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

[72Levi]

Hello All, How many hours does it take to do a complete frame off restoration. I know that it may vary from owner to owner as ones perfection may differ from another. However, we all know what a REAL nice frame off looks like. I have a 1972 original Cheyenne Super Stepside and I have been thinking about doing a complete frame off. I realize that this is a hobby and I do expect long hours, but I just don't want to get burned out. I have restored a 1968 Camaro, 1970 Corvette, 1967 Firebird convertible, and 1969 Chevy Truck, but nothing like a complete frame off. I am simply taking opinions about how many hours it would take. Here are some pics, I do need rockers and cab corners for it to be PERFECT, other than that she's in pretty decent shape for being 35 years old. Thanks all. Here is a pic of the 1970 I did a few years back. In fact if I did this I would want to start a build thread, you guys/gals are always very helpful!

[jkaylor68gmc]

It takes a while, espicially to do it right. The main thing is money, it took me 4 years to be my 47 pick-up. Money plays a major role because, you can get your frame done at one place you engine at another and your bodywork here. It depends on money.

[whatnow123]

I don't know how long it takes, but if feels like a millon.....

[RACINJASON22]

Money is a factor but IMO starting condition plays a bigger role in the time frame (no pun intended) of things. It looks like you have one h*** of a nice truck there to start with. The more you have to do or want to do while it's apart is the big thing to me. At least you have a choice with that truck, by the time I take everything off of my swb that needs replaced I'll be at the frame anyway. Sorry no hard #'s for ya to many variables.

[special-K]

It starts when you begin and takes until you`re done to end...exactly.No more,no less.

[fletch4x4]

twice as long and 4 times as much

or at least thats what its feelin like now

[stingray72]

Originally Posted by special-K

It starts when you begin and takes until you`re done to end...exactly.No more,no less.

That's like saying ...

"It's always the last place you look!" when finding something you've lost.. Of course it's the last place.. you don't keep looking after you find it..

I'm interested in this thread also. I'm considering doing my 72 Jimmy

[bobthecop]

All you ever lack is finishing up.

[jorgensensc]

Well, I just did a frame off on a '56 Bel Air and I am in year two. However that is approximately 6 months of me working on it, 1 year in paintshop (way too long) No body work necessary (no rust), and 6 months in storage (while we moved, set up, etc. So if you have a good amount of time to get it done and a good paint shop, I say a year, that's giving 4-5 months to paint. JMHO though.
Shawn

[CUSTOM/10]

That's like asking how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsy-pop. ( 3 I think it was ) When you get there let us know. I spent 6 months @ about 5hr/day doing a frame up, 98% myself, wasn't perfect but a nice driver. So that comes out to about 900-1,000 hrs.

Gary

[LUV2XCLR8]

You mean some of you guys have actually finished one before?

[zeusflash]

I just finished doing a frame off on my wifes 72 Suburban. Just for fun I added up the hours(I know its crazy but yes I actually kept track). I did the disassembly,cleaning,painting and repair of all mechanical stuff and reassembly of the vehicle in just over 450 hours. My body guys(two guys...Suburbans are BIG) gustimated just under 900 hours for bodywork and paint. This means about 1350 hours for the restoration. I did not include in my hours the time spent ordering parts,doing research or picking up or delivering stuff. Also keep in mind that we did not make the body absolutly flawless and did not make the gaps perfect either. This operation could add another 100-200 hours depending on the condition of the truck. Please note that I did not add up the hours until I was finished. Its real easy to get discouraged.

[72Levi]

Thanks for all the input. Yes there are many variables, I just wanted to get an idea, as zeusflash says... Its real easy to get discouraged. But it is a hobby and we love our trucks and its worth it when we are finished!

[ChevyDude]

I'm on 4 years. Letting her sit through Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb....the winters.

[FormerMember]

When my Dad was alive and we did restorations, it would be about 6-700 billable hours. That was a soup to nuts rotisserie job. He was also very, vary fast.

My last one, with fab work has been about 600 hours. This is a Jeep being built to be wheeled!

[BowTieOgre]

I have been working on mine for about 9 months off and on as I have time. I would venture a guess of about 30 hours a month so 270 hours for disassembly, cleaning, frame painting, ordering parts. Im just now at the point where I can roll it around again. Im expecting to put another 250 hours at least to get her ready for the annual meet...but like others have said...it will NEVER be DONE!

[sick69]

I honostly don't want to know what I have in hours at this point,,,,,,,


Frank

[Rokcrln]

Case by case for sure! I would guess about 1000 for a base clean frame up. What I would recomend doing is start a list and stick to that order for dissasembly and for the build up. Get very detailed on just what you want to do and then put prices and guess the amount of hours that you think it might take. Add it all up and figure if you can afford it now of will it be $200 an month or $500 a month. Then be real honest with your self and figure out how many hours you will spend a week/month working on the truck. This will give you a very rough starting budget and a even more rough starting build calender.

Now take your budget and add 30-50% to that number and about the same for the hours.

Just to compaire for project "Low Buck" I am doing it as cheap and easy as I can and I still fugure 250-300 hours and this is not a frame off. Just a build as you drive kind of job. I also have a rough budget of about 5k total on this one but keep in mind I am redoing almost everything my self so it is mainly parts. I hope to bring it in way below this # but I want to be ready if it does'nt.

My 70 2WD Blazer I am figuring between 2000-3000 hours but this will be a full on show rig that will be very custom but still retain a stock look. As for a budget on this one in parts along I plan on spending *@#$% !! Sorry my wife might see this one


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Case by case for sure! I would guess about 1000 for a base clean frame up. What I would recomend doing is start a list and stick to that order for dissasembly and for the build up. Get very detailed on just what you want to do and then put prices and guess the amount of hours that you think it might take. Add it all up and figure if you can afford it now of will it be $200 an month or $500 a month. Then be real honest with your self and figure out how many hours you will spend a week/month working on the truck. This will give you a very rough starting budget and a even more rough starting build calender.

Now take your budget and add 30-50% to that number and about the same for the hours.

Just to compaire for project "Low Buck" I am doing it as cheap and easy as I can and I still fugure 250-300 hours and this is not a frame off. Just a build as you drive kind of job. I also have a rough budget of about 5k total on this one but keep in mind I am redoing almost everything my self so it is mainly parts. I hope to bring it in way below this # but I want to be ready if it does'nt.

My 70 2WD Blazer I am figuring between 2000-3000 hours but this will be a full on show rig that will be very custom but still retain a stock look. As for a budget on this one in parts along I plan on spending *@#$% !! Sorry my wife might see this one


Kevin
LFD Inc.

**********************************************************

Adding 30 to 50% to your projects budget is very realistic! We always tend underestimate the cost, time and our ability to do a project. Most people I talk to suggest that you have at least $35,000.00 dollars put aside to start with. Sounds like allot but $35,000.00 doesn't build what it used to. If you can do allot of the work yourself and have experience restoring parts to a proffesional standard (show quality) you will save money but not time.

It pay's to shop around and get as clean a truck as possible to start with as this small extra out lay of working capital in the begining will pay major dividends in saved labour cost's in body work etc. later on. For most doing a frame on resto. on a good solid truck would be the way to go. Not everything has to be taken down to the frame, as in allot of cases it's overkill. "IMHO"

esll.

[kevin67c10]

It took about 7 years for me to do "the Truman" - but it was more of a learning experience where I learned on the way. Check out the web site of my restoration - I took pictures & posted every day I worked on the truck:

http://www.trumantruck.com/

It was probably doable in 2 years, but other things sometimes take priority!

[72Levi]

VERY NICE site on your frame off build. That's what I was looking for! Good Job she looks GREAT!

[glock35ipsc]

I started in March 2004. I've been almost finished for 3 years now!!

[56chevy1300]

The owner of that silver willys truck that was on powerblock this past weekend or two said he has 18000 hours into the body alone.

[shifty]

Originally Posted by stingray72

I'm interested in this thread also. I'm considering doing my 72 Jimmy

Talk to me, bud. Let me know when you want to start heave-ho'ing that body off and cleaning up stuff, I'll stop by and lend a hand or three. I have a pressure washer and want to learn how to weld (got the welder, never use it )

[72CSTC5]

Too Many