you always hear people joking about how ebay has come so far that you could literally accessorize/modify your entire car with just parts from ebay. that they have become the jc whitney catalog of the internet so, i decided to take one of my vehicles and see how true that is.

i'm not done yet, but it's been easy so far to get whatever i wanted and have several choices. below are my reactions so far.

cons:

-buying stuff sight unseen, just pictures. even though it's new stuff mostly, still a risk
-poor customer service/return policies/warrantys for most things. better be happy with what you get
-quality can be subpar as a knock off to name brands. china's presence is really becoming known here.

pros:

-it's CHEAP! similar parts can be had for as much as 75% cheaper
-no going to a store or multiple internet sites. just point and click on ebay who directs you to paypal.
-quality is just fine for most things, or if you've got an older vehicle that doesn't deserve the best.

on to the truck. it's a 1996 suburban 2500 2wd. 454 vortec/4l80e. i've had it for a while, just recently started putting stuff on it. appearance only so far. it gets used as my daily driver when i'm not working and for towing stuff around town or on trips i don't need a place to sleep.

shortly after i got it:



addition of 24's:



now, it's current state. new bumper, grill, headlights, turns, corners, and rear lights. removed some chrome trim also.





i have a cold air intake and an in dash dvd, gps, touchscreen, bluetooth, etc. headunit on the way. i'm also hunting for a dual exhaust system, just waiting for a question to be answered before i decide which one.

my final step will probably be forced induction of sorts. i can't decide if should keep the theme ghetto and do the electric supercharger, or wait for something decent to show up like a whipple twin screw.

so anyway, maybe one day ebay will rise from being the pep boys of the internet and people will start selling higher quality stuff at great deals. it's a silly project, but i'm not up for doing anything more complicated right now. this idea was interesting and has entertained me. maybe i can get an EBAY sponsorship when it's done!!!!11

[Edited on March 7, 2008 at 1:20 AM. Reason : .]

3/7/2008 1:19:52 AM

bling bling, yo.

3/7/2008 3:57:09 AM

Electric supercharger or Whipple....It's always a tough decision on any vehicle.

3/7/2008 7:27:10 AM

cool thread, pics don't deliver. i was expecting more chrome from "blingburban"

3/7/2008 8:15:47 AM

You have to do to the back bumper what you did to the front.
1 very important bling factor you need to add is crome trim around your doors, maybe crome door handles too.
Don't forget to get one of those bendy antennas.
Those headlights better be the Blue HID, and those corners aren't clear.
Need to add strobes as well as some fog lights
Add a brush guard, lift kit, and a crome tip exhaust.
What about a power chip?

Last but not least, buy the escalade front end (fenders headlights, grill, bumper, hood) and really bling it up like homeboy did on TRUCKS.

3/7/2008 8:36:29 AM

^^^lol, really.

^^nah, while i laugh and joke about it i'm not out to make it completely gaudy... it's probably got all the chrome it's going to get except a billet grill insert. the goal is to have a truck that looks and performs better than stock on an ebay budget. to show that it is possible to tastefully modify/rice up something without it looking completely stupid. the secondary reason is because it's something that i can do right now. while i've been able to do more at some times than others, the current state of my leg prevents my "normal" routine of physically intensive repairs and modifications. i tried to do a transmission a few months ago and it about killed me to finish (in fact, i'm still yet to get the driveshaft and crossmember back in). i miss fiddling with stuff, and bolting on lights and other doo dads is better than nothing right now.

^
1. i've been looking for a rollpan, but haven't found anything suitable. plus, i'd have to change the trailer hitch with one and i haven't found anyone anywhere that makes a hidden style rated at what i need, much less on ebay.

2. the lights are a regular projector style, BUT they do have blue led "city" lights in the housings, lol. the rears have an led surround also in addition to the regular incandescent, but i still need to wire them in. the corners are different than stock, but obviously still amber. i just don't like the all clear/white look on black. the amber helps break it up a little imo, plus it's different. same with why i chose all red rear altezzas vs. chrome or black.

3. definitely not getting a brush guard or lift kit. it's a 2wd. if anything, it's going to get a 2/1 drop. i've got my eye on some springs and shackles. i need to trim the front inner fenders and running boards a bit first though, the tires rub at full lock as is.

4. chrome exhaust tips is a winner, just found and ordered a jardine dual exhaust catback. amazingly, it was cheaper than a pacesetter.

5. i did look into the escalade or denali front clip before i bought the new front end stuff, but none were to be found on ebay and it was $texas from other places.

6. good call on the power chip, i hadn't even though about that yet... looking now!

keep the suggestions coming, i'll buy whatever retarded stuff ebay has to offer (within reason).

[Edited on March 7, 2008 at 4:39 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2008 4:33:19 PM

Quote :

"you always hear people joking about how ebay has come so far that you could literally accessorize/modify your entire car with just parts from ebay"

I have never heard anyone joke about that, ever.

3/7/2008 4:46:47 PM

you got the rims and tires on ebay?

looks pretty badass...but clear corners would have looked better

3/7/2008 7:34:12 PM

Quote :

"but clear corners would have looked better"

This thing is niggered out but deff not riced.

[Edited on March 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM. Reason : Ivan you got a Not Lot Lizards sticker on the new rig? Have fun on CO Wish i could have went with.]

3/7/2008 7:36:08 PM

^^^what rock do you live under? i'm sorry that humor is beyond you. it's just as common as people joking about pimping your car with stuff from pep boys, advance, or whatever. or people that say they have some fake aftermarket edition of a car just because it's got a few parts from a certain company. this is an ebay suburban.

^^yep, everything... rims and tires included.

^haha, i wish i could find another one. stone found the one i have at a truck stop in pa. it's on my things of look for during my trip next week.

3/7/2008 8:07:03 PM

3/7/2008 8:12:09 PM

my cherokee is a ebay bastard too.

bought from ebay:
85 cherokee
95 camaro engine
holly carb
edelbrock intake
edelbrock valve covers
infinity speakers
infinity subs
pioneer head unit
pioneer amp
compucar No2 kit
rough country lift kit
energy suspension poly kit

Everything else was local parts stores specialty shops and Summit Racing

As BBR said...it's a crap shoot. None of the used items were in the condition described and many hours were put into repair. I wouldn't do a whole car again, but I still use ebay for random parts

3/7/2008 8:12:33 PM

Danny you get that heater core fixed yet?

3/7/2008 8:13:55 PM

^ it's been fixed for a while now-- the old one has been living at the scrap yard for a few weeks now

3/7/2008 8:28:09 PM

What the old one as the grand? I was talking about the Street jeep? What is where

3/7/2008 8:31:42 PM

the old heater core from the project jeep is in the scrap yard...

3/7/2008 8:34:32 PM

o ic hahaha you lost me there. i seen a tarp over it the other day so i didnt kno.

3/7/2008 8:38:47 PM

Yeah, the tarp is just to keep h20 out-- it has been garaged it's whole life... wasn't ever supposed to be sitting outside for long, but the garage is occupied by the current project atm

3/7/2008 8:50:08 PM

yall need a bigger garage

3/7/2008 8:51:11 PM

^ ever get yours inspected?

3/7/2008 8:55:13 PM

^^ YES WE DO! have you seen outside our house lately? it's ridiculous.

3/7/2008 9:09:26 PM

I HAVE HAAHHA

3/7/2008 9:16:50 PM

yea it passed the final inspection and it's all finished

3/7/2008 9:26:03 PM

thats good. you got my kegarator and lazy boy in there for me to overlook all 4x4 operations?

3/7/2008 9:41:08 PM

I was there when we put on the dubs. I'm impressed with the ebay trim etc you have gotten.

3/8/2008 3:33:07 PM

I've gotta say BBR, I like what you did to that suburban.

The wheels, while not my style, along with all the other changes you made actually make the car look semi-new and don't make it look like a western boulevard cruiser. Thank god as well that you didn't put in those fucking chrome altezzas (every damn truck around here has those).

Oh yeah, it should start to look pretty ghetto with the new head unit though. You gonna put LCD screens in all the headrests, too?

3/8/2008 10:42:20 PM

^Do you want to suck on the top of my dick?

3/8/2008 11:48:45 PM

^ I like the project he's got going, and I definitely don't think you need to invite people to kiss your festering dick.

3/9/2008 12:09:59 AM

well that is good

3/9/2008 11:40:26 AM

to o.p.:
Where do you get the money for all of this?

3/9/2008 1:32:07 PM

nothing special. i worked all through school, have had good jobs since i graduated, and have been fortunate with my investments so far. what does that have to do with anything though? it's a 228k mile 12 year old truck and all the new parts are the cheapest off brands i could find from ebay. nothing extravagant.

besides, vehicles are more of an investment to me rather than a depreciating asset. i've never lost money on one. that's the real key/important thing. i certainly wouldn't be able to afford such a broad range of automotive genres otherwise.

3/9/2008 2:31:59 PM

This thing was the main attraction at Carolina Cup this past weekend.



southern4x4 and a friend from Wake:

3/31/2008 1:24:40 PM

i see fivehead was there

3/31/2008 1:33:22 PM

Quote :

"it's just as common as people joking about pimping your car with stuff from pep boys, advance, or whatever. or people that say they have some fake aftermarket edition of a car just because it's got a few parts from a certain company. this is an ebay suburban. "

yeah, http://www.evolutionm.net has a whole thread (many pages) devoted to eBay parts for Evos...which ones are good, which ones are not. Dyno tests and everything...haha

Quote :

"to o.p.: Where do you get the money for all of this? "

haha, i've been trying to figure that out for a long time.

and his answer still only halfway makes sense.

3/31/2008 1:35:14 PM

didn't you know plumbers rake in more than crack dealers?

3/31/2008 2:05:28 PM

^haha, gg

^^^^lol, awesome. glad it worked out for ya'll this weekend.

damn you people are nosy. i don't think it's anyone's business nor do i understand why people care so much in the first place, but in the spirit of tww i'll bite since this always becomes a topic anytime someone buys something...

^^what doesn't make sense? there's nothing complicated to "figure out". you of all people understand the whole investing wisely, flipping cars for money, etc. thing. it's not throwing money away, i'll get it back whenever i sell the truck and i'll put it into something else.

the only thing that might set me apart from your "average joe" is i was fortunate enough to really capitalize on the booming real estate market for a couple of years after i graduated. most of that is squirreled away in long term investments though, and won't be of any real use to me until retirement. however, it does allow me to not invest quite as aggressively as i would need to otherwise. that frees up funds for other things. anything i spend on vehicles is money from my weekly paycheck or profits cleared from selling other vehicles/parts. i make a decent living in the plumbing business now, but it's certainly not extravagant and it's not easy. i have minimal expenses which helps also. the only debt i have is my house (which i financed 100%) and the toterhome (which is ridiculously cheap since you can finance rv's over 10-20 years and write them off like a second home). i don't plan to have kids to support or leave anything to, i'm not married, my siblings are more than self sufficient, etc. if something changes then my priorities might have to also, but for now it is what it is.

i might have a lot of "stuff", but most of it is just cheap junk and it comes and goes regularly. it's what i enjoy though. as i've already pointed out, this truck is a prime example. check the book value on a 1996 2500 2wd suburban. assume i got a good deal on it. check all the prices on ebay for the accessories. are we talking about a big figure? i don't care about money and i don't care about having "nice things". it's just a means to an end. i just care about things that i enjoy and make me happy. to a lot of people, i probably come off as someone who tries to flaunt what he has or uses cars, etc. as a status symbol. that's not who i am or what i'm about at all though. i just want to have my toys and enjoy them in peace, and use what i have to help others.

while all of you are so busy worrying about how much i make, what i own, or how much things cost, you might also want to know that i refuse to be a selfish asshole. as long as i'm successful, then everyone around me is going to benefit also. i'd wager that i've donated more to charitable causes (money and time) than anyone in here. i also wouldn't hesitate to give the shirt off my back help friends/family in any way, even if it puts me in a hard spot. anything i have is welcome to anyone that needs it.

to me, it's about living life as much as anything else. i've got a passion for ALL things automotive, and i want to experience as much of it as possible in my life. i don't want to look back and say "man, i wish i had bought that car" or "i really should have taken that trip". i want to regret the things i have done, not regret things i didn't do. i'm sure i could be a little smarter with my money or invest more, but simply put i don't want to. as long as i'm on track to afford my current standard of living or better in retirement, i'm happy. it's not worth it to me to pass up oppurtunities, ignore people, etc. just to have a little more money when i'm old and can't enjoy it anyway. so far i've been blessed with a life that's been far from average, and i like to share those experiences (good and bad) with other people. i try to be humble, but if that still makes me out to be an attention whore, bragger, etc. so be it.

anyway, i know that was way more of a rant than it needed to be and no one is really talking trash, but i just get tired of all the concern over other people's business around here and in the world in general. i know, i know... people make threads so therefore it's open to public scrutiny. still doesn't make it any less rude though. people just get so caught up with the almighty dollar and lose site of what something might really be about.

[Edited on March 31, 2008 at 5:50 PM. Reason : p.s.- def. not directed at you duke, your post was just the proverbial straw so to speak ]

3/31/2008 5:49:00 PM

Quote :

"damn you people are nosy. i don't think it's anyone's business "

that's why i've never asked you

but i've wondered how in the hell you do it for a long time, since i know you also do put money away and don't spend every last dollar (or worse, live in debt up to your eyeballs...like my buddy who has an LSx swapped Z28, an old shitty S-10 Blazer, an FJ-40, and a brand-new Z06 'Vette...oh, and a Sea-Doo RXP, and some other fairly new Sea-Doo). All with ZERO money saved, and every last dollar in his paycheck needed just to make it to the next payday...of course, I guess all of this is financially--and physiologically--more sound than running up $1000 every month in bar tabs!)

Quote :

"you of all people understand the whole investing wisely, flipping cars for money, etc. thing. it's not throwing money away, i'll get it back whenever i sell the truck and i'll put it into something else. "

Yeah, that and the part about probably 10 of your cars being relatively inexpensive were the parts that made sense (although still, there's fucking 10 of them! hahaha)

but no, i've never thought you to be a braggart, or selfish, or any of that other shit in the least (quite the contrary). My only real interest in how you afford all those toys is if there is any lesson I can take from you and apply myself (either in terms of making more or needing less to acquire the toys in question).

I guess, really, if I didn't have child support and invested only what I need to be comfortable in retirement (rather than to be a zillionaire), I could do about the same thing.

My motivation is pretty damned similar to yours, though, in terms of wanting to really live life and do my damndest not to miss anything. That just means something a little different to me--I'd personally rather live below my means right now and let the miracle of compound interest do its thing so I can live like a straight up baller in 25 years (and do things that I'd otherwise NEVER have the means to do).

Now I just have to manage to not go out in a violent fireball before I get to realize that dream!

3/31/2008 6:13:48 PM

Ivan was doing some renovations at this house in 'durham' and found some bricks that weren't really 'bricks' in the crawlspace.

nuff said.

3/31/2008 9:16:15 PM

he's the one they call Dr. Feelgood

he's the one that makes ya feel alright

3/31/2008 11:44:23 PM

omg so many fucking words


you cant take it with you, but you can drive it around.

4/1/2008 12:24:49 AM

Quote :

"I guess, really, if I didn't have child support and invested only what I need to be comfortable in retirement (rather than to be a zillionaire), I could do about the same thing."

yeah, from what you've told me your baby/baby momma expenses are a pretty good chunk of change that i don't have to worry about.

Quote :

"My only real interest in how you afford all those toys is if there is any lesson I can take from you and apply myself (either in terms of making more or needing less to acquire the toys in question)."

nah, definitely not. there's no secret other than i've always had a knack for finding the right deal at the right time. i started out with the car my parents gave me for my birthday/christmas at 17 (definitely gotta give them credit for that). i made $2k on it, and the story has been much the same with the 40+ vehicles, bikes, boats, and countless parts since then (with varying dollar amounts of course). there have been two that i broke even on cutting friends in need a deal, the rest have been for some amount of profit. that adds up to a nice sum to play with, and compromises at least 75% of the cost of the current "fleet". it's a process that's been 10 years in the making. while i've enjoyed every minute, it's also taken a lot of time and effort. i didn't just decide to go out and buy a bunch of stuff one day.

Quote :

"Yeah, that and the part about probably 10 of your cars being relatively inexpensive were the parts that made sense (although still, there's fucking 10 of them! hahaha)"

yeah, it sounds impressive when you say it but it's really not. you could sell your evo and buy 6 or 7 of them. hell, 3 don't even run/drive. there's also 2 that are permanent fixtures and i'll never sell.

anyway, back on topic: scored a hypertech programmer for the burb tonight. $free

4/1/2008 2:01:54 AM

flipping shit is fun

4/1/2008 2:03:41 AM

^^ sweet. that's the best price of all!

I definitely haven't flipped all of my cars for a profit. I'm probably a few thousand in the black over the last 5 years, though (lost a couple thousand or so on the Miata, made $2k on the S2000, made $3k on the 330ci, and will prob make $500-1000 on the Evo by the time I come off the price a little to actually sell it, unless I just get lucky).

Of course, I've paid a fuckton in taxes to title and register those cars, so if you subtract that out, I'm probably only barely in the black...but still, I've basically driven a slew of badass cars over the last 4-5 years for only the price of fuel, oil, consumables, and insurance (and a little bit of minor bodywork). I bet I only spent maybe $500-700 on all of those cars combined in terms of repairs (other than the aforementioned round or two of minor bodywork).

It's definitely doable if you know cars and are a patient and halfway decent negotiator. If you can fix them yourself, that's even better (which I can do better than most, but nowhere near as well as Ivan).

4/1/2008 2:14:48 AM

How about you get some parts off eBay to get the Ram up and running?

4/4/2008 9:47:59 PM