The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Parking Lot General Truck Talk cost of trucks

I always wanted a 5 window AD truck, but didn't like the prices of decent ones. So, I bought a project basket case project a few years ago. I'm now into my second year of work on it, and it has become very clear why nice ones are pricey. Every 15 minute job actually takes 2 to 3 days. I should have known this, because this is not my first time restoring a vehicle. Every old part must be refurbished prior to use. None of the reproduction parts fit, and many are not up to the quality standards you want for your truck anyway. You probably can't tell it, but I'm a bit frustrated this morning.

Ditto. My trucks' "birthday" to me is 4 years, this month.....many birth defects and not too near completed. I bought sight-unseen off of Ebay. It is my first and probably last restore. I'm a shade tree "mechanic" at best.

That's one of the reasons it's generally not a good idea to use vintage vehicles as a way to make money. With a few exceptions the only entities that make money restoring old vehicles are the shops who get paid to do the work on them. I have far more money in my 38 and 53 than I could ever get out of them.

I can't speak for anyone else. I went in eyes wide open. I took the restoration path because of cost. I can do most of the work and I don't have to pay someone else for their work and I can spread the cost over time. I did know i would probably have more in the truck than I could sell it for. I just bought a second project from an estate. 90% complete from an off the frame restoration. I am now discovering a bunch of missing parts that I now need to track down and most of them are used and need their own restoration work. I feel your pain. Not 2 years worth but I get it. It has kind of become a joke. I initially say I can "fix that in about 30 minutes" and end up taking 5-6 hours. My first truck has been on the road for about 5 years.

Just think of it as a master's degree. You pay to educate yourself. Once complete you have the knowledge and experience and diploma (operating vehicle) to prove it. Also comforting to know that we all are in the same pool. Paying to play.

The idea is it does save a heap of money and you are supposed to get relaxation, sense of accomplishment doing it yourself, learning new things, no schedules, rewarding. Every single person who has ever started with a basket case or rough truck to fix up or renew or refurbish or restore...........takes a long time, gets tired of it off and on, frustrated, lose interest from time to time, gets sore and beat up. But most re enjoy it after a hiatus. You don't really look for a light at the end of the tunnel, you just do one thing at a time.

I’ll speak for myself and say that I work on basket cases at various stages of rust and completeness when they came (come) into the yard. I don’t have high expectations or place expectations on time, effort and cost. If there is an expectation I revisit the thought that nothing is ever easy, costs usually come in at 50-100% or more higher than I roughly estimate, and I lose interest from time to time and they sit until I am motivated again. It’s a hobby, sometimes a burden, most of the time a money pit…and at times exalting when a hard to find part is found, an engine comes back to life, or I stand back and look at something that was a POS and now is better than new because of my elbow grease and pocketbook. Yes Mike, I question why from time to time and justify the expense as part of my life journey and education and an avenue to meet other people. If anything I stick with it because it’s not a bad thing to do and learn. I would say it keeps me out of the bars, but that would be a stretch. . So it is… I made the decision to do this and I follow through on a truck or cut my losses and sell it.

Mike: you’re normal… and there is help for you and us. I attend local ATA meetings…(Antique Trucks Anonymous)…start a group and open your garage door. Let those in with far away eyes, the downtrodden with rotten running boards and A pillars, the dented and sagging..soon they will have primer on their metal and brake lines that wont rust.

Oh, BTW … the above was my 1,000th post. An ATA milestone. I deserve a pin. Please feel free to congratulate me…or send condolences to the members in this site who choose to read or monitor my wandering ramblings.

1000 post is not a pin, it's a men's bracelet made from paper clips. Congratulations.

LOL! I earned my bracelet of paper clips long ago. My project is going on 6-1/2 years, but I went into it with my eyes wide open and was looking for something to do in retirement. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, though.
It's like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.
I'm afraid to look at what this project has cost (in either dollars spent or personal labor), but that's not the point.
Hang in there Mike. You're way ahead of me.