Depressed!$!$!$$$$

[babyblue69]

I went out today just to look to see what I needed for the exterior of my truck to start restoring it. What I thought was little simple stuff. I figured the wood bed would be the worst hit but then I started adding up lens, grills, glass boy I hate to add up the dollar amount! This is just stuff i seen not hidden beneath. What amount amount should I expect to spend to do off the frame restortation. Take it easy on me this is my 1st restore. I already have twice the amount in it (truck) than I paid after buying the motor and still need to buy raditor and stuff. 1969 C10

[Palf70Step]

It does add up quick, especially if you buy all new. Even in my wheeling and dealing I have three to four times what I paid for the original truck, and growing. But that's the hot rod world.

[centsless]

It all depends on what you want to do with the truck. I wanted something decent to haul stuff. I ended up with a garage queen. I cleaned and painted the frame, and started from there. I put the whole truck together and I am now concentrating on the smaller details. It is together so I can drive and enjoy it, so it is fun. I initially put $7000 into it, and have probably put another $600 since last year. It will never be "done". I belive that there will always be something I want to do. Dont get discouraged! Maybe do one section at a time, or like I did, do all of the major parts, then do the details a little at a time. I don't think there is a wrong way. It's all up to you!!
Here are two pics. What I started with, and the truck today.
Attachment 243182

Attachment 243183

[PanelDeland]

First,I would like to welcome you to the board.Second don't worry.Some questions come up that may be pertinent.

(1) Whose pricing are you using?

(2) Are you trying to do it all at once?

(3) Have you priced having "Billet Codington"or "Chump Fish" do the restore?

(4) Just kidding.

Many of the members here have the same situation as you do,Some have it even worse since they caught the fever and have 2-10 trucks now.
If you haven't checked pricing from the Board vendors then you may be looking at pricing that is really higher than some of our members have.There are also plenty of board members who sell used parts that are of good driver quality.If you are building a show truck you will pay a lot more for parts.
The first thing to do is determine what you want to do with the truck.If you want a nice driver that can be fairly cheap depending on what you started with.If you want a truck to drive daily and be reliable then you seem to have a handle on what to do first since you replaced the motor.Also a DD doesn't have to be built all at once.There are plenty of members here who drive their trucks all week and wrench on them in the evening and on weekends.Look around the site and you will find some threads on restoring what you have rather than replacing it.Paint is cheaper than powder coating and either is cheaper than chrome or stainless.Coming up with a plan that uses your own skills as much as possible and keeps you from having to do things over will also save you money.Keep in mind many of the people here are 3-7 years into a restoration and haven't finished yet.Most have bought their next project to drive since one is already in pieces.

[babyblue69]

I've used Chevy duty for my pricing just to get a clue. Maybe I shouldn't have started there. I started out just going to put the motor in it but now it looks like an all at once deal says my wife. She wants it done I don't know if that is a good or bad thing.

[ThatOneBlue67]

Be smart and try not to look at the frame. Just leave it!!!!

haha, I'm kidding, I'm kidding! But seriously, the truck isn't going to fall apart on the highway if you decide not to paint the frame. You really don't even have to take the body off, but a lot of people do because they want a nice new frame and a new EVERYTHING. The number one problem I see though is when a person, new to auto restoration, digs too deep and then can't climb out. The truck ends up being sold piece by piece, unfinished.

If you're low on cash, just stick to necessities. Rust repair on the body, glass, lighting, etc. Work your way up over time. I DO suggest, however, repacing things that naturally age over time. Rubber bushings, wheel bearings, motor mounts. Small rubber peices and pieces that move a lot.

I think its best that you do small things like this, so you actually get to drive the truck a good while before diving into off-body resto. Then, when you realize how cool these are to drive, take off the body and paint the frame. Hopefully that motivation of owning a cool muscle car/truck will stick with you as you dare to remove the body from the frame. And, hopefully, you'll keep that motivation and get it done.

The MAJOR things I have done to my truck are: motor, wheel bearings, tranny, and cosmetics. The suspension is all original, as is the wiring (I had to patch up a few areas though), and other stuff. And while I do plan on getting new parts for suspension and electrical, it isn't something that HAS to be done RIGHT NOW. A lot of people spend a 100+ bucks on wiring harnesses. Five bucks spent down at the store and a good knowledge of electrical basics, and you can rewire things yourself. Not that I'm criticizing anyone here, wiring is a pain in the ass and its probably smarter to buy harness kits in the first place. The point is, there's always a cheaper way.

You can always buy certain things used too. The word "junkyard" means "treasure chest" to a lot of us

[PanelDeland]

That may help some.You can usually get a better deal if you buy a lot of parts at once.Try to avoid shipping if you can it adds up quick.April 12-15 is a huge swap meet The Charlotte Auto Fair at lowes motor speedway.There will be lots of vendors there including some from the board.Let them know what you need and they can usually bring it to a show if you give them enough notice.

[WorkinLonghorn]

I would prioritize stuff. When I got my current '69 I figured the wood bed could wait and cut up some plywood and laid it in until my ship comes in and I can pay $600 for a fancy new kit. Then I went through the critical systems and re-did everything,brakes,ignition,cooling etc. Ended up spending probably $2000 total and that was 9 years ago and nary a problem since----well except for that little rod that went through the block. Now I can do things if/when I feel like it.

[babyblue69]

I plan on being there Apr.14th thanks

[brak]

I have an Excel spreadsheet that i made for budgeting my build, and if you want a copy, i'd be more than happy to share it with you.

I have all the parts laid out, with the cost, quantity, and vendor, which gives me the estimated subtotal for the build. As i purchase parts i mark them as "purchased" along with the actual price i paid, effectively showing me an actual total of what i have spent to date, and after everything is said and done, will compare the estimated cost with the actual cost.

I also have a section where i list my purchases by date with shipping info, and a section that lists all the specifics for future reference, because not all the parts are stock, and it's a pain to remember at the auto parts store, what model the part is actually for.

It's also nice to have, because if you ever sell the vehicle, you can pass on to the new owner documentation of all the time and work you have put into the vehicle, along with the customization info.

[brak]

I should also add, as it addresses your initial post...

From the list i have made for my truck, using all new parts from the usual online vendors, the estimate was close to $8,000. I am about $2500 into this build, and have scored some really good deals from ebay, sales, and forum members, i am well under the estimate at this point, not to mention, there are parts i included in the estimate, that will end up being reused.

[Ram-Man]

I've found it alot easier to sleep at night by just crumpling up the reciepts after I know its going to fit. That way I dont have to look at how much I've spent.

[weasel29gm]

Delands right about the Auto Fair. I got most of my stuff over 3-4 yrs there. Set a workable budget and flex if you have to. If I saved on a part I spent the rest on another. Example bought a seat for $50 but budgeted $250-300 so I the $150 and got my stereo system,stayin' within the budget. Alot will overspend and never get it back. I'm close to finishin' mine and can make money if I sold. Shop wisely and have fun, DIY as much as possible. Oh one more thing if its not broke or bad don't worry, example if the glass is ok don't replace just clean and drive.

[BAD4X4]

It all depends on where you want to go with it. I just put twice the money into my truck than I will ever get out of it if I were to sell it. So, I'd say $1000's, but you can make a nice clean driver for under 10 if you catch the swap meet deals and watch the board!!!

Good Luck!!

[klownkar]

For my 2 cents. I can understand the frustration. My wife would ask me what I wanted to do to my truck to redo it again. I would get depressed because I don't have the money to do anything. Then I came up with a solution. I told my wife that I would like a truck allowance so I could save up and start working on my truck. I set a goal to start that was a little down the road and started putting money away. Then I started doing my research. I put basic pricing together so I would know what I am up against. It will not be right away that I start into my rig but to look at my savings account and see the money growing and know what it is growing for gets me excited. Hope my 2 cents helps and good luck

[cdowns]

expect to pay anywhere from2 to 5 times the final restored value of a vehicle depends how muchwork you do yourself in the frame off process

[PanelDeland]

babyblue also check out L.F.D.'s low buck build thread.It has some interesting stuff in it for budget building.Also you will see that he started with not much of a truck and for just a few hundred $$ he has a reliable safe comfortable truck.He is doing it a little at a time to show how little it costs to build a nice truck over time.

[jimmydean]

I have mine broken out into "phases". Each phase is set to be under $1000 and I am on phase 3 right now. Phase 2 sort of bloated, but for the most part, my truck will be the way I like it in about 6 phases and a total build of $5000.

By using less than $1000, it's easier to fly under the wifes radar without major conflict.

[70GMC396]

Brak, can u send me that excel spreedsheet - thanks<
garthturner@sbcglobal.net

[BigSky71]

Originally Posted by brak

I have an Excel spreadsheet that i made for budgeting my build, and if you want a copy, i'd be more than happy to share it with you.

I have all the parts laid out, with the cost, quantity, and vendor, which gives me the estimated subtotal for the build. As i purchase parts i mark them as "purchased" along with the actual price i paid, effectively showing me an actual total of what i have spent to date, and after everything is said and done, will compare the estimated cost with the actual cost.

I did that too, and it scared the heck out me, seeing the total at the end of a quick and surely imcomplete list, which for me was around $11,000. [Note: hide said list from anyone who might not permit the expenditures ]

Originally Posted by Ram-Man

I've found it alot easier to sleep at night by just crumpling up the reciepts after I know its going to fit. That way I dont have to look at how much I've spent.

This is what I have resorted too! Buy the part, once its either on the truck or I have modified it beyond being able to return it, I discard the receipt! I keep a running total in my head and just reset the total every few months...

But seriously, there is great advice in this thread. Do it in phases concentrating on wear items first. And when it comes right down to it, these old trucks are cheaper than alot of vehicles a guy could choose to fix-up.

[brak]

Originally Posted by 70GMC396

Brak, can u send me that excel spreedsheet - thanks<
garthturner@sbcglobal.net

pm sent