[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Nov-02 AT 08:38 AM (EST)]My project prices.
51 Mercury M-3 free just had to give him the engine which I will buy back after he rebuilds it
51 Ford F-1 parts truck $50
48-52 shop manual $50
2 keys $15
Owners manual $30
Budget $400

I might have to put parts I want on the christmas list:-X12
Nathan

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Nov-02 AT 11:26 AM (EST)]This is a 'done' story, sorry. I'm watching for my next obsession.

Purchased 'Wendy' for $475 Feb. '99

>and then predict how much it will cost when you take that first ride

First ride was about $1,000 - no fenders, no hood, no box, no glass, just running gear and cab with license wired on (buying your license when you start the project provides GREAT motivation to keep you going!)

>and how >much before it is completely done. We all know they're
>never really done, that's the fun part.

I put it on the road July 2001 at about $6,500 and a 3.5 category finish (seat matches and wife loves it) One year and 20K miles later I was rear-ended July 2002. Insurance settlement allowed me to 'finish' some things as well as put it back the way it was, so where am I? On the original rebuild I'd say I'm close to $7,500 without figuring the repairs. Still at 3.5


>OK, and the final question, please complete this sentence;
>
>I SURE AM GLAD I BOUGHT THIS OLD TRUCK, NOW MY WIFE( OR
>SIGNIFICANT OTHER) ....

.... wants me to look for a Mustang 'vert for her!!

 

I bought mine in March 2002 for $1350 and drove it 40 miles home that day. I have since spent about $5500 on it and never intent to stop. I have decided this is my last truck and I am only 43. I intend to drive this rain or snow and since I live in Michigan thats a lot of snow.

I have put a 302/AOD in with fuel injection and electronic ignition. I just got parts to replace all brakes and have the power steering parts on the way. I have been having a lot of trouble with my fuel tank sucking rust into the line, so now I have to buy a new tank!

But I drive it everyday to work 25 miles each way. It is a TRUCK not a show car to me and I haul crap and deer hunt in it. It is being used as Ford's in 1955 would be.

 

Here's my two cents:

Bought the Tank for a whopping $1.00 -- basically a hand-me-down from my Grandparents via my Parents.

The first thing I did was drop it off at a body shop, which I mistakingly thought did total restorations. Their estimate for body work alone was $10,000 (yikes!)

So far I have maybe $5,000 invested in what could be (except for brake and starting problems) a daily driver. Well, I think so, haven't put that to the test yet.

The way things are going, I'm estimating a $17,000 total when all is said and done. I have found enough bravery to do a little work myself, which of course helps. My goal all along is to have a truck that looks nice, drives reliably, but isn't so nice that I am afraid to use it. See, I would like to actually use it as a truck occasionally. We'll see how things turn out. Oh, and I don't have any specific time frame for all this...

 

@ mtflat,

... your wife must be like mine. However, I had to buy the Mustang Convertible before I was done (which I am still not). Reason might be that my project will have its 18th anniversary coming up soon. You better be quicker than me...

@ ALL,

... you guys are living in truck heaven, while I am in hell. I paid $200 for a used radiator, $40 for a used SB water pump and so on and so on ... We only have Opels, BMWs, Mercs and the like piled high on junk yards. No Ford trucks ...

Poor me !

 

Kai.

If you need any more parts, check with me. Heh, heh, heh...

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Nov-02 AT 02:48 PM (EST)]Let's see, so far I can think of the following:

$400 1953 F-100 project truck
$500 parts truck

$25 vintage shop manual
$50 rocker arm assembly for my 215
$30 engine paint
$40 bench grinder
$55 misc parts stripping supplies
------------
$1100


I'm restoring it at my folks' place so I haven't had to buy any tools.

I'm still tearing my trucks apart so I haven't taken the time to do a complete estimate. I have a list of parts that is already at $3000. It doesn't include some big ticket items like paint, wiring harness, engine rebuild ($$$), etc. My dad just finished restoring a '47 Ford Coupe. He did all the engine, body and paint work himself. He still figures he invested around $8000. I'm shooting for category 4. Hopefully for a little less than that. We'll see how it goes!

Do I get credit for learning new words from Dad when he scrapes his knuckles? I've taught him a few myself.

Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100

 

Hey! How does my good name keep getting drug into all this?!? Oh, and by the way, Vern - you haven't got anything that Kai needs. He's running a FORD powerplant. Besides, Chrysler parts don't look good in flat orange. PBBLLLTTTT!!!!!! Oh, Kai, I hate to tell you this, but I threw away two smallblock water pumps and a few alternators when I cleaned out the shop last weekend. I don't think there was anything wrong with any of them. IF you can get a good overseas shipping rate, I'll just start sending you all my trash!

But ANYWAYS! Here goes my entry to the budget post.
The original truck bought 15 years ago cost 50 bucks and the one I went to Nebraska after last month set me back $1400 including the trip out to get it. There have been several parts trucks along the way, but I won't be using much from them and I've sold enough parts to recover their cost. SO, since I'm using the frame and nothing else from the original and everything else off the "new" one, let's call the initial cash outlay $1450.

Including all the IFS, trans. rebuild, new heads and freshening up for an existing engine, new wheels and tires, and whatever incidentals pop up, I'm guessing it's gonna take another $5000 to take the first ride. (We're flying ugly. Really ugly. Sub grade 2.)

Paint, interior, window fuzzies, real wiring, A/C, bed wood and so on will probably set me back another $12,000 or so.

Grand total: I'm anticipating a total investment of $18,500, not including tools or consumables. Just parts and outsourced labor. I'm saving all the receipts, so I should have a pretty accurate tally at the end. Wow. That's the first time I've ever really stared at those numbers. That's more than I paid for my house. Or my "other" truck. Or the Harley. That's a third of my 401K. I think I'm gonna be sick! The only consolation is that it's $100 here, $50 there, $75 next week. I guess it doesn't sting so much that way. I'm hoping that I'll wind up as a 4.5. We don't believe in trailers around here.

And finally: I SURE AM GLAD I BOUGHT THIS OLD TRUCK, NOW MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER (drumroll please) might finally get jealous and LEAVE! I couldn't get that lucky. My girlfriend is a nun. Nun in the morning and nun at night.

 

... didn't Henry Ford say: "You can have the F100s in any color as long as it is flat orange!" ? May be I got that wrong, but it sounded just right to me !

@Vern & @BlueOval, ... thanx for the kind offers. You are soooo good to me. :-) :-) :-)

Germany, Home of the Flat Orange Autobahn Monster (powered by expensive used parts that other consider to be trash) !

 

Allright guys,

We are going to bring this thread back up down the road to check progress. So no more hittin', kickin' or hair pullin' here.

gentlefenders

 

O.K. guys...

we're just about finished lying about how much we've spent (in case our s.o. is reading)

now lets start stretching (or shrinking ) the truth on our estimated time line...

how long did you originally think it would take to finish your ride... and how long has it actually been... and when/if do you think you'll ever finish ( another question your s.o. will probably be interested in )


I'll start...

bought my '53 in 1995 and was sure I'd finish it by the Supernationals in the year 2000... did yall see me there ???

As to all "best laid plans" there have been a few delays, sidetracks, complete turnarounds.. a total work stoppage or two and a few emergencies along the way.. so I missed it a year or two...or FIVE !!! You don't want to have your fun too fast do ya ?? New time line has been extended to ....... sometime in the future... that's as precise as I'm committing too. Hopefully a couple of years, but hey...who has control of their lives ?? if you do... tell me your secret

I know one thing... if it wasn't for the FTE group..I'd still be sitting in the driveway crying over a pile of parts...


Ok ??? who's gonna spin their yarn next ???

John

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Nov-02 AT 08:33 AM (EST)]John,

No lying in this corner...yet, but I've only had my truck short time. I'm sure I can come up with a few whoppers in the next few years. Seriously, I really expect to have my truck running sometime next year. It won't be finished, but hopefully it will be able to move under it's own power. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but I've done a number of projects over the years and let me tell you that, for me anyway, getting it there is ALL the fun. The longer you take to build it, the more fun you're going to have. In every major project I've done, the finish was not as much fun as the building. After it's done, I find myself looking around for another building job. I may not EVER finish this one...

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Nov-02 AT 05:43 PM (EST)]I'll try to roll my budget, schedule and excuses into one short story.

I bought the truck in August of '87 for $500. Spent another $150 in gas money and temporary lights to drag it from Kansas to Texas. Did lots of research on front end swaps and finally bought a '77 Camaro in October of '87 for $500. Used the front clip, rear end, engine (sorry, Blueovalrage), transmission, wiring harness, tilt column and lots of other miscellaneous small parts. Sold the remaining Camaro parts for $375 + a Snap-On socket set. I count that as $450 back in my pocket. Pulled the sheet metal off the front and did the sub-frame with the help of a welder friend. ~$40 to add a 50 amp/220V outlet to the garage and I lost count of the beer money spent on the welder!

Moved to a different house in June of '88. Not much progress there, as the garage was very small. Did get the engine rebuilt at just under $1100, including new intake, carb, headers, etc. Transmission rebuilt for $175. Frame painted for $100.

Got married and moved again in June of '90. Not much progress the first year, but then picked up NOS running boards ($275 for a set) bed sides ($400 a pair) front right fender ($40) and a pair of rear take-off fenders from a telephone truck ($40 man, I love swap meets!) and rear disc brake stuff for $70. A friend of mine did some body work and I re-wired his 28 Ford street rod (no cash) Had a duaghter in '95 which slowed progress and cash flow tremendously. Custom rear roll pan ($120) and 68 Firebird taillights to go in it ($15). Moved again in '98 and had another daughter. Progress is now measured with a micrometer and a calendar.

Put most all the parts on and primed in the same color, added gauges ($120) and different hood ($15). Rally wheels and new tires ($400). Tagged and inspected, street legal!
Rear-ended in '99. Extremely weak period-almost sold the truck. Recovered and fixed most of the damage myself for about what the insurance company paid (wash).

Moved to current location in '00 with extra shop space. Busy fixing house things, but have gotten seat ($100) and one piece door glass ($350) under way.

I have convinced myself I can build a respectable truck for under $10K. It's going to be close. I am shooting for a 4+/-.

Total so far-just over $4K
Special tools ~$400
Estimated to complete-$5000 (paint and interior)
Estimated completion date-late 1991 now I have no clue, but I will get there!

I am glad I bought the truck because I had it when I met my wife and she understands that "it's just part of me!" My girls love it too!

Sorry for rambling on, but it's good to sit down and reflect on how you got where you are.

Kent
56 F-100

 

I can honestly say the dollar numbers I originally put up in this thread are the best estimates I can make. I've got every receipt, more than a thousand photos as documentation, etc. I might be off by $50 for stuff like mileage costs for driving to get parts, etc. but I don't think it's more than that. Part of the idea before we got Earl was to document the heck out of the project both in case of resale and so other folks thinking of doing this had an actual, authentic list of items and costs for a truck that was restored. I also hope my 5 month old grandson (who is currently drooling on my keyboard as I type) will get a kick out of riding in Earl as well as looking at all the photos and stuff.

Now, on the estimated completion date - that's another story. A fairly short one. I really thought it would take 4 years originally and I'm going to pass that anniversary in 6 days on November 26th. There was a long hiatus (18 months) when my job was just a grind and I didn't do much of anything on Earl. If I keep up the pace I've done in the last few months, however, I think I could finish in maybe 3 more years.

I have to say I'm actually learning how to enjoy some of the work instead of viewing it as a military operation to be done as efficiently as possible. That slows things down a little but makes me want to go back out there and get on with the next thing. You guys and gals have had a lot to do with the change in attitude. It's a lot easier to work on stuff after laughing about your own eccentricities and helping out a few other folks.

 

HI i am new to all this but ,i am working on my second truck it is another 56 f 100 the first 1 had 15000 dollars was spent on the first 1 and then sold for 2500 lost forever some where in south carolina but that was the first truck the second truck i paid 850$ then i baught anti radle kits and door seals it is on a used 56 frame and i am working on the 200$mustang 2 front end and 15 dollars for the metal for making the crossmember and i have spent 200$ on consumebles i have replaced the rear window for 25 dollars and traded a 85 ford ranger for the front fenders and 9" rear end so in all i have 1400$ in it so far i predict i will have about 18000 in this 1 they are cool and fun i also kept all the new emblems and mirrors and tail lights and billet door handles from the first 1 that would add up to another 500 dollars and it will be powered with the 351w that i am also working on and a 4 speed tranny another 800 in cost but i am not shure well sorry for the bad typing it is all about fun gotta go back to the garage now