One step forward two steps back

[Rick Bollinger]

Been making pretty good headway on my truck the last couple of weeks until today. I got my dash put together with speaker, radio, A/C vent controls and 90% of under dash wiring done. Called and ordered the interior to finish inside of cab and feeling pretty good about the progress. Then today I get a call from the upholsters that the white that I was planning to go along with the cashew was no longer available. So long story short the dash came back apart today to remove the freshly covered dash pad to get re covered. with a fabric with the matching white. What a pain in the ass. especially after taking the time to get everything ran nice and neat and it is a A/C truck with a new dual cone speaker so it even had to come out to get to that center screw. Anyway I got a quick glimpse of what it will look like.
Sorry for the rant.

[jaros44sr]

Sorry for your delay, but I would venture a guess and say most of the guys on this forum have experienced that at one time or another

[Orange Crate]

A bad day in the garage is better than a good day at work.

[PbFut]

Take a breath. It's part of the journey and if not for these small setbacks would make it not as satisfying when complete. Funny. There are a few of us in similar points of restoration, all with same color truck.

[Rick Bollinger]

I know I was just kind of going off. I have been off of work for about a month now and working on the truck every day. I would really like to get it back on the road this summer. It's been a long 4 years to get it to this point. I think maybe step back for a week and chill. I do know why so many of these projects end up in pieces and sold. It is overwhelming at times with all the details to restore a truck. Unless you do it all the time you don't realize the time and effort it takes to do a ground up frame off restore. The days spent standing at the bead blast cabinet blasting every bolt and little bracket. Then trying to decide what to try to save and what to replace. Then there's the money. You know what the big stuff is going to cost add it up and go I can do that. Then comes all the smalls if someone thinks they are going to do a full restore for under 20K forget it there is no way. One gallon of my gold paint a gallon of clear and activator almost $2500.00 now take that times two. Doesn't include the other expendables and rock guard spray and cavity wax. I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but before you tear your truck down to restore it it's not all rainbows and unicorns. But it is very rewarding when you cross a big hurdle and step back and say I did that. I don't post a lot but try to help when I can. Or post up a question when I need help with something. And the help I get here is critical in getting my truck done so I appreciate all of the members here who have posted answers to my questions.
Thanks
Rick

[70shortfleet]

Rick, truck is looking great! are all the body panels painted?

[Sheepdip]

I have always said that the average person who has not ever done a complete nut and bolt down to nothing restoration, has not a clue of the time, effort, grief, cuss words, money, indigestion and insomnia that goes into one. Just my .02 worth.

[Rick Bollinger]

Wes good to hear from you. No the outside is not yet been done. The bed is except for the sides. The painter has the hood fenders and grille now. That was some of the stress I'm trying to stay ahead of him. Storage space is limited where I don't have to worry about damage. The bottom was sprayed with rock guard then painted. Sheepdip You are absolutely right. I did do a frame off VW dune buggy But that was nothing compared to this. Here are a couple of pictures to show some of the metal work that I did.

[Rick Bollinger]

couple more

[Rick Bollinger]

Then there was the normal cab corners, rockers, kick panels, and a few other areas that needed a little love.

[7D2N]

From what I see you have made a ton of progress in 4 years and looks very nice. This stuff isn't for everyone It does take time money and more money. I am coming up on the 10 year mark restoring my Blazer. Your on the right track for an awsome truck. Step back take a few and admire all your hard work.