Maximizing Build

[baumber]

I would like to start a thread pertaining to the value and market of our Trekkers. The purpose is to spur discussion, advice, and insight.

This will hopefully have a direct bearing on the direction I take my recent acquisition and any future/current Trekker owners with regard to ownership. Some of us like to build a vehicle to use, some to abuse, and others for collection.

So, to start off I offer the following:

1. Is there a viable market? Due to the scarcity of our vehicles, is it ,in your opinion, worth restoring a Trekker as close to OEM as modern day possible?

2. Tying into above, assuming there is a market, will it bear engine/drive train swaps. I'm thinking I would at least switch to EFI. So does an updated EFI/Diesel swap devalue our rigs?

3. Also tying into above: When restoring/building, what bearing do VIN's have on the value? My frame needs a lot of help to get back to showroom condition. Would a swap be smart? Same goes for my cab. I could swap with a clean one and transfer the Winnebago items over, or I could cut an paste.

Hopefully this gets the ball rolling and I look forward to any and all insight and advice.

Regards,
Baumber

Attachments:

[b4runner]

Well I guess I will chime in with my two cents...some may agree and some may disagree:

As far as a market-yes there is a limited supply of these trucks but they don't seem to generate as much interest as one might expect. I have seen to be what I considered to be great-unmodified trucks that with a little bit of work could be restored but the owners seem to have take a loss on the trucks. To me a restoration would be more for the love of the vehicle, the pride of a project well completed seeing a gem in the rough to to the gem state.

Some people say I am kind of crazy for using a 'rare truck' the way that I do but I felt that the truck was in a condition that it did not warrant going the restoration route...sure for what I have sunk into my Trekker I could have started a good restoration but am happy with the route that I went.

Engine upgrades: I think that an EFI conversion, 3.4L v-6 or 4.3 chevy v-6 might turn off a purist but if I came across a truck that had one of the 3 swaps that had been done well-I feel to me as a buyer it would be a plus to have an upgraded-newer powerplant.
-Again-For me an EFI swap will be the simpliest route for me to go-if and when I find a donor truck cheap enough I will go that route.

For me I know that I will never get close to what I have into my truck. Some work has been done by me, a lot has been done by others...some of it done right and some of it probably needs to be redone. For me it comes down to having fun driving a fairly unique vehicle that is more capable that a lot more expensive trucks...Sure I may say "OH Crap' or something else if I ever roll it or worse'...but I know that it was one of the risks going the route I took.

I would suggest that you register your truck...send the info to Corey--AKA: Slacker. A registery I feel will have some documentation on your truck.

I know Paul will have much more insight to your questions...he is pretty much the resident history and is going a restored original condition route with his Trekker..

~Robb

[Slacker]

Not many of these left , good ones for sure are far and few.

I firmly believe these will and do have the potential for increased value ... no mater what board you go to ... there are people whom have never heard, or seen a Trekker . I think "education" is the key , and the main reason I created this board . we get about (on average) 1000 visitors (non members) a month to our little site , which is now only a couple of years old . I firmly believe the more people whom see a trekker , might just want one .

I went a little different route on my build .. more so as advertizing for my company as to what we can do .. I do have another trekker back 1/2 .. which I plan on making "moulds" eventually ... so then anyone can own a trekker .. just not an original , and this my friend , is where the Winnabego decal will depict the original , from our version ..and hopefully create a market for and original trekker


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