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<\/a><\/p>\nWhat makes a build<\/em>. It\u2019s a seemingly simple question, but is also a question rarely given the consideration it deserves. Nine times out of ten the immediate shotgun answer is \u201cWell it\u2019s more than just wheels and a drop!\u201d.<\/p>\n Once that statement is made everyone feels satisfied they\u2019ve put the aggressive fitment crowd in their place and moves on.<\/p>\n Even someone like myself, who\u2019s written, at length about several cars where wheels and a drop are two of maybe six modifications in total, can admit that at first blush that answer makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n A simple bolt on ride height adjustment, and the right set of wheels can absolutely be all that\u2019s needed to make a cool car \u2013stance is everything after all\u2013 but coils and wheels don\u2019t make a built car, by anyone\u2019s<\/em> definition.<\/p>\n And, that\u2019s totally fine, not every car needs to be a overbuilt to be enjoyed. The enjoyment to build level ratio is a very interesting topic, but one worth discussion in a post of its own.<\/p>\n So to the point, in most cases wheels and a drop do not a build make, but those two items are an extremely fuzzy metric on which to measure a build.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen hours, upon hours, of fabrication sunk into a car that, from the outside looking in, seems to only have the controversial \u201cwheels and a drop\u201d.<\/p>\n Depending on the platform wheels and a drop can snowball something fierce. Suspension pick up points need to be moved, and working angles corrected long before the four holes at each corner of the car, transmission tunnel, and firewall get addressed.<\/p>\n Calling a project like that anything less than a build wouldn\u2019t be just because custom fabrication is the most common bar used to categorize build from non.<\/p>\n Once more, at a high level, using fabrication as the defining factor for a build makes the utmost sense. If you whip up something unique for your project then certainly your \u201cbuild badge\u201d is safe.<\/p>\n Those who create functional custom components will always be deserving of respect. Especially when those custom components are exceptionally well-built.<\/p>\n But does that mean that those who don\u2019t build their own parts can\u2019t be considered builders?<\/p>\n All of the parts for said restoration may have come from a catalog, but the effort put in has to be worth of some level or appreciation, no?<\/p>\n The number of engine mounts, angle kits, swap kits, and chassis options available at the end of a few key strokes means it\u2019s possible to\u00a0assemble an absolutely mind-blowing car without owning much more than a basic set of hand tools.<\/p>\n If some puts together a competitive race car, using off the shelf parts is that not a build?<\/p>\n That would be a direct insult to the amount of time they\u2019ve put in both behind the wheel, and behind a desk analyzing data, making their car into the perfect performing machine for their needs.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re at it, go tell someone who\u2019s hired out a significant portion of their car that it isn\u2019t a build. I touched on the built not bought<\/a> debate previous, and my opinion remains the same:<\/p>\n Get there however you<\/em> feel is the safest way to get there.<\/p>\n Be it exposure, or an award, typically the prime motivators for stripping the label of \u201cbuild\u201d from another individual is some level of jealousy or frustration.<\/p>\n Saying \u201cyeah well that isn\u2019t even a build\u201d or \u201che just paid a shop to build that car\u201d is a quick way to feel better about hidden insecurities.<\/p>\n If your concern is the number of \u201cnon builds\u201d getting exposure then I\u2019d suggest changing where you\u2019re getting your automotive media.<\/p>\n With so many corporate and self published media sources in existence today there\u2019s simply no reason to pigeon-hole your self to one and put up a stink when they post content you don\u2019t enjoy.<\/p>\n But if I were to try, I would define a build by any of the following metrics.<\/p>\n Did it bust your knuckles and leave you wondering why you started? If yes, then it\u2019s probably a build.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>In garage\u2019s around the globe there are weekend warriors who\u2019ve spent five, ten, fifteen years restoring their high school sweethearts back to prom night condition.<\/p>\n<\/a>It\u2019s 2019, and there\u2019s arguably more aftermarket parts available than ever before.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Those of you reading this who feel the need to answer no, I challenge you to go tell someone who has done exactly that their car can\u2019t be considered a build.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>But this article isn\u2019t completely\u00a0one-sided. I understand why people feel the need to try to protect the definition of a build. Often it\u2019s in reaction to a car they don\u2019t like receiving some sort of accolades.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Sure it\u2019s nice to be rewarded by others for your hard work, but if that\u2019s your end goal then I\u2019ve got another article<\/a> you should read as your priorities are quite off base.<\/p>\n<\/a>So then to wrap, what is<\/em> a build? Well I can say, I\u2019m about 800 words deep at this point and I don\u2019t exactly have a definitive answer.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Did a smile linger on your face a week after first start-up? If yes, then likely you\u2019ve got something built.<\/p>\n<\/a>Does researching it occupy your every spare thought and claim every last bit of pocket change? Then yeah, you\u2019ve probably got a build in your garage no matter what someone else says.<\/p>\n