What should i do?

Ok, i have a 99 s10 i still need to put back together, i just got that 87 suburban that's hacked up (see how worried should i be thread below), I should be able to get new shock tabs and a plate for the notch/frame and maybe a new 4 link welded in (or just put a new 4 link on it), and replace bags and re plumb the air system in a weekend. Only problem is, it'll be hard as hell to do without a lift. I have a buddy who can do all that and has a lift, but i've been trying to get hold of him for a month and a half and i can't get him to call me back. Jon at DB Rods and Miniz will do it, but if i'm taking it down there, i'm getting it completely redone, doored, vintage air kit, etc. and i'm looking at about 5 grand (ish). I don't have anything saved up right now, it'll take me appx. 3 months just to save up enough to get the deposit so i can get it in the shop. I would just redo the stuff myself, i have a welder, but it's a 110 volt hobart 135, and i've never welded before. Also, i know jack shit about 4 links, so i'm afraid i'll fuck something up. So here's my options: Save up and take it to Jon, put my dime back together and drive it until i can get the sub back, or try to do the work myself (with someone who can actually weld doing the welding, but me setting everything up, my brother in law is a pipe welder so he can do it, but it'll be done with a stick welder) and taking a chance on fucking something up. What should i do? Unless there's someone in Arkansas who would be willing to help me out, i'm stuck. Any suggestions? I don't mind taking it to Jon because i know he'll do it right, but i really don't want to be without it for 6 months while trying to save up the deposit, then making the payments, then when i finally do get it back i'll be broke as hell again so i can't do anything to the inside. But i don't want to do it myself and take a chance on fucking it up. Anyone got any ideas?

i say put your money into tools and learning how to do it your self. with the money you will spend having someone do it you can do the same thing twice and hopefully you get right by the second time you do it. just my thoughts

i agree i would do myself and save a ton of money. buy all the tools and do it yourself you would be suprised how much you learn by doing yourself. just make sure you do your research first look around at other suburbans that are bagged take notes of how they did what they did and why they did what they did. this stuff isn't rocket science just try not to over think things. so good luck on the build.

i'd say save up and take it soemwhere, unless you really wanna learn and build all of your next projects. That is one thing about you jumbo, you arent skuured to take it somewhere and have it done right when you lack the knowledge.

If you wanna do it yourself with your brother in law welding it (stick is fine man).. i'll do you some drawings if you wish so you set it up right. just let me know.

Take it to a shop, sounds like you've already convinced yourself that can't or won't do it yourself.

well, here's the problem. The reason(s) i got the suburban is because i wanted something the whole family could ride in, and because i don't have time to work on trucks anymore. I wanted something mostly done (at least all the hard stuff) i did'nt know when i got this it was this hammered. The only time i can work on anything is at night on weekends after everyone goes to bed (i work out of town during the week, the wife's view is when i'm home, i need to be home hanging out with them, not be gone all week and all weekend working on the truck, and i'm getting old enough where i kinda agree with her), and after i get my work done for work, so usually 12am or so to 3am if i'm lucky. I don't have a shop, so i have to weigh what i'm going to do and decide if it's worth dragging all the tools and lights outside to do it. Not that i don't want to do it, but i am afraid of fucking something up, i'll work on stereos and interior all day long, cause the worst that'll happen is i make more work for myself. I fuck up on the suspension, and me or others can die. That's my view. I have'nt talked myself out of doing it, i'm just trying to decide what's best by taking everything into consideration.

Originally posted by sdime2372



well, here's the problem. The reason(s) i got the suburban is because i wanted something the whole family could ride in, and because i don't have time to work on trucks anymore. I wanted something mostly done (at least all the hard stuff) i did'nt know when i got this it was this hammered. The only time i can work on anything is at night on weekends after everyone goes to bed (i work out of town during the week, the wife's view is when i'm home, i need to be home hanging out with them, not be gone all week and all weekend working on the truck, and i'm getting old enough where i kinda agree with her), and after i get my work done for work, so usually 12am or so to 3am if i'm lucky. I don't have a shop, so i have to weigh what i'm going to do and decide if it's worth dragging all the tools and lights outside to do it. Not that i don't want to do it, but i am afraid of fucking something up, i'll work on stereos and interior all day long, cause the worst that'll happen is i make more work for myself. I fuck up on the suspension, and me or others can die. That's my view. I have'nt talked myself out of doing it, i'm just trying to decide what's best by taking everything into consideration.

with that being said, pay someone to do it. family is more important

save up and let your buddy at DB rodz and miniz do it. if you wanna learn yourself get a POS later down the road that you can tinker with and learn on! that way youll have a ride that the whole family can ride in that you know is safe and youll have a spare truck to cut up and learn on when ever you have a spare moment! get that s10 of yours together,sell it, and have a lil money to put away, a lil money to put into the burb, and a lil money to throw into your "learning project"! damn im good,what would you do without me Jumbo?!?!? youd probably cry, right?

Most community colleges offer welding classes.

it's not too hard, you don't care about the grade, and for a few bones you could pretty much take the classes and become a certified welder (1-2 years).

Why not? it's better just to learn. Do it yourself. and not waste your money.

props for knowing better though, there's a lot of hack jobs out there that shouldn't have welded.