Rebuild on a shoestring.....continued

[71Sleeper]

It runs great so I'm going to clean it, paint it, and install new plug wires (already have them) and some new hoses, and a belt (and possibly power steering if I find the correct bracket in time)[/QUOTE]

I have an extra bracket that should fit. Came of a 70 c10 V8 engine. Fits the old style power steering pump. Needs to be cleaned up. You can have just cover shipping. PM me

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

Yes. It is being put on by Chesterfield Technical Center. They do a great job and draw LOTS of cool entries. It will be at Tractor Supply on Hull st Saturday from 10am to 4PM. Admission is free. Vehicles can be entered in the show for a fee of 20.00. Let me know if you ar anyone else needs more info. My 71 C10 is entered and I will be there all day.

Dave

Cool, I'll have to swing by if I get a chance. Wife will have out only operating vehicle out at a baby shower in the morning so it depends how early she gets back...

[heeroyue2002]

=] u should see all the scars on my hands haha.
ive seen the hands of some of the field workers over here and man do their hands get tore up. looks way worse then sandpaper.

[VA72C10]

Yeah, I worked at a greenhouse and then ups loading trucks in highschool and early college and my hands got really tough...but my wife prefers a back rub with soft hands now

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Yeah, I worked at a greenhouse and then ups loading trucks in highschool and early college and my hands got really tough...but my wife prefers a back rub with soft hands now

LOL!!!! Are all women alike? I get roped into given my wife a back rub like daily it seems. But like the saying goes, when momma is happy everyone is happy.

[heeroyue2002]

oh man, i have to give those every nite and sometimes in the morn

[VA72C10]

Going to try to find some time to work on the truck tomorrow night and the weekend but have a lot of parts to work on first.

[71Sleeper]

Always need to have high hopes to get a lot done so atleast something will get done. That's how I look at it. I want my motor running by Wed of next week but will be lucky to have the motor installed. Just gotta shoot for the stars!

[71Sleeper]

What are the plans with the motor?

[BMERDOC]

Getting to see it in person adds a new twist to seeing the pics!! I'm savin my money, see you again soon!!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

It runs great so I'm going to clean it, paint it, and install new plug wires (already have them) and some new hoses, and a belt (and possibly power steering if I find the correct bracket in time)

I have an extra bracket that should fit. Came of a 70 c10 V8 engine. Fits the old style power steering pump. Needs to be cleaned up. You can have just cover shipping. PM me[/QUOTE]

Thanks! Pm sent!!!

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Getting to see it in person adds a new twist to seeing the pics!! I'm savin my money, see you again soon!!

Good talking with you. Should be very different the next time you see it

[litew8]

Sounds nice. Since it fires right up, compression is good. Are you planning on tearing into it any?
I only mentioned the color because it prob. isn't original for the year? And belated congrats on the new little one!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by litew8

Sounds nice. Since it fires right up, compression is good. Are you planning on tearing into it any?
I only mentioned the color because it prob. isn't original for the year? And belated congrats on the new little one!

Not planning to tear into it. I've driven it about 100 miles now....about 20 city and 80 highway...runs really good even at 65-70mph on the interstate. Oil looks good, antifreeze looks good.

Sure it was repainted with spray bomb at some point. I'll be making it look prettier

Thanks, she's 7 weeks old now and doing well!

[VA72C10]

got the bolts undone on the rad support...stupid mistake...forgot that there's two bolts on there so I hit them with pb blaster and actually put a screw through the rad support so the bolt and washer couldn't turn.
Then put a wrench on the top bolt and sure enough...came right off....

Got the driver's fender and inner completely unbolted and have two bolts left on the passenger side...no room in the garage to get to them so I'll roll it out tomorrow or Monday and get the two bolts off and take off the front clip and spray it with degreaser and pressure wash it.


Trying to decide how nice I want to make this truck. It's in good shape and going to look really nice with the paint, engine re-done, and the interior redone. I have all 71-72 suspension components other than spindles and could get 6 lug disc brake rotors for it to add discs in the front....or go 5 lug if I find a good 5 lug rear shortly....(I have a line on a couple)

I am definitely adding power brakes and power steering, tilt column, and a tach dash...so it's going to have some nice options....

....so....do I spend more time on the body work and put shiny paint on it instead of a patina job...and re-do the suspension (and would re-do the exhaust too)?

I can finish the truck for about 600-800 more and have a super nice truck that'd be worth 7-8K (or more) in my opinion.....or spend about 200 more and be able to sell the 71-72 parts for that so really no more outlay but I'm not sure how much the truck would be worth at that point? 3-4k?

I am in the situation...again....where I am going to need to sell it. The thinking of making it nicer is I'll get more for it obviously and would be able to afford another project/driver for me (1,500 or less longbed) and then a shortbed project that I'd work on to sell...

Right now trucks are the way I pay the bills (in addition to thoroughly enjoying working on these trucks) so I have to think about this logically not with emotion...and need to think realistically also...any input is appreciated...including what color to paint the truck knowing I'm going to sell it...

[heeroyue2002]

whatever makes u more cash if thats how the bills are paid!

[big_al_71]

I would put shinny paint put the extra $600-$800 more and have a super nice truck that'd be worth 7-8K (or more) in my opinion

[hgs_notes]

Patina paint should only be done for your own, not one you want to sell. Color should be a popular original, like the blue you did that blazer in or drews crewcab blue. Black is good but the body work has to be very good and it will take more wetsanding after to make it real nice. Reds are always popular.

Doing it nicer may not take much more money, but will definitely take a lot more time. I would do as much to increase the value as possible with the least amount of time involved to reach that point. Adding good options is an easy way to do that and a decent paint job without having to wet sand 15 times between coats will do just fine. If there is nothing wrong with the brakes and suspension, I'd leave them alone if you're just selling it. The buyer would probably rather have the option of what to do with it.

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Patina paint should only be done for your own, not one you want to sell. Color should be a popular original, like the blue you did that blazer in or drews crewcab blue. Black is good but the body work has to be very good and it will take more wetsanding after to make it real nice. Reds are always popular.

Doing it nicer may not take much more money, but will definitely take a lot more time. I would do as much to increase the value as possible with the least amount of time involved to reach that point. Adding good options is an easy way to do that and a decent paint job without having to wet sand 15 times between coats will do just fine. If there is nothing wrong with the brakes and suspension, I'd leave them alone if you're just selling it. The buyer would probably rather have the option of what to do with it.

Yes, well said. Agreed!!!!!

[71Sleeper]

Where to start?
New paint or patina: You are going to sell this truck and you want to appeal to the largest market which IMHO would be with new paint. The patina look only appeals to a small group of hot rod enthusiasts. I really like the patina look but most of my friends view any ads that are listed as patina or rat rod must be a rust bucket.

Now how much profit do you need to make and how soon do you need the the money? IMHO if I could double my profit by spending a 1/4 of that profit I would. Even if you spend a $1k more you still have the potential to gain $3k.

My question: How is the market on our trucks in the $7-$8k range opposed to $3-$4k range. My truck is a nice 95% rust free truck that had a running 307 that really only needed to be refreshed for $4k. But I have seen a few that where real nice and running for the $2-$3k that I wish had bought instead.

I can't imagine trying to make a profit off something that is a hobby of my that I can not resist putting my own taste or twist in. Once that happens I would be to attached and probably couldn't sell. I know you will be able to turn a profit with what ever decision you make. This was just my .02 worth. Good luck

[gcburdic]

All I have to say Jonathan is....please refer to post #62 and your reply in post #66

[68 SHORT-STEP'N]

What he said ^^^

[heeroyue2002]

haha geoff.

yeah he said he was going to keep it cheap and simple!

thats generally yeilds the best profits.

[Zoomin]

I may be completely wrong on this, but it doesn't appear to me that you are placing any value on your time in the equation. I don't know how much money you actually have tied up in the truck right now, but you've been working on it for two months already, and by the time you paint it and get it sold, it's going to be another two months before you put cash in the bank.

Let's say you sell it for $8,000 and have no cash in it. Deducting $1500 for your next project, that means you will have earned $6500 for 4 months work. That works out to around $10 an hour -

If you want to make money in these trucks, you've got to buy them right and flip them, or get lined up where you do restos for people.
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[VA72C10]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I really don't have a lot of cash or time tied up in this one yet. the main expense is the new parts I just bought...but I should be able to sell the old parts to recoup over half of what I spent.

I would love to line up some projects and thought about putting this on craigslist with a "name your color and options" offer and see if I get any bites....

I definitely would rather find them like my blazer that was 70% done and came with a TON of parts to sell. But projects like that may be a once in a lifetime deal.

This truck will be a really nice driver when completed and I do look forward to having one to keep and enjoy....but I enjoy working on them as much or more than driving them...

[70LonghornCST]

Jonathan,
I would also recomend painting the truck. Something that simple can increase its potential value by 2X. Many folks buy vehicles that are nearly complete because they lack the skills to do any body work/paint or don't have the confidence to learn. So, they buy something that looks nice and that they can hang new parts on here and there. Adding a tach dash may be worth it if you can bump up the total cost for what you can sell the tach dash seperately (or more).