I went into the project with a budget and we are staying relatively close to it. I planned for some of the "unexpected" which always happens regardless how much pre-planning happens. I have not added up everything yet to see where I am on the parts, as we still have a few more small things to purchase. As I wrote in the beginning of this, a large part of the expense were the brand new 14 bolt axles front and rear. I could have gone with less expensive options but the labor / time would have gone up to clean them up, change gearing, add lockers, etc. This is not a project for the faint of heart, but it will give my family years and years of fun and memories.

One could certainly go with radius arms or a more simple suspension, smaller tires, smaller axles like D60's at a lower price. We have refined the rear suspension three times before the final welding which is happening today. We played with the suspension calculator a lot for the both rear and front suspension to find the optimal suspension choice while keeping all 8 links the same length, making keeping a spare very easy.

The items which have changed from the beginning are:

1. Originally were going to go with a reverse 4 link like T40R in the rear and not remove stock gas tank. Of course this is gone and we have now done a 4 link in the rear and replacing the gas tank with something different.
2. Started with 3 link in front with semi-hydro steering and now going full hydro and 4 link in the front.
3. 40" DOT legal tires now 43" stickies due to crazy lead time issues. This was a big unexpected change in the entire build.
4. May still change stock radiator for something larger, not sure yet.
5. Went with 16" shocks originally and thought about going to 14" but lead time was crazy so we are staying with 16" and should not have to go through the hood.

We only have small items left like brake lines, etc to purchase so we are close to having all parts on site. Only missing some minor pieces like RCV big bell front axle shafts where were ordered the end of May, steering pump, and pressure relief valve from Howe. We may have a short term work around if we do not get the new pump, but without front axle shafts it may prove to not matter

This is all I can remember now.

As for who is doing the work, I have not done much and it's all BudBuilt in Hudson, NC. I performed the entire battery relocation short of the physical building and bending of the box. I rerouted all wires and cleaned up from what I had done previously. Past that since I travel a lot, and I only see the build in person on Saturday's, I help with just simple general labor things or watch the amazing work being done.

The primary builders are:

Bud Rosenberger
#wheelin_with_willy
Chip Rosenberger
@azuber45 - don't know his last name but very strong on the suspension design and other items. He works at a shop in Charlotte which does a lot of LS swaps.