Totally understand your frustration.
Parts hunt can be a fun process when unique and rare items are found and purchased.
The cost of everything (shop, tools, materials & supplies, electricity, taxes, fuel, insurance, and on, and on...) is taking the fun out of this hobby, and any hobby.
You should hold true to your valuation of those rare parts and trucks.
People WILL PAY your price for such rare and great items.
As I said, we folks up here in the rust belt know the value of good parts and vehicles, since they just don't exist up here in any condition so we have to pay for good stuff - thats the way it is... Shipping across the border is another additional "Gouge" as you say.
I'm always amazed when I hear you folks saying you'll sell someone in the USA a component and include "Free Shipping in the lower 48"
But I digress, your shop expenses are seemingly high but having the canopy to use while working outside would be money well spent.
In those prices I suggested to you a while ago I forgotto mention the cost of a full (bare) frame or of a rolling chassis but those aren't cheap - you need to go higher than $2,000 for your rollers.
Anyway, I admire your attention to details and really like your restoration skills and project choices, though I prefer the original restoration theme moreso than the modern new/old blending projects but you have done a stellar job with your modern day ecoboost rendition of a classic truck that rivals any so-called "Pro-Shop" build.

I wish you the best of luck choosing and selling some of your inventory to sponsor your retirement.
Do you have any UNIBODY PARTS?

Thank you, Pete

 

I guess there is no cure.

 

thanks for that!

I did have a very nice complete’61 uni custom cab shortbed but sold it to guy in Canada 🇨🇦

I do have a couple stock restorations for myself but cost to restore to original is just so expensive. I decided Rainbow 🌈 Ranger will go back bone stock because it was so nice less the right bedside which I found NOS. So buried in time & $$ I will never sell. Chassis done but gotta paint it. Too hot this time of year. And sooo much else to do!

 

Good progress on the 540” TT B9 not a ‘66
but some may want to see update.

 

At this point you're making it hard for us mortals to feel bad for a guy who had to put up a tarp to work outside in the heat. Do you sleep like Einstein, only naps?

 

WOW! It's been nearly a year since I have been able to do much to truck. Few pics coming up. Sold the 65 and also the '66 short bed.

 

Added a Redhead 16:1 steering box too! That should help a bunch along with the road race type sway bar.

 

Built a 27 gallon fuel tank so will have total of 46 gallons. That should take me 900+ miles per fill! Tank pics are prior to baffling.
Also added a 83% larger intercooler from Garrett.
In process of modifying the inner fenders now to get all the Raptor parts to fit.
Undercarriage is pretty much done. Just a bit of cleanup of hoses, tubes and wires. Had to add a carrier bearing to the short bed to hold the power. Hoping for 600/600 at tire on E50.
Goal is within next week to have front clip inner sheet metal in paint. Fair amount of metal work to get the large AGM battery, PCM, PJB to fit on right apron. Had to rotate the battery 90 deg because the radiator is so wide. 42" vs 26" stock one.

 

Bit of progress on the Raptor engine swap.

 

Getting close and as always beautiful work.

 

thanks!

have the ‘66 CC bezel blended with 2018-20 cluster.



Black ring version.



Silver ring version. Cost was about 3.00 to convert.

 

 

Even if progress is slow, it’s still amazing to see. Thanks again for sharing!

 

Very nice work. Was wondering about this the other day.

 

thanks! Plugging along.