Custom Offroad Build

[Zapnologica]

Good day all, Im pretty new to this thread so hello to all.

I am a young 26 year old whose dream has always been to own a ford ranger wild track. Why? because that's the closest thing we can get to a Ford Raptor here in SA. So because one needs to start financially planning towards ones dreams I started looking into wild tracks and quickly saw that i'm looking at a good R400k before any accessories. This got me a bit concerned as it is no where near my ideal budget. My ideal budget would be ~200k.

This got me thinking... I have fallen in love with a show called "Diesel Brothers" on discovery. They basically take those big american trucks and do some pretty basic but hardcore mods. This inspired my new Idea.

Surely I could build a half decent off road truck for less than buying a semi-new wild track (or ideally for my price of ~R200k). I'm not one for the bells and whistles and everything being brand new. I simply want a Powerful, reliable and tough vehicle. It needs to be a go on holiday to Namiba, Botswana etc and not have to worry about breakdowns and the other typical issues with older cars, and when there is an opportunity to do some crazy off-roading. It will need to be capable enough to have some good fun and not have to worry about the odd dent or bash. Because its already an old car.

So what I'm trying to do here Is:
I know that I am very new and naive to this, and therefore would love to run my idea past some veterans and get their input and advice. I have simply estimated prices here based on some googling and the fact that it would be a side build hence all work wouldn't need to be done ASAP.

Here is my thinking:

Buy a base car:

• I'm thinking Isuzu kb 280 or 300 lx
• Diesel
• 4x4 double cab
• 2000 - 2004 model
• Good body condition
• less than 300 000 km
• Cost: R80k - 100k

Phase 1:

• Completely Rebuild engine and add some performance mods : 40k
• (I'm open to a conversion if it can be done in price range price)
• Look at gearbox + clutch+ diffs (unkown price)

Phase 2:

• Redo & raise suspension: 40k
• Big tyres and second hand rims @ 18k

Phase 3:

• Custom build / fabricate Or buy front + rear bumpers.
• Side steps / skid plates
• Roof rack
• Winch
• Some cool looking body accessories
• Cost ~40k

Total Estimated Build Cost:
~R 218 000

In my mind, I should have a decent solid vehicle that will treat me well for another 5 - 10 years until I can afford my Raptor.

Now I know in a build like this one needs to factor in the "UNKOWNS" of which i'm sure there will be many. However what sort of monetary value should I budget on? I'm sure the more experienced guys out there should be able to give me a ball park figure.

I would really love to get some feedback and people opinion. What have I not thought of, What have I assumed wrong. Am I being silly? Is there a better alternative?

[Reenen]

Don't rebuild a perfectly running engine, sometimes they last 700 000km without issues...

Maybe consider a 4x4 with a solid front axle in the R70-R80 000 range, and then you won't have to do 3/4 of your mods. For a total of R100 000 you can have everything on your list.

It may be slightly heavier on fuel, but you have R100 000 extra in the bank for fuel...that is 200 000km worth of fuel before the higher consumption sets in...

[Malkoppi]

I agree with reenen. Look for a hardcore 4x4 with SFA and then you will later "not want" a Wildtrack any more. Nothing wrong with it, I love the 3.2TDCi woth an auto box. Nothing beats a project that you did yourself. I will always rather drive a project than a new vehicle

[Zapnologica]

Thanks for your response.

Any particular reason to go for the Solid Front Axel vs an independent suspension setup?

[Reenen]

Stock standard SFA is in most cases better than heavily modified IFS...

[Reenen]

Or shall I say more capable....

[Reenen]

Get an older Cruiser, Land Rover or Jeep. All very good options, for little money.

[Quack]

First of all, you need a runner to get you to work and back, projects spend weeks on end while you are fabricating or waiting for parts

I'm surprised Reenen didn't mention Patrols, then I realised he want them all for himself🤣

The reward of a homebuilt can never be explained, others just don't understand!

Realise you are going to make mistakes, it is part of the fun! Do your research on paper and on the net, the classics all has a great following on the web.

Here is my old girl (Patrol)on a recent trip through Lesotho, total spend to date about a 100k. She has a small block chevy, stronger recovery points than you can get from a catalogue and an absolute joy to drive!

She is not everybody's cup of tea, she is mine

The Landy belongs to a friend, a nut and bolt restore that has cost him all in 150k it is absolutely pristine and already worth a lot more than what he has put in!

[Zapnologica]

So I had a quick look,

First of all, I cannot find any solid front axel Bakkies, Im really not a fan of Jeep, and Landies seem to cost a fortune.

The best I found so far are:

• http://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used/.../#.WPOjn9J96Uk
• http://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used/.../#.WPOjIdJ96Uk

if it was only a project car, this would be awesome:

• http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-car...179da305579702

I do still need the car to be half decent on the road, cause lets be honest, 80% of road trips are hitting the tar road.

I'm also not sure between diesel and petrol. I'm biased towards diesel for the durability and better fuel consumption. However I see there are many more options if you go for petrol. Especially in the sub 100k range.

[Reenen]

First of all, you need a runner to get you to work and back, projects spend weeks on end while you are fabricating or waiting for parts

I'm surprised Reenen didn't mention Patrols, then I realised he want them all for himself🤣

The reward of a homebuilt can never be explained, others just don't understand!

Realise you are going to make mistakes, it is part of the fun! Do your research on paper and on the net, the classics all has a great following on the web.

Here is my old girl (Patrol)on a recent trip through Lesotho, total spend to date about a 100k. She has a small block chevy, stronger recovery points than you can get from a catalogue and an absolute joy to drive!

She is not everybody's cup of tea, she is mine

The Landy belongs to a friend, a nut and bolt restore that has cost him all in 150k it is absolutely pristine and already worth a lot more than what he has put in!

Ek sal niemand aanraai om n patrol te koop nie...

Veral nie as jou oogpunt is om n voertuig tekoop en dit te wil verbeter nie.

[Dirk]

Don't know if the OP is referring to single or double cab, but if single cab, then the Nissan Safari bakkies must be a good starting point?

[Zapnologica]

Defiantly needs be double cab / family car.

Right now the Nissan patrol seems to be a great start. Im just worried about their fuel consumption.

[Dirk]

Defiantly needs be double cab / family car.

Right now the Nissan patrol seems to be a great start. Im just worried about their fuel consumption.

Look for a 4.2 and fit the turbo!

[Skylark]

Since you don't mind older models I'd watch Gumtree etc and wait for a fully kitted vehicle to come up when someone gets the itch to upgrade, I see them every so often, you can see the owner went full hog with bumpers, racks, snorkel etc. Might just need some minor tlc, perhaps engine overhaul to perk it up but that saves all the fiddling and hunting finding a car and then doing the kitting out yourself, also normally save a fair whack of money.

[Malkoppi]

Look for a 4.2 and fit the turbo!

Agree there is a few 4.2 non turbo patrols available for under 100k.

The only SFA double cab is the SFA hilux (not sure when they started out, think 1988 to 1998) and maybe a few meano conversion cruisers if I am correct

[Racer-X]

Dude

Just buy a Colt V6.

see my signature.

[Reenen]

Dude

Just buy a Colt V6.

see my signature.

Ons probeer hom juis oortuig om n propper 4x4 te koop sonder om dan eers te gaan verander

[RvanZ]

Series 80 Land Cruiser....
You should have R80k+ left to spend on fuel...