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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 431
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discouraged
So I have been doing my body work for awhile now and I'm to the point where I'm starting to get discouraged by all the uneven gaps and dents and hours of sanding and bondo. So I'm looking for some advice to help me with my weekend garage time maybe something to help motivate me, I've been told beer works..
I've been trying to figure out how my brackets should be set up for my alternator and this seems to be the best answer I've come up with so far... what do you think am i crazy stupid or just wrong here? ![]() For any of the guys with smaller shops, that stripped their panels to bare steel; then repainted. How did you find it was easiest to juggle and organize all this? it seems like I'm moving parts back and forth and not really getting anything done. What was your quickest cleanest method of stripping the paint? At the same time keeping this all organized? could i get some detailed pictures of the shift linkage for the tott shifter? I'm sure i will have more questions later as I get goin this weekend. btw trying to get my truck ready for paint and painted in a single car garage..
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1968 Chevy C10 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546713 Member of tailgate association of manitoba Last edited by Mr.Hyde; 06-05-2014 at 01:36 PM. Reason: giant picture |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: discouraged
Don't be discouraged! It's a big task, so take it 1 panel at a time.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,856
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Re: discouraged
even one panel at a time gets discouraging. ask me how I know
![]() I have to move on to other stuff as well. working on my steering column now. (also discouraging). |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Franklinton NC
Posts: 1,309
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Re: discouraged
Just like a brick wall, just do 1 piece at a time and it will happen. If it was easy you wouldn't see so many old cars rotting away in peoples back yards. If you want some motivation just look at some of the super nice trucks on this site.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: discouraged
Actually for me what gets me discouraged IS seeing all super nice trucks on this site.. LOL!
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 222
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Re: discouraged
I can only tell you what works for me (mechanically a big dummy), I never focus on the big picture. I only focus on small tasks, goals are very important. I'm not talking about "I want my truck to be driving by the end of the year" it's more of "I want take off the water pump, alternator and front pullies tonight."
A mechanic could probably knock that out in 14 minutes, but I take my time, label every single bolt, take pictures and clean the parts after I remove them. Before you know it, 3 hours and a 8 beers later, I've got an organized set of clean parts and a nice buzz going, lol. But seriously, the smaller the goal, the more you will feel accomplished and the more you will enjoy working on the truck. At least for me, when it's done, it won't be nearly as fun as working on it now.
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You remember when drinking too many beers was a bad idea? Me neither. |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: discouraged
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: El Lago, TX
Posts: 1,668
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Re: discouraged
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Lyman, SC
Posts: 734
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Re: discouraged
I'll agree with the small steps approach and add this:
If you haven't already, try to find some other local members. Start by posting in your regional section. If that doesn't work, post an add on Craigslist. Pick a Saturday and a local restaurant and see who shows up. Last summer about 7 of us started getting lunch together one Saturday every 4-6 weeks. It's grown to a club of nearly 200 members who get together one a month. Usually we have 30-40 trucks show up and about 50 or so members. I can probably speak for most of us from that group when I say that I leave those get together's full of motivation. Seeing completed trucks, talking with other people who are passionate about these trucks, and picking each others brains get me excited to get back into the garage. It's also good to talk with locals about what you're having trouble with. I've met members who's weaknesses are my strengths and vise-versa so we've ended up helping each other. Here's a picture of 3 of us last November, and some of the trucks at our March get together. Tell me that's not motivating! Good luck and keep at it! - Matt
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Matt Criswell - Lyman, SC 1972 Chevy Cheyenne SWB - Build: Porterbuilt State 1 Front & Rear, Bolt in Notch, McGaughys 2.5 Drop Spindles, Boyd Welding Fuel Tank UPSTATE SC GM TRUCK CLUB: FACEBOOK WEBSITE |
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#10 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Whitesboro, Texas
Posts: 932
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Re: discouraged
Quote:
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Cheers - Wayne Our Shop Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620966 '55 Wagon Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=689157 1971 Cheyenne Super Ochre/White LWB 350 Auto - my son's truck "Nancy" 1972 GMC K2500 Custom 4X4 Olive LWB 400 SB 4-speed -"Greenie" - Restoration to begin after the '55 Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. |
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#11 |
Newbee
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 1,406
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Re: discouraged
I have to walk away once in a while, and kick rocks or something. Most of the time, the project looks a little brighter when I return. If it was easy, there would be a body shop on every street corner.
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Albuquerque NM
Posts: 7,848
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Re: discouraged
Go to a car show. Thats very motivating
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1967custom |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: discouraged
As others have said, small bites. Also vary the menu. I added a third brake light startup strobe module to a late-model just to break it up a little yesterday.
Worst case, tidy up and walk away for a week or two. I start to miss it fairly quick, UNLESS I've left myself a mess that I don't want to touch.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hollidaysburg, PA
Posts: 785
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Re: discouraged
I started my truck a year and a half ago and was very discouraged many times, I didn't even touch it for about 6 months cause of being discouraged and then knee surgery on top of that. But after the knee surgery I wanted to work on it but I couldn't and now it is slowly coming together. I tore mine down to the frame and then put the new motor and tranny in when it was easiest to do it. But when it came to body work I focused on the cab and doors and then when that was done I went to the fenders and then to the hood, heck the bed is sitting on a cart in my driveway in the same spot for over a year now. I got a little notebook and I make a list of tasks that need done and try to make them in the order they should be done also, once I fill the page I stop and as I get them done I cross them off. And then the next sunday night I tear off the page and start a new one starting with the stuff that didn't get done the week before and then adding new stuff. this way you can look at the list and see what your getting done and you wont get lost in the stuff that needs done. And a mini fridge in the garage with beer in it helps too.
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_________________________________ 62 Impala 70 C-10 LWB 71 K-10 SWB 85 C-10 LWB==SOLD 01 2500 HD Members Met......2003Silverado (Dave) |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Smithville, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 92
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Re: discouraged
Like the other guys have said, "Small Steps" is the best advice. Little jobs that add up to a big job done.
That whats been getting me through. |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: discouraged
try to not set a self-imposed end date and focus on enjoying the road to get there. Take some pressure off yourself to get it to the show. Having said that, I'm dying to drive my truck too. Ha. Hang in there, the fun comes in waves, as does the frustration.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 431
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Re: discouraged
I set myself the goal of the cab forward being painted and assembled but I find myself destracted by other things. Oh here's another question what is the all around gaping supposed to measure? And is there shims between the fender and grill?
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1968 Chevy C10 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546713 Member of tailgate association of manitoba |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 204
Posts: 903
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Re: discouraged
A good trick for setting gaps is to run down to Home Depot and pick up some of those paint stirring sticks they give out. They work great for getting an even gap.
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1969 Chevy Custom Camper 3/4 ton Rust free survivor 1972 Chevy Blazer CST 4x4 Almost Rust free survivor 1972 GMC Jimmy 2wd Undergoing surgery |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 431
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Re: discouraged
Oh sorry forgot to mention it's a 1968 what are the measurement under the door?
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1968 Chevy C10 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546713 Member of tailgate association of manitoba |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Covington, GA
Posts: 386
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Re: discouraged
This may be a source of inspiration. Here's a thread on another board where someone had a '72 that turned out to be seriously rusted, and he only had a couple minutes a day to work on it. He was planning to scrap it when several forum members talked him into just plowing ahead anyway.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/for...n/59103/page1/ So he finally got working on it a little at a time and has been making great progress.
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Matt Cramer 1972 Chevy C10 - 4.8 swap, long bed, and maybe one dent free body panel somewhere - SOLD 4.8 LS build thread |
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oklahoma USA
Posts: 1,000
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Re: discouraged
I usually throw stuff when things are not going my way!! Small bites works. Know that this kind of work will/does take a LONG time, and it is OK to just walk away from it when you have to.
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#22 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Winnipeg, Mb
Posts: 1,115
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Re: discouraged
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 3,026
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Re: discouraged
SmALL steps, like a fender. do the font of the fender then the center and end up with the rear of it. Then another panel.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 431
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Re: discouraged
thats what im thinking i will go for for an approach, today i did a little uphostry took a break from body work, i find if i stick to one thing too long it loses my attention i start making mistakes and i procrastinate. So i ran around took care of a few exhaust things and what not.
I still need a good base for what i am doing tho. so i really need to know.. has anyone had to shim their cab for height has anyone had to shim the front rad support? what is the measurement of the front rad support body bushing. how have guys with ram horn manifold run their exhaust? has anyone struggled getting their door gaps perfect? if i want to do a preliminary engine start what do i need to do to start it and kill power to it?
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1968 Chevy C10 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546713 Member of tailgate association of manitoba |
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 1,107
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Re: discouraged
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