builders - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

metalman1968 · 02-21-2009, 04:06 AM

Just curios how many of you do all your own work or are paying or have payed someone else to do it.

Andy4639 · 02-21-2009, 07:09 AM

I have done all my own work except painting it. I installed all the new glass, upholstery, radio, wiring the fuel injection building the motor. I did buy the transmission already built but I installed it.
Painting and body work are a art and if you don't have the tools and place to do it... well it's just not going to look right!

**rob32472** · 02-21-2009, 07:55 AM

I am paying to have my cab work done, and i will pay to have painting done. I will doo body and mechanical work my self. I think there are somethings better left to the professionals other wise we tend to have to tare down the truck every year or so to fix things we are not happy with or that wasnt fixed properly

metalman1968 · 02-21-2009, 11:19 AM

I agree, I do not do wind shields, after cracking way to many or any kind of upholstery as I have no experience in that area. I find it difficult to pay another man to do what I am able to do myself and usually end redoing it any way.

thirdstreettito · 02-21-2009, 01:52 PM

I do ALL my own work.

mrein3 · 02-21-2009, 02:29 PM

I wouldn't imagine letting somebody else do the work. Body or mechanical.

Anybody can shell out $10,000 on paint and body. To my that is kind of like daycare. Why pay somebody to raise YOUR kids?!?

**68350** · 02-21-2009, 02:36 PM

Other than windshields, rear windows, exhaust, and tire mounting, we do everything ourselves.

kyull67 · 02-21-2009, 02:50 PM

On my last build I did everything except the windshield, exhaust, pinstriping, and the machine work on the motor. I also let him assemble the long block because I got a warranty.

**special-K** · 02-21-2009, 03:11 PM

It depends.I`ve done it all but sometimes pay for something special.

Camper Power · 02-21-2009, 04:33 PM

i do ALL the mechanical work, most of the wiring, exept for subs and amps. any thing that needs percise work (exept engine rebuilding) il pay someone to do the work so nothing gets screwy.

big_al_71 · 02-21-2009, 04:43 PM

Only paid for Paint and body...

Bob 68327 · 02-21-2009, 05:35 PM

Do all my own work !!

sick69 · 02-21-2009, 05:35 PM

I will do absolutly everything I can. That being said,,,,,I don't have the equipment to do the machine work on the engine, or the equipment to do the custom uhpolstery. So some stuff is best left to the pros.

I do how ever have access to a painter and a booth so,,,, although he will spray it,,,i'll be there doing the last minute prep along with him, and the detailing afterward,,,,,,

Frank

firedog · 02-21-2009, 05:55 PM

all but the paint and body work was done in my dads shop right along with him while he was doing his 71 gmc. he did his own painting tho kinda wish i would have done my own body work and paint it wouldnt have taken so long and it probably been better work. Why is everyone so afraid of the windows dad and i have done 4 windshields and 3 back glass (won't do another windshield with trim tho). and i think he has the door glass down to a science.

firedog · 02-21-2009, 05:57 PM

to go along with my last post don 't miss my quote

"remember it ain't been done right till uve done it at least 3 times"

spinning wheels · 02-21-2009, 09:24 PM

I do most of the work myself, which explains why my truck runs and looks the way it does.
I did take the truck to a friend's electrical shop. He let one of his flunkies do the work, as he was in the process of making one of Tony Stewart's old NASCARS into a street legal ride, with BBK and Edelbrock fuel injection no less.
Anyways, after spending $200 bucks, the truck died on me, on the way to work. They did such a lousy job and totally missed a bad voltage regulator, that ended up killing my battery.
These trucks are fairly simple to work on, it just takes time and patients. That is one of the reasons these trucks have such loyal owners. If you always take your ride into a shop to have it worked on, you just wont appreciate the truck or bond with it.

vectorit · 02-21-2009, 09:57 PM

Paid a shop to do the body n paint.
I didn't have the space n time to do it myself.
Everything else I did in a storage unit, and driveways of apartments.
Recently I have had the luxury of a private driveway, and a garage larger than a vw bug.
Still workin on stuff myself.

**LockDoc** · 02-21-2009, 10:24 PM

-
I try to do all of the work on my vehicles myself. I'm painting the '70 short box but I'm having a buddy of mine paint the '71 4x4. I'm doing most of the prep on it and trading him labor to paint and buff it. I don't find windshields too difficult but I will be installing my first one with trim in a few days so I may change my tune on that...

LockDoc

greygoose · 02-21-2009, 10:29 PM

I help,most of the time lol.But a lot of the ppl I know just want to help so they all can see it looking good when it's finish.

**68350** · 02-21-2009, 11:08 PM

After seeing professionals do windows with trim and breaking a window the second time, I will leave it to them. It doesn't cost that much for them to install it, and if they break it, they replace it.

*67/72junkie* · 02-21-2009, 11:17 PM

One of my best friends is a autobody man by trade so he paints for me in trade I do mechanical work for him .I strip prep and prime everything and he does the finish work.I had 2 windshields broken by so called professionals so I have installed the last 4 or 5 with no problem.I have even reused 2 windshield seals by kicking out the old glass from the inside out.after a through cleaning I soaked them in hot,hot water for about 30 minutes to soften them up.these were both in my drivers and I sprayed a little wd-40 around them to soften and seal them.Haven't had any leaks.The only thing about the windshield is go slow and don't force it.Other than the paint nobody touches my trucks but me. Of course a machinest does do all my prep work before I assemble my engines.

BarryB · 02-21-2009, 11:37 PM

I do it all, except for the machine work on the motor stuff. I do all my own custom upholstery. I do my own body work , and paint. You name it I can do it.

*Puropedo* · 02-22-2009, 01:57 AM

Mother nature and myself! No one else touches it!!!

GKsport67 · 02-22-2009, 02:02 AM

Im always out of pocket$$$$

pritch · 02-22-2009, 02:11 AM

Like most, I'll do everything I can do myself, but having said that, I went into this as much as a learning experience, so I will try to do some things that I don't really know much about. Somebody has the sig-'I'd rather do it myself and pay the extra $500'

I think there is alot of satisfaction in doing it yourself. There is for me, anyway. And besides, with a resource like this board I learn more each day.

02-21-2009, 04:06 AM	#1
metalman1968 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: yakima wa. Posts: 95	builders Just curios how many of you do all your own work or are paying or have payed someone else to do it.

02-21-2009, 07:09 AM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: builders I have done all my own work except painting it. I installed all the new glass, upholstery, radio, wiring the fuel injection building the motor. I did buy the transmission already built but I installed it. Painting and body work are a art and if you don't have the tools and place to do it... well it's just not going to look right! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 02-22-2009 at 12:39 AM.

02-21-2009, 07:55 AM	#3
rob32472 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: dallas ga Posts: 1,505	Re: builders I am paying to have my cab work done, and i will pay to have painting done. I will doo body and mechanical work my self. I think there are somethings better left to the professionals other wise we tend to have to tare down the truck every year or so to fix things we are not happy with or that wasnt fixed properly

02-21-2009, 11:19 AM	#4
metalman1968 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: yakima wa. Posts: 95	Re: builders I agree, I do not do wind shields, after cracking way to many or any kind of upholstery as I have no experience in that area. I find it difficult to pay another man to do what I am able to do myself and usually end redoing it any way.

02-21-2009, 01:52 PM	#5
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: builders I do ALL my own work. __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

02-21-2009, 02:29 PM	#6
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: builders I wouldn't imagine letting somebody else do the work. Body or mechanical. Anybody can shell out $10,000 on paint and body. To my that is kind of like daycare. Why pay somebody to raise YOUR kids?!? __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

02-21-2009, 02:36 PM	#7
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: builders Other than windshields, rear windows, exhaust, and tire mounting, we do everything ourselves. __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

02-21-2009, 02:50 PM	#8
kyull67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springfield/Kansas City Posts: 1,842	Re: builders On my last build I did everything except the windshield, exhaust, pinstriping, and the machine work on the motor. I also let him assemble the long block because I got a warranty. __________________ The first '67 The current '67 '63 Biscayne

02-21-2009, 03:11 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: builders It depends.I`ve done it all but sometimes pay for something special. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-21-2009, 04:33 PM	#10
Camper Power Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grande Prairie Alberta Posts: 261	Re: builders i do ALL the mechanical work, most of the wiring, exept for subs and amps. any thing that needs percise work (exept engine rebuilding) il pay someone to do the work so nothing gets screwy. __________________ eh 1970 Chevy C20 daily driver 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 project 1966 GMC C10 Dad's project Last edited by Camper Power; 02-21-2009 at 04:33 PM.

02-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#11
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: builders Only paid for Paint and body... __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

02-21-2009, 05:35 PM	#12
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: builders Do all my own work !! __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

02-21-2009, 05:35 PM	#13
sick69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: colorado springs colorado Posts: 737	Re: builders I will do absolutly everything I can. That being said,,,,,I don't have the equipment to do the machine work on the engine, or the equipment to do the custom uhpolstery. So some stuff is best left to the pros. I do how ever have access to a painter and a booth so,,,, although he will spray it,,,i'll be there doing the last minute prep along with him, and the detailing afterward,,,,,, Frank __________________ 70 chevy lwb c10 454/th400 and a 9" rearend suicide doors, marker light fuel fill, 4" cowl , mini tub

02-21-2009, 05:55 PM	#14
firedog Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 1,005	Re: builders all but the paint and body work was done in my dads shop right along with him while he was doing his 71 gmc. he did his own painting tho kinda wish i would have done my own body work and paint it wouldnt have taken so long and it probably been better work. Why is everyone so afraid of the windows dad and i have done 4 windshields and 3 back glass (won't do another windshield with trim tho). and i think he has the door glass down to a science. __________________ SOLD 1968 Chevy SWB Fleet 350/350 combo Tach/tilt/buddy buckets Bagged/18" Wheels Black on Black Project "Pandemic" the Farm Rat 1927 Chevy Capitol Truck Rat rod '30 Model A Frame Dual Carb 5.3 LS http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=804162 2007 GMC 4 DOOR 2WD BUILT 5.3 STAGE 3 CAM 93 TUNE LIFTED 22X12 WHEELS 33" TIRES 2023 Jeep RENEGADE Wifes ride

02-21-2009, 05:57 PM	#15
firedog Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 1,005	Re: builders to go along with my last post don 't miss my quote "remember it ain't been done right till uve done it at least 3 times" __________________ SOLD 1968 Chevy SWB Fleet 350/350 combo Tach/tilt/buddy buckets Bagged/18" Wheels Black on Black Project "Pandemic" the Farm Rat 1927 Chevy Capitol Truck Rat rod '30 Model A Frame Dual Carb 5.3 LS http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=804162 2007 GMC 4 DOOR 2WD BUILT 5.3 STAGE 3 CAM 93 TUNE LIFTED 22X12 WHEELS 33" TIRES 2023 Jeep RENEGADE Wifes ride



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02-21-2009, 09:24 PM	#16
spinning wheels Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights, California USA Posts: 474	Re: builders I do most of the work myself, which explains why my truck runs and looks the way it does. I did take the truck to a friend's electrical shop. He let one of his flunkies do the work, as he was in the process of making one of Tony Stewart's old NASCARS into a street legal ride, with BBK and Edelbrock fuel injection no less. Anyways, after spending $200 bucks, the truck died on me, on the way to work. They did such a lousy job and totally missed a bad voltage regulator, that ended up killing my battery. These trucks are fairly simple to work on, it just takes time and patients. That is one of the reasons these trucks have such loyal owners. If you always take your ride into a shop to have it worked on, you just wont appreciate the truck or bond with it. __________________ '72 GMC custom camper 350/350

02-21-2009, 09:57 PM	#17
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: builders Paid a shop to do the body n paint. I didn't have the space n time to do it myself. Everything else I did in a storage unit, and driveways of apartments. Recently I have had the luxury of a private driveway, and a garage larger than a vw bug. Still workin on stuff myself. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

02-21-2009, 10:24 PM	#18
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,423	Re: builders - I try to do all of the work on my vehicles myself. I'm painting the '70 short box but I'm having a buddy of mine paint the '71 4x4. I'm doing most of the prep on it and trading him labor to paint and buff it. I don't find windshields too difficult but I will be installing my first one with trim in a few days so I may change my tune on that... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

02-21-2009, 10:29 PM	#19
greygoose Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.C. Posts: 250	Re: builders I help,most of the time lol.But a lot of the ppl I know just want to help so they all can see it looking good when it's finish. __________________ If it ain't a chevy,I don't want it Last edited by greygoose; 02-21-2009 at 10:30 PM.

02-21-2009, 11:08 PM	#20
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: builders After seeing professionals do windows with trim and breaking a window the second time, I will leave it to them. It doesn't cost that much for them to install it, and if they break it, they replace it. __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

02-21-2009, 11:17 PM	#21
67/72junkie Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NC Posts: 1,129	Re: builders One of my best friends is a autobody man by trade so he paints for me in trade I do mechanical work for him .I strip prep and prime everything and he does the finish work.I had 2 windshields broken by so called professionals so I have installed the last 4 or 5 with no problem.I have even reused 2 windshield seals by kicking out the old glass from the inside out.after a through cleaning I soaked them in hot,hot water for about 30 minutes to soften them up.these were both in my drivers and I sprayed a little wd-40 around them to soften and seal them.Haven't had any leaks.The only thing about the windshield is go slow and don't force it.Other than the paint nobody touches my trucks but me. Of course a machinest does do all my prep work before I assemble my engines. Last edited by 67/72junkie; 02-21-2009 at 11:19 PM.

02-21-2009, 11:37 PM	#22
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: builders I do it all, except for the machine work on the motor stuff. I do all my own custom upholstery. I do my own body work , and paint. You name it I can do it. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

02-22-2009, 01:57 AM	#23
Puropedo Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Prunedale California Posts: 782	Re: builders Mother nature and myself! No one else touches it!!! Last edited by Puropedo; 10-13-2009 at 02:40 PM.

02-22-2009, 02:02 AM	#24
GKsport67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta,Ga Posts: 660	Re: builders Im always out of pocket$$$$ __________________ www.gkautospa.com Like A Rock! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=397153 Last edited by GKsport67; 02-22-2009 at 02:02 AM.

02-22-2009, 02:11 AM	#25
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: builders Like most, I'll do everything I can do myself, but having said that, I went into this as much as a learning experience, so I will try to do some things that I don't really know much about. Somebody has the sig-'I'd rather do it myself and pay the extra $500' I think there is alot of satisfaction in doing it yourself. There is for me, anyway. And besides, with a resource like this board I learn more each day. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green Last edited by pritch; 02-22-2009 at 02:12 AM.

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