Built Not Bought - Why It Matters

Response to Mind of Macias - December 2007

Posted October 10 2007 11:43 AM by 5569
Filed under: Editorials, Truck Opinions, Mini Truckin' Culture, Mind of Macias

Hey Ernie, this is a great topic! Really one could argue for BOTH sides because it really isn't black and white.

It is true that not everyone is blessed with a shop-like backyard, or even with the means to buy transportation. Not everyone has an in-house CNC machine, or access to a welder, plasma cutter, and all the other tools necessary to lay out a truck. Not everyone has the skill to make visions come true, and for many, staying far, far away from power tools is a good, safe choice. Sometimes, logistics make it impossible to work on your own truck, as you're in the military overseas, in college far from home, or working two jobs to support your family. Sometimes, built not bought just isn't an option.

But I guess my biggest concern for the bought not built guy would be this: WHEN (not if) you have "issues" while representin' your newly done up ride, you better know enough about what you're driving and exactly what kind of setup you have, because now noone is there to figure it out but you and the other cars screaming by. If someone from a shop tosses you the keys and you drive away, doesn't that seem a little concerning? How's the wiring done? Are there any loose ends? What shortcuts were taken? What are the potential problems? That takes way more trust than I have! How can you locate, identify, and fix a problem if all you receive is keys to a custom truck? When you have a problem, you might not know WHY, because someone else made the error, not you. (Not even errors - over time, parts fatigue, fail, and break, so maintenance is always necessary!) But if you were involved, the lightbulb might go on because you'll remember where YOU screwed up. And then you can learn from that mistake. At some point, on the road, the bought not built guy HAS NO OPTION but to become a built not bought guy, due to the nature of air ride systems. So the sake of safety, you better have some wrenches and airline with you and may I suggest a fire extinguisher too! And you better develop an ear for strange sounds and a sense for when a truck is acting squirrelly.

Secondly, with regards to buying half-done trucks, or hack jobs, or unsafe, neglected, trucks, when you take it under your wing and basically rebag the truck, you are building the truck, minus some basic framework. This can be harder than starting from scratch, because you're undoing someone else's mess! This falls under built not bought. No shame in this.

I guess I don't know "what it takes to be a minitrucker" and what "representing to the fullest" means, if it doesn't include workin' on your truck, or a friend's truck, and feelin' the discouragement, frustration, stress, and accomplishment that goes along with that. I don't care about parties and drinking and who knows who and who said what on SSM and what club you belong to! I like trucks, especially the ones that come straight from the backyard and were built with heart.

And as for the guys with finished trucks, sure, show them year after year! If it becomes yesterday's news, who cares? It's not your responsibility to bring "fresh news" to the scene, because it's your truck and who cares if it's old news to person x next to you. Your jobs are to encourage and support others, and to do whatever pleases you regarding your own truck. My truck has "looked the same" for goin' on 8 years. If that's boring for you, I'm really sorry, because however lame it is, it's still TODAY'S news to me and forever will be.

And as for selling trucks to get some cash back to build new a ride, you won't get abundant cash in return for your custom truck, in comparison to the time and money you've put in. Custom trucks and high resale value are terms that just don't go together. Build for the learning experience, not for hopes of any returns. I'd much rather crash my truck into a tree myself than see someone else drive off in it for maybe $3500. But maybe if you buy a truck all done or take it straight to a shop, you wouldn't have that same type of sentiment and attachment.

Alright, someone shoot me some feedback! The good, the bad, the ugly... let's hear it! I'll be the first to admit that I don't take all perspectives into account, and that I may be way off base!

Respectfully,

Monica

Reader Comments:

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1. i agree w/ u.. i bought my truck bagged and it still looks the same.. except the first week i had it i had to put over 1000 into and ME and my dad fixed it in my backyard.. im in college so its hard to work on it like i want to.. but everyweekend that i go home im never not in my truck doin soemthing to(like redoin the interior, or system, or cleaning it up) but my truck is goin 2 be worked on by me, my bro, my dad, and my uncle.. no shops or anything(unless its totally necessary)..

klassic_krew - Posted October 10 2007 12:40 PM

2. "I guess I don't know "what it takes to be a minitrucker" and what "representing to the fullest" means, if it doesn't include workin' on your truck, or a friend's truck, and feelin' the discouragement, frustration, stress, and accomplishment that goes along with that. I don't care about parties and drinking and who knows who and who said what on SSM and what club you belong to! I like trucks, especially the ones that come straight from the backyard and were built with heart. "

couldnt of said it better my self certain individuals need to grow up and think about what it really means to be a minitrucker

Kris (NS) - Posted October 10 2007 05:12 PM

3. I wouldnt know!
I have never had A vehicle in Any shop besides my Smog Test!

Monica pretty much has it nailed.How can you make such a big investment in anything and yet not know how to fix it if it breaks.
I guess you can argue that with the Seasoned Vet that knows trucks and how to fix em but would rather buy one than buid it.????
If I ever get like that I give you the right to shoot me on the spot!
Parties?Shows?Clubs?
I can honestly say I dont know much of anything about those things.
I dont even drink!!!!
Dont get me wrong I will pound a Corona here and there but thats usally while BBQing.I would hate to say but i dont think I will ever be on the level of most of the stuff I see in the Videos in terms of "HardCore".
Just a guy who has a truck that all my family and friends think is the coolest *** in the world.

airgasim - Posted October 10 2007 05:42 PM

4. it makes me sick to see a nice mini and the owner not know *** about what has been done or if you try to help some one they are ungrateful come on how hard would it be to do a little reshearch and find out what you have

staticnizmo - Posted October 10 2007 06:17 PM

5. Sorry, but I have 2 disagree. I am one of those people that don't know how to install airride or shave my mini so I let a custom shop do my airride. I bought my S-Dime stock and now it's bagged, shaved and sittin on 20's. I don't care who say what I have put my blood, sweat, and tears into my truck and I haven't installed one thing on it. I know what my installer is doing he tells my every last little detail and I have not a problem giving up my truck to him so he can do his thing on it. That's why this sport is fallin ass up because too many people are critics like above. Oh just because I can't weld up my own 5 Link or shave my own doors by myself means I ain't a true minitrucker. I drive a minitruck and I love this minitruckin lifestyle. I am as much a minitrucker as the rest of these guys that do there own installs. This subject is *** Ernie Macias is right 100%. Whether you do your own work or not on your mini and if you love the minitruckin lifestyle your a TRUE minitrucker. If I offended, oh well

TukN20s - Posted October 10 2007 08:45 PM

6. ^^^^bro we arent sayin your a poser fo driving a truck and not doing the work were saying if you in a grocery store parking lot and the kidd pushing the carts asks about your truck cuz he owns a stock mini and reads the mag on his breaks and is saving every penny he has for that truck you better know more than "oh its bagged" know what the *** you have or dont drive it... its just like jr. driving his daddys all original 69 ss camaro and not knowing *** about it. just cuz you got the cash doesnt mean your a minitrucker. its more than buyig and driving the truck its understanding why there so badass and how much thought and design is put into makin em bad ass

Kris (NS) - Posted October 11 2007 10:34 AM

7. I agree with Tukn20s 110% on this, along with Ernie, but I also do understand what Monica is saying... but like everything there's more than one side and if we all had to be the same then this sport would suck like some others out there... not everyone has the time to sit around and try and figure out the suspension geometry to build their own four-link, but hey if they want to drive a bagged truck and love it just as much as us, then you guys are no better than them just because you built your truck! To each is own. We're all in this together so we should start acting like it!!! Instead of talking crap on the poor kid that doesn't know about his truck, how about offering to go have lunch and put his truck up on jackstands and teach him a little something ;)

Mike Alexander - Posted October 11 2007 03:43 PM

8. to tukn20s
The problem is that do you know how your truck is tukin 20's? Do you truly know how that was done. What was cut, trimmed, moved and then welded? Now if you can afford to have the truck built for you then you can do what I did. I didnt know at first. But I read articles watch videos and figured that buying the tools and doing it myself would be cheaper and give me more appreciation for the idea of the minitruck. Ive been wanting to build my own truck for 10 years. And now im well on my way. And its all been done by me. I would rather do it all over again with all the frustration, dissapointment, and time(years). It gives you respect of what minitruckin really is and what it takes.

2sickedzu - Posted October 11 2007 06:13 PM

9. I am sorry MT Editor I agree with you a 100% but I have to say something. This is why going to auto shows almost sux anymore and has gone down the toilet. So what if people don't build it themselves people don't know how to do a major project. It's so close minded to basically judge people and tell me that I ain't a minitrucker cuz I didn't do my own build and I have the cash. I belong in this sport just as much as the next guy. It's not like I stood back and didn't do nothing. I know what my truck has on it it's not like I just sat back. Think what you want cuz I am a Minitrucker and I don't care what you say.

TukN20s - Posted October 11 2007 06:22 PM

10. I am very sorry to whoever I snapped at. I am just tired of people telling me that I ain't a minitrucker. I love this sport and I love driving my mini and supporting it. I guess to me thats all it takes to be a minitrucker, the love of the sport and being able to support my mini. Later and peace out.

TukN20s - Posted October 11 2007 06:37 PM

11. To 2sickedzu:
Don't act like I am totally stupid and like I don't know what my installer did. Sorry but I would rather ride on a safe suspension than one that is unstable and could possibly break. Wouldn't you rather have someone driving on a reliable suspension. Sorry I would rather pay someone that can do it right the FIRST time and not ever worry about it again than riding on a weld that will break first ride out. I guess some people can't put there pride aside and go with the safe scenario. I don't care who says it. It takes an extreme amount of talent to know how to weld good. Is alot less stressful for me and my wife to have it installed by a PROFESSIONAL. Think whatever you want.

TukN20s - Posted October 11 2007 07:20 PM

12. No you are a MiniTrucker!
Period!
I think a lot of things strayed way off topic and from what Ernie was originally trying to get across.

I agree with him on some points.
Some builders are Jerks.I have seen some builders kick a poor kid to the curb cause the job didnt start off in the Ego tripped builders hands.
If you cant do it,dont have time, or just want that extra razzle from that shop thats putting out clean rides...by all means do it.
I would never say your not a minitrucker.Who am I to say something like that!
I wouldnt bash Ernie because he doesnt know much about his new truck being built, maybe he's keeping it under wraps or maybe he really dont comprehend the setup there doing ,SO WHAT!
The only thing is I wished Ernie would be a lil more active on our site!

I think people took it to much as If he bought the truck done and said he did all the work on it himself.

airgasim - Posted October 11 2007 07:30 PM

13. I agree with you Ernie. I know many people that go the route of dropping the money in a good shop! Me personally, I have the skill to do many of the tasks such as paint and body, fabrication and im getting into the suspension part a little more, but im not hating on the fact a guy/girl pays a shop for the work and they turn out a killer ride.It takes alot of time and patience to do things yourself and not everyone has the time or skill for that! As far as the guy buying a truck in whatever state, stock to cover material i see no problem there just as long as your not "claiming the fame", i hate to see that and will bust you out quick! Good article, keep up the good work! L88

Wink1 - Posted October 12 2007 10:33 AM

14. "11. To 2sickedzu:
Don't act like I am totally stupid and like I don't know what my installer did. Sorry but I would rather ride on a safe suspension than one that is unstable and could possibly break. Wouldn't you rather have someone driving on a reliable suspension. Sorry I would rather pay someone that can do it right the FIRST time and not ever worry about it again than riding on a weld that will break first ride out. I guess some people can't put there pride aside and go with the safe scenario. I don't care who says it. It takes an extreme amount of talent to know how to weld good. Is alot less stressful for me and my wife to have it installed by a PROFESSIONAL. Think whatever you want."

Tukn20s,
I'm glad you found a reliable shop! That's refreshing to hear, because you sure do hear tons of horror stories about shops and the integrity of their work and customer skills. While many shops undoubtedly do great work, never forget that shops are not infallible - they make major mistakes and cut corners..

5569 - Posted October 12 2007 11:04 AM

15. ...and many installers are flat out not PROFESIONALS, purely based on the appalling work. If you can find a shop that truly cares about your ride the way YOU care about it, that's awesome, because far too often, if it's not theirs, they don't give a hoot, bottom line. So to not ever worry about it again - you're wise to ALWAYS worry about it, every minute it's on the road. A truly safe scenario would be driving a stock truck, because all of this stuff could possibly break you know, nomatter who did it. ;-)

5569 - Posted October 12 2007 11:13 AM

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