All though I have spent a lot of money on my old truck (1955 F250)(originally 223 6 cyl , 3spd HD trans, Timken 3:86 rear-end), since I first purchased it back in 1983, I am nowhere near the caliber of some of the trucks some of the people on here have. I have done 80% of the work myself excluding machine work on the engines I have installed. My truck has been a work in progress since I bought it. Truthfully if I had to do it all over again I would have left it original. There are a lot of over the top trucks on here and some really nice restored trucks, are there any others out there like me that are "Low Budget"?

 

Great job on the truck!
Yes, mine are low budget by design. I bought my 48 F1 in 1999, tore it down to the frame and rebuilt it to stock specs. Reason: I can always mod later, but its only original once. Only upgrade was a 3.50 9" reared for highway speeds. On the road in 2001 and drove it from nw Montana to ne Ohio for my parents 50th anniversary.
It served as a daily driver in Montana including winters for 10 years before the transplanted Merc flatty got tired and i bought the Shelby which has been a distraction. The truck is patiently waiting for an engine rebuild. One of these days!
For all who disdain drum brakes, I can tell you a properly set up system can lock up all 4 wheels (radial tires) in panic stops for deer.
I've hauled gravel, hay, sod, motorcycles, canoes, etc and don't care if the truck gets dinged up. I built it for me and to be driven.
Originally paid $475 for the project and put about $6500 in parts. Did everything myself.
Don't sell yourself short. There's a bunch of us out there!

 

I paid $500.00 for mine back in 1983, drove it across country to Virginia from Washington state, went to Maine and back to Virginia then to Florida and back to Virginia. This was when it was still stock, first engine was a 1969 302, second was a 1972 351C, now running a early 460, still have drum brakes. Drove it to the F100 Super Nationals back in 1987, I can't drive it as much as I would like, back problems and vertigo but I still like tinkering on it, always something to do. Thanks for the compliment, got any pictures you want to share?

 

Define low budget!

My '55 F250 is as close to original as I could get.

what I did do:

-Cleaned and painted the frame and all under body components
-Replaced Every single wear part in the suspension and driveline except the rear end and transmission.
-Rebuilt 1962 223 IL 6 using all new components and basic machining. Total rebuild cost of as $1,300. Kept the "Original" engine as it came from the factory.
-All new/rebuilt engine components like the generator water pump etc.
-New Seat
-New headliner and cabin panels
-Upgraded to Front disc brakes and power brakes. A must to upgrade in my world view.
-all the springs and major structural components were De-rusted.
-Installed 3 pint seat belts
-stripped and painted the cab interior floors and roof and insulated with cool mat.
-New aluminum bed
-New wiring harness

Basically I refreshed every mechanical and suspension component on the truck. From a mechanical perspective the truck is "like new"

What I didn't do:

-No body or paintwork
-no interior paint work- dash, doors etc are allmoriginal paint.
-No rust repair
-No engine upgrades
-No 12V upgrade

So was I on a budget, not sure. I upgraded everything safety related and the things that would make it reliable and fun to drive. I spent no money on cosmetics other than the interior seat cover. No Body work and paint saved at least $10-15k unless I was going to do all that myself...So I feel like I did it on a budget.

 

8pack, I did most everything you did except the disc brakes, I did replace everything shoe brake related though. My truck sat in pieces for years before I put it back together just recently. In the early years it was my only mode of transportation, I fixed what needed to be fixed, when the 223 burnt a valve I replaced it with a 1969 302, so being in construction a long time ago making $6.00 hr, saving money for the engine mount for the 302 and all the other things that go along with doing a engine upgrade in these old trucks. I believe you have accomplished more in less time than I have. I have put 3 different engines in my truck, each one requiring it's own necessities. I have all receipts for everything I have bought for my truck since 1983, I hate to think how much I've spent over the years. At one time I used a wiring harness out of a 1971 Chevy van because I couldn't afford a prefab wiring harness at the time. I met a fella at a car show this past weekend, he had the most beautiful 54 F100 I have ever seen, I asked him how much he spent on it, he wouldn't say, said he would be embarrassed. So I guess you can spend a lot of money and be low budget or spent a lot of money and be embarrassed. I have included a picture of this fellers engine bay, the rest of the truck is just as spectacular.

 

Did someone say Low Budget?? I'm your man

I got my truck for free (I got the truck and $600 in trade for a 1949 Pontiac Silver Streak). I paid $400 for a complete Cadillac parts car. I go the truck driveable and registered in 2005. Since then, including tags, insurance, etc I'll bet I'm still in it less than $4000.
Over the years I've had a hard time justifying spending money on a truck I got for free. My truck isn't much to look at but I wouldn't have any qualms about jumping in it right now and driving cross country.

 

All I need to see is that one picture and I can assure you he has a minimum of $50k into that truck and as much as $100k. The engine compartment alone in that picture is probably $20k or more.

 

I’d say I’m on the lower budget side. Aside from the initial cost of the truck, the only money I’ve spent on upgrading the truck was on swapping the rearend. This was to get higher gears and to allow me run one piece wheels with 8x6.5 bolt pattern on all for wheels. I would love to fully restore the truck, but I enjoy driving it too much and would hate the down time. For now, I just fix what is in need of repair from neglect for so many years.

 

Low Budget is a relative term.
I admire the folks who can keep their original trucks running. Parts are getting harder to find and machining costs are astronomical.

In my case, originality was not an option. My truck had a FE engine, unknown transmission and a broken frame.

My goal was to build a budget restomod, using mainly Ford parts as much as reasonably possible while keeping the original frame. I have been frugal, but it is still expensive. However, I think my project will be cheaper than a completely original restoration.

 

I like it! Looks nice! I was actually thinking about doing something like that to my truck at one time.

 

Yup, I was thinking the same!

 

I would but I'm on the road, pictures are at home.

 

That's what I'm talking about, If it weren't for gas prices and the stiff suspension on my old truck, I wouldn't have a problem driving my truck across country, although my back would say differently!

 

Keeping it original and doing your own work certainly helps with the low budget. I thought I was low budget until I had to get tires recently.. Ouch! Of course I powder coated the wheels, that didn’t help.

 

Those should last forever and talk to you going down the road!