BUDGET BUILDS

[softroad.406]

Hello,

Wanted to see what people have done with their budget rigs to show what can be done under a tight budget.

<Please post a picture of rig>

Thanks

 

[Vantams]

I consider my rig "budget" because I haven't got a name brand lift or any aftermarket bumpers/armor... YET...

Most of the goodies I've added are from Amazon, 4Wheel Parts, Autozone and some army surplus gadgets. Nothing has given me any major issues, and anything that has, there's usually a home remedy for to prevent it happening again. Good luck my friend!

 

[softroad.406]

I consider my rig "budget" because I haven't got a name brand lift or any aftermarket bumpers/armor... YET...

Most of the goodies I've added are from Amazon, 4Wheel Parts, Autozone and some army surplus gadgets. Nothing has given me any major issues, and anything that has, there's usually a home remedy for to prevent it happening again. Good luck my friend!

View attachment 98435

Nice rig, approximately how much did you spend on the xj?

 

[Smileyshaun]

The best thing you can do to have a "budget build" is to think like a Backpacker. If you can backpack for a week with a 30 lb pack and be comfortable , why do you really need a roof-top tent and a full kitchen and every doodad and accessory in the world to be comfortable while you're sitting in the seat of a vehicle. The more weight you take with you the more vehicle you will need to transport it .

 

[Jakes2514]

The best thing you can do to have a "budget build" is to think like a Backpacker. If you can backpack for a week with a 30 lb pack and be comfortable , why do you really need a roof-top tent and a full kitchen and every doodad and accessory in the world to be comfortable while you're sitting in the seat of a vehicle. The more weight you take with you the more vehicle you will need to transport it .

Yup that is a great analogy and why I opted for a 3.2L as apposed to the 2.2L Ranger [emoji16]

 

[Vantams]

Nice rig, approximately how much did you spend on the xj?

I got lucky, I paid $1000 for the Cherokee, most expensive thing on it is wheels and tires, about $1500 for KO2's on some cheap steelies.

Overall I'm probably $4k to $5k for the whole thing.

 

[softroad.406]

That's a steal, plus your rig looks pretty sick

 

[Vantams]

That's a steal, plus your rig looks pretty sick

Thanks my friend! Its in a sweet spot between stock and modified and I love it!

 

[z06jeff]

This is my budget rig. 2003 Tracker 2.0 4cyl auto. I have been buying a ton of parts for this thing over the last several months, and it's about time to start building. I plan to do an actual build thread once I get most of it complete. So far I've bought: 2" spacer lift, new shocks struts & strut mounts, airlift air bags for the rear, (5) 15x8 wheels, (5) 30x9.50 MT tires, a frontrunner tailgate table, 5.13 front 3rd member from a 02 XL7, 5.13 rear 3rd member from a 96 Tracker....I think that's it for now. Lots of work to do in the near future.
Things I've already done to it include: Dorman heated seat kit, Raptor bedliner spray on the bumpers, grille, and side moulding, Yakima Skyrise 2 w/annex, and an ebay cold air intake.

 

[softroad.406]

This is my budget rig. 2003 Tracker 2.0 4cyl auto. I have been buying a ton of parts for this thing over the last several months, and it's about time to start building. I plan to do an actual build thread once I get most of it complete. So far I've bought: 2" spacer lift, new shocks struts & strut mounts, airlift air bags for the rear, (5) 15x8 wheels, (5) 30x9.50 MT tires, a frontrunner tailgate table, 5.13 front 3rd member from a 02 XL7, 5.13 rear 3rd member from a 96 Tracker....I think that's it for now. Lots of work to do in the near future.
Things I've already done to it include: Dorman heated seat kit, Raptor bedliner spray on the bumpers, grille, and side moulding, Yakima Skyrise 2 w/annex, and an ebay cold air intake.

I havent see one of those before. How's the offroading capacity?

 

[z06jeff]

I havent see one of those before. How's the offroading capacity?

It's a body on ladder frame design, with solid rear axle, IFS, and 2 speed transfer case. The whole package comes in under 3100lbs for the 4 door model, and much lighter for the 2 door. There's not alot of aftermarket support, but theres enough to build a modest off roader. Locking diffs and LSD's are available front and rear. Spacer lifts, body lifts, and springs are available as well. A Chevy Tracker is nothing more than a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a bowtie on the grille, so alot of other Suzuki stuff transfers over, like my XL7 3rd member. As far as thier off road capacity, I can't speak from experience just yet, but in my neck of the woods, when a Tracker is too rusty to pass state inspection, it usually ends up as a woods buggy chasing UTV's through the woods. And most of those are stock, so I'd say they go pretty good.

 

[mknielsen]

On a budget might be a better description. Paid $1300 for her 18 months ago. Spent that again on a 4 barrel intake, carb, and ignition. Just bit the bullet and spent three times that on cutout flares, Tires, and new wheels. She will be going into the garage soon for a date with a grinder, and a new steering box. Saving up for lockers next year....... When does it stop being a budget build and become something we don't talk about how much it cost?

 

[Delux2769]

On a budget might be a better description. Paid $1300 for her 18 months ago. Spent that again on a 4 barrel intake, carb, and ignition. Just bit the bullet and spent three times that on cutout flares, Tires, and new wheels. She will be going into the garage soon for a date with a grinder, and a new steering box. Saving up for lockers next year....... When does it stop being a budget build and become something we don't talk about how much it cost?

Haha, Know what ya mean... I started out with a Subaru forester xt. Built it to Overland with a modest 2" lift and 30"s... now it's 10" and 33"s and we've got a new Overland vehicle, the GX470. Can pick them up for less than a comparable 4Runner. It's no "budget" build compared to older or less recognized rigs, but it is budget for us.

 

[JCWages]

It's a body on ladder frame design, with solid rear axle, IFS, and 2 speed transfer case. The whole package comes in under 3100lbs for the 4 door model, and much lighter for the 2 door. There's not alot of aftermarket support, but theres enough to build a modest off roader. Locking diffs and LSD's are available front and rear. Spacer lifts, body lifts, and springs are available as well. A Chevy Tracker is nothing more than a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a bowtie on the grille, so alot of other Suzuki stuff transfers over, like my XL7 3rd member. As far as thier off road capacity, I can't speak from experience just yet, but in my neck of the woods, when a Tracker is too rusty to pass state inspection, it usually ends up as a woods buggy chasing UTV's through the woods. And most of those are stock, so I'd say they go pretty good.

Reminds me of the Zook from 4wd Action.

 

[CaptainBuilt]

I have roughly 10k. Probably the cheapest 7.3 4x4 van out there.

 

[Mojavewanderer]

Here’s my budget rig, most of the roughly 5k I’ve spent (that includes the purchase price) has been maintenance, and when something needs replacing, I upgrade parts. The shell was a Craigslist find for $200, and the KC lights were a yard sale find for $25. I did buy a new cb radio and antenna from amazon for around $40 too. Throw the camping gear in back, and hit the trails!

 

[JCWages]

Here’s my budget rig, most of the roughly 5k I’ve spent (that includes the purchase price) has been maintenance, and when something needs replacing, I upgrade parts. The shell was a Craigslist find for $200, and the KC lights were a yard sale find for $25. I did buy a new cb radio and antenna from amazon for around $40 too. Throw the camping gear in back, and hit the trails!

That's so cool!