5 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Project Car
Isn’t it exciting? You finally have the courage to get started on your very first project car. But unless you’re a savvy mechanic, you may find the idea of building your desired car a bit scary and blurry – trust me, I was once in your shoes before, and it’s okay to feel a little nervous.
On the other hand, your inner car enthusiast is prone to get carried away. Building a project car is essentially like converting a standard vehicle into your dream car, and honestly, the sky is the limit here. However, it’s important to make wise decisions and stick to the plan, so you don’t end up overspending your time and budget before enjoying it.
Therefore, whether you’re planning on buying a project car or maybe working on the wheels you already have at home, here are some things I think you need to know before building your first dream car.
Let’s go!
Research Everything Before Deciding on Anything
I mean that literally – right before you pick on any car you want to work on, any parts and tools you need, or any mechanic who’s going to help you, dive deep into the net and learn as much as you can. When working on a project car, there would be plenty of unexpected things (and often expenses) occurring, so you want to minimize your not-knowing-ness by enriching yourself with the all the knowledge there is about your car before you begin.
Doing your due diligence before starting will save you a lot of troubles, like struggling to find parts in your area, feeling shocked by your car’s common issues, getting fooled by a mechanic you blindly trusted, etc.
Also, be sure to get the ideal base car for your project. If you want to build a drift car, get a RWD sports car/sedan, or if you’re going to build an off-roader, get a 4X4/something like a Jeep, and so on. Thinking any car would work for all purposes is only feasible when you have an unlimited budget to make it happen!
It’ll Cost More than You Think
Budget-wise, it’s rather difficult for a first-timer to do it accurately, especially if you’re into buying a cheap “fixer-upper.” Aside from the unknown repair cost, you’ll also need to buy basic tools and consider the new parts you’ll inevitably need. Once added up, you’ll often find the initial price of the car is rather irrelevant compared to the final cost of the build. Not to mention the risk of replacing the parts that’ll break after a couple of abuse since you’re still trying to figure stuff out.
Hence, my tip is to double your expected cost just to be safe. And even then, it will probably cost more than you first estimated anyway.
Patience is a Virtue
It might sound cheesy, but you’ll definitely have your patience to thank when your dream build is complete. Project cars can easily take months or even years to complete, and I suggest you take all the time you need here to do it right. Moreover, waiting for parts to be delivered alone will give you more time to play Springbok Casino Bonus as you might imagine. After all, some of them may have to be imported from Japan if you’re building a JDM, or Germany if you’re working on an Audi, BMW, or a Merc — so they could take a while to arrive.
In addition, doing a half-assed job just because you want it done quickly is an evil temptation you should throw out of your system immediately. If you want to impress anyone (or yourself) with your build, they’ll be more fascinated when the final result is as close as it is to perfection, which you won’t be able to achieve if you just rush it all the way.
Having the Right Tools is Key to a Successful Build
The tools are as essential as the car itself – without them, you can’t start working on anything, can you? And assuming you don’t know which are the right tools to have, here are some of the best ones to help you get started:
- Screwdriver set (standard and Philips)
- Socket wrench set
- Combination wrench set
- Adjustable wrench
- Pliers
- Hammer
- OBD Scanner
- Hydraulic jack and jack stands
While you can find these tools in various price range, getting the more expensive but high-quality ones are mostly worth it. These tools are built to last, and they’re some of the best investments you can make to guarantee the smoothness of your work. And you’re certainly not obligated to buy all of them since you can probably borrow some from your friends or relatives for free!
Also, do your best to get a toolbox/crate to help you organize your tools and keep your workstation clean. Not only will it prevent you from losing your tools, but it’ll also remove some tripping hazards as you won’t leave them scattered on the floor.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help
In your project car journey, you might encounter difficulties where you wish to have some sort of guidance. Thus in those moments, it’s a good idea to seek advice from the people with the right knowledge. Reach out to car experts and other enthusiasts in online forums and communities, or you could even try visiting your local car shop for solutions.
Remember that although you’re a car enthusiast, a car is bound to mechanical and technical stuff that you can’t master overnight. Hence sometimes, getting a hand from a professional can help you save time (and maybe even money) from making possible mistakes.
Last Words
Building a project car can be a thrilling experience, and just like everything, you wouldn’t know the thrill until you try it yourself. That said, planning is an essential part of the process, and hopefully, you’ve gained some insights here.
Thus, I hope you’re now even more encouraged to start your journey in building your dream car, and I wish you the best of luck!