Building trucks is expensive - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

arkracing · 10-19-2004, 05:05 PM

I just bought this truck a few months ago drove it to Maine for a show and to Rhinebeck NY and now it is sitting out back with no nose, no bed, not running etc etc.

In the past week or so i've manged to buy
- new Moog Suspension (balljoints,inner and outer tierods, idler/pitman, upper and lower ctrl arms shafts)
- new inner fenders
- new rockers
- and just ordered the power booster, 2.5" lowering spindles, 4" lowering springs and some other suspension stuff.

It almost feels like Chistmas....until I get the Credit card bill that is...luckily I don't have a wife to try to hide it from

mocwon · 10-19-2004, 05:07 PM

Yep, I know the feeeling. I've got just over $12K in mine and it isn't even running or painted yet.

Alexis · 10-19-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mocwon

Yep, I know the feeeling. I've got just over $12K in mine and it isn't even running or painted yet.

we should start a club........I'm about right where your at. Maybe less.

'71c204x4454 · 10-19-2004, 06:16 PM

But when you think about it your better off in the long run. You have truck worth something and it's increasing in value not losing value as soon as you drive it off the lot. I can belive how much people are paying for new trucks now days.

GMC AMI · 10-19-2004, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkracing

I just bought this truck a few months ago drove it to Maine for a show

Where in Maine was the show if you do not mind me asking?

68w/sbc406 · 10-19-2004, 07:50 PM

i look at it as you have 12k into a truck and what does it look like? Bad @$$!!! you drop 12K on a honda what do you have? a bone stock civic worth 9k

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 10-19-2004, 07:53 PM

I never keep trak on how much I spend on mine it would not be a good day in the house hold,I am pretty sure I would be in the house out back with the dog...

glock35ipsc · 10-19-2004, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

I never keep trak on how much I spend on mine

That's where I am at now. After awhile, as the numbers keep adding up, and it is still not done, I think I would become depressed.

But there is now light at the end of the tunnel! I have officialy turned off of Teardown Street onto Buildup Blvd!

Smokin72on20s · 10-19-2004, 09:05 PM

probably going to have $20k in my truck before its completly done. already have $10k into it and previous owner had $8k into it.

Jimbotronics · 10-19-2004, 10:32 PM

I've got around $6K in mine, it's a good daily but no where near where I want it to be. Engine (just some upgrades), body work, paint, tires, rims, and lowered 3/4 still to come. Of course everytime I see another board members truck the list gets longer..

Dave Reed · 10-20-2004, 12:38 AM

So far I have zero in mine. (actually $200 for tow) I just fot a free frame from another board member, thank you. That is my starting point. I am sure it will be a lot more before I am done.

68LSS1 · 10-20-2004, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexis

we should start a club........I'm about right where your at. Maybe less.

Ditto.

vtblazer · 10-20-2004, 06:48 AM

Yeah, same, same...
I have about a grand more in body work than I originally paid for the blazer but so what, it's still way less than half of what something new would cost.
I support the theory of "appreciation" vs "depreciation" too, drive the vintage old iron and let the rest wish they could.

bobs409 · 10-20-2004, 07:33 AM

I've noticed that most truck parts are ALOT cheaper than parts for a full size Chevy or Chevelle. It's the one thing I like about working with these trucks.

Check the price on seat covers for an older Impala. $700-800! Chrome trim, emblems, weatherstips, etc are alot more for the cars over trucks. Body panels such as fenders and inner fenders and even patch panels are alot more for cars.

The one thing I still cannot understand is why a carpet for a truck is the same cost as one for a car. ??? A truck uses 1 piece, shouldn't it be cheaper?

arkracing · 10-20-2004, 10:12 AM

The Maine show was in Hebron - near Poland Springs (the water place)
usually it's the 3rd weekend in August...put on by DownEast Streetrods

I'll post pics of this piece as soon as i can get some good quality ones that aren't more than 100k

can't wait to get going on the suspension rebuild this weekend

GMC AMI · 10-20-2004, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkracing

The Maine show was in Hebron - near Poland Springs (the water place)
usually it's the 3rd weekend in August...put on by DownEast Streetrods

I'll post pics of this piece as soon as i can get some good quality ones that aren't more than 100k

can't wait to get going on the suspension rebuild this weekend

Thank you very much for your reply to my ?

Mudder · 10-20-2004, 11:56 AM

Yes building trucks is very expensive but so are new ones. The thing with old trucks is when you think u just about have it finished you find something else or you make changes. It's never ending.

*botboy* · 10-20-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68w/sbc406

i look at it as you have 12k into a truck and what does it look like? Bad @$$!!! you drop 12K on a honda what do you have? a bone stock civic worth 9k

What do you have when you drop 12k into a honda you already have?

...?

...?

A slow piece of garbage!

**lock** · 10-20-2004, 01:26 PM

I planned on mine coming out around 10k and be completely rebuilt frame off, with daily driver reliablilty and comfort (AC, fuel injection for good gas milage etc). So far I have $6500 in it and its just a pile of parts. Still have some big ticket items to get such as AC, wheel, bed cover, wiring, paint. The good part is when done right you can have a great truck at a fraction of the cost of new ones and have good resale value if you ever get the crazy idea of selling.

Broken_down? · 10-20-2004, 03:40 PM

But in the end when people say " Dam look at that truck!" It makes all that hard work worth it. And far as I am concerned it is money well spent. Better then blowing it on dumb a$$ carp. And for some of us like me I am going to give it to my youngest son on his 16th or 17th b-day not sure yet. I have my son outside whenever I get the chance to have him help.

just my opinion..
Rich

**raggedjim** · 10-20-2004, 03:54 PM

I spend $$ on mine, but even my wife realizes it's a better hobby than golf or bass fishing... At least I COULD get some of my money back...

FirstGen · 10-20-2004, 04:47 PM

Money? What's that?

arkracing · 10-20-2004, 04:54 PM

My Problem is that I'm trying to build two trucks at once...the '33 (ehhem Ford cough/choke) - Chevy Power 396 of course and the new 69

I'm just rushing on the 69 cause I need a truck, I sold my '97 4x4 S-10 now I have to constantly figure out how to cart parts around that i buy....radiator supports don't fit to well in the company car ('02 dodge stratus) - they don't fit will but i got it in there...sssshhhhh don't tell my boss that i ripped the seat

68w/sbc406 · 10-20-2004, 09:44 PM

not to sure about that. i have seen civics pulling 9's in the 1/4. to me thats not very slow. one of my friends had a civic with a prelude motor with a turbo and was in the 11's he had 8k into total cost of car and motor

Quote:

Originally Posted by botboy

What do you have when you drop 12k into a honda you already have?

...?

...?

A slow piece of garbage!

jugernot · 10-20-2004, 09:52 PM

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one jumping through this hoops. I got a little upset, because I spent alot of $$ having someone customized my frame, and well its not straight. I think I have about $8k into mine and now I have to look for a new frame. I feel you pain..........

10-19-2004, 05:05 PM	#1
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Building trucks is expensive I just bought this truck a few months ago drove it to Maine for a show and to Rhinebeck NY and now it is sitting out back with no nose, no bed, not running etc etc. In the past week or so i've manged to buy - new Moog Suspension (balljoints,inner and outer tierods, idler/pitman, upper and lower ctrl arms shafts) - new inner fenders - new rockers - and just ordered the power booster, 2.5" lowering spindles, 4" lowering springs and some other suspension stuff. It almost feels like Chistmas....until I get the Credit card bill that is...luckily I don't have a wife to try to hide it from __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered

10-19-2004, 05:07 PM	#2
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	Yep, I know the feeeling. I've got just over $12K in mine and it isn't even running or painted yet. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....

10-19-2004, 06:16 PM	#4
'71c204x4454 '71k204x4454 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hood River Or. Posts: 137	But when you think about it your better off in the long run. You have truck worth something and it's increasing in value not losing value as soon as you drive it off the lot. I can belive how much people are paying for new trucks now days. __________________ 1971 K20 4x4 1964 buick skylark convertible

10-19-2004, 07:50 PM	#6
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i look at it as you have 12k into a truck and what does it look like? Bad @$$!!! you drop 12K on a honda what do you have? a bone stock civic worth 9k __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-19-2004, 07:53 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	I never keep trak on how much I spend on mine it would not be a good day in the house hold,I am pretty sure I would be in the house out back with the dog... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-19-2004, 09:05 PM	#9
Smokin72on20s Ebay Junky Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CO Posts: 893	probably going to have $20k in my truck before its completly done. already have $10k into it and previous owner had $8k into it. __________________ 1972 CHEVY C-10 SWB 2WD - Possible Typhoon 4.3 turbo drivetrain.. 1983 Chevy c10 swb 2wd - possible 350tbi supercharged...

10-19-2004, 10:32 PM	#10
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	I've got around $6K in mine, it's a good daily but no where near where I want it to be. Engine (just some upgrades), body work, paint, tires, rims, and lowered 3/4 still to come. Of course everytime I see another board members truck the list gets longer.. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

10-20-2004, 12:38 AM	#11
Dave Reed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT Posts: 290	So far I have zero in mine. (actually $200 for tow) I just fot a free frame from another board member, thank you. That is my starting point. I am sure it will be a lot more before I am done.

10-20-2004, 06:48 AM	#13
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Expensive Stuff Yeah, same, same... I have about a grand more in body work than I originally paid for the blazer but so what, it's still way less than half of what something new would cost. I support the theory of "appreciation" vs "depreciation" too, drive the vintage old iron and let the rest wish they could.

10-20-2004, 07:33 AM	#14
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I've noticed that most truck parts are ALOT cheaper than parts for a full size Chevy or Chevelle. It's the one thing I like about working with these trucks. Check the price on seat covers for an older Impala. $700-800! Chrome trim, emblems, weatherstips, etc are alot more for the cars over trucks. Body panels such as fenders and inner fenders and even patch panels are alot more for cars. The one thing I still cannot understand is why a carpet for a truck is the same cost as one for a car. ??? A truck uses 1 piece, shouldn't it be cheaper? __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

10-20-2004, 10:12 AM	#15
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	Maine Show The Maine show was in Hebron - near Poland Springs (the water place) usually it's the 3rd weekend in August...put on by DownEast Streetrods I'll post pics of this piece as soon as i can get some good quality ones that aren't more than 100k can't wait to get going on the suspension rebuild this weekend __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered

10-20-2004, 11:56 AM	#17
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Yes building trucks is very expensive but so are new ones. The thing with old trucks is when you think u just about have it finished you find something else or you make changes. It's never ending.

10-20-2004, 01:26 PM	#19
lock Insert funny comment. Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Concord NC Posts: 621	I planned on mine coming out around 10k and be completely rebuilt frame off, with daily driver reliablilty and comfort (AC, fuel injection for good gas milage etc). So far I have $6500 in it and its just a pile of parts. Still have some big ticket items to get such as AC, wheel, bed cover, wiring, paint. The good part is when done right you can have a great truck at a fraction of the cost of new ones and have good resale value if you ever get the crazy idea of selling. __________________ ------------ - Mark -My Build Thread... -68 C10, LT1 - Undergoing Frame off resto -86 IROC-Z T72 turbo 355, M6 -70 Camaro http://www.iroc-ss.com

10-20-2004, 03:54 PM	#21
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,453	I spend $$ on mine, but even my wife realizes it's a better hobby than golf or bass fishing... At least I COULD get some of my money back... __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

10-20-2004, 04:47 PM	#22
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	Money? What's that? __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"



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10-20-2004, 04:54 PM	#23
arkracing Weekend Warrior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: CT Posts: 1,787	My Problem is that I'm trying to build two trucks at once...the '33 (ehhem Ford cough/choke) - Chevy Power 396 of course and the new 69 I'm just rushing on the 69 cause I need a truck, I sold my '97 4x4 S-10 now I have to constantly figure out how to cart parts around that i buy....radiator supports don't fit to well in the company car ('02 dodge stratus) - they don't fit will but i got it in there...sssshhhhh don't tell my boss that i ripped the seat __________________ -'07 GMC Sierra K2500HD -'66 C10 Suburban -'68/'71 K20 Service Bed Project -'69 Chevy C30 Mason Dump -'33Ford P/U 396ChevyPowered

10-20-2004, 09:52 PM	#25
jugernot Life, Be In It..... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Novato, California Posts: 1,498	Wow I am glad to hear that I am not the only one jumping through this hoops. I got a little upset, because I spent alot of $$ having someone customized my frame, and well its not straight. I think I have about $8k into mine and now I have to look for a new frame. I feel you pain.......... __________________ Project Name: LEMON DROP. Reconstruction started "December 2000". Projected completion date "Who knows" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200082

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