This month I've got some questions to ask you. Really it's some questions I want you to ask yourself. What is customizing to me? What's my level of customizing? Is my ride safe to go across country? Is this a fad to me or a lifestyle? Well, there you are. Some basic questions I've been thinking about. These are not intended to offend you, but to make you think about you, and the ride that you drive.
The first question what is customizing to me? Personally I think that it's like art. You have this canvas that you pick up from your local dealership, take it home, and start shaping it into the vision that you form in your mind. As you start the build up, you have so many things that you can choose to do, and just as many styles. I know people who have almost finished their vehicles with one style in mind just to tear it completely apart to redo the whole thing a different way. It's about self-expression. I myself like seeing vehicles sitting on mother earth with wild ass paint that draws you in with the outside appearance, crazy body mods, interior to match, and keeps you attentive with all the little details that leave you in awe.
What's my level of customizing? Basically, can you go out into the garage do a 4-inch body drop and it be safe? I cannot. My level of customizing hasn't gotten that far not because I don't want it to, but every man should know his limitations. I have however either have done everything to my own vehicle or helped do it. Do what you feel comfortable doing. Even if this means that you're the local auto parts store best customer with all of the bolt on stuff on your ride. You learn more the longer you do this kind of stuff. I had a Toyota back in the day, that at the time, I thought was cool. It had no torsion bars, a mono-leaf with a four inch block in the back so I rode on the frame, nonadjustable suspension, a home made bedcover I got from a friend, nothing shaved, and flexstone on the dash. Yeah, it rode like a horse and buggy, but it goes back to learning as you go. Adjustable suspension is nice.
Is my ride safe to go across country? Is my ride safe to go to the local cruise in? This kind ties in with the last question as to your level of customizing. You need to build your ride with safety in mind. If you can't weld for example don't let your daily driver be the first thing you weld on. This protects you and the people your driving next too. There are people who can body drop their ride in the garage let it down, and drive it across country no problem. I've personally been on trips with people who probably didn't need to be driving their vehicle across country because of us having to fix it a lot along the way. Granted, it wasn't anything major, but if you do preventative maintenance, and take the time to make sure anything you do to your ride is right the first time you'll have a lot more fun on the trips you take. There are People I've seen that hack their stuff up so bad I wouldn't want to drive it across town.
Is this a fad or lifestyle to me? When I bought my first truck back in high school, it was more a fad to me, I guess. My first truck I bought already had a convertible top, and it was a magnet for the ladies. Many moons have passed since then and it's become a lifestyle to the point I can't picture me ever driving a stock vehicle again. My wife is a great supporter helping when she can, and adding her own ideas to our projects. The support of friends and family is usually what keeps us going and wanting to build something crazier then we did last time. People come and go in the scene of customizing, and some end up coming back after some time off. It's different for everyone.
As our journey ends this month I've got a couple final things I like for you to remember. When you work on your ride do it safely, and build it safely. Don't be scared to ask somebody to help you if you can't do something. You can't be replaced. Taking time to do things right the first time will save you time and money in the end.
Later all
Russell
ITFELL007@aol.com