Bought vs. Built

After "building" (either personally or by paying aftermarket professionals) several vehicles over the years, I definitely lean towards "bought", especially if OEM does it.

Example: A Ford Raptor. You can buy a base 150 and make it similar to the Raptor with aftermarket parts for similar or less money. And it may even perform as well by one measurement but it will never do everything as well. You can apply this to anything (Zo6 vs Stingray, Hellcat vs 392, GT500 vs 5.0, etc.) Turns out, a manufacturer will millions in R&D knows better than we do.

 

I'm not sure what you call the person that does their own upgrades. And I'm not saying that designing and constructing the add on parts is even my definition. I'm just saying that "built" means different things to different people.

I'm probably a lot older (Beatles sang a song about my age) than some of you guys, so I grew up in a time when guys "built " cars. It wasn't unusual to see an engine from one maker installed in another make. Lots of old Fords running around with Chevy or Oldsmobile engines in them. Heck, I even gave it a shot a time or two myself...with somewhat less than satisfactory results.

Like you, I am much more impressed with the guys who do all their own maintenance and upgrades. They've got a lot more invested, and a better understanding of their trucks than the guys who whips out a piece of plastic to get it done.

 

Now that's a sig worthy quote right there!!!

 

I think that's the crux of what people argue about on this. I tend to agree that even just buying bolt-ons and doing it yourself is better only because rolling around under the truck to do the modification means you are more familiar with it and will probably find a leak or loose bolt before it fails on the trail and I (fairly or not) respect the dude or gal willing to invest some time getting greasy. I don't think it's really even necessary to fabricate everything to call it self built since in the process of bolting on stuff you usually end up customizing it to fit or be exactly what you want.

 

I agree DaveInDenver....You'll never get any experience if someone else always does it for you. As you get more comfortable, you can take on bigger tasks. I don't knock anyone for paying someone, but I encourage them to try small things them self. Besides, it gives me an excuse, I mean reason, to buy more and different tools for my already pretty vast collection.

 

Currently building sliders for my truck. Complete electrical grid for extras and camping gear. Besides being the only one who touches my truck that's all I have "built" on my truck. I've built other things for my other toys but it's not applicable to TW.

 

Trucks or any vehicles for that matter are like women. You can get a new one and throw money at it till it'll do what you want or you can get one that already does everything but you have no idea where or what it's been through.

 

So you think factory performance is better than aftermarket parts?

 

Did you ever feel different about trucks/toys you bought compared to those you built ?

 

It may not outperform it in every category, but overall, yes. A Raptor will be a much more refined, reliable vehicle that holds its value better and has a warranty than a standard F150 with a long travel setup and power mods. I've just learned it's usually better to start with the vehicle that requires the least aftermarket to meet your expectations.

 

Define built versus bought? Do you mean bought is buying an already modified vehicle? Or is it like if I buy the parts and pay someone to install them? Is built just installing everything yourself I guess? Or is built supposed to mean I go skin a cow for its hide and make custom leather seats myself? Because if that's what we're talking about then no one has ever "built" their truck. Never completely understood this debate.

Also if we want get literal here, I never see anyone go out and buy a new ceiling fan or build a new deck for their house and all of a sudden that means they "built" their house. As far as I'm concerned you just added on to it, and built a part of it. Construct it from the foundation up and you built it. So installing suspension parts and adding bumpers yourself doesn't mean you built your truck in my opinion. Just my .02.

 

I guess if I had to define it to make you master debaters happy lol.
Built: A truck that has had all if not most of its aftermarket mods/upgrades installed by its owner. In addition to probably a few custom modifications designed by the owner. If you didn't at least "install" your parts, you didn't build you truck. For those with physical limitations I would consider designing/engineering and being present during the work to be built.
Bought: purchasing a truck with all the upgrades done or factory installed. Also most if not all work to the truck is done by someone other than the owner.

I've heard some say unless you're extracting the steel from the earth and melting it in a volcano for your fab work you're not truly building anything (obviously a dramatization). To be honest, IMO I think that's how people that are too lazy to learn or don't know how to work on the truck try to play it off. I feel to be a "true" enthusiast you should educate and participate in all aspects of your hobby or pass time. That being said I am in no way the end all of knowledge on auto mechanics and I'm not coming from some auto moral high ground. I guess it just bothers me when I see certain people that go out a buy a truck that's a legit truck and then walk and talk like they're Joe bad ass. When it reality he just asked his buddy where his drain plug is. It seems very common in all aspects of auto racing. People with money just throw it at things and expect to have positive results. In the world of trucks/cars/badass/beer/beards/etc....people don't respect money they respect work. Just my opinion

 

IMO -
Built = owner designs, plans, and installs all modifications.
Bought = Someone else (manufacturer, specialty shop) designs, plans, and installs modifications.

What's best? That depends on the person. If you asked this question 10 years ago, I would've said BUILD is better (for me). Been there done that......spent many years building Jeeps in my younger years. I know the amount of time & effort it takes to BUILD something. Now? I'm getting too old to do the things I used to do and can afford to let someone else do it - which allows me more time to actually enjoy the same finalized product.

When I was younger, I used to scoff at people who had shiny new Jeep Rubicons. They'd be doing the same trails as I was doing but with a monthly payment and every weekend to enjoy it. I'd be doing those trails without a monthly payment, grease under my fingernails, and could only enjoy it half the time (due to more building, maintenance).

 

Unless if you are building something different then what OEM can give you.
Like if I where to buy a base F-150 I would try and make it different then a raptor and suit it more towards ones personal needs.

 

Building more than the sum of the parts... it's the fun of researching stuff, buying stuff, installing stuff and making the truck your own. A lot of people enjoy the process, the social aspects of it, and being able to sit back at the end and take pride in what they've created. And sometimes it's a budget thing... you start with a base truck and build it up as time and funds allow. For other people buying a trail-ready vehicle is easier. They may not have the time or interest to build something, or they want the warranty and knowledge that it's all just going to work. Like a poster above mentioned, at various times in your life you might have a different perspective.

 

Great points guys thanks for your input.

 

Agreed. Sometimes it can't be bought, but if it can, that's the route I'll take.