New Project planning stages, Advise wanted.

[ccracin]

I"m going to throw out another option. I mean no offense by this statement, but it sounds from your questions that you don't have the plan mapped out well enough. This is how most projects get started, get too expensive and then get abandoned. If I were you, I would put this truck on the back burner. Go out and find a decent driver that has some of this stuff done already. Solid body, solid chassis, decent motor and trans. Get something you can enjoy and do upgrade projects a little at a time. You can do a lowering job in a week or so just messing around. Likewise with a brake swap. All the while you can drive it, enjoy it and decide what it is you really want. You will also have the time to research each move to make sure you are comfortable with it. I know all these over the top builds on here look great, but it takes a huge amount of planning, time, and money. I would hate to see you take that truck apart and decide you are in too far and not have anything. I am certain if you take my advice you will have more fun, learn more and spend WAY less money. Good Luck. Whatever you do, make sure you document it here, we love projects!

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by ccracin

I"m going to throw out another option. I mean no offense by this statement, but it sounds from your questions that you don't have the plan mapped out well enough. This is how most projects get started, get too expensive and then get abandoned. If I were you, I would put this truck on the back burner. Go out and find a decent driver that has some of this stuff done already. Solid body, solid chassis, decent motor and trans. Get something you can enjoy and do upgrade projects a little at a time. You can do a lowering job in a week or so just messing around. Likewise with a brake swap. All the while you can drive it, enjoy it and decide what it is you really want. You will also have the time to research each move to make sure you are comfortable with it. I know all these over the top builds on here look great, but it takes a huge amount of planning, time, and money. I would hate to see you take that truck apart and decide you are in too far and not have anything. I am certain if you take my advice you will have more fun, learn more and spend WAY less money. Good Luck. Whatever you do, make sure you document it here, we love projects!

I must say, I have done them both ways. My 72 I had in HS and college I did small upgrades at one time. My 68 was a frame off. I must say I enjoyed the process SO much better doing the 72. It was over 2 years before I ever drove my 68. Granted, I "finished" it and can drive it now, but I don't know if I'll ever do a frame off again.

On my 69, I did upgrades in steps, but they were in such succession I didn't drive it a whole lot, but still fun.

Now I'm working on this 97 pickup....not really a restoration but a few VERY significant upgrades (cummins, SAS, shortening frame to make it a shortbed) that I'm plugging away at.