Cost to build a Bobber

[GoHot229]

Once you had your Deuce, you decided to Bob it, you had the tools, the works... everything you'd need ie. jacks, saws, drills, wrenches, welder, etc. etc. Ok now all you have to do is cut'er up and put'er back togather minus some spare parts. What do you think your cost was to finish your Bobber. Things like springs and hangers, a different bed. Lets not count stuff like different wheels and tires or custom hitches or the like, but instead a stock Deuce into a stock 'Bobbed of course' 'you know what I mean' Bobber. I'm sure many a SS forum member has tossed the idea of building his own, and are skilled enough to pull it off with having all the tools and stuff at their disposal nessesary to move it about, cut this, grind that, drill something else, all the required steps to arrive at a Bobber. But ultimatly what was the cost of bolts, steel, welding supplies, blades, grinder wheels, electricity, utilities, Oxygen and acetalene, etc. the 'consumables' ? So possably you could tell us cost, and mabe put up a pic of the finished unit. For the sake of a do-it-your-selfer dont include your wages or what you think your labor was worth, or instead list that seperate. I suppose now's a good time to mention blunder/mistakes and Do's and Dont's.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I've been able to source front spring kits from between $150 and $300. Figure $100 in hardware. I don't care for the 105 bed deal but suppose you did, decent 105's going for about $250 (high). $50 in consumables (if you can figure that on a single job). $700 in my estimate (on the high side). With all that said, what's the correlation of the pic and bobbed deuce costs?

 

[roscoe]

Gohot229: Don't know, but cool Avatar you have there!

 

[russ81]

My cost were pretty close to Recovry's estimates.

I spent $500 for the "bobber" kit from Boyce Equipment. $100 for shipping. Maybe $20 in bolts, nuts, and washers. Another $20 for drill bits. Less the $50 worth of gasses for your torch outfit.

The biggest cost factor is in having the proper equipment and tooling to do the job. I work for a construction outfit, so I have free access to all the saws, grinders, torches, and welders I need, so that reduces my costs significantly.

I also put the axle back exactly where it was originally, so I didn't have to rework the driveshaft.

Not counting your labor, out of pocket expense for doing this job should be less the $700, and that would be buying "off the shelf" parts. 90% of a project like this is in "sweat equity" and fabrication knowledge.

As you can see by my estimate above the spring kit is the only "real" cost in the whole project.

 

[GoHot229]

No corelation with the pic. I suppose its just a face with a 'waiting for an answer look' Personally I have a good idea of the costs, but I'm sure its been thought about by numerous members, and seemed relevant for them to know the aproximate costs they were going to be facing before they attempted the conversion. I myself have thought of a Bobber project, for the sake of having a project. I grow feed hay here on the farm and raise bees for a hobby, so its not need but entertainment.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Sounds good!

 

[comdiver]

Prices could be all over, depending what you want. I think getting a M105 trailer from GL would be the cheapest way. You could use the springs and shackles from it as well.
Trailer $250
Ubolts 75
Driveshaft 150
Grade 8 bolts 100
$575
... and now all the little stuff. Brake lines, Brake cyl, Brake hose, grinder wheels, wire brush, paint, wire harness, etc.

I have seen some great ones and some that you shouldn't ride in. Hardware store bolts, welded hangers etc. Take a look at the Diablo build up and I'm sure he didn't build it for $500 or even $1000. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[saquishmike]

I though I read or heard that the trailer springs and shackles hit the insides of big tires? Am I wrong and what do people prefer front springs and hangers or trailer?

 

[comdiver]

The M105 springs and setup isn't my first choice because it sits lower and you need to use a lift block. Many people like it better because it sits wider and they think it makes the truck more stable. I have seen a few trucks with the M105 setup running 1400-20 tires.

 

[tomesee1]

ive used sets of springs out of c-60 chevy trucks and also front deuce springs the deuce ones work the best as far as a bed goes i used the m105 trailer for the first 1 but i dont like the look so the last one i built i cut the stock m35 bed down and i think it looks better all in all ive been doing them around $500 and lots of labor of course

 

[tomesee1]

this is my latest not finished project

 

[JasonS]

$450 for the parts truck (springs and hangars).
$300 for the M105 trailer.
$150 to lengthen the rear driveshaft.
maybe $100 in misc hardware.
Lots of labor.

 

[FM5332FF]

Im almost finished bobbing my deuce, well its pretty much finished, i just have to finish painting it. Here is a list of my expences.

Deuce Front Springs, Shackles & Hangers 300.00
Rear Brake Line 10.00
Nuts & Bolts 40.00
M105A2 Trailer 300.00
Paint 250.00 ( Because i bought 2.5 Gal of tan, 1 Gal Brown, 1 Gal Black, 12 Spray Cans of Tan.)
Wheels 1200.00
Tires 400.00

Total cost 2500.00
The looks it gets from people when i drive it around...... PRICELESS..

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

I don't want to encourage anyone to do this, because a lot you guys out there don't have the know how or tools, but I think it's free.

Front springs and hangers: Mine came from a parts truck long since free
Bolts: I used the rear drive shalft bolts from the project truck and a few others, $10.00
Didn't break a bit so no money there.
M105 bed: $100.00
Torch fuel: $10.00

Sold the un-used rear axle: $200
Sold the deuce bed: $300
Sold the fiberglass troop seats: $200.
Sold the four left over tires: $200.

You do the math. Of coarse, the truck don't look the same .

 

[IMA944T]

Ok I'm going to ask something. Please don't rag on me about this, but has anybody ever did a tri link like that would be used on a Jeep and add coil overs?
Does any body have the wieght on a bobbed truck? Poss. even the frt. to rear ratio?

 

[gregary]

Anybody know what size tires russ81, has on his bobbed duce?

 

[grounded]

1600x20s

 

[1wicked1]

Ok I'm going to ask something. Please don't rag on me about this, but has anybody ever did a tri link like that would be used on a Jeep and add coil overs?

I like that idea also.

 

[hemichallenger]

I tried to get one done this weekend. Started Saturday morning and got it ready to put the bed on by Sunday afternoon. Worked all alone. Made the driveshaft just need to mount shocks and bed.

 

[jesusgatos]

Evidently, it's about $34,000...