Frame off resto help needed!

[riz]

I have never torn a vehicle down to the frame and built it back up with new components........What sort or order or plan should I follow? I want to do it right but have no idea how to do it to keep me on track. Currently it has no interior. I will be adding a McGaughey's 4.5 / 6 static drop with either 18s or 20s. I want to do it right and keep myself moving forward and avoid as many pitfalls as I can along the way. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

RIZ

[Stew_Magoo]

Step one: establish a budget.
Step two: double your budget.

[notallthere]

Plastic bins and organization. Take out stock in sharpies. I have disassembled my Chevelle and all of the components are in boxes and totes with toe tags on them to keep track of all of the parts. As I restore a part I put the tag back on it. Also figure out the direction you want to go so you do not waste money on parts you do not need.

1 disassemble the entire truck and keep track of all of the parts.

2. Survey the parts and the vehicle as to what you are going to need to get the job done.

3. Make a parts list of have to have and nice to have. Nice to have can wait until the truck is running and back on the road. For me and the Chevelle is air conditioning.

4 Start re-assembly from the ground up.

[old Rusty C10]

what I would do is to do each item section by section.. Id get all the parts for the drop and put that toegether... While youve got the suspension off id clean the frame and put on your frame paint and assemble it... I personally found if i did things in some kind of order and was able to keep the truck running and usable while i was doing it i still had a truck to use and i was able to keep myself interested. the truck i tore to shreds and started building up all in one shot became too overwhelming for me

[Zebb]

Take lots of pictures so you can reference them if you need too.

[AntiGov]

Originally Posted by Stew_Magoo

Step one: establish a budget.
Step two: double your budget.

i agree with stew-magoo......there will be obvious things you will need to replace and the ten other parts conected to that part may need replaced while apart so you dont have to go back in later


put all your screws and fasteners in zip locks and mark with sharpie

[xrcr]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stew_Magoo
Step one: establish a budget.
Step two: double your budget.

I agree with everything. I also have a Chassis/service manual for my year. It's helpful on some stuff. This forum is another great resource

[motornut]

i found a small sand blaster great for cleaning things up

[ringger14]

What always helped me from loosing bolts washers and screws is once you take the part off, put the fastener right back in the hole. Obviously take it out if you need to sand or paint that area, but where it came from is the best spot to keep it. Like it has been said before, do a section at a time. Itll look like a big mess at times but dont let it get you down. The hardest part about doing most things is getting the guts to try it the first time! Dig in! lol

[Telecasterjoey]

Originally Posted by ringger14

What always helped me from loosing bolts washers and screws is once you take the part off, put the fastener right back in the hole.

The hardest part about doing most things is getting the guts to try it the first time! Dig in! lol

X2! after restoring mine I wish I knew then what I know now about these squares lol. I'm helping a buddy do his and its way easier the second time around.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by Stew_Magoo

Step one: establish a budget.
Step two: double your budget.

I can testify to this.....especially if any NOS parts are involved

[Tucson38]

Originally Posted by Telecasterjoey

X2! after restoring mine I wish I knew then what I know now about these squares lol. I'm helping a buddy do his and its way easier the second time around.

That's true about most things in life isn't it?