Here I will chronical the build of my $500 Raider. I hope you guys like it.

Here are some shots I took in the shop before I did too much to the rig. It actually came with a front seat (tilt) and a second tool box (for the driver's side), plus a half tank of gas (back when gas was $3.75/gal.).



Factory Yellow, rolling on MOSTER 28's (or whatever the factory size is), but the tires have good tread. Headlight washers (that don't work), rear wipers and defrost (niether of which work), cruise control (which, you guessed it, doesn't work).





Bit of damage on each door...



Windshield is cracked...


No air, and the aftermarket radio had been stolen, leaving spagettii wiring...


Broken center vent...


No sunvisors, but a really big mirror...


Horrible driving position, wherein I can't see the gauges...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1922.jpg[/img]

Her dog chewed through the driver's side rear seat belt...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1925.jpg[/img]

3.0 V6...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1931.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1930.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1934.jpg[/img]

With a 5 speed and LSD...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1910.jpg[/img]

A pair of plastic tool boxes...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1900.jpg[/img]

Pretty good interior pieces, a bouncy driver, and gauge pack...
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1903.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1904.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1908.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1906.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1907.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq328/WSDave/Raider/IMG_1917.jpg[/img]


All in all, not bad for $500.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
I think. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I've got some really big changes in store, which I'll cover over the next few weeks. If all goes well, I'll have the rig 90% done by the end of the year.

Now that I have a MIG welder, chop saw, and Plasma cutter at home, things should go quicker. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

My first mod would be removal of the Obama <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> sticker
Russ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

500 bux for a running 3.0 raider?? I say you did awesome.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

X2 on the Obama sticker.
Remove that and I'd say you're GTG <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I couldn't agree more, EXCEPT that I live in a town where a 22 year old Iraq vetran had his brand new Hummer H2 burned up outside his house in a fairly well-off area. The area is a hotbed of liberal, crunchy, Prius owners, and it had been vandelized several times with global warming-based damage (spray painted messages and broken windows) before the burning.

The morning of the burn, when he was out assessing the damage, several Prius drivers came by to honk and give thumbs up. I'm a member of an electric vehicle club, and stay up on local politics, and (based on the attitude I run into around here) I can absolutely see that happening.

The funny part (if there is one) is that burning the vehicle created FAR more enviromental damage than a lifetime of driving it would have.

I don't think of Obama as my candidate, just as my insurance agent.

My candidate is here:

Politics aside...

I like the Raider. Those small tool boxes above the wheel wells are cool. What are your plans/goals for the build? I think I've spent a lot more time fixing other "mechanics" slopiness on mine..I wish I documented what the interior looked like on mine..you guys would of laughed..you Interior is very nice. You have a good foundation to build with I'd say.

Darn it.
i knew i should have registered to vote!

If you need any help with the aftermarket cruise control: let me know.

If you need a faceplate for center console for radio: let me know!

Good luck. Raider looks sharp!!

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I'll take the Obama sticker and display it proudly. But I'm afraid it might get damaged if removed. Better just send me the whole vehicle. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nice raider. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

WagonMaster, I'd have given $500 for that Raider in a heartbeat!!