Low Buck Build Threads Help or LBBTH

[jimmydean]

Because 1, I am cheap, and 2, I am not rich, all my builds are as low buck as they come. I shop around to find deals, wait to order stuff when on sale, or find good used parts when possible.

There are certain things you will not be able to save much, if any on, but are worth the price IMO.

I am working towards a deal on my Porterbuilt stuff by buying everything at once and hope to offer his product myself down the road. I have dealer accounts with some suppliers for other things. Craigs List is always an option when looking for stuff, or even for getting rid of the stuff I don't need.

[wgeyer88]

Originally Posted by Liz

I you could post the link instead of the name, more folks would likely join in. Many are to lazy to dig

x2

I'm one of them...

[fun in dirt]

My Blazer is pretty low buck... link in the signature.
Had the truck about 7 yrs now, didn't give much for it originally. Only put a couple of hundred in it initially & started driving it. Since that time I have collected parts -scanned Craigslist continuously for cheap parts & opportunities to swap, several trips to the junkyard, & bought a few trucks that could get what I needed off them & sell the rest for profit. Then I started rebuilding it in stages. Biggest factors to make it a true low buck build:
1. Do everything yourself. If you don't know how, research & ask around then just jump in and try it. (Or marry a guy that is talented at this stuff, that's what I did). That's the only way to learn.
2. Don't be in a hurry - deals are out there so keep looking. Some things are just as good used.

Now I have a bullet proof Blazer & easily less than $5k in the whole thing.

[Southern Shaker]

Just started on one heres the link!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...31#post6131631

[JointTech]

im not sure what the criteria for low buck is. I hope to have under 12k in mine when done including the truck. But my engine dreams are really hurting that idea.

[Mr Chevorlet]

Mine is a cheap build also. This is not a show truck but a weekend driver, All of it was done by myself and almost finished after three years. Pics can be seen by clicking on my name then click view public profile and on the middle right of the page is 67 photo album.
At first i thought the cost was going to be about 2 grand but now final cost will be about 2800.00

[mr48chev]

I've seen a lot of things passed off as "low buck" including suspect workmanship and crusty rusties but to me Low buck is building a nice rig without blowing the budget on things you don't really need to spend the extra money on.

Things to do the low buck thing ans still have a nice presentable truck that no clown will accuse of being a "nice rat rod" at the burger joint on Friday night cruise night.

1. Plan and shop:
Make a plan and stick to it and shop prices without cutting quality. Simply hunt for bargains that fit your build plan.

2. If you are building low buck you don't need a crate motor, transmission from a high zoot racing transmission shop or nine inc from one of the name nine inch builders. Finding a good running engine and good working trans that fit your plans that are in a running driving donor rig that you can drive home, tune up and get all of the bugs out of the engine and trans before you pull them and sell off the hulk keeps the cost down. Part of the investment is recovered selling the leftovers.

3. You don't need a 2000 dollar set of rims unless you can get them for 500 with tires because they were repossessed by or traded in to the Tire store you buddy works at. I picked up a set of new takeoffs and 6 lug Rally wheels for less than 400 bucks with all the caps and rings at the tire store I do business with in the late 80's when I was looking for wheels and tires for my son's 70 longbed. Two years later I sold the same set for 250 at a swapmeet after he bought his own mag wheels and tires and changed the look of the truck.

3. You don't need a high end custom made front suspension when you can get a set of lowering springs or dropped axle or pick up something like an XJ Jag crossmember for a couple of hundred bucks. Save the high end stuff for a later build when you decide you want to go all out. Or maybe one of the other board members is selling off his frame complete with GM subframe that has given him 40,000 trouble free miles and has a great stance because he is building a new frame with one of Scott's front suspensions and a nine inch rear on coil overs for more of a show truck look and offers you the deal of the week on his old chassis if you bring your own roller wheels and tires or trade him your uncut bone stock frame and less bucks for his chassis.

4. You don't need a whole load of trick billet pieces to have your truck run good when a well detailed stock engine will work nicely in your low buck build. All of the chrome and billet stuff under some guy's hoods cost more than other guy's whole builds sometimes. It's nice but a real budget killer.

5. Do as much of the body work and paint prep as you can yourself. If you can't paint it yourself and don't have a buddy who can there is almost always a painter around most towns who shoots guy's cars on the side and does good work. Young body and paint men who work in dealerships or collision repair shops always seem to be looking for side work for extra spending money.

The main thing is plan, shop and bargain and don't get caught up in the concept of "I gotta have that trick stuff".

[Coach529]

I built mine with budget in mine. Somewhere between $4000 and $5000 total so far.

Link is in my signature.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Rusty,
You MIGHT like seeing my rattle canned heap:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=463698

Bought it about 1-1/2 years ago for $4500 (cheap in SoCal for a running, not too rusty big window with upgrades). It already had a mildly built 283, TH350 & 10 bolt rearend, so it already had the five lug car pattern. I had a set of leftover 15x7 Torq Thrust wannabe's. I bought 75 series takeoffs from CL for $60. My big expense was taking it to a shop in an old part of town the owners (70's) had owned since in their 20's. They loved getting a chance to work on old GM stuff. Had them install a Pertronix, dual plane manifold, redid the radiator, all hoses, belts, filters, fluids, tuneup, wires, yada, yada. A liberal does of rattle can paint and some used chrome goodies and it is how you'll see it.

I've TRIED to do everything economically, but I've been seduced by chrome goodies and disc brake & mastercylinder relocation kits - both new but un-installed - via Craigslist. Neither is installed yet.

Oops, EDIT: I'm probably in it for maybe $7000-7500 but its a solid runner at this point. Just needs emergency brakes hooked up, the disc & MC kits installed, seat belts, oh hell.....I'll be working on it forever, lol.

[PurdueSD]

I will probably have around 8k in mine including the truck when i eventually get finished. I did splurge on a couple key areas... Ifs/steering/door latches. Those were safety concious decisions based on me wanting to haul my young boy around with me.

The big key for my build was choosing a good donor vehicle. I picked up a running driving 88 burb and stole the tbi 350, 700r4, brake booster, master cyl., gas pedal, ebrake mech. I picked it up dirt cheap and have already made 1/3 of the purchase price back selling parts i dont need. When im done with it, ill scrap it out and probably break even.
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[OrrieG]

Mine. I do all my own work, strive to figure out low $ elegant solutions, and reuse or repurpose non-auto items to work. Goal is to have a daily use truck that most people will think is stock at first glance, then start looking closer to see the upgrades.

[rusty76]

You see I knew there was more of you out there digging around. I'll work on trying to get some links up. I'm not much of a computer geek. You know when I started this I thought about what is low buck and so on. Truthfully it's all over the board. I think what I'm getting at is I want it to be obtainable by regular Joes working with a few craftsmen tools and in the back yard. It doesn't have to be all one color or even rust free. It just needs to be safe and fun. I like some of the high dollar builds but honestly I don't connect with them. Thanks again for the responses. There's a lot of digging to do on here.......let's see some more.

[rusty76]

You know something else that I find awesome is that there has been so far 900 views. So I know you guys are listening which is great. Where there's a need.....there's an answer.

[Atommik]

I guess mine is low buck. I work in a body shop so I have a place to do the work I can't get done at home, so that helps make it low buck. I'd guess I've got about $3000 into it, including buying the truck. I hope to finish it without spending more than $1000.

[av8tr33337]

Mine

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Mine's pretty low cost. I don't know what you're going for but all told in parts I'm sitting at $1162.25 not including tools, and including purchase price. She's not in paint or anything, but I've got her from a non-running fender missing heap to a driver that runs nicely and gets me back and forth to lowes.

http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47321

The kids are wanting to stay with a patina build but the more I get into it the more I'm wanting to paint her. Who knows?

[LostMy65]

My 65 linked in my signature isn't really a budget build, but more of a budget tinker.
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[cubber]

Mine is pretty low budget. A $1500 stepside, a Porterbuilt kit (Not Dropmember), lots of help from friends met because of this board, some rattle can paint, and a bunch of used parts.
LINK IN SIG.........By the way, good idea!

[rusty76]

Kool. When I get off work today I will be checking these bad boys out. Keep them coming. Thanks once again.

[losthope]

Heres my low buck build....... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485977
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[skymangs]

Here's ours... 47 Chevy with right at $5000 invested for full frame up build with
350/350, IFS, and AC. Just went 1300 miles on Power Tour a couple weeks ago.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541904

[kustombrad]

Hey, I'm honored to be included in this group!
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[Downlow2xfo]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584520

Just started but doin a little every day!!!!!
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[rusty76]

Originally Posted by losthope

Heres my low buck build....... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485977
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Yours has been one of my favorites. Followed along for awhile. Awesome build.

[rusty76]

Originally Posted by kustombrad

Hey, I'm honored to be included in this group!
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I'm honored to have you share your build.