PICS Help...How many hours for a perfect Frame Off OPINIONS?

[tavenner13]

check out lewis' truck build. he's doing a great job with phenominal pics and is even listing hours & money involved through each step. should help out a bunch for ya

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223158

[mnunn454]

I think goals and motivations play a big part of it as well. If you're doing it for a business, the hours invested will of necessity be low and because of that, the estimates will be a little more accurate.

If it's a hoby or a labor of love, then the hours invested aren't as important as quality of the end product, and the estimates are going to vary a lot more.

Depending on starting condition and number and type of modifications included, 1/4 to 1/2 a man-year (500 to 1000 hours) seems too conservative and more than 2 man years (4000 hours) probably means you're not working on it steadily (or not efficiently).

Spending half or more of the total effort on body and paint does seem realistic to me though.

[Jondotcom]

Why don't you pull the bed and to it cab-back first, and then continue based on that experience (much simpler than cab-forward).

[msgross]

well, it only takes a few weeks to get to the bare frame on a "frame off resto" then it takes as long as your wallet lets it!

1. Do you have the space? easily could take a three car garage once you tear it apart, or you could store items that you aren't working on.
2. Do you have the tools? large compressor, torch, welder, impacts, rotisserie, sand blaster (not all needed but sure are nice)
3. Do you have tons of free time? Or like most of us with family and only get at the truck two or three days a month?
4. Of course, money..., nuff said on that one!

[larry may]

Two persons say they can finish this by November this year. Soda Blasted first. Need a few new parts. Here are some pictures of first stages getting ready to Blast with Soda. . I have my wonders about their statement.

[bayer20]

Well It defenetly depends on how many hours you can dedicate to your resto per day. It is all a numbers game. I'de say if you could work 10h a day you can do it in 6-8 weeks. you also have to have the right tools. Also, are you trying to restore it to hunt trophy's or do you actually want to drive it. Im restoring a 66 Ventura 2dr hard top. I just finished day 4 and have everything welded up and partially primed and sanded. I will make it just basic and simple for me otherwise I could spend another 4 weeks in perfecting details, so on, so on... I have to wait 10 weeks till I get my bumpers back from chrome though

[msgross]

Here's the frame in my "frame off" resto... it's only gonna be a nice driver and started with it needing a new wood bed

I should have the frame painted by Sunday though!

[bskylerj]

This is a loaded question. Are you ever done. I took almost 2 years on mine. To much time and way, way to much $$$. Then once you are done you find something you would like to change or do different. You have a great looking truck to start with and that helps.

[Draggn66]

2 things I DON'T want to know.....how much time it took and how much money I spent!

[C10-Driver]

Sounds like I'm in the same boat as most people here... It's going to take too much time and even more money. Seriously though, I started mine in October and am hoping to be done this June. I have been spending most nights and weekends on it to make it happen this quickly.

A few people have mentioned money and it is something you really want to think hard about. The type of person you are will dictate how much it is going to cost you. Being as picky as I am, everything has to be perfect so it is costing me a lot more than it might cost the next guy. An example might be the $400 I spent on Russell fittings to hook up my carb instead of a basic dual inlet hookup and some rubber hose.

Will my truck be better than most??? Maybe. Will most people notice? Probably not.

[Ozona]

Originally Posted by Draggn66

2 things I DON'T want to know.....how much time it took and how much money I spent!

Sage advice. oh and.....