PDA

View Full Version : low buck rod building in Australia


Flattiesteve
09-30-2004, 06:49 PM
Gday guys
Ive been following recent threads about building a traditional rod under $5K. Here in Australia, our authorities are pretty strict about engineering and V8's must run disc brakes, cycle guards are a must etc etc. An engineer needs to inspect the car 3 times during the build. The up side is that if your a first time builder without a clue like me then you know youll end up with a safe, well engineered rod. Anyways... Ive ben trying to keep costs down and have no stash of hoarded parts - except for a stock I beam a mate sold me for $20.

Here's a break down of costs so far...

fibreglass 27 one piece body $1500
home made chassis (inc repro front c'member) $ 200
engine and trans $ 700
rings,gaskets bearings, machining $ 800
spindle kit and front end parts $1100
discs(new) calipers and new pads $ 250
used diff $ 100
used steering box $ 30
engine & trans mounting tubes $ 150
used front shocks $ 30
repro glass 32 rad shell $ 150
used rims and tyres $ 150
early Ford wishbones and axle $ 120
used jaguar rear coilovers $ 80


TOTAL $5360 (US $3750)

I also needed...

engine hoist $ 250
larger arc welder $ 450
compressor $ 250

Costs to follow will be...

material for ladderbars (inc rod ends} $ 250
mounts for split bones (inc rod ends) $ 150
rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders $ 150
brake MC and booster + lines $ 300
petrol tank and elec fuel pump $ 150
steel for steeling out body and making floor $ 150
pedal set up $ 100
steering column and wheel $ 100
wiring loom $ 250
headlights and mounts $ 150
rear lights and indicators $ 100
tie rod/drag link & panhard bar $ 200
windscreen and posts $ 300
paint $ 300
seats, belts and interior upholstery $ 450
dash and gauges $ 250

TOTAL APPROX $3000

Hidden costs include:
nuts and bolts (Ive spent heaps on stainlesss and grade 8's)
MIG wire and welding sticks
cutting wheels and wire brushes, rotary files etc
aerosol paints, primers

This is pretty approximate but i can see my rod coming in under 10K - I might have missed a few things so I plan Ill spend a grand over my estimate. When its on the road I'll save for things like repro Ford steelies etc

Steve

Flattiesteve
09-30-2004, 07:01 PM
I forgot the radiator and a trans cooler - theres another $200 at least if I get stuff from the wreckers. Im sure theres plenty of obvious stuff Ive left out.

steve

Morrisman
09-30-2004, 07:49 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Im sure theres plenty of obvious stuff Ive left out.


[/ QUOTE ]

You said it brother. There seems to be a never ending outflow of cash with my car, and most all of it goes on silly little shit I never ever thought about. Just packs of welding rods, grinding discs, odd packs of washers and fasteners, little tins of paint, greases, cotter pins, hose clips ad infinitum.

I think the UK is going to go the way of Oz, with a few new construction inspections and regulations coming in very soon. At present it is fairly relaxed, but it is going to get worse, much worse http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif