Who's working to build their project on a tight budget and how

building my 25/26 dodge RPU for under 1000 dollars ( if possable )
here is some old pics --- I have built the frame - body skelaton - bed -steering wheel - tail lights - rear track bars - 1/4 elip rear springs - grill shell - dash and interior seat base so far - 80.00 dollars invested so far -- LOTS of time but only 80 bucks- I have gathered parts for 3 years - most of them free but did do some trading for some things- need to purchase - 64-66 mustang radiator ( Napa 150.00 ) fibergl*** resin-
( Boat repair place 125.00 ) wire for wire harness ( Electric supply 65.00)
heat light ( Old Dog 90.00 ) steering box ( early mopar non power steering unit - hope to find in my brothers s****ing pile ) Battery ( 80.00 )
I have gathered everything else - 2 engines ( 318 and 225 slant 6 ) 904 trany - 7 1/4 rear end - drive shaft - 59 ford front axle ( donated ) small ink drum for gas tank - 2 sets of rims - some gauges - home mede shifter - master cyl and pedal - foam for seats - Harley shocks for the rear - small coil overs for the front - surprising what you can find when your out of work for a while - and thanks to family and friends - Ja**

 

it seems we are all pretty much doing the same thing. its pretty crazy how most of us would rather buy a part for our hotrods than eat but once you've been biten by the hotrod bug there is no stopping it.

 

What ever you do don't start putting car parts on a credit card. I learned that the hard way when I did all the body and paint on a car I had and just had to have all the shiny parts to go with that shinny paint. Next thing I know I was selling the car to pay off the credit card. Stupid stupid stupid.

 

What I started doing years ago was keep the paycheck for the house and what ever I could make in the garage stayed in the garage. Started by buying a manual tube bender (JD2 mld3) but had a friend who needed a roll cage built. I told him I would do the labor but he had to buy my 1 3/4" die ($250) and what ever material he needed. I had built several cages and ch***is in the past but with a friends Dads tools. So I borrowed a welder from work and built the cage. Now I had the die for doing others so the next one was $500 for the cage and then I bought my first welder. I have been doing that for years now and I have a very nice fully stocked shop that I can build just about anything out of and it was all paid for by doing side jobs and now customer builds. Now the problem I have is I have become well known for my work so I stay real busy in my off time building for others and my stuff never gets done. But one day it will and it will be even nicer knowing it was all done in my shop and it started with a tube bender with out dies

Kevin
LFD Inc.

 

retired and not alot of money left over... i have a slush fund of $50 a week for my fun money. it takes awhile but it does add up... last week i just ordered a mustang II, hub to hub frontend for my 50'.. it's be awhile before i buy anything else.....

 

I'm all about being a cheap-***, but the sad truth is it still takes money to build a cool ride. I've wheeled, dealed, borrowed, traded, finagled and just about anything else in order to get my truck done! I'll have around $6500 into it when I'm done which I think is pretty smokin' considering it will be a NEW/old truck when it's done! I'll be able to jump in and not worry about making it there. If you have car friends, USE THEM! Just be sure to return the favor on their rides...

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