What was the extent of your restoration and how much did it cost?

 

The sky is the limit, Spend it like your giving it away because you won't ever get all your money back.

I just did a frame off, total restoration, everything is new that could be bought, Including the price of the truck, I quit counting at $20,000 because the wife kept asking how much I was spending and now I don't have to lie to her because I really don't know. The short answer is "It ain't Cheap"

The best part is when you think your done, not really. After driving it a few months I decided it needed more power so I bought a 68 T-Bird 390, it's in the machine shop as I write this being rebuilt, Not going to be a radical rebuild but it will have new pistons, Comp Cam Kit, Eledbrock Intake with a Holley Carb, Header's, new Exhaust and a new Mini Starter to clear the headers, Like I said it never ends..........

Here's some pictures, You be the judge but I think it's worth every dollar I spent.

 

Thanks for sharing, you have a very nice truck! I've had my F100 since high school, 1996. She's getting to be in poor shape so I'm about ready to start restoration but I haven't decided how far I will go yet.

 

Alot depends on your personal skills. What tools and facilities you have available. If you need to pay everyone else to do it for you, your better off buying a completed project cost wise. But then it won't be your old truck, but someone elses.
I personally HATE bondo. New metal or leave it rusty

My personal skills are mechanical and not body work so I saved in that area and can't afford to have body work done.

Resto costs can be as low as a few thousand total if you need very little, or like above 20K plus.

 

Think of it in perspective, what would a new truck cost and would it be as good?

 

Great point 1972redneck, I started with an oil pan gasket and just completed shortening a drive shaft with a ton of work and parts in between not to mention its been since September that I started. I miss driving my truck! I did most the work myself except the driveshaft to reduce cost and yet it was still in thousands. Nearly all of my paint budget was dumped into the engine and tranny and I'm glad it did, I've decided to leave the exterior in its current state looking like a "gardeners truck" as many of my freind have called it. Now it's a sleeper, hehe.

 

What's your budget? What kind of restoration were you going to do? Frame off? Re-do every nut bolt and washer? Are you going to make sure everything is correct like it rolled off the line? What year is your truck?
I remember these words from a wise old Ford truck Guru, "Whatever your budget is, double it, now add 10% and you still won't have enough"
Depending on availability of parts, labor, time and QUALITY will be your bottom dollar.

 

Think of what the end goal for the truck is. I have a '69 F250 and I have converted the front brakes from drum to disc, new carpet, new ABS firewall cover, a Higliner headliner from LMC with a CB in it, and a modern stereo in the dash. I installed a Pertronix Ignitor points eliminator kit. I plan on high back bucket seats, power windows and door locks, and repainting it dark Hunter Green and off-white. I will be adding AC with a modern Sanden style compressor under the hood, and will be rebuilding the rear brakes.
I guess I'm resto-modding it.
Others would cringe at anything other than a total frame off, concourse correct numbers matching rebuild.
Other like to slam the truck and get it as low as they can, while others want to get it so high they need an extension ladder to get in!
I guess what I'm getting at is: sit down and plan out what you want the truck to be. Then you will have an idea of what to shop for, and start to get an idea of the cost of parts. These old trucks are really not too hard to work on. Much of the work you could do yourself. And the cost can be spread out over several years. One thing I would highly recommend is to do the mechanical's first, then do the cosmetics. A safe truck is more fun to drive, and you can enjoy it while restoring it.
Good luck!

 

Thank you all for your replies. I think at this point I would be happy just to fix the dents/rust, paint and new seals. I'll probably get a few quotes from some body shops soon. I can do everything but bodywork and most of the mechanical I have kept in good shape. I can't weld (will look like a porcupine if I do) and I drive myself crazy with bodywork.

Has anyone had extensive bodywork and paint done recently? If so, how much did you spend?

 

I'm with tpdaniels, stopped keeping receipts when it go into the territory where it put my marriage at risk (the truck is only a little older than my marriage). Yes, I could have bought a new truck for not much more, but then I'd have the same truck everyone else has.

Kept it most true to original:

• replaced the 360 with a 410 from a 66 or 67 Mercury, some porting, polishing and port matching, 390 GT heads, headers, electronic ignition.
• added power brake booster from a 69 F250
• replaced the buckets with a bench (better seat height for me and room for my dog)
• power assist off a 73 (needed it with the bigger rubber I put on, and new rims)
• took the emblems and side reflectors off sides of the hood
• had to use a Ranger grille (mine was a Custom)
• replaced the headliner with one from LMC that takes 4 speakers and a stereo so I could leave the original Philco Ford AM radio in the dash
• replaced the rectangular tailights with 40's style blue dot shields
• hid a new pair of reverse lights in the rolled lip of the box
• dual exhaust
• replaced the bed with synthetic deck planks (she is not garaged, wanted something that would stand up to snow)
• replaced the big painted rear bumper with a small chrome one
• oh yes, it isn't yellow anymore

The dyno was at the wheels, we did it to get the timing dialed in right. She made 328 ft-lbs at 3000 rpm, 227 hp at 4400. Any more and I'd probably kill myself given the way she handles, brakes, and steers!

Paul.

 

Sometimes you are better off and buy one already restored. If you buy one of these trucks in restorable condition, your going to be looking at around $20k + when it's said and done.....I've seen restored trucks go for $16k.....All you have to do is pay and enjoy instead of spending all that time and money into doing a restore and end up loosing your money at selling time. But restoring them is the fun part.

 

I think your truck looks sharp. Some I've seen where they have spent a boatload of money on them and I don't really care for them. To each his own, I guess. You've got good taste. Nicely done.

 

So far, my total cost with the truck is:

Truck: $1000
Tow: $65
Wipers: $10
Open air filter: $30
Air filter gasket: $2

Total: $1107

But it needs way more

 

But you have a very beautiful truck!

 

Some nice looking trucks guys.
I don't know if mine will ever get to that state but it's my daily driver.
I know I am about $1,500 total in mine, not including gas.