i'm burned out anyone else going through the same problem?

[roj2323]

so i bought a 69 gmc back in august and i've slowly been fixing everything on it so i can make it my daily driver. i'm getting really really close but i'm burned out. i am finding it really hard to keep my self focused and now is when i need it most. anyway i'm hoping some of you might have some ideas on how i can refocus to get this thing done.


here's a list of everything i've done so far to get this truck driveable.

1. installed disk brakes by converting not swaping,
2. power steering,
3. master cylinder,
4. booster,
5. new brake lines to the frame,
6. rebuilt and installed a auto column,
7. removed 3 speed and all componets,
8. new 700r4 trans,
9. made a trans crossmember,
10. new radiator,
11. ran trans cooler lines along frame,
12. new engine built by my dad and i,
13. new intake,
14. new carb,
15. rebuilt the rear with new bearrings,
16. converted to 5 lug,
17. new rear drums,
18. POR15'd bottom of cab and most of frame,
19. rebuilt the wiring harness,
20. converted from idiot light dash to guage dash,
21. installed an internally regulated altanator,
22. fixed rear light harness,
23. cleaned out cowl,
24. installed wire mesh over cowl,
25. powerwashed everything like 5 times now,
26. and i'm sure i've forgotten something.

keep in mind everything minus the booster is brand new.

here's what's left

1. duel exhaust
2. kick down cable bracket
3. fix side markers
4. have trans adjusted
5. front end alignment
6. replace valve covers center bolt style mine are rusted
7. plug wire spacers/mounts
8. install a radio

it's not much really but i'm going crazy

thoughts?

ondrew

p.s. yes i realize picures are in order but i've been too busy working on it to take any good photos. i'll post some soon.

rims
http://www.maj.com/gallery/roj2323/71/truck-rim.jpg
i need to clean up the rims but the tires are new and high quality not to mention FREE. my only gripe is i wish they were 17's not 15's

prop valve/booster
http://www.maj.com/gallery/roj2323/71/0propvalve1.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/roj2323/71/0propvalve2.jpg
bending the coil is a pain in the a$$

[rage'nrat638]

i would love to come over and check it out

[qksilver]

you are so close...........take a break, go to a truck show, find a 67-72 truck to take a ride in...........buy something chrome for it!

[FarmTruk]

Dude...yer almost there. Get it running and safe on the road, then tackle what's left. The radio, valve covers, and trick exhaust can be done after your enjoying the ride. It might give you that last bit of motivation you need.

Congrats on getting it to this point...

[Bishops Trucks]

Sometimes you just need to take a brake from it.

[jimmydean]

There was an article an issue or two back in Classic Trucks about little things that never get done, or projects that tend to drag out. You're on the right track by making a list. Next, prioritize your list, then just take it out to the truck and start marking stuff off.

I had a handful of little things that kept my truck off the road for over a month. After reading the article, I made a list, got up very early on Saturday, then tackled each item on the list. I was driving my truck at 2:00 that day. It felt great to drive it and I was very glad to be done with the list.

Of course I have about 30 other lists, but those are all waiting for cash. Keep it up, you are so close!

[TONE]

I Was Going Through The Very Same Thing. I Am Coming Toward The End Of My "frame-off", It Looks Great And I'm Excited, But I'm Losing Motivation. But When It Turned February, I Turned All Of The Pin-up Calenders On The Walls And Bam!!! Inspration Again! I Know What Your're Going Through, I Am From Iowa, Your Neighbor, It's The "winter Blues!" Think Summer, Think Women! I Hope This Helped!

[fastwillie 696969]

for god shake get those spark plug wires off the exhaust there burnt out

[bad_turbo]

have some members come by and help you finish it

[magsnubby]

I'm going through the same thing right now, not with a truck, but with my jeep. I put a ton of time and money into the thing, wrecked it, bought another jeep, and started switching parts. I finally had it so i could get back to offroading when some pos stole it and stripped it. I was totally disgusted with the whole thing. I parked it in the back yard and decided to give it a break for awhile. That was a couple weeks before Christmas. I'm starting to get my motovation back.

Some times you just need to walk away for awhile.

[shifty]

Man, I am right there with you. I have cluthc bracket to fab, fuel lines to run, and some minor wiring then I can fire mine up. It's sat for 2 months now with no work done hardly at all. I have the fittings to finish the fuel lines but it's pretty cold down in the shop, so I'm keeping occupied with indoor chores right now (hacking the XBox, reconfiguring wireless router, and tons of other crap )

[Morgsie]

Originally Posted by roj2323

here's what's left

1. duel exhaust
2. kick down cable bracket
3. fix side markers
4. have trans adjusted
5. front end alignment
6. replace valve covers center bolt style mine are rusted
7. plug wire spacers/mounts
8. install a radio

That's not really a lot to do. Compared to what you've done, I'd say you're over the hill now, just a matter of getting to the bottom.

I personally like set goals for each item. Eg: I don't have anything to do Wednesday after work so I'll figure out what's wrong with my markers and fix them if I have time, etc. Also it's nice to organize similar items together, group them if they are in an area nearby another item.

- So for your side markers I'll assume it's a wiring issue. I'd do that and your radio at the same time. It's nice to sit back and see all the wiring done, then go onto the next thing.

- I'd do the valve covers and your plug wire mounts at the same time.

- Alignment. Get it somewhat straight, so you can drive it to a shop that will align it for you.

- The TV cable (kick down isn't really the correct terminology) bracket you should be able to get one off any 80s GM car/truck that has a 4bbl. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if the car has a OD or not, but to be on the safe side go with one that has OD. You have to unbolt the 2 carb bolts closest to the firewall, drop the bracket on and you're done. If you have a 2bbl you may have a bit more of a problem finding one, but I'm sure they're out there. I'd take it to a tranny shop to get it adjusted.

- the best for last, exhaust! Unless you're putting an X in, I'd go a good 2.5"-3" single. If you don't have the patients/skill to do it yourself take it into a reputable exhaust place. Hopefully they won't ding you to much.

I had a laundry list of stuff to do on my Impala. It was nice after 4 months of working on it to finally fire it up and drive it. To me it sounds like you're doing it the right way. Get everything working good and you're golden. My 2 cents.

[skchevota]

About every 5 years I get burned out on mine. so I just drive the wee out of it , then I tired of it and think maybe Ill sell it. Then it sits for a few months and I start kicking my self....sell it , what was I thinking.... then its like a new project all over again . I am at that point right now where I am ready to dive in, but its always the time and money thing. Right now I have the time but no money. So in other words, just take a break....

[Ron 586]

You have two options, finish it or walk away. The two options each have a lot of options of their own. You have came way to far for the second option to be considered even tho its there. So do what ever you have to do to get back in the right frame of mind to work on the truck. 1. Why did I buy the truck. What do I want out of the truck. Do I still want this truck. What can I do to make me happy with this truck now..... you get the idea. If you are still in a funk and not up to finish the truck then you can start to explore option two. You're on your own if you go there.

[hchad18]

Take a break. Remember why your doing it, because its enjoyable, not because you need to get it done in a certain amount of time. Take a break and then buy something for it.

[trkklr77]

just drive it and smoke the tires a few times, you get on it again.

you dont need exhuast, gauges, lights, seats, paint, fancy wheels, hood, glass ............ just drive it around a little with your arm hanging out the window and roast off the borom, and it WILL get you on it again. there is only one thing on that list that is a major, just hop in and wing it around for a while.

[DESTRO]

hchad18 nailed it. Atleast for me. Once I started telling myself I [need/had] to do something, the fun got sucked out of it. I think that's alot of your trouble too. Remember to stay in the "I want to work on it" mindframe. Like others have said too, take a break and it will come back.

[basketcase]

I'm in a slump right now too. I haven't done anything since I put the intake and carb on in early December. I really need to clean up the shop before I start the next project on the '69. Also my office is a mess. I finally tackled the office this weekend and the garage and shop will get started next weekend. Once it's looking good again I'll be in more of a mood to start that exhaust system.

You've got a lot more done than I do so take a breather then hammer on it to be done by spring.

Tom

[special-K]

Keep it up,you`re almost there.Isn`t that your motovation?

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by roj2323

here's what's left

1. duel exhaust BRING IT TO THE EXAUSTSHOP AND HAVE THEM DO IT
2. kick down cable bracket SAME HERE TRANNY SHOP
3. fix side markers LEAVE THAT UNTILL YOURE DRIVING
4. have trans adjusted TRANNY SHOP AGAIN
5. front end alignment ANOTHER OUTSOURCE JOB
6. replace valve covers center bolt style mine are rusted GOSH A 10 MINUTE JOB
7. plug wire spacers/mounts A 15 MINUTE JOB
8. install a radio THAT CAN WAIT TOO

SO LETS SEE YOU NEED A DAY TO BRING THE TRUCK FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND 25 MINUTES TO REPLACE THE COVERS AND PUT PLUGWIRESPACERS ON THE TRUCK

[69TowRig]

I wish I could say I've done as much in as little time as you. Good job. Take a step back and don't take it so seriously when you move forward again. It becomes more like "fun" and less like work.

...Starting year 3 of mine...

[67ChevyRedneck]

here's what's left

1. duel exhaust
2. kick down cable bracket
3. fix side markers
4. have trans adjusted
5. front end alignment
6. replace valve covers center bolt style mine are rusted
7. plug wire spacers/mounts
8. install a radio

I'm assuming 4 and 5 will be done by a shop.

3, 6 and 7 are pretty quick jobs (unless your wiring is totally messed up) and number 8 isn't necessary for it to be drivable....

You're almost there!!!!

I set goals based on shows I wanted to take the truck to (not to enter, but to drive it to) and I missed my deadline twice. Take a step back and don't sweat it. I waited 10 years for my truck to look like it does, and almost 3 before it had daily driver status again!

[shifty]

Originally Posted by hchad18

Take a break. Remember why your doing it, because its enjoyable, not because you need to get it done in a certain amount of time. Take a break and then buy something for it.

This is what my woman tells me, and it always brings me back to the reality of the situation.

She also has me clean up the garage/shop area and get all the dust off the truck, then honestly take a look at it. It looks freaking great. That alone usually gets me wanting to work on it. A couple of times walking by it over a weekend and I'm back into it again.

[superjeer]

I'm itching to go but have no money.
we need to have a pool of "money but no ambition" and "ambition but just bought a house" so that things get done!

[Already Gone]

In my opinion you've done a whole lot in a very short time and I know exactly how you feel. My feeling is leave it alone for a while, say a month or six weeks.. From watching the weather channel I know you ( like I am here ) are in a deep freeze and are probably by now are experiencing the mid winter blues.. My truck is in pretty decent shape and I just drive it in the summer from mid-April till the end of September and think I enjoy her more in the summer cause I do not use her for the 6 or 7 months when she is in storage.. Before I put her away for the winter I get her all spic and span then put her in inside a heated garage and you know I think I enjoy the truck more that way, cause when I open up the garage in April and drive my shiny truck out into sun ,it feels so good. Just think if you leave her till mid March then get back at it, you'll be driving her when the nice weather starts in late April or early May.