Delux, I bought my '50 at age 16 and had to put just a motor in it to get it on the road. Drove it in various states of disrepair for years, fixing as it needed, sometimes a little more. Did a wipe down and spray enamal paint job one year for about a $100.00. Many a year it didn't charge well and generally needed a hill to start it. Almost always operated on a pump and a half brake system. Drove it that way for a couple decades, sometimes it was down for a long while. But over those years, I found parts, learned more and more about the truck and came to love it and the people that own them.
About 4 years ago a hit and run driver took out the front fender and I decided it was time to do it. I am almost finished (within a week or two) of a complete down to the frame, every single part, nut and bolt rebuilt or replaced, some upgrades, generally stock. I have done all the work myself including body and paint, except I bought a complete rebuilt 261. My cost so far is probably realistically 15K and time is 3 1/2 years working on it when I can. But I push myself and my lovely wife is a garage widow.
Had I done it earlier I might have lost interest, but this truck is an old friend now. I agree with all that is said here in this post. The time and cost is all about what you want to do and your inclination to do it. Welcome and good luck.
Steve O
