overwhelmed

[Buddy]

just feeling a little drag out. half way through my re build and just started looking at where i am at and what I have left..... I know i will love this truck when i am done and I didn't cut any corners building it. I tried to do everything right but wow still along way to go. just got it back from the muffler shop today. still have to mount the bed and the step side fenders replace the entire front end ball joints, tie rods etc. Still have to install wooden bed, have to get a stereo and ALL interior parts and paint. that is a ton of money right there!!! I stripped this truck down to the frame rails and every nut and bolt is new from there up. I added up the total today and i almost fell over. Don't get me wrong i love doing it but still have a long way to go. Just wanted to vent to some body Thanks for listening......Truck was an 85 fleetside rotten to the core when i got it now it is a 85ish lifted step side. lift is 6" tires are 35's, cab was rotten almost to the point of no return but I saved it. Motor is a rebuilt 305 ( previous owner did the rebuild) with a small oil leak! tranny is a 700r (new) ran 2.5 " exhaust with 3" tail pipes.... and vortex mufflers.

[Lt.Del]

hang in there.  Think of monthly payments for a new truck, then say your truck is getting expensive.  Put it in perspective.  You'll have a nice ride with no payments.

Now, that said....we want PICS!!!

[low budget]

Buddy, don't let it get the best of you!!!  You will have a new truck when you are done and you can't buy a new truck for what you have in it.  Just think, NO PAYMENT BOOK...

Just do it 1 step at a time, you'll get there...

[VileZambonie]

Yeah think about it. Buy a new truck, pay out the wazoo and end up putting all of the money into wear and tear and in the end what are you left with? You build your own truck and it's all yours. Look at some of my builds. I'm in the same boat with thousands of hours and tons of money going into them but it's one of the things that makes me happiest and in the end they are all works of art.

[DDunson]

Sounds just like my project.......frame off, just about new everything. Before you any farther, make sure all your grounds are good before you put sheet metal back on. Just trying to save you some mild headaches!

[Bitzer!]

Dude - Believe me I know the feeling. Several times I've sat in the bare cab and thought what the **** have I got myself into.

I've been forced to doing it all myself after a deal fell through and I know that after all the hours and effort I'll be able to say > I've done that.

When you get it back together and rolling I'm sure the looks you're gonna get will worth every moment. You won't have to drive fast or blow loud music to be noticed 

[bobcooter]

Yeah don't give up Bro. I get some money and I do some work. I drive mine daily and some of the guys at work kind of laugh at me some times for driving a heap. But I'm getting close to getting it finished. The thing is, when it's done they will wish they had done something like that. Plus, it's all paid for and I don't owe a nickel on it.

[Dr_Snooz]

I've never done anything frame up, but I do remember when I did the engine build and manual trans swap on my other car. I had everything pulled out and torn down and I looked around at all the mess in the shop and thought, "How the heck am I ever going to get all this back in there again?" I did though and nothing equals the feeling when you get it all done and are driving it around again. You'll be stoked. Keep at it.

[Buddy]

thanks boys,
glad to know that i am not the only one who gets like this. I am glad I am staying at it and you are all right I am gonna lave it when I am done. Sometimes I just have to remind myself of that!!

[Bitzer!]

Just another point to think about.

If it's a project then keep it as just that not a chore. If it starts getting to ya leave it for a week then get back on it. It sometimes looks tough when you're at it all the time 

[Psycho71]

The only mistake I can say you made so far is adding up costs. I never do that. LOL.

But like everyone else has said, you could scrap it and go buy a new truck, pay the payment and drive something just like 1 million other people drive every day.

Keep at it! It gets better the farther along you get.

[GUITAR1989]

Yeah man hang in there. Its a gets rough when u take on alot of tasks at once. Soon though youll have one sweet mechanical masterpiece.

[screamin86]

I know how you feel man I've had my trans am for almost 7years and 4-5 of those years its sat with nothing in it! No motor/trans interior and as I look at all the scattered parts I think "wow where do I start"

[george]

I consider these  expenditures an investment - I daily drive my vehicles for many more years and find the amortized cost over the years of use to be about $ 500 to $750 per year.

Also PAID FOR! No debt worries NO interest and only $400 per year for tires, bulbs, batteries, alternators etc.

My '81 Chevy is in my back yard awaiting spring when I can get back to it.  I have had it for 3 years and  put $2500 in and I still have the whole rebuild to go! I bought a good eight foot camper for the truck at the same time ($1200) , and the vehicle will be finally devoted to fishing trips into Northern Saskatchewan.

At vehicle age 30 yrs (in 2011), the licence fee will be about $12 per month as an antique vehicle! (as long as I have one more vehicle with regular plate fees)

I feel I will be in a good economic position, as others have previously stated in this post.

Slow down until the economic pressure relaxes - I am sure you will achieve good benefits over many years!

George

[KY..Rob]

Agree with all of the above! I've been working on my build since March, and I'm just now getting to the cab. I started from the back (Rusted out spring hangers and crossmembers) Heck I'm still in demo mode..LOL..just keep your eye on the prize!! It will come together.

Rob..