Where is that "Tipping Point" toward getting carried away?

[Vincenthdfan]

Tore my '62 SWB all down to replace the tired old 283 with a new crate 350.

Pulled front sheet metal completely to ease removal and cleaning.

I pulled all of it so I could scrape and clean off 52 years of accumulated grimy oil, grease, and dirt more easily.

Of course that leads you to wanting to paint the inner fenders, frame, A-arms, etc.....

Then you start saying, maybe I should pull the cab and paint under it....may as well do the bed while I'm at it...

Well, you get the idea.

My original plan was a quick out and in of motors so I could enjoy driving the truck this summer since I haven't had the opportunity to drive it much yet.

How do you all draw the line so you don't end up with a 5 year long torn down truck??

[pimpston65]

thats a loaded question!!! its like asking a dope addict can you get by with just one hit. for me its an addiction i love learning and finding NOS parts cheap, while building a crazy original truck. i went in with the visor of a full resto, some want to just cleanup this or that and it turns into a resto. so for me i'll draw the line when im driving the finished truck looking for my next one...

[Joe Pass]

Yeah...No turning back now, you will just have accept it....lol

[rcrahn]

This is a great question. I'm the wrong person to ask. Cause I blow apart every old vehicle I have bought - except for a 1966 GTO, 1960 Bonneville and 1976 280Z I had. Boy - I loved that Z, but she had rust. So I sold them all in the end knowing it would be a mistake to tear into these. Those I keep I want done my way, very clean and to stand out. I devote alot to making them unique and yes, it takes a ton of time to do. It works for me but it is definetly not for everyone.

[Ratpin]

The tipping point is when you get deep into multiple projects at once. I currently have 2.5 rigs blown apart, and two more on deck. One is coming together nicely though and should be done by the end of this year. One of the others needs a lot of rust repair but I am intentionally keeping the drivetrain in it and keeping it running. The other one has been blown apart now for two years and is becoming a long term build unfortunately. Keeps me out of trouble anyway.

[aerotruk63]

The bank account is a great indicator on how far to go.!
Interestingly constructed garage you've have.

[PGSigns]

You have to decide early on how far to go or it will get out of hand fast. I bought a 65 close to four years ago for a driver. Needed brakes and suspension work bad to make it safe. It is still apart. Now a full blown frame off build. I then bought the 66 about a year and a half ago needing a motor but overall a nice truck. That is my driver while I finish the 65.
Jimmy

[jbgroby]

5 yrs. ONLY 5 years? Buddy I've been at this since 2000 technically, however I was almost finished when Katrina hit - had to start all over again and it's been 8 years.

However having said that, the truck is now finished EXCEPT for waiting on the painter for the finishing the bed. I know what you mean, BTW you have what most of us would drool over a well lit garage!

Jake

[Clyde65]

IMO, you go as far as you feel is enough. As long as makes you happy.

I have had my truck 26 years, it never ends but I have been happy with it many times. Driven it for years until it needs something else. I too would love to be able to do a frame off complete overhaul but I like driving it too much.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

IMO, you go as far as you feel is enough. As long as makes you happy...

Exactly.

['63GENIII]

How do you all draw the line so you don't end up with a 5 year long torn down truck??



Get it done in 4. Lol.

TBH, I don't know what to tell you. I rebuilt my 77Shovelhead years ago - big motor, powdercoat, trans blah, blah, blah. What started out as a 30 minute "free" valve adjustment ended up turning into a 10 month build that burned up any riding time and every dime that I had that year. I still haven't totaled up the receipts from 17 years ago and I hadn't taken anything apart until last week. LOL.

Just keep at it I guess and hopefully it will get done before you are expecting.

[Pappyx3!]

I'm with pimpston65 on this one, it's an addiction... your hooked into turning your dreams into reality. Enjoy the ride!

[53Sparky]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

How do you all draw the line so you don't end up with a 5 year long torn down truck??



Get it done in 4. Lol.

Ba Dump tsss. Good advice here.

Seriously, though: if your objective is to drive the truck, then fix it quick and don't get sucked into a full rebuild. But if you are looking for something to pass the time or you just want a hobby, then tear into it and who cares how long it takes! Even if I have a crappy day, 10-15 minutes into working on mine I'm already whistling. Sometimes that's all the time I get, so I'll likely be at this a while.

[ibrown50]

If it's any consolation these dilemmas exist in England too!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&goto=newpost
My build started as an engine swap 2 plus years ago, I suffer from "while I've got it bust apart I may as well do this other job" if I could start over I think I'd have planned it better, particularly around budget, I have a few things half done and I always seem to be waiting of parts ( a real problem in England)or money to buy part ( a real problem everywhere) I have thought of putting it back on the road with a view to doing some jobs later, but I know it would never get done.

My advice - do the best job that your skills and budget will let you and enjoy the journey

[chevy_mike]

My '68 was supposed to be a simple disc brake and suspension swap. It's been apart for almost 8 years now as it became a complete frame off, strip all paint rebuild.... Not the best plan and no idea when it will be on the road...

[Vincenthdfan]

A couple of you mentioned the shop environment in the background in my pics.

So, like a proud grandpa I figured I'd share some more pics of my other "Work in progress", my shop.

This is the fruition of many, many years of waiting of course...20 year military career living out of boxes, etc...then another 10 years as a civilian doing military contracting on aircraft.

Finally, I got to build the shop of my dreams and it's coming along...always something else that needs to be done, just like our wonderful trucks!

[bowtieguy79]

Got to ask, do you use the lift to get items on and off the storage racks? Thought about this for my quads/lawn mower in my shop.

Nice work on the truck as well!

[Turtleman]

Where is that "Tipping Point" toward getting carried away?

If your Asking that question,,,, You've Already crossed the line.
There is No Hope for you now... Once you cross that line you can't return.
Seek Professional Help, or Buy another C-10.
Or,,,, Have your wife always watch over your shoulder to insure your doing anything and everything right.

[Vincenthdfan]

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Got to ask, do you use the lift to get items on and off the storage racks? Thought about this for my quads/lawn mower in my shop.

Nice work on the truck as well!

Yeah, that's the plan anyway. I built the mezzanine with excess motorcycle storage in mind.

The lift makes the perfect elevator for getting the heavy items up there, plus you could play the "Top Gun" theme music as someone was raising you up on the deck, lol.

Problem is, the further I've gotten along with the mezzanine, the more convinced I became that it would make a great mancave area, big screen TV, mini-fridge, recliner, etc...

[TJ's Chevy]

Mine was supposed to be a "Drive it the way it is and enjoy it" and somehow I started tearing it down for restoration.

[cooperhw]

Where "that tipping point is" is different with every person, project, etc.
It is very easy to keep saying "well, while I am this far along I might as well do this, or that, or everything. ]
I have done many restorations over the last 30 years and most are what I call complete. Knowing full well that they usually take me 2 years to complete. The project I am knee deep into now has been going since the first of the year and I am trying to have it completed as far as this incarnation goes by the end of summer of sooner. I have to catch myself often and remind myself to "only fix what has to be fixed" now. I grafted a new roof, and cab back onto Homer. This past weekend I had the a pillars fixed, bodyworked, and painted the roof and cab back portions only. It was hard to not pull the dash out, and do a complete but I know once you go down that path they snowball out of control and if you are not careful when you get done it has taken 3 times as long and 4 times the money you originally intended to spend.
JMO

[par4tom]

Tipping point happens right at the point you start to open the hood that first time...

[63burban]

Pressure wash the front of the chassis and paint it, install the engine and clean up the inside of the front clip and paint it. Get it back together and have fun. I try to do a little on my main projects every winter, my 56 Chevy has been going through minor updates for 13 years. Most people don't notice what has been done but the improvements are noticeable to me and my pocketbook.