I've had my 1979 f-150 4x4 for about 3 years now. It was in decent shape to begin when I got it. Since this was the first vehicle I ever bought I got it in my head to restore it, not a frame off resto or anything that extreme. Just a good looking daily driver. Stuff like fixing the rust spots. The more I got into it and started looking the cab needed to be replaced so I bought a donor truck. The floor boards were fiberglassed over and were covered up and have feel through. The bed is rusting through on the 79 and the floors are going fast. I've collected up parts and all to do a body swap. But am losing heart with everytime I do something another things screws up and with the donor being like it is I just don't know anymore. At this point I might need another donor truck and hell I just ain't sure what to do. Is all this really worth it.
Any encouraging word or even a pep talk to show me what I really want to do is the right thing, which is keep going but hell I don't know.


Richard

 

You are at the true crossroads it looks like. That is where you have come to grips with the reality of how much money and time will be needed to get the truck to where you want it. There is no shame in that, a person needs to utilize their common sense and leave the emotional attachments behind at some point. Money doesnt grow on trees, and the money invested in them cannot ever be fully recovered . I say let it go and find one less needy. Better ones are out here, just be patient in your search, if you even want another truck. good luck to you, jmo

 

Thats right money doesnt grow on tree's. And on the same token, most of us dont have bottom-less pockets. So most of our projects are never ending. You and only you know what your are capable of doing. If you can weld and feel like doing the work.. you can weld in new floors, cab mounts, cab corners, etc etc... Take your time, think things through. Even if it takes years and years, as long as you make progress and keep your repairs protected from the weather you will heading tword the finished project.

If you are not capable of welding, their are people out here that offer rust free cabs, beds, fenders, etc etc... they are usually pricey, but The price outways the work... so it makes it worth it... and the finished project is that much closer.

Things to think about!!

 

It takes blood, sweat, and tears to rebuild a vehicle, and I'd add one more thing. Enthusiasim. Once you've lost the desire to work on it, you might as well call it quits, because it becomes a chore instead of fun. If you really like the truck, or it has sentimental value, then it's worth the trouble. If you have to force yourself to start working on it (when time allows), I'd look for something that rekindles the desire.

Sorry I can't give more of a pep talk. Only you can decide if the time and effort are worth it on that particular vehicle. Sometimes rust will win out in the end........

 

First off, what you are taking on is no small chore. Give yourself credit for having the guts. Remind yourself that when you go to eat an elephant, you can chew only one mouthful at a time.

Projects like this typically do have un-expected surprises, keep in mind that you may well have to change your plans often and improvise new solutions. Back to the one bite at a time; when you come to a stand-still in one area, look for some small thing you can do in another. Progress is progress, you always feel better if you can accomplish something.

The one big advantage you have right now is the donor cab. If you can work on the thing without any neighbors complaining, take it off and have at it. The big secret to cutting and welding is being comfortable, use that to your advantage and roll the cab around to do your patching. Never done it before? Time to get your feet wet. Not too good at it? Practice, practice, practice. Despite the claims heard otherwise, no one I've met was born knowing how to do what they do. We all start with nothing and learn from there.

Why do it? The answer is why not do it? We have a limited time on this planet, why waste it doing little or nothing? It seems odd to devote time to something so temporal; it came from the dirt as Iron ore, eventually it will return to the dirt as Iron oxide. What we gain in our lifetime is the knowledge and experience from taking on the difficult. That is ours to keep, or share as the case my be.

Sermon over, Mike

 

Excellent reply, I totally agree . I too , have lost the enthusiam for my 6 year project, just been at it too long, and too much money has passed thru my hands on it. . So, I am not typing this reply in total ignorance of what it takes to restore a old truck.

The pep talks are fine, but a person needs to deal with the realism involved when restoring old vehicles. Here are some real to life " issues" that will show up along the way, and that people should really consider before taking on restores :

• does the person have the mechanical skills to see what they are buying and just how much work/money will be required to restore it ?
• do they really have the spare funds to invest in something that is not their daily driver, and could not afford the gas it would require, if it was ?
• do they have physical problems that would hamper them when taking on the demanding chores of restoring a old truck?
• what effect will taking all of ones spare time working on a restore , have on the significant other in their life ?
• does the person have the necessary tools, work space, and skills to perform a restore , without getting in over their head and giving up ?
• will the person fall in to the dilusion that , they will NEVER sell it, so their monies and hard labor invested in the restore will always be with them ? ...

Not meaning to be a total party pooper here, just a list of what hit me in the face on mine the last 5 years. Just thought I would share them with the newbies. And yes, when they are done we forget the pain and money it took to get it there, and we tell ourself it was all worth it. Step back and look at it, because in reality it is just a metal box, a motor vehicle that is subceptible to destruction from wrecks, fires, thefts, tornadoes, a box that can be here today and gone tommorrow. These are only my viewpoints, they will not all fit to everyones situations or plans, and all are pretty much worthless to those that have their tail on fire to restore one, or else.

 

I can relate, my 79 F-100 is in miserable shape. Runs like a top, but body-wise it needs ALOT of work. But when I get down, i look at whats out there, and the cost of something to replace it, i realize how much i love my truck and how much i want to restore it.

 

I have always mentioned to people when they buy something,it's this.: " Drive it and have some fun in it for a while before you feel like tearing it apart".

What this does is helps motivate you to remember the fun you had in it and help you finish the project to have that feeling again.

Some kinds of music are also helpful, listen to upbeat & oldies music to help get you in the mood.

Also watch movies with Ford Puckups in them,this also stirs the emotions.

 

This is a sentimental thing. The truck runs great but looks bad with the rust and holes in the cab and bed. The left front fender is the only thing that doesn't need work. The whole being able to sell it for what you have in it, thats not an issue. If I do restore it I won't sell it because it doesn't cost anything to keep at that point.