Where to begin?

[jarkill]

Now that i seem to be done fixing all of my friends four wheelers and dirt bikes, i thought i might pull the truck out and give it a look over in the daylight. My motivation was quickly distroyed by the overwhelming amount of work needed to be done. I am at the point now where i need to buy a clutch and fly wheel in order to start puting the front end back together, That is the easy part. The hard part is figuring out where to start on the rest of the truck. Any ideas? And what keeps you guy's motivated to get out there and tackle it?

[Clyde65]

Set yourself small goals. the first being getting the truck running and driving. once it is driving, then set more goals. If you get it driving then the truck is more enjoyable and you get paid for your investment to that date, then you work on the next goal and upon completion of that goal, you get paid for the, etc etc.

If you blow it apart and start from there, you have a hard time getting paid through the goals, it will overwhelm you and fast.

[Heater63]

Unless you want to commit to a frame off restoration, just get it running so you can use and enjoy the truck. That will motivate you!
Always repair safety issues first, like a brake upgrade, rebuilding steering, etc
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[jimmydean]

I tell my wife that there are 2 lists in the garage:

1. Things I want to do to the truck

2. Things the truck needs to keep it on the road

There are lots of overlap, of course. But I don't have unlimited time/money/space to be able to just knock it out in one swoop (I wish I could).

I love driving my truck an every little thing I do to it makes driving it more and more fun. I installed a set of new shocks on Sunday ($50) and now I don't bounce down the road. I fixed a bunch of busted springs in the bench seat (8 zip ties) and now I don't lean to the left.

I made a pretty extensive list I have hanging above the bench. As things get marked off, the list gets shorter. I started this project with a general idea of what I wanted and let the truck shape itself up into what it should be when I'm all done.

Please tell me at some point I'll be "done".

[Clyde65]

you will my friend you will!

[smilts60]

I like to make a plan that is focused on steps. That way at the end of each step i can look back and say, hey step one down, step two down and so on. makes me feel better being able to check stuff off my list and know Im making progress.

[jarkill]

Good advice guy's i love it! I guess my problem is that when i am waiting to find parts (or money) i keep looking at the whole thing at once and getting blown away. Some of my motivation stems from having to move the darn thing everytime i need to use my TINY garage.

[Clyde65]

Jarkill, Tell us what needs to be done to get it running and safe.

[jarkill]

Just need to save a couple more bucks and buy my clutch and flywheel setup, then put the engine in, plumb and wire, Brakes, May need a little custom driveline work, Really thats about it to get her back to life.

[tenni126]

Between old motorcycles, boats, and the honey-do list, I always have (as does everyone) lots of projects going at the same time. When I get overwhelmed (often), it helps to just pick something small (clean and paint the heater box, for instance) that you can do easily and has a recognizable result. It just takes the mental edge off until you get time and resources in the same place for the larger jobs. That, and just f!@*ing do it already!

[Clyde65]

jarkill, seems like you have set yourself a few goals already.

1. Clutch/flywheel
2. Attach tranny to motor
3. Put motor in truck
4. plumb and wire motor

[jarkill]

Yeah! I have alot of just do it already moments, Then i end up standing there looking at it for an hour and drink beer.

[jarkill]

Yeah i guess you right. I just got to dive in and get after it.

[Clyde65]

When I was doing my LSx swap, I was just like you are now. but I found if I spent 1hr a night doing something, ANYTHING I would be done soon. I did just that, now I am driving and enjoying. does he need more stuff, hell yea! but I am able to do those things as money and time allows. I wish I was closer, I could come help you drink your beer....I mean with your truck, yea with your truck.

[jarkill]

HaHa! Yeah i could use the help with both HaHa! I appriciate the knowledge. I hope to get back to work on it very soon and post a build thread on it to show the progress. Almost got all i need to get it running.

[glos55]

Hey jarkill,
What route are you taking? All orig? Custom? Taildragging? Slammed with wheels and faded paint? Once you decide I would get her on the road first and safe with seatbelts, updated brakes then dive in as your money and time allows!!!!

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

When I was doing my LSx swap, I was just like you are now. but I found if I spent 1hr a night doing something, ANYTHING I would be done soon.

That's kinda how I am doing it. Like last weekend it was nice, so I could work on the truck (it doesn't even fit in my garage, so I'm in the driveway). But the weekend before it was raining, so I worked on getting my fiberglass pods built for my speakers. Didn't cost any money as I used scrap glass mat I had and some resin.

2 weeks before that I built my kick panels. There are so many little somethings to keep me busy at this stage that cost little or no money while I save for my big ticket items.

But as others said, small goals can be est because you get early wins often.

[jarkill]

Well glos55, I would like to do a custom kinda ratty but i want to keep it 3/4 ton. I plan on using this truck as well as show it off. And to tell the truth ive kinda fell in love with the color. As far as wheels i havent given it much thought. I will most likely be stuck with the ones it has for a while. Ill just clean em up.

[Clyde65]

hey! that is something you can do for free! clean up the wheels, maybe throw some paint/polish at them? instant gratification dude, your really thinking now!

[jarkill]

I know what your saying jimmydean, i have alot of stuff i can do that doesnt cost money and i have been slowly knockin em out. I have enough grime scraping in the engine compartment to last me coon's age. But i cant help but sit back and think "this will never end"! I love these trucks and my dad stew64 does too and it has helped me keep going.

[jarkill]

Ha! good idea clyde65! That would be a nice break from scraping crap off my frame! You are starting to get me remotivated thanks!

[Clyde65]

well, like I said if we were closer I could come kick you in the tail and drink your beer....wait, that didnt sound like it did earlier...I just remember beer, thats it..only beer.

[jarkill]

Ha! Sounds good if your ever in washington looking at rust buckets look me up. I always have plenty of beer...er...uh...WORK.....yeah work to do.

[Clyde65]

cool! I would love to, my daughter lives in Northern Cali so a visit to her, might be a visit close to your beer, I mean you. nuts, I got beer on the brain.

[jarkill]

Thank so do i and im still at work Doh!