New builder looking to avoid too many surprises

[rmiller]

I'm about to pull the trigger on purchasing a 33 kit and am looking for some input on whether I'm on the right track. What I want to end up with is a weekend cruiser with a rat rod flavor. I live in Phoenix so if I want to use it in the summer months I have to get air conditioning. No track days planned and my wife will also drive. I am trying to stay under a 35,000 budget. After pouring through the forums this is the list I have come up with.

33 kit 19990.00
4 link
Powder coat 399.00
Std seats
A/C kit 1199.00
Hard top 1999.00
Power windows 499.00
FFR wheels 828.00
FFR total 24914.00
Fall discount -2500.00
FFR grand total 22414.00

Phoenix Engines 302 350HP turn key 3695.00
Forte 8.8 rear end (3.55) with brakes 1725.00
AOD transmission (rebuilt) 1000.00
Tires 800.00
Paint (plastidip) DIY 500.00
Whitby power brake kit 511.00
Ford shorty headers 300.00
AC compressor 235.00
Radio (hidden) w/speakers 400.00
Shaved door kit 200.00
Power steering (electric kit) 1000.00

Grand Total 32780.00

Am I missing anything big? Am I going to go way over on misc. hardware and surprises? Thanks for all your input.

[sheephearder]

Boyd fuel tank

[billjr212]

You are going to need to do some body work before that Plastidip, so probably want to bump that up a bit for materials.

Alignment - figure $200 to be conservative
Shipping - around ~$1,300 to the midwest (not sure how much to Phoenix, maybe $2k?)
Sales Tax - again, not sure on the rules in AZ there
Mirrors maybe (some people swap out the tiny FFR ones when they go with the hard top)

Misc hardware will add up in a hurry. Figure $500+ for all the little things like trunk carpet, bolts, random aluminum bits, maybe some rivnuts, etc, etc.

Good luck!

[Olli]

Flexplate, starter, torque convertor, AOD shifter. Don't go cheap on a convertor. Get the rear exit exhaust from FFR.

Since you are going with an AOD, go with 3.73 gears.

Olli

[68GT500MAN]

Do not forget the TV cable to go with the AOD.
Doug

[Siringo]

You probably want something for heat/sound. Lizard skin ceramic insulation and spray gun is about $270. Not sure what you would need for something like Dynamat but probably close to that.

[wallace18]

I suggest the p/s kit.

[rcotner]

I agree with everything added above. I think you should be able to stay south of 40K if you don't pay anyone to do anything and you don't have to buy tools or add any to many additional extras. I am a year in and am thoroughly enjoying the process. BTW, I will end up spending way more than 40K but I bought a kinda expensive crate engine and new tranny. I also will be paying someone for paint and final body work. Good luck!

[erlihemi]

You could probably get under $30k with a well chosen parts donor if you gave up power steering and brakes, but, the wife to project ratio needs to be observed. The danger is that after you get into the project you always want the next better part. Choose carefully while FFR has the sale in progress. Shiny tools, an addition on the garage, and a spare set of sticky tires later you'll be looking for the next project to build with the kids...or grandkids.