Who am I saving it for ?

[Casco1]

I 'd like to know other opinions on this.
I took this quote from another thread about installing a cup holder.

Nice slick designs both of them. I like the idea of not having to drill any holes.....

Vic

Vic, I'm not singling you out for any reason, it's just that your statement is one I've made for many years. I wouldn't add stuff to my vehicles that required drilling holes in the dash or body because I didn't want to.... I don't know why.

About five years ago I finally asked myself " Who am I saving it for ?"

I still want my vehicles to look nice, I want my attachments to be installed as profesionally as I'm capable.

My current truck has and Ipod base/holder ( I enjoy MY music when I'm on the road) in the dashboard, my GPS is installed where is is convenient for me not where it will leave no holes. My tool boxes are drilled and bolted where I want them. My tractor is full of things to make my work easier and more comfortable.

What's you're opinion of customizing your vehicles/tractors. Are they set for your use or do you tend to save them for the next owner like I used to do ?

 

[Kendall69]

I bought a mercedes 450SL years ago at a firesale price, but it needed some work. Everyone said Ishould fix it up and paint it rightbefore I sell it so it looks nice.
HUH!!! Looks nice for who? I want it to look nice for me, so I fixed it up the next day, and drove it "looking nice" FOR ME.

Same with my tractor, people said don't do this or that - screw it, it's mine and I want it to fit MY needs, not the next guy. I drill holes and all things as needed to all my stuff the day I get it now.

Stealing a line from "Stauart Smiley" ( Sat. night live )
"I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!.....I Deserve it "

 

[bx23barry]

While I don't think I'll take a hole saw to the side of my truck (lightening holes do look kool), I’m sure not afraid to mount accessories or customize my stuff for how I want/need it. I don’t worry about all the “warranty issues” modifying stuff either. If it ain’t the way I want/need it don’t make a lot of sense having. At least in my mind.

 

[JoeinTX]

I am a "save it for the next person" type on many things...

One in particular is my daily driving vehicle, or my "good pickup." It never has and very likely never will have be touched in any way....they always stay nearly 100% like I bought them.


Now, with work vehicles and equipment I am a little less so but any changes made are done with the absolute least alterations necessary.

Yeah, yeah.....and I almost always wash them when I get through with them and store them undercover and so on.


Funny, they always seem to stay looking new for long time doing things this way.

 

[BTDT]

Same with my tractor, people said don't do this or that - screw it, it's mine and I want it to fit MY needs, not the next guy. I drill holes and all things as needed to all my stuff the day I get it now.


I'm with you on this. As long as I'm the one paying for it, I'll fix it to suit me.

 

[Thomas]

If it makes your life easier than do it...go w/your gut feelings....sure would be boring world if we all worn and did the same.

 

[MarkV]

Tractors often are around for 20 or more years. If I am around in 20 or more years I don’t think I’ll give a hoot what anyone thinks of my added extras.

MarkV

 

[jinman]

If I need to drill it, I drill it. However, I'm a lot more likely to drill in metal than fiberglass. Maybe that's because I know what a bad drill bit can do to fiberglass. I use a lot of u-bolts to mount stuff when possible, but I'm not afraid to drill if needed.

 

[BXRICK]

I'm probably in between the two extremes.
I tend to drill the hole where I need to, but I'm not one to just go and drill holes any old place for no good reason.

Over the years I've found that another criteria is that I will, eventually, get a new "something".
And, a lot of what I have added to the old "something", I will want to move to the new "something".
So, it makes sense to make the moving somewhat straightfoward, within reason.
The service life of the "something" can affect these decisions.

On my truck, I have a custom built ladder-rack rail guard assembly that came on a used truck I bought years ago. It's now been on 3 of my trucks. It holds a crossover toolbox, and backup lights. By having all this stuff mounted to the ladder rack, it's that much easier to remove and re-mount. And, any holes I drill, I only have to drill once.

The tractor will last a lot longer than the trucks (I hope), so that's even less of an issue. It didn't take very long after I had the BX to add lights, and when I did so, I wired them quite permanently. But, I haven't done much else to the tractor yet.

I'm not a warranty person. Voiding the warranty seldom stops me.
I don't think "trade-in/resale value" either.
I've also found that if you keep something long enough, minor stuff you've changed doesn't affect trade-in or resale value much anyway.

 

[scott_vt]

I 'd like to know other opinions on this.
I took this quote from another thread about installing a cup holder.


Vic, I'm not singling you out for any reason, it's just that your statement is one I've made for many years. I wouldn't add stuff to my vehicles that required drilling holes in the dash or body because I didn't want to.... I don't know why.

About five years ago I finally asked myself " Who am I saving it for ?"

I still want my vehicles to look nice, I want my attachments to be installed as profesionally as I'm capable.

My current truck has and Ipod base/holder ( I enjoy MY music when I'm on the road) in the dashboard, my GPS is installed where is is convenient for me not where it will leave no holes. My tool boxes are drilled and bolted where I want them. My tractor is full of things to make my work easier and more comfortable.

What's you're opinion of customizing your vehicles/tractors. Are they set for your use or do you tend to save them for the next owner like I used to do ?

Mornin Casco,
Im with the others, no problem at all drilling my 21 year old work tractor, but wouldnt start drilling holes in my restored antiques !

My youngest son who is now 24 was famous for drilling holes in his dash and console to install switches for a multitude of reasons ! I a;lways told him that wont help your resale too much ! He finally figured it out on his latest new vehicle, of course this is his fourth vehicle !