I really liked my jeep, but had to sell it to buy a house a few years ago. ran the toyota since then. I like toyotas but wouldn't call them my thing, if i did build a jeep/toyota based rig the floor, firewall, windshield, heater, 6ft of frame, and the title would probably be the only things left original, that's why i'm thinking skip straight to a buggy.
I understand what it takes to build a rig from scratch. Buying parts can be done in a day. The hardest part will be getting the tube chassis built, not just cutting tube and welding it together. But building a rig that doesn't have a million unforseen problems. i'd probably copy someone else's chassis who has something that has been well engineered, tried, and true. An alternative might be something like S&N. Even then, there is still an entire rig to build, the tube work is only as useful as a set of empty frame rails i'd get off a donor toy/jeep.
I won't let the amount of work turn me away from a buggy, if anything it'd be the trail only part that might kill it for me. but then again, i never drove my toyota on the street either. my Jeep was best of both worlds though, it drove like a caddy on the street. Then shined on the trail too, it was a triangulated 4link rear, and 3 link panhard front. coil sprung, flat belly skid, and 36" lower links. It was really nice. too bad i have no pictures of it, it was before i got on NWW.
One build on here that i'm very fond of is 4runnermikeyb's. I really like his one ton tj, it is a lot like my old one, but with the addition of coilovers, bigger axles, and bigger tires. The only thing is TJ's are soo expensive when i'm going to cut it all up anyways. i could get an s&n chassis for the cost of one.
anyways, i'm liking all of the comments, keep them coming:beer:
