Father / Son Cheap Truck Challenge...

[loveshackle]

DUE TO MY SON, 10, BEING ACTIVE IN THIS THREAD ONLY, PLEASE KEEP THE LANGUAGE AND IMAGES APPROPRIATE. THANK YOU!!

My son (Ryder, 10) & I each bought cheap '78 4x4s recently, with the intention of building inexpensive reliable rigs for 'mild' (for PBB, at least) trail use.

So, figured we'd do a build thread here. Although I have a full shop & lots of parts lying around, we'll document actual expenses, even if it's at a 'jobber' discount. Consumable costs are not included. I will edit the build costs here in the first post as we go.

I consider $5000 a reasonable price for a solid family capable rig on 35's that can wheel with anybody else on similar size tires. So, the goal is to stay under $5k. As the Bronco is to be my DD, I'll probably spend more money on it in the short run.

RULES -

1) No $$ for labor. All work to be performed by us or employees of my shop.

2) No drivetrain alterations, just maintenance. EDIT: Rear lockers allowed.

3) Rigs must be street legal (here in SW Colorado, which is REALLY lax).

4) Rigs must be capable of driving to & from trailhead.

5) Rigs must be capable of seating 4, with seatbelts.

6) Rigs must have full-size spare and safety equipment.

7) 35" tire limit, to maintain drivetrain integrity. (BROKEN BY DAD; WEEK 3)

8) Once running & driving, vehicle may not be disabled (for work) for more than 2 days. (BROKEN BY DAD; WEEK 3)

Here are the rigs.

Ryder - '78 Jeep Cherokee Chief bought at auction. 'Levi' edition with WT D44s front & rear. Runs & drives, albeit rough. Only real problems are a broken mount on the PS pump, missing power steering pump, and no battery. He chose to name his rig, 'Chief Chopper', as he wants to chop the top off immediately.

Loveshackle - '78 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT, bought on eBay. Only major problem is rusted out wheel wells, rear quarters, and exhaust. Project name is 'Rough & Ready'.

BUILD COST TALLY --

Chief Chopper ('78 FSJ)

Mods done: Top chopped off from B pillar back. Tailgate removed. Bed carpeting removed from back of rear footwell to the rear bumper. Internals removed from passenger door; driver side in work.

Mods planned: Big opening half doors with small hinged tube doors inside. Rear edge of roof (now just behind front seats) rolled and tubed for support. Roof support with dome light relocated to directly above front seats. Onboard air using existing York compressor. Bed sides topped with channel for safety & strength. Fab front & rear bumpers, including front 10k winch. 6" BJ's Offroad lift. 35" Swampers. Strengthen existing rollcage & tie into fabbed front hoop. Rear Detroit. Bikini top. Rattlecan paintjob tbd. Some modification to fender openings, as stock metal flares are rusted; possibly Bushwackers. More to come as need arises.

$350 -- Vehicle Purchase
$110 -- Optima Red Top
$ 20 -- Turn Signal Lenses (junkyard)
$778 -- BJ's Offroad 6" Lift with ES9000 shocks
$585 -- 10k Wireless Winch
--------
$1843 -- Total

Rough & Ready ('78 Bronco)

Mods done: Rear Bushwacker flares installed. 4" springs installed front & rear. 4 1/2" longer shocks f & r. Anti-Sway bars removed f & r. Magnaflow mufflers welded in. 4" drop pitman arm. Steering stabilizer.

Mods planned: Front Bushwacker flares. Onboard air using York compressor. Fab front & rear bumpers, including front 10k winch. 36x13x15 iroks on stock wagon wheels. Camo rattlecan paintjob. Rear Detroit. Mod front shock towers. More to come as need arises.

$710 -- Vehicle Purchase
$ 2 -- Turn Signal Bulbs
$140 -- Superflex 4" Coils
$499 -- Superflex 4" Rear Springs
$ 65 -- Superlift 4" Dropped Pitman Arm
$ 40 -- Steering Stabilizer
$180 -- Front Bushwacker Cut-Out Flares
$165 -- Rear Bushwacker Cut-Out Flares
$143 -- Magnaflow Mufflers
$252 -- Doetch Tech Shocks (dual fronts + rears)
$585 -- 10k Wireless Winch
$ 13 -- Replacement wheel studs
$ 30 -- Longer U-bolts with hardware
$ 15 -- Pinion angle shims
$975 -- 36x13x15 Iroks (x5)
--------
$3814 -- Total

[bbagwell]

He is off to a good start, first wheeling rig at age 10! That's awesome.

[loveshackle]

We should have taken pics of the truck as we got it, but did not.

Bought it at a local auction where a local repair shop was going out of business.

Took a new battery from the shop and drove it home. No power steering, but otherwise functional. I'm guessing it has a 360 & 727. Haven't ID'd the transfer case yet.

Has a unique interior, as we'd never seen the 'Levi' edition before. In addition to exterior badges, this package apparently only means that the seats and front door panels are a tan denim with logo rivets just like Levi jeans. Driver's seat had been replaced, but passenger seat and rear seat are in good condition.

Headliner falling down and roof really tin canning, so Ryder's first move was to chop the top off, which we did with a lot of taping off, looking at pics of rigs on the net, and finally, a sawzall & air nibbler. Also threw out the tailgate, as it was very rusty and inop.

Also has a bolt-in cage in the back, which Ryder wants to eventually replace with a real cage for more headroom and safety, along with a fabric cover to keep the rain off passengers. He's not keen on having his 9-mo old brother getting all wet.

Has horrid welded on rear tire carrier that only serves to catch on your clothes and be in the way, along with a tow setup on the front. Both will be removed.

Just after the cut...

[sceep]

HECK YEAH!!

good luck to both of you.

awesome project, and great platforms to start with.

[CherokeeTerrorist]

this is awesome! i really wish my dad had done somthng like this with me, it instills alot of respect for the vehicle and propper use on the trail. best of luck to the both of you and keep us updated!

[wtr40rock]

sweet now you just have to finish the mogged truck

[loveshackle]

Originally Posted by bbagwell

He is off to a good start, first wheeling rig at age 10! That's awesome.

RYDER -- 'thank you! My dad was in a company that built cars. As long as I can remember my dad loved & built cars. So i got my enthusiasm from him.'

LOVESHACKLE -- For clarification, I am letting Ryder type his own posts & then have me review before hitting 'submit'. He asks me some spelling, such as 'enthusiasm', but you're getting his words, not mine.

Also, just to clarify for the parents out there, the $$ for his build is coming out of my pocket, but he works around the shop to offset the costs, and will have to use his own $$ for any 'bling'. And, he knows that his chores have to be done and his behavior up to par if he wants to work on his rig.

[Valley Auto]

Very cool

[loveshackle]

Originally Posted by wtr40rock

sweet now you just have to finish the mogged truck

Yeah, I know. Can't wait to get back at it. Will post some pics from this weekend today, but am not at the shop until tomorrow, hopefully.

Back on track with this...

[KiGrind]

A 10 year old powering a 360 ( i assume )...... you gonna need a good roll cage and a video camera. Sounds like a lot of fun. Trying to start my brother up with an XJ he found for $250 and drove really likes, runs good but lots of crap needs to be done..... he dosn't know I'm trying to buy it for him.

[loveshackle]

As you may know, I'm a big fan of '70s Fords, and have a few of 'em, but have always wanted a '78-'79 Bronco. Have been watching eBay for a few months looking for the right opportunity.

Anyhow, got this last week. Here's the eBay post.

"978 Bronco with Ford 9" rear end, Dana 44 front end, 400 cubic inch engine and C6 automatic with NP 205 transfer case. Front end was recently re-built with all new knucles etc. Pretty good stereo, AC Works well. Truck could be driven away quite easily. Needs some work but I feel you would be fine to take it anywhere. Also the radiator is fairly new. Has been maintained. Body has some rust and interior is worn but ok. Thanks for looking.


I think I got it at a good price, and having no interior pics helped. Plus the seller was just moving it for a friend, who doesn't have the net. Heck everything works, even the rear glass and under dash lights. A/C is only available with 'HOT' air, tho. Wank.

Very pleased. It is really a 400M, which is often claimed but rarely true. Wheeled it this weekend. Did very well, even thru 3' + water crossings. Has posi & 4.10 gears. Interior is in very good shape.

Pics (3 from ebay ad, last 2 I took)...

[loveshackle]

As you can see, Ryder is already laying out his half doors, which will have a tube door, as well.

[bigreen]

cool project!

[OMalley]

It has been said and I will say it again, COOL!! I can't think of anyting better for father/son bonding than wrenching and wheelin together.

[MT4Runner]

Get some, Ryder! Really looking forward to this build. Keep your grades up and get your chores done....and get your hands dirty, man!!

****Psst! I know your Dad said no drivetrain alterations, but tell one of his employees to weld your rearend while he's not looking! ***

[gp_frk]

Cool idea and one I plan to follow once my son gets older.

I'd love to see what Ryder does with those half doors. I'm thinking about doin something along the same lines with my 78 J10.

Pic of my son and I workin on "his" truck

[loveshackle]

Thanks for the comments, all! Ryder is excited to read each new post.

MT, stop planting ideas in his head...heheh...now he's trying to talk me into a Lincoln Locker 'cuz it's a form of maintenance .

[loveshackle]

Cool pic, GP FRK! I remember those days...

[BRUTUSFSJ]

Awesome projects! I will be following this thread closely.

FSJ all the way!

EDIT: Ryder should visit www.ifsja.org for questions specific to the Chero!

[VerticalTRX]

Excellent idea! I think you should add an addendum to rule #2 though, even for 'mild' trails you should each be allowed a mini-spool or welded rear diff.

[cisco]

This so cool. My son is one and I cannot wait to do this. My wife just said.."OH, NO!! What am I going to do with 2 enthusiasts!" Just this past weekend me and Ty-baby were changing the axle seals in the front 60. I look up and he is in his walker ( a jeep walker of course) and he has a lug nut in his MOUTH!!! I about crapped. I took it away from him and he cried until I gave him a 19 mm combination wrench to chew on. Didn't figure he could swallow that!!!

Ryder---make sure you thank your Dad and appreciate the relationship and love he has with you. It is not that way for everyone!!!! You are very lucky!!!

[loveshackle]

Ryder is disappointed that he didn't read the 'weld the rear' colored post without me seeing it...

Thinking about amending to Detroits for both rigs in the rear, as we're driving on snow 5-6 months out of the year & I don't like the way welded diffs act on that, especially for a 'young' driver.

BTW, Ryder drove the bronco this weekend & loved it.

[MT4Runner]

loveshackle, I didn't think he'd know yet about the "black text". Hint: Ryder, mouse over big gaps in people's post...sometimes it's text that's colored black....darker than this... Muahahahaha!!

Originally Posted by cisco

Ryder---make sure you thank your Dad and appreciate the relationship and love he has with you. It is not that way for everyone!!!! You are very lucky!!!

Amen to that! My dad was a grease monkey from way back. I can remember starting at 4 or 5 helping him on his 74 F-250, then the family 3/4T 77 'burban, then doing an auto-manual tranny swap in his 73 F-250. Never really considered myself a wrench, but I loved spending that time with my Dad. Now he grins when he sees me wrenching on my Runner!

[loveshackle]

RYDER - 'MT4Runner - My Dad read it with me, so I wasn't able to read it by myself without him because I'm not allowed to be on Pirate4x4 by myself. But, we have agreed to change the rules and be able to put a locker in the rear or weld the spider gears together.'

LOVESHACKLE - I didn't even explain that to him, I swear! At least not in the last few weeks. EDIT: He 'fessed up that he saw it on Extreme4x4 when Ian did the Rockwells.

RYDER - 'Cisco - Will do. I am very glad to have a Dad like mine. Make sure to wash the wrench. You don't want slobber on your projects!'

LOVESHACKLE - Sorry, he's got my sense of humor, or lack thereof.

[loveshackle]

Originally Posted by MT4Runner

loveshackle, I didn't think he'd know yet about the "black text".

Yeah, it came up as dark green on this end & I skipped over it until he started reading it aloud...

Amen to that! My dad was a grease monkey from way back. I can remember starting at 4 or 5 helping him on his 74 F-250, then the family 3/4T 77 'burban, then doing an auto-manual tranny swap in his 73 F-250. Never really considered myself a wrench, but I loved spending that time with my Dad. Now he grins when he sees me wrenching on my Runner!

Your dad had great taste in rigs. (Let's pretend we're young and it wasn't just the era, ok?) Of the dozen or so we own, the only thing newer than '79 is my wife's '07 Expedition, although my partner owns an '84 4Runner that the shop uses.