I almost missed this post. I was washing my paper plates........

 

Cheap = Good.

Dave, I'm in the same boat you are, gathering parts and ideas for my '54 F100. If you haven't done so, be sure to look in the Articles section at the top of the FTE page for all kinds of helpful info. And here is another great source: Frequently Asked Questions on Adapting Major Components of 1948 - 1960 Ford Trucks -- Page 1

Good luck, and post lots of pics.

 

What a bunch of cheapscapes!. Well, I'll have to join the club. I've listed every part on my truck. A majority is from ebay. Even though I got a good deal. I sold parts that I had laying around and then purchased new parts with the money I made from the used parts. I also do the auto swap meets where I get good deals. I did buy my wheels new but everything else was auction and swap meet stuff.

 

Even though I have spent quite a bit to get my 53 to where it is now, I used many parts that I had laying around too. The engine and trans are from my 81 Mercedes 300SD, the IFS and rear-end are from a 87 Town Car that I bought for parts back when we owned one of those, the seats, steering column and fuel tank came from my old Bronco II. I too have been guilty of using whatever I had handy to keep my vehicles on the road.
My old 53 CJ3A ****** has a V6 from a Pinto, steering column from a Buick and front disc brakes from a Chevy 4X4, so it falls into the same category too!

 

You mean there are places that sell new parts
Pretty much all I use are recycled "parts" vehicles......... never less than 4 or five laying around...probably quicker to get new stuff but where is the fun in that.......adaptation and uniqueness rules

 

Has anybody ever put a pencil to a finished build or- if not finished, have you set a budget either as a finished driver or an annual build??
I ask this as I built my 56 as a test project to see if it could be done in x time at x price to a well known (goodguys)standard. I thought if I could do it, many a "youngun" might get interested and start one too. Too draw them away from the rice-rockets being one goal. So, what are your numbers??
Jon

 

$20,000 in 10 years was my goal for the street rod '48. That's $2000 every year, which broken down is $500 a quarter, which if all goes well, is our company's bonus. I doubt the goal will be met on all accounts, lol. The other '48 will remain stock for the most part, and I won't be picky. Just wanna get it cleaned up and on the road. I hope within a year. Between the two trucks, so far I have a little over $500 in them.

 

I purchased my truck for $6800 and it was pretty much a frame up project. It had the engine but it didn't run, had brakes if thats what you call it. I made a list of everything I spent so far. Doing all the work myself with the exception of the bench seat and headliner, I'm at $16,300 total, that includes the 6800 for the truck. $1200 of that was the cost of my wheels and tires. I started in March of 2003 (still not finished but close)

 

Cheap, that's in my handle, free55. So far I have $432 in my project. Including a donor car(van). I've been looking high and low for a used windshield. Haven't found one yet. My 55 isn't going to be the prettiest, but that's ok because I built it.

 

I have a rough running tally somewhere for what I've spend on the truck. I'll have to see if I can dig it up...I haven't updated in awhile)

Here's the basics though;
1949 F-1.....free(got it and $600 in trade for a 1949 Pontiac Silver Streak)
1972 Caddy donor car...$300 - engine, tranny, trans xmember, calipers, steering column
1960 9" rear...free (left over from a different truck project)
Toyota steering box...$100
2005 GMC bed front and floor....free(its good to have a buddy at a body shop)
Radiator....$125, mid 70's Dodge truck, bought new
EZ Wiring harness....$150, bought new from Ebay
Cragar wheels...$200(used, slightly salt pitted)
B&M Shifter...$100(bought new from ebay after numerous frustrating nights trying to fab shift linkage....lol)
HEI distributor...$40
Fuel tank conversion....~ $75 total (tank straps, sender, hoses, etc)
Steel for frame boxing plates, xmembers, etc....free
MegaSquirt EFI kit....$500 so far........currently in progress
Tags, Title, and License...$200
Hanging brake pedal assy...free (fabricated my own)
Gauges....$20
Frosty Beverage....Please don't ask


Bobby

 

Bobby, somehow I think the Frosty Beverages may be the major part of your projects' budget

 

I have a file folder full of reciepts where I have bought parts for my 53, but am afraid to add it up. I figure that by the time I am done, I could have gone to the dealership and bought a new truck for what I will spend resto-modding this one. If I was to put a pencil to it, I might stop where I am!

 

Bobby, you and I need to talk about that EFI kit, I had no idea the could start that cheap.

 

All right !!! You guys are really getting with the program here. Already I see a few positive results coming out of this exchange of info. Maybe we could get the moderator to make it a sticky post. So far I am lurking but learning.

 

Jeff, I have a box full of recipts as well, for all sorts of misc. BS........I think its best not to add them up though

Whistler, The MegaSquirts are relatively cheap, of course you have to put them all together. When you order a kit you get a bag of electrical components...lol. My fuel tank is already set up for EFI, I managed to scrounge up a factory port fuel injection intake with components for my Caddy engine so I shouldn't have to many off the wall expenses

Bob....LOL...I lump the Frosty Beverage expense right in there with labor expenses. I wouldn't know where to begine calculating labor. Do I calculate the labor for the task, or having to redo the task several times to get it right? LOL
The frosty beverages sure come in handy when you are stick in the middle of one of the "pacing back and forth hand wringing" worry stages of the build, or in one of the late night bench racing sessions with your buddies, or in the sunny spring afternoon tweaking carb sessions, or in the......well, you get the point

Bobby