to build or to buy built?

[Snarf]

as I am getting closer to making a purchase I have flip-flopped a few times from buying a built rig or a stock rig and customizing it in my own way. I understand the advantage of being able to customize with ones one preferences.

My question is, judging the current market for used 4Runners do you think it would be more economical to buy a built truck or to buy a stock truck and build it up myself?

I am considering BUILT as having at least a suspension lift with some body armor and good off-road tires. I know there are many options for these accessories but lets just go middle of the road and see what everyone thinks.

thanks for everyones input in advance. and i apologize if this or a similar poll has already been run.

 

[Victor_inox]

buying completely build would be most economical solution.
you`ll never recoup money spent on upgrades so is the guy who already invested a ton in it. finding right rig would be another question.

 

[Snarf]

how comfortable would you be buying a fully built truck knowing that its been wheeled a good bit?

 

[Redwolf]

I have thought of this before, but I just bought a stock trail, because you rarely see them and that is the edition I wanted. If there were more TEs I would have bought one with some mods and then added the accessories I wanted to make it my own. It will be cheaper if someone has done the work for you, but it is more fun to put the work into it yourself.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

If you consider a "built rig" one that just has suspension, tires, and armor then I don't think it matters. I consider that pretty basic stuff: it can all be bolted on for the most part.

Now getting into a supercharger, SAS, engine swap, or dual transfer case is a different story.

 

[BucknutBob]

It is certainly more economical to buy a built rig, at least if you planned to use new stuff for your own build--like another poster mentioned, you never recoup your investment when you sell, so the buyer gets the benefit. The question is whether you trust the builder and the finished product--lots of people do shoddy work, then dump the rig on someone else to clean up their mess. For myself, I was planning a hefty suspension build-up for my '95 (SAS, rear leafs, lockers, gears, 35's), and by pure chance stumbled upon an ad for a '95 that already had ALL the things I was planning (even the same kits, from the same shop!). For less than the cost of the new parts (NOT installed), I got a whole truck in better overall condition (no rust, half the miles) with a ton of fabrication work and new parts already installed! Then I sold my stock rig and recouped some of my own expenses, putting me WAY ahead of the curve. It's basically up to you as far as the risk, but on a purely monetary scale, buying built can be much better on the wallet.

 

[Huskey]

Bob makes a pretty valid point when it comes to the economics of it, but you'll be super lucky to find exactly what you want - he was very lucky. I also would think you miss out on the fun of building up your own rig, fun is not cheap but who knows, if you buy built you have no clue the abuse it has gone through or the quality of work thats been put into it and it could cost you more in the end.

 

[Gerdo]

As said, if you buy built, you will get more for your money. Unless you don't like the mods that are on the built rig and you are going to change them anyway.

Buying stock and building up will give you the knowledge of YOUR rig.

 

[BucknutBob]

Bob makes a pretty valid point when it comes to the economics of it, but you'll be super lucky to find exactly what you want - he was very lucky. I also would think you miss out on the fun of building up your own rig, fun is not cheap but who knows, if you buy built you have no clue the abuse it has gone through or the quality of work thats been put into it and it could cost you more in the end.

Understood, Huskey--I WAS very lucky, but the point was more about finding ANY set-up that's along the lines of what you're looking for, not necessarily finding an exact match. And I agree about the fun of building it yourself--I went this route partly because neither I nor any of my friends (at that time) were very adept at welding, and the guy I bought mine from sent me a whole video of the truck detailing the welds and equipment (I bought from Craigslist). DEFINITELY check over any build-up with a fine-tooth comb!