How did YOU do it?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Northwesst
How did YOU do it?
I love restoring old vehicles and I’m sure all of you do too. Unfortunately not all of us have a money tree growing out back. Restoring a vehicle takes time, persistence, and patience.
So please, if you would, explain your process and what you did that was unique.
So please, if you would, explain your process and what you did that was unique.
Last edited by curt.farmer712; Dec 13, 2010 at 10:47 PM. Reason: correction
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Unique to my situation? .......Ha! I'm in the suburbs and have a 10-foot side yard where I worked on reviving the F-Bomb. I did all I could on the front, rear, and driver's side like refinishing the front end, welding in new metal after cutting out the rust holes, suspension rebuild & lift, PS retrofit, and replacing the rear axle gaskets and seals. After that was done, I backed'er down into the street, backed it up the driveway (15 percent slope!) and then finished off the bodywork, mirror installation, header installation, exhaust fabrication (goes down the right frame rail and exits in front of the right rear tire) and spray-bombing the passenger side.
Pain in the ****? You bet. I envy those with lots of property. To that end, I make do with what I got and bet I have to strategize more than most of you guys.
Pain in the ****? You bet. I envy those with lots of property. To that end, I make do with what I got and bet I have to strategize more than most of you guys.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,286
Likes: 5,826
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
IMO
1. Have the space to work, its make is SO much better
2. Have 1 project to work on, lol
3. Make sure you do not bite off more than you can chew, unless you can pay for it.
4. Have a good general idea what you want, do not design as you go.
5. Prioritize mechanical 1st, eng/brakes/steering/suspension/frame/elec then body 2nd,
makes working on the inside easy and you do not have to worry about a paint scratch.
6. Have a lead on hard to get parts, or get what you know you are going to need ahead
of time, makes it alot easier when the time comes.
7. Set realistic goals, some things take more time than others, eng rebuild versus brake job.
8. Become one with FTE and a get a good set of shop manuals, on cd or hard copy.
9. Have a plan on life and truck time, one can take control of the other very easy.
And.......New rims and tires on a truck that won't run.......motivation to finish?
Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist in these rough economic times Ford trucks and parts abound.
That a 5 min brain storm IMO, some others will have different ideas. White board it and go for it, take alot of before, during and after shots cause we all like truck ****. And pictures are a great way to remember "how did that come apart"?
And having one pair of extra hands will go a mile when it comes time to put on header's or bleed brakes.
2. Have 1 project to work on, lol
3. Make sure you do not bite off more than you can chew, unless you can pay for it.
4. Have a good general idea what you want, do not design as you go.
5. Prioritize mechanical 1st, eng/brakes/steering/suspension/frame/elec then body 2nd,
makes working on the inside easy and you do not have to worry about a paint scratch.
6. Have a lead on hard to get parts, or get what you know you are going to need ahead
of time, makes it alot easier when the time comes.
7. Set realistic goals, some things take more time than others, eng rebuild versus brake job.
8. Become one with FTE and a get a good set of shop manuals, on cd or hard copy.
9. Have a plan on life and truck time, one can take control of the other very easy.
And.......New rims and tires on a truck that won't run.......motivation to finish?
Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist in these rough economic times Ford trucks and parts abound.
That a 5 min brain storm IMO, some others will have different ideas. White board it and go for it, take alot of before, during and after shots cause we all like truck ****. And pictures are a great way to remember "how did that come apart"?
And having one pair of extra hands will go a mile when it comes time to put on header's or bleed brakes.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
Plant the seed to grow the money tree right away.
I dont have the acreage problem but I do have a space problem. I have 4 outbuildings and all were built with a Model A or a chicken in mind.
I just try to do all the fab,welding,and really dirty jobs myself.
I dont see having the pride in your truck if you've paid someone else to do all the work, although it sounds good at times.
Keep focused on the small things like finishing up one small aspect of your project. Dont look at it as giant mess in your shop, just grab one part at a time and refinish it or replace the bolts or hardware. Move on to the next one.
I cant remember the last time I got as excited as the night we temporarily put my cab on. Now that was exciting.
I dont have the acreage problem but I do have a space problem. I have 4 outbuildings and all were built with a Model A or a chicken in mind.
I just try to do all the fab,welding,and really dirty jobs myself.
I dont see having the pride in your truck if you've paid someone else to do all the work, although it sounds good at times.
Keep focused on the small things like finishing up one small aspect of your project. Dont look at it as giant mess in your shop, just grab one part at a time and refinish it or replace the bolts or hardware. Move on to the next one.
I cant remember the last time I got as excited as the night we temporarily put my cab on. Now that was exciting.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 457
Likes: 7
From: Decatur, AL
I invest time in reclaiming as much of my truck as i can in original parts. I clean, polish, and buff everything. Many Many Many times. Bumper, chrome trim, aluminum trim, etc. Clean and clean before you look for other. i will rework as much as i can and save the original parts even if that means that it is not perfect. My truck looks good even now and it is by no means perfect.
Example. Saved my gas tank switching valve by just taking a lil time and cleaning the thing thorougly, inside and out. Works like a charm and saved maybe 80 bucks and got the useful feature back on my truck.
Find a salvage yard that has parts and invest in your relationship with them. Dont buy it all at once, make several smaller trips and stay and talk with the guys. Huge dividends when done right.
Example. Saved my gas tank switching valve by just taking a lil time and cleaning the thing thorougly, inside and out. Works like a charm and saved maybe 80 bucks and got the useful feature back on my truck.
Find a salvage yard that has parts and invest in your relationship with them. Dont buy it all at once, make several smaller trips and stay and talk with the guys. Huge dividends when done right.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Lowell, MI
Awesome advice.....My friend was on a first name basis with a couple yards around here.....got stuff from the secret stash more than once.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
I always keep a eye out for CHEAP parts vehicles that have things i need .... they also serve ,for me , as great manuals ... i make a hundred trips back to the parts rigs to see how the factory did things .... saved my bacon and i never got overwhelmed when i had more pieces lying around than completed truck ...
I also scrub and clean all my parts before i buy anything new - its easy and i get a great feeling when i bring something back from the dead...
I also scrub and clean all my parts before i buy anything new - its easy and i get a great feeling when i bring something back from the dead...
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
I ignored the theory of 'restoration' and built what I needed/wanted.... makes finding parts a lot easier if your modifying them anyway, and not brand conscious.. 
But to the technical side, since my current project is mostly a resto, No money tree is right, i don't even have a job. (never have had!) so I've learned to barter and trade, building a network of friends, acquantances, and 'good ol boys' that I know what they need, or use/drive, and have access to. pick up other trucks cheap/wrecked that don't interest me and part them out for cash...
Craigslist is THE single greatest resource i have ever seen for acquiring and getting rid of truck parts. Love it.
G.
But to the technical side, since my current project is mostly a resto, No money tree is right, i don't even have a job. (never have had!) so I've learned to barter and trade, building a network of friends, acquantances, and 'good ol boys' that I know what they need, or use/drive, and have access to. pick up other trucks cheap/wrecked that don't interest me and part them out for cash...
Craigslist is THE single greatest resource i have ever seen for acquiring and getting rid of truck parts. Love it.
G.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I have lots of property, but no buildings to keep my trucks dry. So to keep any/more rust from forming, I keep a space heater inside the cab, so that it stays dry and warmer than outside. If you have a parts truck, then you are in good shape. I am also a fan of finding things around our property and modifying them to work for what I am doing. An example being making a temp bed support out of timber, that will hold up until I can fab up a metal one.
So in other words, a place to keep it dry, and a parts truck (if you live an hour away from the nearest parts store like me). Don't bite off more than you can chew, and make sure that you have the finances to be able to do what you want.
So in other words, a place to keep it dry, and a parts truck (if you live an hour away from the nearest parts store like me). Don't bite off more than you can chew, and make sure that you have the finances to be able to do what you want.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
I ignored the theory of 'restoration' and built what I needed/wanted.... makes finding parts a lot easier if your modifying them anyway, and not brand conscious..
But to the technical side, since my current project is mostly a resto, No money tree is right, i don't even have a job. (never have had!) so I've learned to barter and trade, building a network of friends, acquantances, and 'good ol boys' that I know what they need, or use/drive, and have access to. pick up other trucks cheap/wrecked that don't interest me and part them out for cash...
Craigslist is THE single greatest resource i have ever seen for acquiring and getting rid of truck parts. Love it.
G.
But to the technical side, since my current project is mostly a resto, No money tree is right, i don't even have a job. (never have had!) so I've learned to barter and trade, building a network of friends, acquantances, and 'good ol boys' that I know what they need, or use/drive, and have access to. pick up other trucks cheap/wrecked that don't interest me and part them out for cash...
Craigslist is THE single greatest resource i have ever seen for acquiring and getting rid of truck parts. Love it.
G.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
1. Have the space to work, its make is SO much better
2. Have 1 project to work on, lol
3. Make sure you do not bite off more than you can chew, unless you can pay for it.
4. Have a good general idea what you want, do not design as you go.
5. Prioritize mechanical 1st, eng/brakes/steering/suspension/frame/elec then body 2nd,
makes working on the inside easy and you do not have to worry about a paint scratch.
6. Have a lead on hard to get parts, or get what you know you are going to need ahead
of time, makes it alot easier when the time comes.
7. Set realistic goals, some things take more time than others, eng rebuild versus brake job.
8. Become one with FTE and a get a good set of shop manuals, on cd or hard copy.
9. Have a plan on life and truck time, one can take control of the other very easy.
And.......New rims and tires on a truck that won't run.......motivation to finish?
Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist in these rough economic times Ford trucks and parts abound.
That a 5 min brain storm IMO, some others will have different ideas. White board it and go for it, take alot of before, during and after shots cause we all like truck ****. And pictures are a great way to remember "how did that come apart"?
And having one pair of extra hands will go a mile when it comes time to put on header's or bleed brakes.
2. Have 1 project to work on, lol
3. Make sure you do not bite off more than you can chew, unless you can pay for it.
4. Have a good general idea what you want, do not design as you go.
5. Prioritize mechanical 1st, eng/brakes/steering/suspension/frame/elec then body 2nd,
makes working on the inside easy and you do not have to worry about a paint scratch.
6. Have a lead on hard to get parts, or get what you know you are going to need ahead
of time, makes it alot easier when the time comes.
7. Set realistic goals, some things take more time than others, eng rebuild versus brake job.
8. Become one with FTE and a get a good set of shop manuals, on cd or hard copy.
9. Have a plan on life and truck time, one can take control of the other very easy.
And.......New rims and tires on a truck that won't run.......motivation to finish?
Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist in these rough economic times Ford trucks and parts abound.
That a 5 min brain storm IMO, some others will have different ideas. White board it and go for it, take alot of before, during and after shots cause we all like truck ****. And pictures are a great way to remember "how did that come apart"?
And having one pair of extra hands will go a mile when it comes time to put on header's or bleed brakes.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
Not a full on restoration, but the most i could do in a gravel parking lot without getting a ticket and before the winter hit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
Not a full on restoration, but the most i could do in a gravel parking lot without getting a ticket and before the winter hit.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
I know I was impressed with what you did in a stone lot!!
