Project 8 on tv

[bigwalton]

I have a real world project that might take me a few more years to put together .

What, don't you have a two-car garage? That should go together in about 4 hours

That sounds like a killer setup! You got a build thread going on here somewhere? Can't wait to see that come together. That skidder makes me drool.

 

[bigwalton]

You know Eric that's a great idea....I wouldn't know how to make it happen, but it would be great advertising for ebay...

They spend big money on advertising already... I'm in advertising.... hmmm.

I was thinking about this some this afternoon and I'd actually REALLY like to watch a show like the Tool Time format where they spend an entire year/season on a project. That's half of what I like to do on these forums anyway, watch people put their junk together and get little ideas here and there for things I'd like to do someday.

As much as I dislike some of the things about eBay, watching a rig go together with nothing but parts off of there (bet you could do ANY semi-popular rig that way down to the last nut and bolt) would be kinda sweet.

Hell, they could turn around and put the finished vehicle ON eBAY for sale!!

This idea's got some merit...

Think of one of crash's builds or jscherb's retro-wrangler... I'd be ALL OVER a show that showed all the little details that went into making that happen. I don't need some artifically-sped-up, condensed cliff notes version. I think of all the time I've watched Overhaulin' (which I still love) and wondered how they did a particular thing that they just glossed over or only showed the results of (obviously needed because of the format of the show). But that's where I'd REALLY get into it.

Let me see some guy like me that makes mistakes and has to deal with all sorts of random crap, I can learn from that!

Of course I have nothing against hot ladies that can weld either

 

[ineedajeep]

I don't know guys, Iv'e got about 20K plus in mine and don't like to keep score. You know, good decisions, bad decisions. I also know there are many out there with much more in there CJ8's. I am not where I want to be yet by a long shot. I am always intrigued by a no holds barred approach. Personally, if I had the funds I would also start from scratch. I keep trying to justify spending what I think would be closer to 60K to 80K for a no holds barred approach. I don't, but some do have the funds for just such a thing. Money really is just a relative thing. I do think there is a lot of merit in replacing the original frame with a frame that is coil sprung. If you look at what it would cost to start with a "Scrambler" and toss stuff; then end up where there are, you just might be better off starting from scratch also. Back to the "show", I think they are on track for building a Scrambler in today's price range. If I had their 350"; instead of my 258", I think I would be much happier. I guess I just don't think the show is as bad as some of you make it out to be. But that's just me.

 

[Randyzzz]

A disappointment- I waited to go trail riding to watch THAT! But hey- at least they're doing a Scrambler. Lame was putting a rebuilt engine in that stock Pathfinder last season....

 

[Ian from Xtreme]

Wow normally this much bashing is limited to PBB but since I found this forum I will pop back in to keep you guys updated on the progress of my sad attampt at building a CJ8...

So to answer a few of your questions.

1) Building without all the fancy tools: Yes people do it all the time, we get thousands upon thousands of emails every week from people who build amazing projects with as much as a welder in their garage. I find it somewhat hypocritical of us to build a "budget" truck like the bottom drawer buggy, or the Samurai and yet use over 15K worth of shop equipment to do it.

2) The frame and body: OK, the TDK frame was less than 2500 bucks, there is no way you could build a frame that good for the price of the steel and a welder for 2500 bucks I don't care how you add it up it doesn't happen. The body sure it was like 4K but come on, I looked for a good used Scrambler and any one of them with a bood solid body was selling for way more than 4K and that would not have included any time or money we put into getting a high end magazine cover quality paint job.

4) Money into the rig....out the door honestly this truck will probably have just under 25K in it. Is that alot, sure it is. But what will it be. A one of a kind CJ8 with custom axles, body work, and suspension. Capable of hitting any trail you throw it at, plus looks good enough to turn heads and capture the cover a magazine. Go out into you shop...add up all your tools and be honest. I know in my personal shop I have close to 50K in tools and equipment and I owned all of that before I started working at Xtreme. Plus I am not even counting the 20-30K in the building I built and added onto many times over the years.

I know that this type of project is not everyones cup of tea, but think of it this way. Take stuff from this build you like and add it to your truck. Like the 14 bolt axle most guys would never tackle something like that in a small two car garage...why not I just did, or possibly run dual fuel instead of EFI, why there are alot of benefits to it not to mention LP is alot cheaper than gas.

This rant has gone on long enough, I am shooting the Scrambelr show right now and I will get you guys some spy picks tomorrow night of how it looks now that it is going together.

 

[John N]

Welcome....

I think it's cool that you came on here to respond. We can be a pickey bunch when it comes to our favorite vehicle. Eveyone on here has pretty strong ideas of what's right and what's wrong....and no two are probably alike. Between us, we have Scramblers from bone stock restored/original to way more modified than what you're doing, enough for a couple of seasons of feature vehicles for you.

That said, Welcome again to a great web site, we don't get any where near as "critical" as Pirate. Check out the information on the Scrambler National and bring your's out and join us...it'd make for a great feature for a show.

 

[scott anderson]

welcome Ian...if u make to northeast arkansas sometime...drop in and I will pour u a beer...that is usually the highest cost in my projects..

 

[Truck]

Ian, as an officer of the Scrambler Owner's Association I also welcome you. And to second JohnN's invite. Come on out to the National Scramble in June and bring that rig. It would make a great show. See this link for details:
http://www.cj-8.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=83

I don't doubt we all believe this will be a great rig, but I think you missed the point of the way ya'll touted the show. I don't disagree with your logic and I think most of us understand sponsors and what limitation are on the show. We would all love to start with a new frame and tub. But reality is most of the time we must figure out how to beef up what we have to make it work. Most folks don't have the budget to do a build very quick and so usually build on the incremental method by doing it in stages of what is affordable. In the end we may have just as much or more in our rigs but we took several years to get there.
I think most folks were thinking of ya'll really going 'old school' on this and no kidding working on the old stuff to make it viable. "Bolt-on" stuff is not very plentiful for CJs so most of us have to make things work and many times scratch our head to do so. We would have loved to see ya'll scratch your heads and make it work and saved us a lot of thinking .
I like watching your show and do get many ideas from it. I'm sure there will be plenty of ideas from your Scrambler build that can be used by others.

Truck

 

[Ian from Xtreme]

I think alot of people get upset mainly because if the time it takes for myself to build one of these trucks versus a "regular guy". Trust me I know, I still have personal projects that have been in the works for over 6 years now, but that makes for a very DULL TV show. That is why you see stuff get built so fast, people want to see it done yesterday and out on the trail, not takling 2,3, or 4 years before it is evn close to being finished.

I see it both ways, but if I had started with an old Scrambler and cut and modified it 8 ways to sunday I would get complaints because of my big fancy shop.

In end, it will be a great CJ8, a great series of TV shows, and a fun rig to drive. Really that is all the matters.

 

[Truck]

In end, it will be a great CJ8, a great series of TV shows, and a fun rig to drive. Really that is all the matters.

I agree with you it will be a great rig. And like I said I think many of us understand the TV show issue. We were just a little disappointed because one can always hope to see it done the way the 'regular guy' would have to do it.

My offer still stands on coming to our National Event. We would love to see your rig. You'll meet a great group of folks that love the CJ-8 Scrambler and love to wheel and get together from all across the country. You can get in touch with me if ya'll are interested at officers@cj-8.org

PS. I think it is great that you came on to talk to the folks that really love this Jeep. I'm sure we would love to hear any thing you learn in this project that won't be aired on the show. I'm always open to the way folks build as I'm self taught and learn by seeing what others have done.


Truck

 

[Sfisher]

Props to you Ian for coming up and checking in. Way cool! Second I can appreciate your point of view and it's cool to give us your perspective. Third would love to see you keep it a tail dragger!!! Can't remember if you already chopped it.

Of course last and you have to get this all the time...Where's Jessi???

 

[bigwalton]

Welcome Ian!

You're totally right about it being a great ride when done. I don't think there's ANYONE here that wouldn't love to do the same as you're doing if they had the cash.

One more comment about the issue with the way this show as marketed and then an idea for you to build on:

The problem is the discrepancy between "trying to build a rig with a bare minimum of tools in a two car garage" and then dropping $25k on the build. It's simply unrealistic and the way it was pitched set up all these rants.

It's as if you'd said "I'm going to restore this 57 Chevy with a bare minimum of tools in a 2-car garage" and then brought in the crew from Overhaulin' to do the work. Was it done in a 2-car garage with a bare minimum of tools? Yes. Can I hope to ever do that? No.

The great news for you is that, obviously, these comments here come from the fact that we were all PSYCHED at the way this was pitched. So you're onto something here for sure! I think the execution just needs refinement.

My suggestion (taking into account your comment about needing to have it go together quickly for the sake of viewership) is to put out a call to viewers on one-show upgrades that they'd like to have on their rigs. Go through them, pick some good ones and then do them on the show in this "2-car garage" format.

Get a transport company to sponsor the show with transport of the rigs back/forth. You can start simply with local rigs but your real appeal would be national.

Benefits:
1. It's instantly more "realistic" for your viewers and connects with the weekend/everyday wheeler working on a budget.
2. You can still use the sweet products
3. You have show ideas handed to you on a silver platter to pick and choose from.

and here's the BIG one:

4. viral marketing in the 4x4 community would be SO EASY...

If that's not a win-win-win for you, sponsors, and viewers, I don't know what is.

 

[bigwalton]

Somehow I missed this comment:

I see it both ways, but if I had started with an old Scrambler and cut and modified it 8 ways to sunday I would get complaints because of my big fancy shop.

This nails the issue right on the button: TONS of us are doing JUST THAT with a bare minimum of tools in a 2-car garage.

Do that, but without the big fancy shop!

 

[scott anderson]

money is the issue..if we all had money we would all have the big fancy shop and the mods we would make would be less home spun and booty fab and be more bolt on...

I think it would be cool to do a show about some of the more desireable home spun mods..like nutter bypass, home spun twinstick, outboard front springs, tie rod flip, high steer dana 44, rear disc conversion, junk yard fuel injection.

My frustration with the magazines and the shows is that everything is about what it takes to make a rig rock worthy...there is not a rock bigger than my fist in my third of the state..my focus has always been to build the most capable rig that i could...and still be a daily driver...and i am still on that quest. The reason i am proud of my rig is that it is driven to work everyday in the summer...

 

[bigred1969]

I have been a fan of the show for a few years now, I dvr and watch many of them more than once. I agree about the builds not being realistic for me, due to time, money, tools, but I usually get some kind of tip or idea from watching and watch just for the entertainment. I was fired up about seeing a Scrambler build coming up, it may not be realistic for my two car garage, and may turn out not being the style I like, but I still can't wait to see every episode. I would love to see the home spun mods, we all use in our "real life"builds. Saying that my favorite build was the mail order jeep, where they built a Wrangler by ordering everything form catelogs and built an awesome rig. I would have to win the lottery to do that, but how many of you page through the mags and build your unlimited budget jeeps in your heads.

 

[BOBCAT]

Ian,

Thanks for coming to our forum. Like everyone else said the build on your show is going to be a GREAT RIG. I'm going out on a limb here and say that at least 80% of us on the forum can't afford to build that type or quality of rig. Is the rig your building on the show going to be titled? If so what as? There are a lot of us on this forum that are members of the SCRAMBLER OWNERS ASSOCIATION (SOA). In this orginazation all scramblers MUST have a scrambler VIN and title. I don't think that yours will have that.

But like a few others have said, I also would like to invite you to our National Scrambler Event in Hot Springs, Arkansas on the 18 - 20th of June. We would really like to see your rig in person and meet you. I think that if you met us and look at oue rigs, you would understand our feelings about your build.

Don

 

[CBRogers]

Glad to see you over here Ian.

I follow you on the ORFab board and like a lot of what you do.

There are some fairly picky people here too. But in general if you spend a little time there really is not much if any true picking on people. Most keep that to a true minimum.

Many here do start with a Basket case or near that and try to bring them back. But then there are some that take them out and go for it. It is hard to find a better group of nicely restored jeeps in one place however.

If you take a look at the charity Scrambler build you will also note that a AFW frame was used in its construction. A lot of that had to do with what was available at the time.

It is hard to find a good frame and body out there. Once in a while but not often. And the prices are pretty high for what they are.

I am interested in the build for sure. I got an AFW frame sitting in the garage and managed to score a used bobbed aluminum tub. So I will hopefully get some ideas from what you have done.


Carl

 

[Ian from Xtreme]

I spent a good 6 months looking for a GOOD scrambler, I found some for 4500 that were OK, but had alot of rust and a few that were half built for the same price.

For the VIN, this truck will not have one, VIN'ing a homebuilt kit car is different in every state so we really don't spend alot of time discussing it because there are so many different rules and regs.

I will see what I can do for the Scambelr event, it certainly seems like a great opportunity the issue I will have will be timing.

 

[mysunnshine]

The cost of metal has gone way up but I still think that you could build the frame for less than the TDK stuff. Granted, the TDK stuff is nice, but it's expensive which kills the project because of the cost. The mandrel bent frame that I have cost a LOT less than the TDK stuff to build. Unfortunately, most people don't have a bender at the house. They do however have a sawzall. All of the bends in the frame you could angle cut and get it done. I think that's what everybody was expecting. The big picture is that most have more time that money.

 

[onesourcemike]

I have been a fan of the show for a few years now also, I dvr all the shows too. How about some of those spy pics, would love to see them!!!
Thanks again for taking time out of your day to respond on this forum