I just need to share...

[hgs_notes]

with others who can appreciate it. My wife and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary sunday. She found out I got her a gift (I'm no fool), she has no idea what it is, but she was stuck figuring out what to get me in return. I told her that what I wanted more than anything else, was to get my truck ready for paint. The cab needs some fixing, and as good a mechanic type as I am, I have no patience, skill or ambition to work the sheetmetal. I will pay a professional to do what I can't. She agreed, and I am happy.

Now the hard part. Finding someone actually willing to do this kind of work. So many of the body shops will just let these projects sit forever in order to get the insurance collision work done because they make more money that way. I can't blame a guy for wanting to make a buck, but when you live in Podunkville, 1-2 hour drive from any larger city where there may be more options, you are not left with much to work with.

So now I have the ok to do the work, but can I find someone willing? I'll have to won't I.

HG

[ed2552]

What did you get her?

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by ed2552

What did you get her?

Don't tell, but diamond ear rings.

[john@thepier]

If I was in your position I would be on the phone interviewing all the bodyshops I could find, let them know your needs, and then visiting a few of the ones that made you feel comfortable. Whom ever you end up with get your contract in writing. I stress writing. Good luck with this, a great body shop can do wonders for your build. John

[ed2552]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Don't tell, but diamond ear rings.

She will be lovin' that!

[72BlckButy]

what a woman!

[hgs_notes]

Did I mention that she does like my truck? It was my daily driver when we met, drove it our first date, she even used it for a few months as her daily driver way back when. She has kept me from selling it when I was frustrated and needed cash. Whenever I do get it out for a while, I make sure she rides with me, even just for a trip around town.

When this truck is done, it won't be anything real special, except to me, us, our family. It was my first car. My dads before that, who got it from his dad. It's been in my family since about 1973, mine since 1983. It's been a good work truck, a beater, a hot rod, a hobby and in many cases my therapy.

[Longhorn Man]

sounds like you have TWO keepers there.

[420am]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

sounds like you have TWO keepers there.

What he said!

[ed2552]

Definitely, keep 'em close and keep 'em together.

[JayDubBlazer]

You might try the word of mouth method at some of the smaller car shows. Your from MN (i'm orginally from Iowa) so I think you will understand when I say check out the smaller town festivals and just ask around. You should be able to find someone who appreciates your business and is willing to work with you.

[Sequoyah]

No hurry to find a shop. Take your time, talk to friends who have had work done at certain places. Go visit the shop, etc.

[tim21391]

what year truck?

[72gord]

HG, what part of MN you in? I know a guy here in sw Wsiconsin that may be interested...had the same problem, talked with 4-5 bodyshops after my first guy had my truck over a year with no progress, none of them would even look at it; then I found this younger fella just starting out and looking for work, finished it in about 3 months total time and he broke his arm in the middle and had to get healed up before he could finish it. Let me know if I can help, and good luck!!

[sjarrett71]

I live in a town of around 16,000 and the body shops here won't touch rust. I had to go to my hometown of 1000 people to find a body shop who would do any cutting and welding. Of course he has a restored 69 that he's driven since high school.

[dwaite72lnghrn]

I agree on finding somebody to do the work is hard. Be sure to listen to them closely, If they sound hesitant at all thank them for their time and move on. They have been in the business and know they will not make any money on an old car/truck. As they take paint off it just reveals more work. Be sure to go over your truck and list everything you need done and how you will want it done. Today some shops love the hair and resin to cover the holes. If you want metal be sure to tell them that and tell them no plastic or fiber. Go to the vendor sites and get prices for all of the patch panels/parts you need and at least double that for labor. Then look at paint/primer/seal and the labor to make it stick.
I went to a shop that had good referals and the work they had in the shop looked real good. The called it a parade quality restoration with an engine rebuild cost $12,000. Cheaper than a new truck, The estimate stated new rockers in and out new cab corners and all rust cut out. After I got it back the engine went 15 months after and the paint started blistering whole panels cracking out and finding resin in most places( It just looked like he got the sh!tz of working on it and loosing money). Took it back and the kids response was what did you expect if you don't keep it in a garage! WTF. so I now will do it myself and learn as I go make my mistakes can't be any worse that what I paid for.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IN WRITING EVERYTHING YOU WANT THEM TO DO. AND ANYTHING EXTRA WILL HAVE TO BE RE-NEGOTIATED, MAKE SURE YOU CAN WALK AWAY IF IT WILL COST TO MUCH, Like they need to replace the floors to put in rockers and want 2 grand more to do it. HAVE A MAXIMUM TIME IT WILL TAKE.

[68Mike]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

sounds like you have TWO keepers there.

Ditto

Gave a little water in the eyes there...

[ChillFactor]

You might try looking for a retired body man that just wants a little project and a little cash. Might try asking around body shop supply stores or putting and ad in your local Penny Saver type paper.

BTW: 20 years is quite an accomplishment these days, congrats

[hvychve]

Originally Posted by john@thepier

If I was in your position I would be on the phone interviewing all the bodyshops I could find, let them know your needs, and then visiting a few of the ones that made you feel comfortable. Whom ever you end up with get your contract in writing. I stress writing. Good luck with this, a great body shop can do wonders for your build. John

I agree whole heartadly....... get it in writing , call em first.... I also see your point on the insurance payers are usually first and you might be pushed in the corner for a while longer than you expect...
congradulations on the 20 year thinggie, thats somthing to be proud of , and now I know what you got her, I am gonna tell her.......... kiddin hope there not zerconia LOL...... good luck on your body shop pickins

[c10addict]

You knew it was coming!

[don t. - 72gmc]

Congrats on the anniversary. Sounds like you've got a keeper.

Do you have a NAPA in town, a McDonalds, an old fashioned barber shop, electrical or plumber? Sometimes, thru the grapevine, they know of guys that do good body work, but aren't really a business. Get references and check them out.
FWIW....the local McD's is how my wife found out about a local guy thats gonna fix her Chevelle trunk floor. He's gotta 4 car garage he works out of. He provided references of other cars he's done. Most of the references had no problems w/me checking out their rides.

HTH....good luck.....don t. .....

[Eddie H.]

Unfortunately, the nature of the body shop business has changed just like everything else. There just aren't that many true craftsmen left who even know how to do quality metal work, even if they wanted to. (Most of the ones I've seen are just parts replacers and "Mud Men".) The insurance companies have squeezed them and cut their labor to the point that a lot of the good ones have left the profession.
I would recommend going to a car show or local swap meed and trying to get references from some of the guys there who have had good quality work done on their vehicles.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by c10addict

You knew it was coming!

Yah yah yah, ok. I don't have many good ones, it got kinda buried the last few days with my junkyard run and garage cleaning. But I snapped a dew anyway. The previous body work was done poorly, some of it by me, I'm ashamed to say. The only real bad rust is under the home made floor pans, under the rockers (a pillar). The guy didn't remove it, just put new metal over the top of it. The rest is just surface stuff that will sand off. The rockers were not lined up correctly as you can see in the passenger side, the driver side was the same. Cab corners were new, but agin, not lined up correctly. The bed sides are pretty good, one small crack in a wheel well, some small dings. Tail gate is straight, little rust on inside bottom, may be salvagable. Fenders are reproductions, I'm not happy with the fit, so bought a set of originals from another board member.

[hgs_notes]

On another note, I did talk to one possible body guy today. He does it part time, looks like he had an old duster in there today, he has a trans am to do, and a 68 charger coming in. Said he likes to get a project done and gone once he starts it. He farms on the side, so he said to check back with him next month after planting. He was recommended by two local body/mechanics here. I have another couple options to check on here to. Thanks for all of the tips.

[Hart_Rod]

Why don't you find a solid rust free cab out west. The you and the misses could make a road trip. You'll be ahead in the long run and should not have to worry about any rust coming back because the body shop won't have to repair it, .