the $10,000 dash speaker

[rauto13]

or another title could be "If I am going to do this, I need to do this first"

Ok, so I may be exagerating about the price, but I just want to blow off some steam. Seems like everything I do takes three to four times as long as it should and leads to a lot more expense then was originally planned.

For instance, a while back I wanted some music in the truck, I made a bracket to put in two 4 1/2 inch speakers (about $60 from Walmart) in the original dash opening. It was okay, but sounded a little tinny and needed a little bass, so I found a complete system at a wrecker yard, CD player, couple amps, 2 - 12 inch subs, box, wiring... (200.00). So I buy a box speaker box for the truck ($100.00) and put it all in, sounds great, but the seat is too far forward. Therefore another seat 40/60 split bench ($75.00) and no speaker on the driver's side. Truck is more comfortable to drive, but I still need the box cut down a little more for my legroom (yet to be done). But my amp is a four channel amp running in three way mode, so I add two 6x9s ($100.) in boxes I built and put under the seat. Stereo sounds much better, but there is still a gap in the midrange due to the seat insulation, so I start building custom kickpanels for the 6x9s (in progress). I also have some vibration in the cab due to the sub, so the easy answer is dynamat all the interior panels, but....

I need rocker panels, cab corners, minor floor repair and some light work done on the trucks kickpanels due to rust. So now I have a stereo with real good highs & lows, decent midrange, if I pull the boxes out and lay them in the floor, a truck that vibrates really badly, and the solution is a complete rust repair job. I also need to take almost all the stereo wiring out and rewire it due to an engine whine.

To make a long story even longer, my $60.00 dash speakers have already cost me $535.00 and no telling how much more in body work, dynamat, new carpet, replacing any broken pieces in the heater assy, etc, etc, etc.... plus lots of work.

By the way did I mention with the custom kick panels I am making, I need to relocate the E-brake pedal and fab some type of hand E-brake, just one more thing to do before I do something else...

Sorry for the really long post, but I hope I am not the only one with this sickness....

[glock35ipsc]

I am more concerned for those here who do not have our sickness! If if wasn't for what you described, there would not be the awesome looking trucks that we have on this board!

I perscribe more upgrades, 'cause there ain't no cure!

[shifty]

don't tell me about it - my $4k engine swap has turned into a $8k "rebuild everything" project.

it's called "doing it right the first time and getting everything associated with it right while it's convenient". be happy that you're doing things the right way. it's less to worry about later.

[jimmydean]

My wife will never understand. I know going into it, my stereo will be the largest amount I spend. Before I put anything stereo wise into my truck, I am doing cab corners, dynomat, carpet, gas tank relocation, new seats, all new door rubber bits/felt/whatnot.

My problem is the same as everyones. I start to do the gas tank and it turns into "Hey, while I'm here I should do lower shocks/spring", then "hey, shock relocators and adjustable track arm bar would be nice", then "hey, new sway bar and mounts while I'm in here".

So now I went from "installing the stereo stuff I have in the garage" to a complete makeover of the ride, cab, fuel tank. Then it gets worse because the old stereo stuff isn't as nice as the interior I just put in, so I should get new amps, subs, deck...

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I was just going to "replace the trans and do a quickie paint job" which has turned into a "replace all crappy body panels with new ones, buy every chrome piece brand new, and heck, lets redo the interior" project. Do I regret anything I've spent.... ummmm, NOPE I also just spent about a grand on my dog for a surgery she needed, it sucks, but I don't regret saving her life either. Money sucks, trucks rock.

[qksilver]

I was just looking for a 57 burb.............to redo

[qksilver]

Never did find one.............

[shifty]

there's only one solution to that one, qksilver - you need to give me your bike. then, in due time, you will find the '57 you so desire.

[TravisH]

starting out I was just going to replace some rot and add air suspension. Snowballed into a frame off where the only part that I'm not replacing or modifying is the radiator, most likely because I haven't looked at it yet. $2000 turns into $15000 real fast. Still, cheaper than buying a new truck and thats what I get at the end

[edmonton72]

I bought my truck December 2004 and planed on driving it by last summer. We were only going to do a little body work and some motor work. Got my cousin involved and it turned into a frame-off resto costing me a lot of money. I wish I didn't do that and my cousin is no longer helping me since is new girlfriend is keeping me busy.

[Brainchild]

I haven't started on that type of thing yet because of this very thing.But with a new DD I will be able to start working on my 71 again.

It's a very normal progression,nothing to be worried about...IMO

[Frizzle Fry]

With in two months of buying my Burb I had dropped it, converted to 5-lug, front discs, rebult and installed a carb, sorted the wiring, made/installed custom inner panels, and had it performing DD duty. I don't know what your problem is

Oh yeah, I'm going off the deep-end on my '61... and a have a huge to-do list for the Sub

[cstanley]

reverend!

[rage'nrat638]

MY 1800.00 TRUCK NOW ...has 10,000 invested

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by cstanley

reverend!

...... your preaching to the choir, brother.

[tom71]

motor swap over here turned into frame off resto tubular front and rear arms bags aluminum tank blah blah , oh i want to drive something old while ii rebuild the truck so ill buy this blazer it needed a carb and...........it never ends

[shifty]

Originally Posted by edmonton72

...and my cousin is no longer helping me since is new girlfriend is keeping me busy.

Wait - he's no longer helping because she's keeping YOU busy or HIM busy? Just curious! Sounds like Jerry Springer waiting to happen!

[krue]

I feel your pain, but I can't keep my truck still long enough to do it the way I want it, I miss driving it! I need to get one of my projects driving then I can take my time and do stuff right. Yeah right.

[Rollie396]

nice to know I'm not the only one.I went out to the garage to change the ratty old dash pad and next thing I know,I snap out of my trance to see this.

[wibilly]

mine went in my shop last fall for a little more power and quickie paint job. yea right! 2 new fenders 2 doors new tailgate all new weatherstrip tack dash sub tank rear disk breaks tilt all new body mounts all new lenses new chrome locker new transall seals front end rebuild three and a half more trucksstill undecided on moter and only new paint is on the frame and underside of cab. thanks guys i would have never done it without you!!!

[muddpile]

I bought my truck "because its an easy fix". I always wanted a 72 chevy LWB, and this one needed rockers, cab corners, drivers door skin and a seat cover. I've since bought everything goodmark makes, a pile of aftermarket parts, and just got the cab off the frame tonight. Easy fix I thought..........

[Ron 586]

I'm buying up all the old trucks and truck parts for my projects I'm going to do in 3 years when I retire. I'm working on the lie I'll have to tell when I retire and still keep buying old trucks and truck parts.

[sleepyboy]

I have the fever too....buy one part off the "to get" list; add three more...

[rauto13]

Originally Posted by tom71

oh i want to drive something old while ii rebuild the truck so ill buy this blazer it needed a carb and...........it never ends

That is exactly why I got the 70 Camaro, now power steering, power brakes, LT1 swap, change to manual tranny... etc, all in progress. You're right, it never stops

Originally Posted by TravisH

Still, cheaper than buying a new truck and thats what I get at the end

And that is the reason I keep going on the 72

Thanks for all the support!!

[70 longbed]

Oh how I know! I was going to do a couple of little things to the 70 I bought. It was restorable condition, i.e. bought and driven in AZ and never in an accident (no rust) and it still apart. As I start out to do one thing, I say lets do something else while I have it apart. It has been lowered, all trim removed and holes welded shut, posi put in, tilt installed, buckets (second set now) engine rebuilt, and whatever else. This was a driver when I started and I keep wanting to do "one more" thing to it before I put it back together.