800 and the wheels/tires were $5000!!! Now I get a brand new chrome, tilt, no key 32" column with a steering wheel for $190 and a set of 4 brand new rims and tires 20x10 rears and 18x8 fronts with what ever size rubber I want for $1500 {1/2 that if I go to the swap meet}. Plus before we had the choice of 3 wheels torque thrusts, cragars, and moons, lol, now you get dizzy cyphering through all the designs...

Anyway, I can't wait to see where he goes with this build, although, he was supposed to buy a 57' this summer and we were going to build a supercharged resto mod this summer, I think a jeep would be just as fun, we have done 57's before, never did a jeep...