many ask mehow to build oneofficiallyTRUCKand the answers vary. I asked some of my friends and they said anything from $3,000 to $30,000. We do not include working hours in these offers as labor costs vary greatly depending on where you live.
You can buy gear off the shelf for $20,000 or less if you shop around. If you're very skilled and have plenty of time, $3,000 is doable, but it will take some blood, sweat, and tears.
The first thing to consider is usageTRUCKmarket where there seems to be oneTRUCKto sell at any price. Ford F-250 and Silverado 2500HD trucks are standard. They havelargeBlockEngines that have madnesstorque.
It all depends on how far you want to go. Do you want to build an everyday racer for work with the occasional mud ride, or do you want to go all out and race with the big boys? The price will be different depending on the purpose.
If this is your first computer, it would be wise to choose something that requires little investmentTo youin addition to normal maintenance. That way you don't end up with a pile of expensive metal that needs to be gutted when you want to make major changes.
Table of contents
OfficiallyTRUCK Suspension
Many people choose to start with a solidaxisPlatform. This isn't my first choice, but I understand that not everyone wants to complicate their life right away. Even if you planmud run, short introductionTRUCKrace, ormud cloggedIn the near future you still want a solid onetestaaxisbecause it has fewer problems and is generally simpler and easier to deal with.
SolidaxisTrades are around $1500 for a full front swap minus the headset you'll likely need. It might be cheaper if you don't include itMotoror transmission carrier or an electrical system.
Here's a list of other things you'll need to get your team up and running:
- Motorand transmission
- Transfer case (if not part of powertrain assembly)
- axles and hubs
- Brake system and components
- Occursand tires, ErsatzTo youand other hardware. Remember that you need a complete setarises. You can buy used tires atTiresStores if they have bead locks and nut locks.
- Spicer Slip Yoke Eliminator, Drive Shaft, Slip Shaft oder U-Joint Kit
- T-Box shift linkage assembly (if separate from transmission)
- Radiator, hoses and clamps
$3,000 buy a new solidaxisSo if you want to go with independentlySuspensionor a feather, you must add $1,500 to the total. That'll put your rig at around $5,000, but don't forget you'll need another one.Motorand transmission to make it work!
There are many people out there who will tell you that in order to have a secure computer, you have to have this part or that part. Well I can tell you that my firstTRUCKIt was cheaply built and worked well. The key is not to waste your money or time. We're all here to have fun, so spend as much as you can, even if your goals take longer to reach.
If you're already racing or planning to go pro, there's no limit to what you can spend. Any good device can easily cost $20,000, but I've seen some people spend a lot more. There are hundreds of companies out there that do thisTo youfor trucks and buggies, so find out and buy what you think best suits your needs and budget.
You can make this as expensive as you like, but remember the old adage, "Something always breaks." I don't care how good a driver you are, everything from engines to transmissions to axles will eventually fail. It's only a matter of time. If you're building cheaply, these flaws don't matter as much because you're putting little money into it to begin with.
OfficiallyTRUCK SuspensionThe essential
ASuspensionforI get disturbedit's pretty unique. You have to think about the end of the endTRUCKConstructions, off-road constructions, rock mat constructions. This is the ultimate off-road construction. You can make it as expensive or cheap as you like.
If you choose the more expensive build route, remember that this is your deck and it will be remembered, so don't take too many shortcuts when it comes to safety. I've seen people laugh at spending money on security just to get their moneyTRUCKmeant a large reinvestment and would later have gladly spent the upfront money.
If you want to be frugal, here's an option: buy a cheap frame on eBay or elsewhere, and put some effort into building the frameSuspension(or do if you like living dangerously), buy solid used.axis To youlike airlocks, chromoly axles, used shock absorbers etc. Spend the money on good tires and rims because they are the only thing standing between you and your next roadblock.
Now that we've covered cheap versus expensive, let's look at some of the key components that go into a solid build. Remember that almost everything can be customized.
how to build oneOfficiallyTRUCK
a note regardingbigger tires/Rim Size – It all starts here.mud tiresThey are very different from street tires and you want big tires for this type of build, the bigger the better, so check which higher level 1/8 scale buggies they drive/use.
You want at least an 18″ rim on theback. There are several companies that make these rims with large pockets that fit giant tires; So don't be afraid to spend a little more for something good.
Ride Height – This is where people start to have trouble building a mudder that bases their ride height on what a rock crawler or trail rig uses.Tires for muddy terrainThey're not the same as rocks, so forget the height of your hiking gear and start here.
long tripOfficiallyTRUCK
Ride Height - If you have 4WD I would recommend setting it to highfloor lamphow is it possible. Think feet instead of inches.OfficiallyTRUCK Suspensionit's long distance, they're more like oneMonsterTRUCKthan a Jeep SUV.
I would recommend that you never go any closer than 6″SuspensionOn both sides. For 2WD builds I would aim for 12-18″ more. The reason for this is simple, the big tires run close to the frame rails and if you don't have enough travel then yoursTRUCKYou'll be that much closer to meeting oneTiresinside the rails of your frame.
You should also make sure you have at least 6 inchesSuspensionMove between high and low points for full articulation at extreme angles. If you run larger tires I would recommend 8-12″ on both sides for 2WD models.
a note regardingaxisLocks: they will break, period. If you don't block yoursaxisIt might be nice, but if you want to use the full potential of a manual locker, then plan on breaking oneaxisor two in your life.
how to build oneOfficiallyTRUCK Suspension
Here we come to the basics of building aofficiallyTRUCK Suspension. First, let's start with links to buy all these components at a discount:
Innovations in air cabinets
This is the key component to making your hose work properly. Haven't tried any other brand yet, but as soon as the opportunity arises I will.
Chromoly Truck Innovations
The key to any good build is good components, and these are no exception. They are strong, light weight, include quality seals/clips etc. I would recommend Molly Chromeaxisin steel for obvious reasons, especially if you go runningmud tiresthose who chew steel.
Lakewood 80/20 long travel shocks
These are top of the range shocks designed for this type of application and include preload spacers so you don't have to look for them yourself.
professional CompOccurs
Buy a 17″ Pro Comparisesand roll with something that will last. Not only are they sturdy, but they also have flap pockets big enough to fit inside.mud tiresfrom the box.
mud tires
That's the real key here, after all you can't race without something under your tires, right? I won't recommend any specific brands because it really depends on what works well in your area and how big it is.Tireswhat do you want to run
I've been running the Baja Claws for a little over a year now and I will be running them again just because I'm stuck with them, but what works best for you is your choice. Bigger is better, so don't be afraid to play on a 35″ orgreaterTires.
OfficiallyTRUCKcontrol system
This is where you should start with your hardTo youList.
You can buy a complete steering system for around $300 if you shop carefully. The important thing here is to find something that will propel a 36″-38″.Tiresafter lifting yourTRUCKat the right angle. The last thing you want is your tires rubbing against everything in sight, so a well-designed steering system helps a lot.
What I recommend is going with a two-pronged tappet because they have better wheel control and they can pivot a lot closer to theaxiswithout getting too close to himTires. The reason you want to do this is when you grow upmud tiresThis makes the turn much more difficult, and that's what you want to avoid!
Pro tip:I recommend 1+” offset on yoursarisesif you use 17″ Pro CompOccurs. If you drive 18″arisesSo I would recommend 1-2″ wheel offset to avoid potential problems.