CJ Jeep - Build it or buy it?
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CJ Jeep - Build it or buy it?
- Thread starter billkiene
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- 84 cj7, 91 cherokee, 78 chevy 3500 pu, 78 CJ7
That's kinda up to you. If you have the skills to build a rig go for it or just buy one already done and it the trails.
Posi
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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If you have the time, and don't mind extra work one could build a good trail Jeep for nothing.
billkiene
Jeeper
My street rod friends said it is cheaper for most to buy a classic car / muscle car / street rod than to have one built for you.
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That is true because you will never be able to sell one for what it cost to build it.
squishware
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You don't *really* know what used car you are getting until it's too late.
jp360cj
Old Time Jeeper
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From what I've seen, I'd say it's generally cheaper to buy it rather than build it. But I guess that also depends on what you want to buy/build.
My cousin just bought a used JKU (08 or 09, something like that) with low miles and pretty well built. ARBs, 5.38s, 37s, RCV shafts, Dana 44 front, OBA kit on the ARB compressor, and some other small stuff for about the same as he would have paid for a stock one (or at least one with just lift and tires).
I've seen CJs setup similar to mine for sale for not much more than it cost to build my axles, soa, and tires. Flip side is I have also found that with Jeeps, stock usually means it's lived an easier life and less chance it's been abused.
My cousin just bought a used JKU (08 or 09, something like that) with low miles and pretty well built. ARBs, 5.38s, 37s, RCV shafts, Dana 44 front, OBA kit on the ARB compressor, and some other small stuff for about the same as he would have paid for a stock one (or at least one with just lift and tires).
I've seen CJs setup similar to mine for sale for not much more than it cost to build my axles, soa, and tires. Flip side is I have also found that with Jeeps, stock usually means it's lived an easier life and less chance it's been abused.
Kane
Full Time Jeeper
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I built mine simply because I wanted it a very specific way that I would not have found if I looked to buy one. I certainly did not save money by doing it this way and it took several years to do the work.
Posi
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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- 54 Willys 3B, FI 401, T-18, ARB Locked, Hinkey Sidewinder Winch
Generally you can buy a built CJ for less then building it yourself.
In the above case it stands to reason you won't get your money back when selling a built rig.
You would certainly not get anything close to your money back if you have someone else build your CJ.
There is so many variables to the OP's question.
My current build owns me nothing and I'm almost done.
I paid 3k for it and it came with a "in the box" 4.1 kit, stripped most everything and sold the parts for 3.4k and kept the 4.1 kit, frame, and sheetmetal.
I bought a K30, FSJ, and CJ for short money removed the parts I needed and sold off the rest. Used the profits on my build.
The only thing that hasn't been modified on my build is the hood, although I may adds some air vents at some point.
Time, and hard work is a must building a project that way.
In the above case it stands to reason you won't get your money back when selling a built rig.
You would certainly not get anything close to your money back if you have someone else build your CJ.
There is so many variables to the OP's question.
My current build owns me nothing and I'm almost done.
I paid 3k for it and it came with a "in the box" 4.1 kit, stripped most everything and sold the parts for 3.4k and kept the 4.1 kit, frame, and sheetmetal.
I bought a K30, FSJ, and CJ for short money removed the parts I needed and sold off the rest. Used the profits on my build.
The only thing that hasn't been modified on my build is the hood, although I may adds some air vents at some point.
Time, and hard work is a must building a project that way.
gr8dain
Full Time Jeeper
When I bought my Scrambler, I was not looking for either really. Just a Scrambler in decent condition within my budget.
The one I found was not built. Stock suspension on 28” tires. Ewwwwww.
So I planned the long slow build. Not nearly done. But I did have to do a engine swap and frame swap since buying it.
I have done a lift, swapped axles, one piece shafts, 6 bolt hubs, a lot of cosmetic stuff. Basically, I have now learned every nut and bolt and feel good about fixing most things and can narrow down problems better when they arise. As a previously non mechanic (now a novice), I would never have learned this much buying a prebuilt rig. Oh, and I am taking it at a slower pace learning what I really want as I go. Learning to wheel on 31s makes you really learn rather than hopping into a rig on 37s or so and just “driving” over the boulders.
So there is more to it than just cost, in my case.
The one I found was not built. Stock suspension on 28” tires. Ewwwwww.
So I planned the long slow build. Not nearly done. But I did have to do a engine swap and frame swap since buying it.
I have done a lift, swapped axles, one piece shafts, 6 bolt hubs, a lot of cosmetic stuff. Basically, I have now learned every nut and bolt and feel good about fixing most things and can narrow down problems better when they arise. As a previously non mechanic (now a novice), I would never have learned this much buying a prebuilt rig. Oh, and I am taking it at a slower pace learning what I really want as I go. Learning to wheel on 31s makes you really learn rather than hopping into a rig on 37s or so and just “driving” over the boulders.
So there is more to it than just cost, in my case.
Posi
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
- Posts
- 8,034
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- New England
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- 54 Willys 3B, FI 401, T-18, ARB Locked, Hinkey Sidewinder Winch
Good on you!
- Posts
- 11,552
- Media
- 57
- Thanks
- 11
- Location
- Frederick colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 84 cj7, 91 cherokee, 78 chevy 3500 pu, 78 CJ7
I have lived by, unless you want a rock crawler all you need is a 31-10.5 tire.
billkiene
Jeeper
When I bought my Scrambler, I was not looking for either really. Just a Scrambler in decent condition within my budget.
The one I found was not built. Stock suspension on 28” tires. Ewwwwww.
So I planned the long slow build. Not nearly done. But I did have to do a engine swap and frame swap since buying it.
I have done a lift, swapped axles, one piece shafts, 6 bolt hubs, a lot of cosmetic stuff. Basically, I have now learned every nut and bolt and feel good about fixing most things and can narrow down problems better when they arise. As a previously non mechanic (now a novice), I would never have learned this much buying a prebuilt rig. Oh, and I am taking it at a slower pace learning what I really want as I go. Learning to wheel on 31s makes you really learn rather than hopping into a rig on 37s or so and just “driving” over the boulders.
So there is more to it than just cost, in my case.
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I found a Scrambler video......cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZD94Tkj8PE
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Another cool Scrambler.....video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sjQNc5tcEE
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$AMC 150 ,000.00 Scrambler?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOWO3KqF_6w
Last edited:
gr8dain
Full Time Jeeper
Yeah. That Legacy Scrambler is way too much for me.
billkiene
Jeeper
If you hit the Lotto?
gr8dain
Full Time Jeeper
billkiene
Jeeper
I like the looks of the Scrambler but want to stay at 1975 or older for the "no smog check needed" in California.
RiverandSand
Senior Jeeper
I did half an half bought a CJ with what I wanted mostly, then tore it all a part and redoing it the way I want it. Atleast here in the southwest you aren't going to find exactly what you want without a big price tag, people around here are pretty proud of their stuff even the project rigs.