No doubt! I bought a 54 Panel and it just sits there. No room and not near enough time. It already has the suspension done, a SBF with C4, 9" rear, drive shaft, and good body except for one of the back doors and missing one hinge. I am getting close to getting the 52 done and driving but I often think about selling the panel since I feel guilty that it just sits there!

 

No problem that it sits there Topper, just concentrate on the 52, I'm finding this second one is going plenty fast enough but sorry I can't afford to do a third one...lol as much as I'd like to.

 

I think the one great thing it did was got full partisipation from my sons knowing they each had their own truck.

 

It's good if you have kids that are interested and want to crank on wrenches with you. Many kids don't have any interest until it's complete and want you to hand over the keys..

 

Agreed. One project is expensive enough. My problem is I was buying them up at a time that prices were set to skyrocket, IE Barrett-Jackson-itis. But now that I think I'm done with that, it's time to start.

 

Usually by the time you finish one you realize buying one off Barrett- Jackson might have been a better deal...lol I should have quite after the panel with what it cost me but now deeply committed to this pickup..

 

2 years for me as well but I knew I turned a corner when I was able to start throwing away packaging for parts I ordered! Small victories!

 

its been a little over a year on my 56. started it for the first time today.

 

I gather that you kept track of the hours doing your truck. The only restoration/build that I kept track of was a 38 Woodie, that was 1700 hours and basically stock. I did not keep track of my hours (over a 10 year period) on Willard, my 49, but I am confident that it was north of 2000 hours. At least in my case a restoration takes less time than a custom build. I do my own body and paint and that is significant time. I did do another ground up and a boat during the 10 years. I enjoy the project and really enjoy use of the completed project.

 

Things never go as planed unless it's just me. I bought the truck fall of 2011 and wanted to have it up and drivable in 2 - 2 1/2 years. Here it is going into the summer of 2016 and still not done. Close though.. hope before the end of summer we are driving it. Already want to do another one but also have other 'projects' in mind too

 

I've decided that what I need is a second truck that I can drive around while I work on the first truck. Then when the first truck is done, I can go back and work on the second one.

I'm sure my wife won't object to this plan at all...

 

So I finally got my truck back from being professionally wired, was a two week job, and a bunch of $$, but bottom line was it was over my head and had to have someone do it. Next I'm going to attempt to put in my back glass myself, and get a professional do install the front windshield, then figure out the drive shaft, exhaust & Power Steering and should be ready to test, then door weather stripping, Bed wood, interior etc. now, if only I had one of them Velocity TV shows it would be done in a couple days..but unfortunately...it'll be a couple months.

 

I am approaching 2 years on my 52. First thing I did was rewire the mess under the hood to get the alternator to work. Banged out a couple severe dents. Converted the master cylinder to a dual reservoir. Sold the old house and moved. lol Planning to start over with an Explorer frame/running gear since I have a shortened F4 frame under it now.

 

Ever get done ? Hades in my case i should have never freaking started !!! My 53 was a running and driving truck that i beat on daily and had a great time doing so ...... It has been 7 years now i think it has been apart ........


dcp 3072

 

Wait I thought we got these so we had something to do when our wife's kicked us out of the house. Also when the in-laws are visiting. Seems to be the only times I find time to work on mine!