"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
06/16/2020 at 09:24 • Filed to: None
1
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"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
06/16/2020 at 09:24 • Filed to: None | 1
| 17 |
Anyone else see this?
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Dang. double dang. Now you may be saying to yourself (if you didn’t take the jump) the following, as I did.
1: That is probably built like shit.
2: that is probably the biggest pain in the ass to build
3:that is probably prohibitively expensive.
I am happy to say it seems to me to be none of those things! The kit itself is currently on sale for $
2990, and looks to be a nice fitting aluminum kit with common replaceable
parts, and a smart design.
This would hinge on getting a cheap ass Charger that you wouldn’t feel bad about cutting up. Hence as suggested, a police car! 5.7L Hemi, rwd, with a total project cost not exceeding $8000 without a professional paint job.
I am actually extremely tempted. If I could locate a suitable charger, I think I would jump off, although I don’t know exactly what to expect as far as costs. My problem is, I have never been to nor really considered going to a police auction. I would totally pick up a car for about
$
2-3k
just to sit on it until the rest of the project materialized. If anything, I can loan it out to either my sister or my gf, provided they covered the insurance as both could use an inexpensive car. T
he only way I lose is if it would immediately blow up, which is why I wouldn’t spend more than that amount (if cars are even available for that).
Thoughts? G
ot any good articles/videos/info on police auctions?
vondon302
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 09:34 |
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I have yet to see a decent ex cop charger at auction go for less than 7000.
Other than that, sounds great.
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My bird IS the word
> vondon302
06/16/2020 at 09:36 |
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I had assumed the pricing would be similar to the crown vics and explorers I have heard people buying.
PyramidHat
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 09:41 |
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That sort of works!
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My bird IS the word
> PyramidHat
06/16/2020 at 09:44 |
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I can imagine it would look good with a custom roll bar and a ducktail spoiler for that “race truck” look.
CobraJoe
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 09:45 |
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The biggest problem that I see?
You can get a single cab truck for the same price, with just as much power and possibly more utility for less. Even extended or crew cabs could be found, or 4x4 trucks can be found for under $6-8k
Sure, it’s not as cool, but it requires zero work.
Or, if you want something more interesting, 5.0 swapped Rangers or SBC swapped S10s can easily be found too.
That said, the Charger ute looks damn cool. But that alone is not enough for me to want one. (The lack of manual option makes me a lot less interested in putting in the work to assemble one.)
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My bird IS the word
> CobraJoe
06/16/2020 at 09:51 |
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Yeah, I can’t say it makes the most sense. I am not really into trucks though and my tastes tend to be more esoteric.
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vondon302
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 09:58 |
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For some reason, their almost twice as expensive. I was hunting for one a few years ago. The awd v8 ones go for stupid money. M y local police auction has been closed due to covid, when they open back up, they’re going to have a huge backlog. That might be a good time to get one cheap.
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CobraJoe
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 10:17 |
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I completely understand, my tastes definitely lean towards the “weird” as well. (And if I were looking for a truck, I’d sooner opt for a ute over a single cab, though I’m currently driving a crew cab because family ).
I guess i’m just realizing how little free time I have now. I’d rather not spend it working on something that’s only part of what I’d want it to be.
Sovande
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 10:49 |
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Just buy an old 5th Gen El Camino and swap in a drivetrain. Same cost and lots less work. You can get 400hp out out a 5.3 LS without much money or effort. Mate it up to a transmission of your choice and get the drive shaft shortened and you are on your way.
ranwhenparked
> vondon302
06/16/2020 at 11:05 |
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Which is bizarre, as they're way more likely to be worn out and beat to shit than a Crown Vic was at retirement. I know of several departments near me that still operate a few 9-10 year old Crown Victorias because they haven't needed any expensive repairs, but Chargers get rotated out regularly after 3 or 4 years.
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My bird IS the word
> Sovande
06/16/2020 at 11:12 |
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No way is an engine swap with a new wiring harness and everything easier than a sawzall and some of rivets.
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Sovande
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 11:58 |
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My point was that for similar money you could have an actual whole car with any power you want instead of a car that has been cut apart with a Sawzall and put back together with rivets.
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My bird IS the word
> Sovande
06/16/2020 at 12:09 |
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Yeah 70s gm products arent much better than sawzalls and rivets.
Kiltedpadre
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 12:20 |
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You can find ex-police Chargers on govdeals, but I think you’ll blow the $8,000 real quick. On the first page the cheapest starting price is $3500, and that’s car doesn’t run.
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Sovande
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 12:38 |
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I was more talking about the later 80's cars, but I get your point. I wonder what the towing capacity is for the conversions? I think a 1986 El Camino has a payload of 1250 pounds and a towing capacity of 5000 or 6000 pounds.
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My bird IS the word
> Sovande
06/16/2020 at 15:31 |
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Towing capacity is 2000 lbs on the standard car according to the interwebz. I am doubtful the conversion does much to fix that. Maybe its down to spring rates? I would have to check to see what a comparable ram truck used as far as drivetrain components, but I would guess that wouldn’t b e the weak link. Maybe with some chassis reinforcement as well it might be doable.
Looks like the el-caminos arent strictly designed for towing but with some mods they can support some serious weight.
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Sovande
> My bird IS the word
06/16/2020 at 15:34 |
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I think it’s just a factor of the full frame. I don’t know that i’d be comfortable towing anything near the limit. I do have helper air bags in the back though.