All of these things came out the way they did because we all did what we were good at. Yes, in a sense I "bought" their time to do what they were best at, but at the same time I was there helping to get it all to the final look you see now. Even at the shows, you will see I normally back off the truck and let Todd and the gang get all the credit. Heck, if you have seen me at shows, you know that I don't even get to drive it ... ha ha!
Here is the bed on the Isuzu...
Here is the bed on the Isuzu before and after. This is the way it looked when it ran on the cover and what the new owner, Brant, did to make it different.
Now, if you are the kind of guy who bought his ride from a fellow minitrucker and you get tired of hearing "Oh, that is what's-his-name's old truck." Well, get out there with your friends and local shops and start giving it your own touch. I'm sure there are things you see that you would have done different. Maybe a new paintjob, or maybe a body-drop, if it hasn't already been done. Buying a sick truck is in no way a bad thing; but if you see something you want done to give it your own look, do it and make it your own masterpiece.
In my opinion, it's not about building some top-secret truck that you want to do all yourself and possibly hack up in the process-just to say you did it all. It's about friends helping friends. When the time comes for me to jump in on their builds, you better believe I'll be right there with them. This lifestyle is about meeting new people, making lasting friendships, and having the time of our lives doing what we love.
Will McCloskey has been involved in both the hot-rod and minitruck communities for more than 10 years. In that time, he has 'bagged a lot of vehicles, both minitrucks and hot rods. As a builder, his pride lies in the fact that when a truck rolls out of his shop, it doesn't have to come back because of faulty work.
Will:
Bought not built is a misunderstood and overused form of hating, unique to our little custom-truck community. To understand it, you have to look at who we are as a group. In the eyes of the general public, we are an association of misfits and freaks who cut up perfectly good vehicles to make them do things they were never intended or designed to do. Usually on a shoestring budget, and throughout long periods of time, we will chop, cut, shave, paint, 'bag, body-drop, and form our trucks into a rolling expression of our own personalities.
This brings me to my point. It's a very personal journey we take with our project and resources. To build a truck involves every spare dollar, every spare moment, and usually the help from most of our friends and family.
Therefore, take this scenario into consideration: In steps a guy, Joe, who has more cash and less time then we have. Joe buys truck, Joe goes to a show, and Joe gets crap from a the work of a bunch of complete strangers. Never mind that he never could have built this truck for the same amount he paid for it, or that he didn't have to ruin his marriage to do it. Not to mention that he-like most of us-lacks the skills and equipment to tackle a project on this scale, anyway. Therefore, he bought it just the way it sits, like a used Prius off the lot. Therein lays the rub.