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How to Build Multipurpose Vehicle

We'll Tell You What You Need--and Don't--From Tires to the Best Rigs

By Craig Perronne
photographer: 4WOR Staff

The goal: One vehicle that can do everything from commuting to work to tackling a tough trail.

 Chevrolet Truck Front Side Low Offroad
 Dodge Truck Side Rock Crawling
 Toyota Truck Rear Side Rock Crawling
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23918_image_small.jpg
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23919_image_small.jpg
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23920_image_small.jpg
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23921_image_small.jpg
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23922_image_small.jpg
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23923_image_small.jpg
 Jeep Cherokee Rear Side Climbing Hill Offroad
http://images.4wheeloffroad.com/projectbuild/p23925_image_small.jpg
 Jeep Wrangler 2 Car Front Driving River

Let's face it: Not all of us have enough funds to have a vehicle lying around strictly devoted to trail use. Once you go through the expense of building a trail rig, you still have to buy a trailer for it and then a tow rig to haul everything. The expenses can quickly add up. Besides, even if a small budget is not the problem, some of us just want a vehicle that can tackle a variety of tasks and trails.

Now that we have you thinking about the one-vehicle option, we must inform you that building a functional multipurpose rig is a lot harder than you might think. While other people have the luxury of building a vehicle for a specific task, the multipurpose builder has to design a vehicle that can perform well over a variety of terrain and still be reliable and roadworthy enough to get to work the next day.

What is the key to success in building a multi-purpose vehicle? Probably one of the most important steps is to determine what you are really going to use the vehicle for. Do you have a long or a short commute to work? Are you going to haul more cargo than passengers? What kind of trails do you go on? Questions like these must be answered in an honest manner if you are to wind up with a truly useful vehicle. The following pages are filled with plenty of other tips and ideas that you can use in your quest to build a do-all vehicle.


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