How Many Folks Building "Beaters"
#16
I started out to make a beater because I will use it for my everyday work truck. I upgraded suspension, existing sbc engine, brakes, and rear end. I decided to paint it while I had it all apart so I painted it after cleaning it up and rust encapsulating all the insides and bottom. Then I decided to paint it, but I painted it myself and I am far from a paint and body professional. It will look ok from 10 feet, just don't expect a flawless paint job.
#17
#18
The camper is called a teardrop and I built it in 08 to be pulled by my 53. You can find some pics of it in post #18 of this thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...orge-tn-2.html
#19
#20
My truck is a beat beater... maybe a beat up beater. I got it from my aunt 15 yrs ago a week before she was gonna scrap it, did'nt even know she had it. Trailered it 200 mile home and had a great time fixing it up. I made it safe, relitively safe, brakes, brake lines, bearings, tires, wiring harness, windows. Since it was my first attemp at body work, welding, bonbo, paint, etc. it looks like a well used dump truck but i love it! It runs maybe 80 % of the time.....
#23
#26
Another is the fact that when I take it to shows folks can bend over the fender and take a look at what I have done, there is no little sign that says "DO NOT TOUCH". I have noticed at a lot of shows the beaters or project trucks get much more attention because of this.
But, the main reason mine hasn't been painted is the fact that I have way too much fun driving it to tear it apart for paint and body work
#27
mechmagcn- I think you said it best right there. "I have way too much fun driving it to tear it apart for paint and body work" I've been thinking that lately...
I'd say mines a beater most definately, and yes, I'm gonna haul stuff in it, park in the front of the parking lot, pretty much treat it like my daily driver.
Maybe... just maybe someday it will get painted.
I'd say mines a beater most definately, and yes, I'm gonna haul stuff in it, park in the front of the parking lot, pretty much treat it like my daily driver.
Maybe... just maybe someday it will get painted.
#28
My '50 will be a "beater" or maybe you could call it a "farmer restoration". Not much of a patina left as the PO sprayed it, chrome, glass, and all, with red lead primer. Will get it safe to drive, repair all of the rust holes and a 20 footer paint job. At 71 years of age, I want to have a little time to drive and enjoy it. Hope to have it on the road this summer. Still need to finish the brakes and rewire to change to 12V. The body work and paint will come after I have driven it for a while. It's a pretty solid old truck. Low mileage, 226 flat 6 with a 3 speed. Only bad rust is the normal places on the fenders. Planning on forest green hood, body and bed with black fenders and running boards.
Gil
Gil
#29