Cost to Restore 1966 F 100
 

Hey all, I am thinking of buying another 66 this time a F 100 to add to my F250. I want to get it restored. Does anyone have some ball park numbers as to what this is going to cost me in Southern California to have done.

I would like to have it done up nice, not a trailer queen but, clean and daily driver. Frame off or frame on restoration: I know it will vary on the trucks present condition but lets just say an average condition 66 with a strong engine and transmission and straight (no major body work needed). Any ideas or I am better getting one all done up like my F 250? Thanks

Can't determine cost out your way verse mine; but if a frame off and mostly work by you; I would expect 6 to 8 k I did my 65 at alittle over 10K.
Prices vary.

Mechanical Ability
 

I have no mechanical ability or any time to actually do or lean to do the work. I envy those that can!

the skys the limit! just a nice paint job can cost 4to5 thousand, i would say double the cost Mitch gave and you should be close. my opinion would be to find a truck already done (and you like) and buy it.

I second this. You could easily put $20,000 into it and the moment it is done it is only worth $8,000. If you do your own work and don't care how much you'll spend because it is a keeper then go ahead. Yet if you can't do your work then these trucks cost a fair amount and half of it is labor and there is no return on that. Better to get a nice truck, mostly done by someone else who spent the money, and is now selling at a reasonable price which is probably a loss to the seller. Oh well, that's how the cookie crumples and you slip in to pick up the crumbs...:-X22

OCBP, I agree with the others, The one great thing in your favor is your location. You are in the corner of the US where good trucks can be found. Bill aka number dummy sez they are a dime a dozen out there. Maybe he can help you find one that doesn't require much to get it looking great.



John :-X06

Everybody's right on here. But, what cost bragging rights? There will always be that inevitable question: "did you do it yourself?" And how will you be able to dispense with any advice? You won't know how they got that 460 in there or how they converted to power steering or what parts fit other parts. That stuff can only be gleaned by experience.

It's fun getting intimate with your truck. You'll learn new profanity words as you go. :-X14 Plus, you're missing out on all the fun: getting all greasy, endless hours of searching for parts, bleeding knuckles, dirt/sand in eyes while you're laying underneath it, trying to stay on the better side of the lady of the house, laying awake at night thinking about how you can make that one part fit, well, you get the picture. Your choice. Good luck!

Buy one finished. You will never be able to restore one for what you can buy someone else's finished project for, and you get to enjoy it instantly. You won't have to argue with body shops that lose interest, chromers that lose parts, and dozens of other headaches. Unless you're doing the work yourself for personal satisfaction/hobby/relaxation it makes NO SENSE to have a vehicle restored by others.

I say the sky is the limit, where we are a real nice straight paint job is 20K to 30K on a truck this old, I wanted to spend 10K including the cost of the truck but once you put on new chrome new rubber seal, strip it to bare metal and paint it build a motor, it adds up way to fast. I don't even want to tell you guys how much I spent but it was ALOT! But i say do it yourself if you can, what is an average restoration in hours? I would guess you are going to spend 20K to 25K to do it real nice. IMHO:-X22

D

Just to give you an idea:

600-1000 HOURS labor and thats with a very nice and straight rust free truck to start with. Now thats a pretty nice restoration.

10-12,000.00 In just basic parts for a restoration.

Paint and material cost alone for good quality paint is 2500.00 PLUS (for a complete resto) For a TOP notch complete resto it will be north of 3500.00 in Materials for paint.

Then you have the engine and transmission rebuild.

Or I could sell you a VERY NICE truck for a fraction of the cost with FREE labor!

I would say if you cannot do it yourself unless you have VERY DEEP pockets find one already DONE and learn from it.

Just to give an idea on a engine rebuild to stock. Excpect a bill for a minimum of 70hrs labor. Thats for detail turn key but could be a lot higher.

Or you could buy a long block done for under 1500.00 and do it yourself.

It really depends on what you want the end result to be. 2.99 spray can special like some do or a complete perfect resto would cost you a 100k.

Just take your pick!

But figure 24,000.00 to 40,000.00 In just labor costs alone!
Everyone always thinks they can do it cheaper and better but when its all added up...

So you're a busy guy ,what is your time worth?

Thanks
 

Thank you all for the feedback.

Looks like I will be looking for a restored 65-66 F100 that someone else has invested a whole lot of money and time in and now wants to sell. Any one know of one?

Until you find a nice truck, it would be wise to spend time learning about these trucks and what to look for... just because it's pretty, doesn't mean that it's not hiding problems.

Just like women ;)

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