build from bits? do-able?

naughtyboy · Mar 17, 2012

my two eldest boys ( 12 + 13 ) have just asked if its possible to build themselves a series by buying bits from the bay and the shows, so they will have real vehicle when they can drive.
so long as we get chassiss with log book and receipts are there any major pitfalls?

they are planning on using their spend and some money their grandad left them also going to do odd jobs for family.
they are both mechanically minded as been rebuilding cars with me from when they could crawl.

advice, suggestions welcome as really want to encourage them.

tacr2man · Mar 17, 2012

They would be better buying a complete vehicle and then refurbing or overhauling any items they need to and just buying the bits that need or would be better replaced. You need to make sure that any safety critical items are dealt with properly , also try and stay a standard as possible as any modifications will only add to insurance problems . They have plenty of time to do it from 13 , so should be able to not rush and do a first class job . First thing is to decide what body type to start with ! Chassis is a major concern considering age of vehicle , take your time to find a good original as replacement is a large expense., be wary of bodge welding !

goonarmy · Mar 17, 2012

its doable but with this itd be expenseive and a q plate-further expense wen insureing

Silverlandy · Mar 17, 2012

Credit to your boys though! Just imagine the feeling of achievement when they've finished it. If you have the time and the depth of pocket, why not? Good luck

naughtyboy · Mar 17, 2012

cheers for agreeing they should get full vehicle.
they have just short of 1k between them, will tell them ill make it up to 1500 but extra counts as birthday presents.
weldings not a prob as my 12 year old is **** hot at it, welded his mates dads chassis and it flew through mot.
and my 13 yr old looks at a wiring diagram and figures it straight off.

gil · Mar 17, 2012

might as well go for it, good on you for encouraging them to learn these skills at a young age rather than them rioting and getting ****ed on the street

johnny curt 1 · Mar 17, 2012

naughtyboy said:
cheers for agreeing they should get full vehicle.
they have just short of 1k between them, will tell them ill make it up to 1500 but extra counts as birthday presents.
weldings not a prob as my 12 year old is **** hot at it, welded his mates dads chassis and it flew through mot.
and my 13 yr old looks at a wiring diagram and figures it straight off.

with welding and wiring your two lads sound a lot like meself and our kidd when we were that age we used to get all manner of repair jobs turning up at our garage door and if we werent doing that we were always building something

id get on ebay and look for a near complete vehicle for them on the quiet then surprise em when you win one

oxides · Mar 17, 2012

Legally it's much easier to rebuild a whole one than make a bitsa as you retain the vehicle ID. You'll find this useful
pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com

johns90 · Mar 18, 2012

got to give ya boys credit. I`m 32 and still can`t use the nonesense that is the wiring diagrams, and welding. Well pidgeon poo comes to mind

TRXnMe · Mar 18, 2012

Never built / rebuilt anything bigger than a mini myself, so all credit to them

Another vote for getting a complete(ish) starter vehicle, it's amazing how the little bits that you find you need add up in cost if you're trying to build from scratch, even buying the bits second hand.

jamesie · Mar 18, 2012

naughtyboy said:
cheers for agreeing they should get full vehicle.
they have just short of 1k between them, will tell them ill make it up to 1500 but extra counts as birthday presents.
weldings not a prob as my 12 year old is **** hot at it, welded his mates dads chassis and it flew through mot.
and my 13 yr old looks at a wiring diagram and figures it straight off.

Good Grief Man, if I were in a position to, I'd employ those two fellas.

Mr-Tomcat · Mar 18, 2012

Good luck if you go ahead. And I know it'll be long running but an update thread with pictures would be interesting.

big si · Mar 18, 2012

take your £500 quid and see if you can find a motor for the boys to start from,good on them .

build from bits? do-able?

naughtyboy

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tacr2man

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goonarmy

Beer tester

Silverlandy

3.5efi's other half

naughtyboy

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gil

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johnny curt 1

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oxides

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johns90

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TRXnMe

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jamesie

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Mr-Tomcat

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big si

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