How long did it take you to build you truck?

[bryanw1968]

If it was easy, cheap and quick everybody would have one.

[68gmcdually]

Originally mine was supposed to be real quick, just a I6 to a V - 8 swap. But then we got playing and 3 years later on my wedding day it finally was able to be driven. It still isn't quite done but really when are they.

[Yeller68]

Its been about 5 or 6 years so far. And it's getting soooooo close. Don't get discouraged, you'll get there. Life seems to happen while things you want to do have to wait. For me i'll get a lot done in a short amount of time, then it slows down again. Gotta get money and time together at the same time.

Early on



Now

[shifty]

I think the big question is - is it ever really done?

[TP from Cntl PA]

I have been working on my '72 K-20 since April when I tore it apart.............Just have to bolt the stake body back on, weld acouple mounts onto gooseneck hitch built into it(need it back on the truck to find out how to cut the pieces to match up to the holes in the frame), wire the tail lights and its pretty much complete.

My brother is going on 4 years on his C-10...........Just needs the box painted yet and it will be finished.

[67chevy2wd]

How long it takes you really depends on how deep in to it you are gonna go from what I gathered soo far. Some people are done in a couple months but their truck might not be show quality, and there is nothing wrong with that it is all a pereference thing. Mine will me no show truck but a nice daily driver hopefully.

[1969 GMC]

Forever. I got my truck about the same time I joined this board, dd'ed it for 1.5 years, then it broke. Since then I haven't done much besides gather parts. This winter the 350 comes out to be examined, and I also want to rebuild the new transfer case. NO IDEA when it will be done. At least I have time now, unlike when I was in college.

[longhorn70gmc]

I bought it in 2000 and it is still a work in process. I finally found a bed for it. Hope to get that installed this weekend. All that is left to do is replace all the mount rubber underneath and go thru the brakes and paint it. Someday I will get this posting picks down and post some. My goal is to have the truck 100% done by 2010. This is the only truck I have ever seen totaly rust free in everyway.

[prairewolf]

I bought this 67 CST 327,Auto, (Little Buddy Bucket Seats) in october 05.
I thought about my Son on the drive home in it.
so the window of time to have it ready for him is big. he is 15 months old.

life is good, kent

[ChevyCrazy67]

going on 2 1/2 years now and I'm not even close, but I am working on it again and that is an improvement from about 3 months ago. The thing I learned is that everybody gets burned out just don't set a deadline for being finished and work on it as you can. enjoy the build cause when its through more than likely you'll just find something else you want to do to it. After all to me thats the best part about working on these trucks rebuilding them from the ground up no matter how long it takes.

[Solver]

I average a truck about every 1 1/2 years or so. Depending on weather and free time. But I don't golf or do anything else so when I am free I seem to be working on something. I don't build show trucks as I can't afford that but all of mine are a truck you can be proud to jump in and drive. I always do frame offs and usually paint apart then reassemble. Kind of like building model trucks when I was younger. Even a that rate I have 16 years or more ahead of me just to finish what I got! Problem is when you keep building new ones you don't really get to play with the ones you have already finished. Every time I start a new one I tell my wife that this one will replace my daily driver (work Truck) but when I finish I just can't bear the thought of driving it in the snow and salt and so it begins again. Glod one I am working on now should be my work truck when I finish------------------- we'll see

[Solver]

step and current
I take alot of pictures through process and check back regularly so I can see progress
All of these were before and after

[kpkoncepts]

I would say about 6 months. everything was touched except for the interior and paint. Im 22 with no wife or kids so I have the extra time.

[russellmarling]

My project has been going on for 2 years and it still isn' t driveable. If only I had a big block z-bar I work on my truck to clear my mind and relieve stress. I like that I don't have to have it finished so that I can drive it to work the next day. I can just take my time and learn and try to do a good job and enjoy working on it. And I have the satisfaction that I did it myself. To me that is what this hobby is all about

[BP68]

Thanks to everyone for the stories, pictures, and enouragement.

One thing I may do next time around is start with a driver.

I never got to drive mine. I bought a non running truck, then got a doner truck that I haven't touched, then got another doner for the cab.

At this point I have a near complete rolling chassis, mostly waiting on cab to be prepped enough to go on the frame. I have done a lot of the work myself, with help from friends. But I cannot do the body work, and I worked a deal with my very busy body man to let me do the grunt work. It gives him more time to get the high paying jobs in and out, and gives me a great learning experience and soon to be amazing truck for a lot less $$$.

Check out my other threads for pics.

[Stano]

My 67 took me about 6 years. If you just count actual time involved in the job then a little over two months. LOL I until the last couple months worked in a body shop, so after doing body work all day the last thing I wanted to do was to go home and do more. Now I am teaching Collision Repair at the local tech school,have 11.5 month old twin girls at home as well as a 8 year old daughter and a wife that works evenings during the week and nights friday through sunday. So "spare time" I think not. Glad I did it when I did because for now I won't have any projects at all. Don't worry how long it takes, just do your best work, be patient and it will get done. I also started out with a ragged out farm truck and went to a show winner with it. It takes time to scavenge money and parts for things like this. The look on peoples faces when they see you blast by them in a ride they can only dream of owning makes it even better.

[rodstored-72]

well like you i have gotten discouraged & wonder "what the heck did i get myself into" (as did the wife). i have been working on mine for almost 5 yrs. i have done alot myself - along with the help of this board. it will finally be going through emissions & re-registered today (fri. 13th). i have added & updated things & because of those (having to modify stuff that i didn't plan or know i was going to have to do) things i got off "my time table". you need realize that your not alone. as said before just re-adjust your time table as you go along. good luck & remember that we are all here for you!

good luck!!

rodstored-72

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by shifty

I think the big question is - is it ever really done?

Nope, I'm already planning a "frame off" when I get a house (with garage!) in a couple years

[Yukon Jack]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

and I'll get it on the road again someday, and to me most all of it will be have done by me.

That is important to me and alot of other people on the board - the pride in knowing your finished project is the result of your own work sure is gratifying.

Here is my other project that should have been driveable quite some time again, but again, just having trouble getting the free time to finish it.

Before after sitting with the prior owner not driven for probably 7 years



And as it sits now awaiting me to finish the 3/4 ton axle swap, reinstall the rebuilt 400 sbc, finish the brakes and a few other little things . . .

[el curioso]

Do what I do don't plan on a certain finish time. Cuz the pressure made me break, Now when I get asked when I'll be done I say never cuz once i'm done restoring the repairing begins. Just bear in mind that it's a hobby and a Passion not a job or a duty.

P.S. Many will say I have no discipline but I say I have fun.
My 2 cents

Hang in there and enjoy the work you do

[BowTieOgre]

Just wondering how long you guys think it would take to reassemble a truck once you had all the parts and pieces painted and ready to go. I figure I can make it happen with 3 months of 16-20 hour weeks...what do you think? I still have to prime and paint it backyard style unless HartRod's buddy can give me a few days in his booth.

[trkklr77]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

im 2 months in and almost done. but im easy to please and not after any thing nice or extreme, it looks like hell and will look like hell for a long time, but it will go fast and will all blur together anyways.

all i have left now is
rear axle,
drive shaft,
update wiring for hei and newer alt,

the rest is just nit picky crap.

welp, time for a recap. im 99% done on the wiring and everything else has been taken care of. 4.5 months anit too bad for a no motor,tranny, susp, drive axle, truck. i had a few issues dealing with the starter and tranny but life caused delay that dragged things out for a while.

any way here are some motivational pics

[trkklr77]

inside for now

[PanelDeland]

When I get discouraged i usually take a bracket or other small piece off and rework it,clean it and paint it ,then reinstall.That way most of the little stuff will be easy to complete when i do the final frame off. for now I can drive it and work on it.Just time money and Mrs.Panel holding me up now.

[dcpetty]

Started complete frame off April 1 and I just finished it.