I've updated Earl's World (http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/index.html) with a little (sigh) new work plus some info on the real cost of doing the work so far. If anyone is considering a restoration you might get some help by looking at the financial details.

George

 

George

Posting the cost of duct tape and a wash bucket for the wheels? The incidentals count too? Oh man, I don't want to know what I have invested then. I thought anything you could find at the hardware store didn't count. Anything you buy at the salvage yard that doesn't work out doesn't count either. If I posted true cost on the net, my wife would do a web search for "my husband is a big dummy" and there it would be!

I will try to remember that total cost prediction you made for your truck. Maybe you'll be the first guy that ever stayed on budget with a body off resto. I'm at least 50% over right now.

'fenders

 

I say anyone who can build a truck on budget isn't trying hard enough.. I'm at my original estimate and I'm still pushing it in and out of the garage

I'm hoping to come in around 25K complete... and by saying that it probably moved up to 30K... or course I backed up a ways with the mustang II unit... but hey... we're having fun here aren't we ???

luckily so far I'm still paying as I go and have none on credit.. hope i can finish paid for !!! but we still have interior and paint to get

john

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Nov-02 AT 08:45 PM (EST)]I've kept track of things in such detail because, when we first started this project, I couldn't find any real data on what you actually had to buy and how much it would really cost to finish a restoration. I'm also very **** retentive as fenders has pointed out in other posts. You two (fenders and John) are far too knowledgeable to forget all those nickel-and-dime items that add up to significant bucks. I'm hoping the information will get to some of the folks who are just starting so they can plan a little better than we could when we started. As I get farther along I'll update the financial data so, hopefully, I'll have the complete list when I get finished - whenever that is.

What's that old saying,

Question: Do you know how to make a small fortune restoring a truck?
Answer: Start with a big fortune.

With respect to making estimates, I use the old engineering rule of thumb:

1. Make your absolute best, realistic estimate.
2. Multiply by 3.
3. Use the next larger unit.

So if you really, honestly think it's going to take a day to do something, it's really going to take 3 weeks.

George

 

George

Nothing wrong with being meticulous. You are an engineer aren't you? Meticulous is why bridges and buildings so rarely fall down. If the previous owner of my truck was even the slightest bit like you, my truck would not be going through its second frame up in 10 years.

I am glad you are keeping track. It will be interesting to see what a stock resto costs. I started mine thinking a resto would be more expensive than a street rod truck. It obviously depends on what standard you build to and the availability of used parts. I am going to start a separate thread on the budget question. It should be interesting. You are right about the odds and ends. I have probably spent $100 a week for the past three months on minor electrical, plumbing, hoses and belt. All the details that were not considered significant enough to put in the budget. John's right though. If you aren't depriving your family, we aren't hurting anyone and it's sure a fun hobby.

I would have liked to do my website in chronological order of the project but my truck looked done when I bought it and I thought it would not look like a real frame off pictorial. Pictures lie. My truck was a death ride at time of purchase.

Dewayne

 

... and when you then take your worst count, multiply that with 2 and you know how much it cost me over here in Germany. Maybe it's even worse. Here are some examples:

- used radiator from '55 F100 (recorer a few years ago): $200

- bench seat from junk yard: $100 (plus 100 Miles drive on-way)




But I do not complain. Not really.

Greetings from Germany !!!