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Holy Bank Accounts, Batman!!!

J

jdw174

Full Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2003
Messages
128
Location
Paris, TN
I've spent a lot of time here since I found it and ordered my new ''03. I've gotten a lot of comments about "modding" which, as an old motorhead, I can appreciate ;D

No offense meant here, guys, but through all of this I was beginning to wonder if any of you have expenses outside of your AV's ??? Well, according to the results of the member's poll, most of you appear to have an average income about 20-30K HIGHER than I do :rolleyes: so that would account for being able to afford thousand dollar exhausts, custom wheels/tires, and assorted geegaws and doodads :D I mean like, hey, I've got two vehicle payments, house payment, taxes, insurances, ad nauseum...which means I have LITTLE extra, but not nearly enough to be able to justify items like that.
I guess I'll just tip my hat to those of you that can, and be satisfied with what I've got :cool:

Jim: 12 (alleged) days until delivery and counting :2:
 
Jim,
Don't feel bad. I've been on this board for around 6 months and have yet to do a major mod. Of course I've been unemployed for over a year now. I do have a wish list that includes a muffler system, performance air intake, pass-thru window in the lower midgate, and a DVD system in the headrests.
I guess if you do a little at a time and keep the wife happyanything is possible. Don't change your priorities at the expense of necessities. I plan on having my AV for a loooong time, so there's plenty of time for mods.

Rob
 
Jim,

"I feel your pain". There are ALOT of mods you can do for little or now $$$.

Amber DRL's - $4
Full Time DRL's - FREE
Xenon Lights - $20 on eBay
All 4 lights on at once - FREE
Billet Grille - less than $100
Chevy Flag Bowtie - $40 from the club store

There are several more, that is just a sample of what you can do. Granted there are some members that "invest" more into customizing their Av. I have performed one "major" mod and that was forking out $2000 for a Pioneer DVD/Naviagation Unit.

It is something the Mrs and I really enjoy. We are going to wait until that is fully paid for before the next "major mod".
 
jdw174 said:
I've spent a lot of time here since I found it and ordered my new ''03. ?I've gotten a lot of comments about "modding" which, as an old motorhead, I can appreciate ;D

No offense meant here, guys, but through all of this I was beginning to wonder if any of you have expenses outside of your AV's ??? ?Well, according to the results of the member's poll, most of you appear to have an average income about 20-30K HIGHER than I do :rolleyes: so that would account for being able to afford thousand dollar exhausts, custom wheels/tires, and assorted geegaws and doodads :D ?I mean like, hey, I've got two vehicle payments, house payment, taxes, insurances, ad nauseum...which means I have ?LITTLE extra, but not nearly enough to be able to justify items like that. ?
I guess I'll just tip my hat to those of you ?that ?can, and be satisfied with what I've got :cool:

Jim: 12 (alleged) days until delivery and counting ?:2:
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad, I have to save up for $64 mods for my truck!

I probably have one of the lower incomes on the site which is why my mods come slower than others, but what I do have I'm proud of.

I tend to check out eBay for mods, I got a billet grille there for $65 where as a new one would have been double.

I put decals on my AV, inexpensive but it makes it stand out from the rest.

Mine are coming slowly but surely, and unfortunately all my tax refund is going to the credit card to make a dent in the CargoPro I purchased (my one BIG mod).

There are those of us out there that don't have the cash for all the expensive things. My exhaust system is being put on hold til I can save up for it.

;)

Kim
 
:B: :B:
Jim,

Of course a lot of people here can relate to the "No Money, Honey" syndrome.......... I just got one out of college and the younger one's finishing his junior year, so if it wasn't for 0% financing from GM, I'd be driving a 2005........ :6:

Sure there are tons of things I want to do, but careful research here and the inventiveness of the membership at large will keep you in the ballpark until you hit a lottery. Start small ( keep a logbook or diary of what you did and when you did it - I wish I did ) and sacrifice a lunch here and there for your "mod stash". It's been 2 months and I'm still $20 or so short for my Weatherflectors, but I have $65 more than I did before. Just remember - you'll be driving an AV while others are still just spinning their wheels......

Show some pics when your ride comes home!

Jake
 
You are not alone on this. We have modded our AV very little. There are mods I want but am waiting for that winning lottery ticket first. Or the next AV tent raffle ;).

I am involved in another club as well, one based locally with other 4wheelers. It went through a peroid where it seemed like the focus was all about modding. I think it all boils down to the love we have for our vehicle and our joy in 'playing' with it. I would almost liken it to owning a Harley. There are some people who love theirs just the way they bought it and others who mod them until there isn't a single piece that came from the factory. Either was is just as good in my book. The main focus is on the shared loved for the AV or Harley. From local rides to a run to Sturgis, the two groups share a lot more in commoon than it first seems.
 
No need to keep up with the Jone's on this site! It's having the AV that sets us apart from the rest. A cut above for sure! ;D

Sure is tempting though.....
 
I agree with the above comments as well. In my nearly one year of ownership, I have probably dropped about $750.

I also like the cheap mods. For example:
? Amber DRLs.
? DriverDesign hood deflector $60.
? Replaced all the interior lights with red bulbs. 8 red 194s = $8 and 5 red 211-2s was another $6.
? Painted the stock bowtie black $10.
? Strealinedesign mountain graphics suite: $84 ($15 visor decals, $15 C-pillar decals, $20 pair of larger decals for front and rear and $34 for the new Z71 decals).
? K&N drop-in filter $35.
? R&D Fog Controller $15.
? Mercury-Xenon 885 Fogs $15.
? Euro antennae $15.

More expensive mods:
? 4 SilverStars (9005 & 9006) $100.
? Magnaflow muffler & tip (stainless) $119 + $60 for installation
? HPPIII (used from JRyther) $275

Jamie
 
wonder91178 said:
I tend to check out eBay for mods, I got a billet grille there for $65 where as a new one would have been double.

Kim
Click to expand...

Kim makes a good point.....there is ALOT of stuff on eBay. I got my Grille on ebay for $75, Kim got a better deal. I also got my Xenon Lights - high and low beam - as well as my fog lights.

It's a good resource as long as you "shop smart" and pick the right sellers. Checking their feedback history is a must!
 
Ah Geez Guys, now I'm gonna halfta stick both feet in my mouth. :(

There are only a few items that I, personally, feel are worth the money. The rest are purely cosmetic to me, although maybe down the road a ways ;)

My wife agrees on the molded mudguards, vent visors, and around here a bug shield isn't just for looks, believe me ;). She also wouldn't kick over a K&N filter replacement, but the Magnaflow muffler I'd like to install will be an uphill battle :rolleyes: She HATES noise!! (I on the other hand, like the sound as long as it doesn't enter the inside while driving :cool: ) She also goes along with a set of Husky floor liners, since I tend to get rather muddy at work on occasion.

Hey, whaddya know.....I guess I AM gonna do just a little modding after all... (y)

Jim: who realizes that you can make a man out of the boy, but you'll never take the boy out of the man >:D
 
Avalanche Rookie... said:
Kim makes a good point.....there is ALOT of stuff on eBay. ?I got my Grille on ebay for $75, Kim got a better deal. ?I also got my Xenon Lights - high and low beam - as well as my fog lights. ?

It's a good resource as long as you "shop smart" and pick the right sellers. ?Checking their feedback history is a must!
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I also got my fogs and antennae there. I also hooked up a few Minnesota brothers with fogs from eBay!

Jamie
 
This post is another fine example of what makes this site so nice. I have been members of other car clubs and you really do feel left out if you aren't spending $1000 for this mod and $500 for that one. It really was a keep up the "Jones'" in the Grand Prix club that I was in.
I am glad to see that the community here is more important than the mod. Good job guys! Keep up the commitment to each other and keep the good info coming to us new guys.
 
Gee, and I thought I was the only one that was broke :cry:
I do have to admit that my most expensive mod was my 2 monitors in the headrest with the DVD system, but since I had the dealer do this at cost, I was able to roll the cost into my 0% loan :love: After this I have done the mag lite, the bug shield, and the Amber DRLS, but I have not done the full time DRL's as I don't want to screw something :cautious: ( Chicken ). Other than this my next mod will be to add a monitor in the visor up front and I am saving up for that. Plus my oldest son just called last night, to inform me he now wants to come live with Daddy, as he and his mother are not getting along :cry: Single dad with two boys >:D
Hey Kim we need a Mom want to move to South Carolina ;) . I can see it now, 2 Kids, 2 Avs, man what a life. :p

Oh well back to reality, have to make calls to see about getting oldest kid in school. Hang in there gang, we will all have the mods we want in due time.

Big Dog
:B:
 
BigDog1967 said:
Hey Kim we need a Mom want to move to South Carolina ;) . I can see it now, 2 Kids, 2 Avs, man what a life. ? :p ?

Oh well back to reality, have to make calls to see about getting oldest kid in school. ?Hang in there gang, we will all have the mods we want in due time.

Big Dog
:B:
Click to expand...

LOL!! You silly guys....ya know I got nothin' but love for all the AVers!

;)

Kim
 
jdw174 said:
I've spent a lot of time here since I found it and ordered my new ''03. ?I've gotten a lot of comments about "modding" which, as an old motorhead, I can appreciate ;D

No offense meant here, guys, but through all of this I was beginning to wonder if any of you have expenses outside of your AV's ??? ?Well, according to the results of the member's poll, most of you appear to have an average income about 20-30K HIGHER than I do :rolleyes: so that would account for being able to afford thousand dollar exhausts, custom wheels/tires, and assorted geegaws and doodads :D ?I mean like, hey, I've got two vehicle payments, house payment, taxes, insurances, ad nauseum...which means I have ?LITTLE extra, but not nearly enough to be able to justify items like that. ?
I guess I'll just tip my hat to those of you ?that ?can, and be satisfied with what I've got :cool:

Jim: 12 (alleged) days until delivery and counting ?:2:
Click to expand...


Jim,

I know what you mean. But i'm in sort of a different boat which is a little worse. I make decent money, and i have enough in bank to cover all the mods i presently want. BUT I can't spend a dime cuz we are building a house. EVERY last penny is being saved up for it. It hurts SOOOOOOO bad....every time i look in the account to sort our finances and think..."wow...you know what i could do with that ....?!!"

I've set up a little budget specifically for mods, but unfortunatly...my main mod i want is expensive. I debate every day if i want to do a few different cheaper mods...but then i have to start all over again saving for the lift....

TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!! To make it worse, we have to spend even more money. GF's car is gone to poop and she needs a new one. DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!! SET BACKS!!!

Atleast I have an AV to begin with... :love:

Mud
 
Its all about connections. I got my "used" flowmaster and a "used" fold down cup holder from a freind that works at a junk yard for late model vehicles. The cup holder cost me a lunch and the flowmaster cost me a 50 cent coke. Shopped around and had the Flow installed for $20 with no pipes or tips out the back. The rear 12V outlet cost around $15. So, I'd say I'm ahead of the game as far as mod per $ spent. ;D
 
I had the dealer do most of my major mods before it rolled off the lot so I was able to include them into my financing. Other wise I wouldn't have the lift and tires right now.

I have only done a few inexpensive mods myself.

1. Amber Drls
2. Lund Bugshield
3. Stripeman Windshield Decal
4. Mag Flashilight mod.

and a few other minor little mods.

The sad thing is there are stilll several major mods I want but need ot wait for the money to be there.

"Patience is a virtue" grrrr.... :8:
 
We had no idea about modding until we started hanging out here ;D. Learned a lot quick, and how quickly mods add up :6:

Owning and driving an Av is the main thing for sure, not doing all the mods. We see a boatload of silver Tahoes and Suburbans every day in town (us being one of those before the Av), but not many Avs around. That's even cooler, standing out in the crowd and daring to be different! ;D
 
I can tell you that the "Holy Bank Accounts Batman" scream can be heard even further when you add the exchange rate into the modding equation.

Today my mod dollar only buys 59 off your mod cents. ?So when someone says "hey it's a bargin at $699" I'm thinking HSDS Batman. ?:eek:
 
Skidd, at least I get 65 cents on the dollar ;)

As to money spent, I think the very first post covered a lot of it.
I have spent a stupid amount of money on my truck, but it is a hobby. As a matter of fact it is about my only hobby :rolleyes:
Others enjoy fishing or hunting, clubing, meals out, whatever....
Another thing to keep in mind is that I plan to own the truck for some time,
 
I was thinking the same thing...I just got a 02 av north face edition...there are some small things that I want to do but I don't think that I am going to do for a while.......glad that you folks are here so i can get some ideas >:D
 
Most of my mods have been low budget or trades.

I painted my own bowties, engine covers, ect ect. I bought reflective tape and cut out my Avalanche letters. My dad fabricated my flag mount for me. My mother-in-law bought me the Sport Wing for Christmas. My wife bought me the LOF for Christmas. My parents bought me my weatherflectors for Christmas. My tint man sold a old brush guard I had, so we traded for tinted windows and my Glasscape Texas Flag.

The list goes on and on. I have just been fortunate to have people support my habit for me. My one big purchase was the Bedslide. And I got that for LESS thanhalf price because I bought itused from someone local.

I've been very fortunate.
 
So much modding, so little money....

But you know what, by keeping and I on this site, and looking at what some of the others do, you can find some really affordable mods that make you stand out. I wish I had a couple grand to throw around, but that just ain't the case. So I wait, and watch, and scheme on what's next. :B:
 
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