How long does it take most guys that build their trucks at home. I'm not talking about the guys with lifts and shops with guys helping on the payroll just the guy who has a home garage and builds it after work and weekends.

 

I've been working on mine since the summer of 2004. I still have a ways to go.

I hope to have it on the road in another month, but it still won't be done.
Mark

 

My '51 took five years, mostly collecting parts and dealing with horrifying body shops.
The '49 I bought in late 2015 and 2-1/2 years later I have a running/driving chassis and a painted empty cab mounted on the frame. Once again, a body shop is part of the reason for the long assembly time.
But I work all by myself mostly, in my driveway and one-bay garage - using caveman tools.
Tom

 

Been on my truck project since 2010 so far. It has been a long time. I keep saying...I'm picking up steam...but I'm foolin' myself...lol...I'm more than anxious to get more done than I actually do. I'm getting older and slowing down. Don't have the stamina I had in my 20's...a big thing for me is...no credit card build...work by myself mostly. Occasionally some help from the nieghbor lifting or whatnot. Nobody in my life has the mechanical apptitude to be of assistance. Still working on it here and there. Still waiting for the cash to move forward. Still have a solid vision in my head. Just gotta keep picking away at it. Plans change. Longbed then shortbed. 351W then 302. Steel then fiberglass then steel. Simple changes cause a multitude of chain reaction changes.
buying better tooling to do a better job. I just love the process of the build and how it has evolved from simple to time consuming. Learning so much along the way.

 

Bought my 51 f1 in 2009 but didn't get started until 2010. Had back surgery in 2011. Not much happened in 2011 and some of 2012. Retired in 2013 and went full steam ahead at a little more than a snail's pace. Like many here, I had good intentions but mostly working by myself, I am slow to get things accomplished.

I have learned so much, fabrication was fun but challenging with limited tools. Many mistakes and re-dos.

Still plugging away - doing body work - really slow but still learning. Hope to have it drivable this year. Don't know if it will ever be done.

Keep plugging away

Thanks

Dan

 

I have been working on my for a little over 15 years. For five years due to having three knee replacements done, 2 right because dr. messed the first one up and one left. I didn't touch it for five years.

 

Been building mine for just over 2 years by myself. It is not even a rolling chassis yet and I can see no end in sight. I will never give up though. Biggest lesson I have learned is that I may be slow but waiting for other people to do stuff for me is an entirely pointless exercise. I love to see people on here posting about completing their projects. It is inspiring.

 

I think I'm at 15 years. I would say it took 13 before I was able to get it licensed.
Of course life has happened a lot to slow progress and the money thing as well.

 

you guys are all new builders !!! rolled it off the trailer into the yard in 1995 . There were a few gaps in the progress from 1 month to 2 or 3 years and a couple of backups to hack things out and redo (my specialty) Should finish this year

 

Well, everything is relative, of course. I started on my truck in February 2017, got it "done" in June 2018. But of course it is far from done... I think it's easier to keep motivated when there is good progress. My truck isn't painted and looks like it was pulled from a field but it is a lot of fun. I may plan to work on it during the winter months and maybe paint it and everything, but I doubt it... If only people would quit calling it Mater!!

Bringing it home.


Done! yeah,right....

 

You know I myself am working on 2 at the same time . While everyone has been telling me concentrate on just one it doesn't work like that with 2 sons. At times we can't go farther on the one so time would be wasted. Also with sons close in age you get the I'm not working on the same truck as him routine sometimes.Keeping them interested and focused is a chore at times.if any of you have seen the Coe thread you know I started out with a basket case to teach them skills. I think you can do 2 trucks in just 1/3 more time. Metal repair on 4 fenders takes very little more time then 2 because you know exactly how after the first. I salute all you guys with not enough room,tools ,and knowledge hanging in there getting er done.

 

 

If I can stay focused on one build it takes a year to 2 years. If I start it and get back to it later all bets are off!

 

Bought my truck in 1995 and drove it to about 2001. Started tearing it apart in 2003 and finished it last year.

 

it really doesn't matter how long... cause at any point in the build all you like is finishing... at least that's what I tell everyone that ask " when you gonna get done ??"