Agreed. I tried both the frame swap, then ifs route and, let me tell you, you need some skill. I have since acquired said skills, but after building one truck to nearly stock standards, and having put over 1,300 miles on it, I’d still lean toward doing your truck mostly stock. I read somewhere (most likely here) that the best frame for your truck is the one it is sitting on. 😉 Weird.
Stock(or ish)
Pros-
Everything fits together because it was engineered to do so.
Cheaper.
Less frustrating.
More likely to be finished.
Easier maintenance (not necessarily less maintenance, but easier).
People are always interested in talking about the old straight 6 under the hood. 350? No one will bat an eyelash.
Cons
Not exactly what you wanted in the first place. (But the old stock charm might grow on you. It did for me.)
Home IFS install/ Frame swap.
Pros-
Could handle VERY nicely if it doesn’t bumpsteer. Scary when they do.
Modern drivetrain and parts availability.
More power
“Possible” better mpg
Cons
Expensive
No skills? You’d better have deep pockets to help pay for someone to help fix your goofs, because goof up you will.
One “tiny” modification will snow ball out of control when the next piece doesn’t fit, then the next, then the next, then the next, and then you get crabby, sell it for 25% of what you sunk into it and then likely start over with a stock (ish) build. (Ask me how I know this one.)
Alternatives?
Frame purchase- what do these start at these days? $12,000? Bare! Dressed out? $20,000? That old stock frame looks pretty good now, doesn’t it? Still, if I had unlimited funds I’d likely do it too!
Buy one to your taste that is done using the money you got from selling the two cabs/truck projects= instant gratification and then you’re driving it. Tomorrow! If time isn’t on your side, both a complete stock rebuild or hot rod modified “resto-mod” are not in your favor.
I built my complete stock ish GMC 1 ton in just over 3 years. I did everything mysefl(except rechroming and engine block machining) and often put in 8 hour days on it in the summer when I wasn’t in school teaching. I was in the shop everyday for at least an hour. I have well over 1500 hours of my time. Did I goof? You bet. Did I have some skills? Yes, and they continue to grow. I screwed up royally my first couple go rounds and don’t like seeing others make my mistakes.
“Stop...and think it through.”–-Cookie Monster–Sesame Street.
Weigh the options, all of them, critically. Your wallet and sanity will thank you.
Good luck whatever you choose. We are here to help both ways, and I hope that doesn’t scare you off. 😎
Rant over.
Last edited by Fox; 10/10/2020 4:44 AM.
