I've been trying to get to the point where I can get some colour on my panel, so I'm trying to fit things in place so I no that there will be no more need of welding cutting and cursing, something that I'm getting quite good at, you know, the cursing thing. I bought a Vintage Air sure fit kit, I think it should have been called a OH SURE it will fit kit. It doesn't help that I've elimated the glove box all together making matters worse but even so there doesn't seem like there is a lot of room to hook everything up. I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I know that some of you have spent a long time on you builds, I'm 5 years into mine right now and can't afford to walk away but how do you guys keep treading on. Theree should be a little smiley with a gun to it's head, I guess this will have to do.

 

walk away, crack a beer, call it quits for the night and start again tomorrow or in a few day's don't push it.

 

I'm over 6 years into my build, I know exactly how you feel........ been there, still there, will be there agian. But as "norvillebob" says, walking away for while will help, I've actually walked away for a month or so at a time, Its not always just the build that causes the stress with me, life seems to pop up with ugly little problems from time to time.
Hang in there, take a break a while

By the way thanks the the encouraging words on my little bit of progress post

 

It just goes with the territory, look at it this way, if it was easy everyone would be doing it and that would for sure take away that sense of satisfaction and that dumb grin when you get to go for the first couple of drives knowing that you did it yourself.

The automotive sprits that control things are a strange bunch that is for sure, for example;

I have not started on my 51 f1 yet but I am accumulating parts and went to the shop today to look for steering shaft that I knew I had, looked for about an hour, gave up and had a small job to do on my sons milk truck project with donor engine, had a lose distributor cap spark plug wire terminal, so popped the cap, maybe some JB weld quick fix , rotor is almost burnt through, coil button burnt off and mechanical advance springs missing. Time for a used distributor if I can find one in my junk or buy a rebuilt, another search under the benches, twenty minutes latter I find the steering shaft I was looking for! And then a used distributor, but in much better shape, remove and replace, two or more hours then I intended to waste but glad I found the problems in the shop.

Hang in there …..it is worth it, take a break when it gets too bad.

Stolen from someone:
compulsive behavior disorder + attention deficit disorder = gear head.

 

A number of years ago my Nissan Maxima's clutch went out. I had it towed to my home. I then removed the transaxle, replaced the clutch and put it back together in one weekend by myself.

Do I have that drive and determination now? No. Would I do this?
No, again.

I have learned to set limits and work at a slower more enjoyable pace. We all run into roadblocks. Time to sit a spell and to evaluate. Things look different with a fresh head. This is a hobby that you should have fun doing.

 

Our build took a total of seven years from a primered gray rust bucket to a finished interior. Many times it sat for six months at a time waiting for my son to return from school, money , or simply the desire to get one more thing done. Good luck and hang in there.

T900

 

First off...to heck with the timeline. Walk away, when the hobby turns into a chore its time to put it aside for a little while. One nice thing about an old truck, you can ignore them for long periods of time and they don't give you any heartache when you get back to them (well, not much anyway)

I know this probably doesn't help much but you are not alone, each and everyone of us has been there and we will be there again. Take a break

Bobby

 

What are you going to do when it's finished - Drive it?
I'm afraid by that time I'll have to get licensed for the 4 wheel walker I just picked up - its got steering, 2 wheel independent brakes, a seat and a ditty bag.

 

When I got to the painting part of my 56 build I bought all the right materials (threw away about a $1000.00) and found out there is no way I am a painter. So took a long look at where I'm at on the ruler of life and said the h**l with it shot it in black primer and have been driving this way for the last 4 years and having a ball. I work on it each winter and drive it all summer long.

I have found that my ideas seem to change each year (added chrome grill and bumpers this year). Doing it this way I can make changes without any major paint problems. In fact next year the big window kit will be bought and installed then I may or may not have it painted. By the way that vintage air kit is not fun to install even with the glove box opening but it's well worth the pain.

Taking a break may be a good idea (just not to long) My project has been on going for the last 10 years. Have fun!

Chuck

 

Of course there's always the "Plan B" approach that many of us use as an excuse - Buy another truck!

I started on my trailer this week.

Of course the new parts box for the truck is overflowing, and the interior isn't done yet. But it seems like when I got the cab primed (making the whole truck just one color) and the thing wasn't all those ugly shades of rainbow rust colors, and it because driveable, the big priority seemed to just melt away.

I'd just leave it alone as everyone mentioned, or change the restoration plan and get it driving so you can enjoy it!

 

I've sort of "been there - done that" - not with a pickup project, I'm just gearing up for that. My project was an engine rebuild on a '55 Triumph TR2 car. The project proved to me that I really am NOT a mechanic. It took three tear down and reassembly cycles before things finally went right. One time a chunk of rusted casting came out of the 'donor' crankshaft that we had pressure flushed in the solvent tank before and after machine grinding. - Seized the engine - trashed the bearings. Next rebuild: electrical / ignition problems. On checking distributor drive gear end float I cranked the engine with the shims still in. TRASHED the gears on a brand new camshaft in less than 10 seconds. The dizzy drive gear was not available from ANY parts source. Got a 'spare' from another enthusiast's stock. On third assembly, a rocker shaft stud bolt broke off deep inside the head. Tools were boxed and car pushed into the corner nof the garage. I was off for six way heart bypass surgery. Car sat for months. Eventually I tried dirlling out the old stud bolt and tapping threads. On fitting the rocker shaft and tightening the new stud bolt, it pulled right out of the head. - Sought help. a neighbor and former aircraft A/P mechanic educated me on heli-coils. He helped install it. Finally, SUCCESS, only to have the original electrical problem return. Finally decided to eliminate the Mallory dual points distributor and went with a new pointless distributor. SUCCESS! Finally after THREE YEARS of struggles, it was running. I decided to part with it. Sold it on eBay and it was shipped out to Germany. THAT was my last mistake with it and the biggest. I should have held on to it and enjoyed some of the success I had actually achieved. I think I will always feel like I gave up on it (although I finally did manage to get it running) and I believe I will always harbor some regrets of selling it.

Don't set you expectations too high and learn to appreciate the success you have achieved. I worked entirely along on the project. Support is essential. I won't make that mistake this time when I begin working on my '51 F1 project. I will ask someone to come by to offer a helping hand from time to time. -- Stay with it when you feel like having another go. Good luck!

 

I posted a similar note earlier this year... I didn't touch my truck in 2009... couldn't figure out why.. .lots of good advice from the guys and gals here....
One hit the nail on the head... sometimes when we get stuck, it's cause we made a decision we weren't happy with, or weren't sure about.
The general concensus from my post was, it happens to all of us.
Hang in there.
For those lurking... it is way better to drive the truck BEFORE starting on it if you can. Driving is the ultimate goal, so tasting it keeps you motivated.
Mine? Has never been driven, I am excited to HEAR my flattie some time soon, and am hoping that will motivate me to work on it again this spring. It's ready for color paint... When I get the engine back, I'm gonna work on getting it on the frame, and then paint, and then ..... and then..... and then.... still lots to do.

 

Hang in there. Like everyone has said you can put the build aside while you get your batteries "recharged". When you get them recharged post again with pictures of what you are having problems with. SOMEONE on here has to have travelled the same road you are now on, installing the "Not So Sure" Fit . Also hit some of big time F100 Builders up. Everytime I have talked to Bobco in California he has been more than helpful. He has installed quite a few of these. Hang in there. Take a break and come back at it later.

 

John

as old Slippery Bill Clinton says.. I feel your pain. Started mine in '95 and had it half built... tore it back down, cut the whole front suspension out and started over... but this time it seems like it's going better...

Had Lots of frustration and time spent waiting on time to work and someone elses time to help me with something I can't do. When you're working and hit the wall... stop... put up the tools, turn off the lights, lock the garage and don't go back till the truck calls you back... it will call you and you will get 'er done... hang in there..

John

 

well heres my take on it. Sometimes I get to looking at to many things left to do instead of what I have finished. I mean I look at a door panel and all of a sudden its not just installing the door panel but I have to shave the handle put in a door popper then run the wire, still have to install the window unit, on and on and on. So then I get discouraged and go pop a top on my favorite beverage. and do absolutely nothing for a month, then I log onto the forum read a bunch of postings and realize that you guys are having the same problems and feelings of being over whelmed as I am. So I go back and have 2 or 3 weeks of good productive work and before ya know it I'll be able to see light at the end of the tunnel!
Someone posted above drive it if you can. I can't wait till the day I get to fire my engine off! I bought the 53 in pieces and am in year b3 of my build and have yet to here her run. Bottom line: Take a step back, deep breath, then when spring gets here and you have that itch again, jump back in. Just don't give up.