What Makes a “Build” Anyway? (And the Blood Sacrifice it Takes to Get There)

How’s it going, everyone? Josh here.

Alex and I just wrapped up Episode 27 of the DPV Podcast, and it got us thinking about a question that usually starts a lot of arguments in the garage: What actually constitutes a “build”?

Is it a build if you just slap some light bars and an “angry eye” grille on a JK? Or does it need to be something deeper? We’ve got some strong opinions on this, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to that “Pain and Victory” cycle we live by.

The “Built Not Bought” Philosophy

For me, a build isn’t just about the parts list; it’s about the relationship you have with the machine. Alex and I were talking about the “Blood Sacrifice” If you haven’t worked on your own rig enough to bust a knuckle at least once, is it really a build?

Now, don’t get me wrong—if you take your transmission to a specialty shop because you don’t want to mess with a “slush box” in your driveway, you can still say you built the truck. But there’s a difference between “This is a built Jeep” and “This is a Jeep I built.”

We want to encourage you guys to be the ones holding the wrench. If you don’t know how to do it, invite a buddy over, order some pizza, and figure it out together. That’s how Alex and I started 30 years ago, and it’s how we’re still doing it today in our new shop spaces.

The Beauty of the “Stage” Build

One thing we really hammered home in this episode is the importance of building in stages.

You see it all the time: a guy tears a truck down to the frame, gets “While-I’m-in-here-itis,” and four years later, the thing is still sitting on jack stands (trust me, the Bronco knows the feeling).

• Stage 1: Get it running and reliable.
• Stage 2: Small improvements—maybe a budget boost and some 31s.
• Stage 3: Learn the limits, see what breaks, and upgrade accordingly.

The goal is to stay on the road (or the trail) as much as possible. It’s way more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car that never leaves the garage.

Fantasy Build: The $2,500 Shop Truck Challenge

We closed out the show with a new twist on our Fantasy Build segment. We each had a $2,500 starting budget for a shop truck, with $1,500 more each year for five years.

• Alex’s Pick: A roached ’64 International Scout. It’s obscure, leaks from every seal, and has zero aftermarket support—basically, his dream come true. He’s planning a “truck mode” conversion and some Dana 44s.
• My Pick: An ’81 Bronco with the 300 inline-six. That motor is a torque monster. My plan? A straight axle swap, 37s, and a 203/205 doubler so it can literally crawl out of its own way.

What’s Next for DPV?

We’ve got some big things coming down the pipe. I’m heading to Arizona (and might be bringing back a “vacation Jeep”), and I’m finally getting the roof on the new shop! Alex is getting real close on his place and is making plans for the 390 swap in Grandpa’s truck.

The goal of this channel has always been to get you off the sidelines and into the garage. You don’t need a pro shop or a massive budget. You just need a positive attitude and the willingness to learn from your mistakes.

Wheel it, Wreck it, Wrench it, Repeat!

— Josh