Trars and Other Such Crazy Builds

[neohic]

We've all seen the VW Beetle or PT Cruiser sitting on a Blazer frame before... and they're kinda lame. I really dig a well build trar. For example...

 

 

... Dave Chappelle's Pacer sitting on an airbag/leaf spring suspension, a TJ Rubicon 44 in the front, and an XJ 44 in the rear. What Dave did that's so cool is that he utilized what was already there instead of just plopping it on some other 4x4 chassis. So rad!! I can't help but think of more unconventional vehicles to start with for a future wheeling rig build. Why just recycle another XJ with all that the big kids are doing these days with axle and engine swaps and full custom suspensions? Why not start with something a little more creative if you'd just do the same mods anyhow? Here's what my head has been building lately...

 

Starting with a first generation Volkswagen New Beetle:

 

1. 4.8 or 5.3 GM truck engine backed by a 4L60 trans... yup... pretty much bread and butter at this point
2. Late '70s Ford Dana 44/9" axles... also bread and butter
3. Short coilovers on all four corners
4. Three link front with trackbar front and rear (I love the packaging available going this route)
5. Super low COG and 35s
6. Full tube chassis to house everything under that adorable round body

 

Now, obviously there's a TON of fabrication involved with doing all that but I circle back to the amount to properly do this in any other vehicles. I know that I could do it. What I'm curious is if anyone else here has a "holy $#!&... WHY?" kind of build in their head. Trar? Something else? Who else here has been doing their fair share of web building and web wheeling?

[NC Tom]

I'd like to consider ratting my MJ, but all these straight line don't seem to allow for much visual interest. Seems like all guy's do is lower it. No interest in that.