restoration costs
New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: grand island, fl
Cost?
I have a 78 - 250 4x4 and I have spent approx 6,000.00 with another 2,000 or 3,000 to go. Had to stop for a while so some of the new cost will be cleaning it up again. It is a pain but so much fun. I have owned the truck since 1980 and think it will be around for a long time.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
just hearing all these stories makes me drewl, i wish i could do this to my truck, its not that it needs it i just want a 78 P/U that is all newish, i like the way it is right now, nothing is wrong with it, just want it to be "new", since i wasent alive in 78 so had no chance of gettin it new. what i realyl want is jsut functional, not so much care about the looks, i mean as it sits my truck has been rattle canned flat black and i love the look.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: El Paso
Well all I can tell you is to not give up hope, keep plugin at it! Hell it's almost Christmas and if you haven't already asked for anything maybe you could lay down some subtle hints or not so subtle. For all other sakes do it your damn self, you'll get a lot more out of it and appreciate it a whole lot more. "What you can do, do! What you can't, learn how!"
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 3
i have never realy sat down and "totaled up the bills" for all my trucks/cars including restro parts,complete parts trucks,cost of trucks, paint/body,transportation ect ect ect but its in the 10.000 to 30,000 range per truck as i have some big ticket items
including 15,000 drive train on my 79 f250 [501 stoker/built c6]gearvender over drive]
its worst when i am from canada as i pay a lot of shipping costs/border fees as a lot of these parts are not available here but i told the wife 20 years ago "to do it right it going to cost money" and your right it is an expensive hobby but what isnt? the only good thing is i see prices riseing for these trucks the last few years in this part of the world [alberta]
including 15,000 drive train on my 79 f250 [501 stoker/built c6]gearvender over drive]
its worst when i am from canada as i pay a lot of shipping costs/border fees as a lot of these parts are not available here but i told the wife 20 years ago "to do it right it going to cost money" and your right it is an expensive hobby but what isnt? the only good thing is i see prices riseing for these trucks the last few years in this part of the world [alberta]
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Our trucks as our hobbies, that's why we buy them. Just like any hobby, you just toss money in it and it keeps you young, happy and healthy.
So far I spent $16,497.90 in the 5 years I've owned it. Most of that money was spent over the last 2 years as I got ambitious and really wanted to get this project going. This winter it will get a new paint job $4000. New engine $2000 - $3000. I'm also going to replace some of the interior parts such as a dash pad and instrument bezel.
It just adds up but it's cheaper than flying a helicopter for a hobby which is what I would do if I didn't have Candy Cane to keep me grounded. (Note, I would probably spend 5 times that in one year just to keep my hours current)
So far I spent $16,497.90 in the 5 years I've owned it. Most of that money was spent over the last 2 years as I got ambitious and really wanted to get this project going. This winter it will get a new paint job $4000. New engine $2000 - $3000. I'm also going to replace some of the interior parts such as a dash pad and instrument bezel.
It just adds up but it's cheaper than flying a helicopter for a hobby which is what I would do if I didn't have Candy Cane to keep me grounded. (Note, I would probably spend 5 times that in one year just to keep my hours current)
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: in country near Boone, IA
I've finished the complete restoration / rebuild of my '78 F250 Crewcab 4x4 this summer. Here is a few pics of it, before and after. I have not added up the HUGE stack of receipts, but my guess is probably in the neighborhood of ~$40,000, that is a guess only. And that is not counting any of my time spent on the project, of which I had a ton of hours.
You can see more pics in my Gallery.
You can see more pics in my Gallery.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
I bought it like this for $500
Spent $400 in parts and stuff getting it running and looking like this.
Since the 390 was still unhealthy and needing to rebuild the steering and brakes, I got started with the tear down and the "resto" process.
The more I kept pulling off that truck, the more I was reminded this is gona cost more than the wife will want to allow.
This is where I had to stop because of the weather..it's gettin really cold....no garage, just open air.
At least it's a rolling chassis though.
As of right now, the motor is almost rebuilt. Basic 390 nothing special and the frontend is complete. I have so many new parts laying around the I look like AutoZone inside the house and a junkyard outside the house.
Total in parts and rebuild at this point is well over $4000 and it's not even close to "SAFE" much less road or off-road worthy. In all, for it to be a daily driver minus the paint and nicer interior it's still gona be another $3000 or so.
As my wife has stated many times during this project.....Why didn't you just buy one that was driveable and already done up?
My response is.... Because it wouldn't be MINE!!
Good luck with what ever you decide to do with yours. You can definatly spend a pretty penny with a 2wd resto or a 4x4 mud monster...
Spent $400 in parts and stuff getting it running and looking like this.
Since the 390 was still unhealthy and needing to rebuild the steering and brakes, I got started with the tear down and the "resto" process.
The more I kept pulling off that truck, the more I was reminded this is gona cost more than the wife will want to allow.
This is where I had to stop because of the weather..it's gettin really cold....no garage, just open air.
At least it's a rolling chassis though.As of right now, the motor is almost rebuilt. Basic 390 nothing special and the frontend is complete. I have so many new parts laying around the I look like AutoZone inside the house and a junkyard outside the house.
Total in parts and rebuild at this point is well over $4000 and it's not even close to "SAFE" much less road or off-road worthy. In all, for it to be a daily driver minus the paint and nicer interior it's still gona be another $3000 or so. As my wife has stated many times during this project.....Why didn't you just buy one that was driveable and already done up?
My response is.... Because it wouldn't be MINE!!
Good luck with what ever you decide to do with yours. You can definatly spend a pretty penny with a 2wd resto or a 4x4 mud monster...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
My Dad put about $10,000 into the Bronco and I have about $4,000 into the F150 so far.
My perspective is I could be out spending $60,000 on a new F-350 crew cab that I can't work on and is expensive to maintain or I could put $10,000 into a old dent and be just as good with the right accesories. Also I'm never bored, cause if I have free time it's truck time. I work with my dad to so that is a bonus too.
My perspective is I could be out spending $60,000 on a new F-350 crew cab that I can't work on and is expensive to maintain or I could put $10,000 into a old dent and be just as good with the right accesories. Also I'm never bored, cause if I have free time it's truck time. I work with my dad to so that is a bonus too.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I'd rather spend $300 a month on parts than living with a monthly truck payment and higher insurance costs. There is the reliability factor but these rigs have character.
Cost to replace a C6? About $900... the cost to replace a 4R70W? $3000.
Cost to replace a C6? About $900... the cost to replace a 4R70W? $3000.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
I do this for my own satisfaction, surely not to make money. I do my best to return as many vehicles to the road as possible, in spite of the governments efforts to remove them. Some people golf, I replace rust.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 3
Hello
There is alot of good info in this whole topic. I would just like to point out what I found out about my truck. I looked up the value on NADA of one in excellent finished shape. To my suprise the value is pretty low. So what I am saying is if you are gonna do this for a profit you may wanna consider a different type of vehicle because 8000 comes pretty quick when redoing anything. I know most of you are doing it for the same reasons as me but I just found this interesting.
1979 Ford F150 Custom 1/2 Ton Supercab Pickup Prices, Values & Specs - NADAguides
There is alot of good info in this whole topic. I would just like to point out what I found out about my truck. I looked up the value on NADA of one in excellent finished shape. To my suprise the value is pretty low. So what I am saying is if you are gonna do this for a profit you may wanna consider a different type of vehicle because 8000 comes pretty quick when redoing anything. I know most of you are doing it for the same reasons as me but I just found this interesting.
1979 Ford F150 Custom 1/2 Ton Supercab Pickup Prices, Values & Specs - NADAguides
Last edited by Fair 96; Dec 11, 2011 at 04:34 PM. Reason: spelling
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock, CO
I agree with most of the guys here that this is a hobby and a passion. My dad had Ford trucks and my trucks remind me of my dad and I working on them. When I work on my truck, I'm usually alone or my son is helping me. It's peaceful and a huge stress reliever. I like a challenge and creating value. While I have to watch the $$$$ and spend a litte here and a little there, it's not about the $ value of the truck but about meeting good folks and just having fun. My wife doesn't quite get it and sometimes thinks its a waste of time and money but at the end of the day, she see's it as something that keeps me home and safe instead of chasing women or blowing the monthly mortgage on alcohol or gamblin. I don't really know how much I've spent on my trucks and I guess I don't really care. I think it's something that's just in your blood...you either are obsessed or don't give a hoot. My dad was obsessed, I'm obsessed, and my son is obsessed...go figure.