The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Does this happen to anyone else?

I have started my project truck a 1952 Chevy. I find I get working on it and after awhile I just get overwhelmed . The problem is I think I have two trucks and I am trying to make one good truck. I am used to buying restored vehicles. so this is my first true project. I just get discouraged when I look at the cabs of both and neither one is worth a lick (thank you Minnesota DOT for using salt on the roads). I have half a million questions to ask you folks. My first one being who offers quality patch panels? I will fix must of the truck panels myself but I know I will be purchasing cab corners for sure

I use LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/ICATALOG/CA/t.aspx?Page=20 because I can look at the part on the truck in their catalog. I believe most of the smaller patches are made in china or Taiwan or India. The larger stuff I would get from Bitchin Products.
http://www.bitchinproductsinc.com/

A restoration project can be very overwhelming. The thing you need to do is focus on one area and not think about the whole project. If you are doing a stock restoration, and you restore each individual assembly, it will all go back together as it was when new. If you are doing a custom restoration, then you need to coordinate the fit and finish of interacting items.

You have two trucks, I would first take an inventor of your parts and pieces. That is which parts will be used on your project. The parts and pieces that you are not focusing on I would try to remove from your work area. That way they are not in the way and you are not seeing the mountain for something it is not.

After you take an inventory, create a schedule of the project. That is where are you going to start and what is next and so on. By using a schedule you can focus on one thing, but know what is coming up next. This will allow you do get parts and resourse together for the next area of focus and have them on hand when you are ready for them.

With a plan, you are not thinking about interior restoration while you are restoring the frame and suspension.

I hope this helps. Make a plan, stick to it. But be flexible. If a problem comes up, move to something else until the problem is cleared.

Most of all have fun, if it is not fun let someone else do it for you.

Lonnie

Welcome to the 'Bolt! Youll find lots of friendly folks and some good info here.

Take it absolutely one thing at a time! Otherwise you will be so overwhelmed you wont enjoy working on it! And take plenty of pictures!

Recently I started to do the front end in my COE. Once that was finished and sitting in the garage I decided Id better rebuild the steering column. With the column out of the way I figured what the hell, I can pull the dash!

Not the best jump of logic, but taken as many individual tasks it gets really interesting and more fun then I think a frame off restoration would be.

In between all the stuff Ive done Ive been able to take the truck for trips around town which really helps matters and keeps you enjoying each part of the puzzle you get to do individually.

Think about the important things first;

Does she run? What will it take?

Now that she runs, you want her to stop. Go for the brakes!

Does the electrical work or are do you need to up the fire coverage on your insurance?

Take it slow and dont be overwhelmed. My belief is always that mechanicals take precedence over looks.

Good luck and get us some pictures!

Jeff

If you do not happen to be financially challenged, remember that they are now producing an entire repop cab. I think they are about eight grand. I saw one at a vendor's booth at a swap meet and it looked good, but have not heard of anyone working with one. The vendor's sales guy was trying to convince me that a person who paid to fix a old rusted cab would probably spend the same as buying new. I wouldn't know, I fixed mine.

As stated above, the work should be enjoyable. If you are not satisfied with the progress over time it will not be. It took me over 3 years to finish my truck and while I always wanted it to be all done, I took pleasure in the small steps that occured each week. Good luck,
Steve

Just my two-cents but if you pull off everything and don't clean and restore as you go it becomes unmanageable very quickly. I would pull a part, clean it, paint it, repair or plan on replacement if necessary. Now as I am going back together it is a much faster process. I did a frame-off and I am approaching 60% complete after two years. I doo at least one little job per night if I can't tackle a big one. I find it to be very relaxing to spend a couple hours in the garage on the truck. Approach it with a plan and it will work just be realistic on your expectations and time lines. Want to make a little extra cash sell your extras on Ebay once you get a little money built up you can buy bits that you need.

I am going to take on as much as I can myself. it does run and drive stopping not so well with the leaking wheel cylinders. The frame is the first thing I will tackle of course. I feel really lucky and blessed that my uncle has been collecting and restoring cars since the 60's and my best friend is a shop teacher at a local high school. The hard part for me right now is seeing two complete trucks that I have to take apart. I do have access to a mill and a lathe so I can fab a lot of the stuff I will need. This last week I have had to use the gas wrench more then I would have liked, but then again thank you Minnesota winters. thank you for you advice already I didn't think I would get a response so fast

I wouldn't try a teardown on both trucks yet. Decide which truck you will restore and leave the other as your parts and pull off what you need only when you need it.
Good Luck!

YES it sure does
don't get discouraged. take pictures and learn to post them on a photo web site. then link them w/ any questions here. As Brad says do what you can and soon you'll get a handle on everything. the best thing i can tell you is
''if you can visualize what you want her to look/ do when everything is mostly done... keep that focus''
years might go by but hang in there. we'll all help you get through this and your wife will love us/you when the dirty work is over.
keep us informed and good happy tinkering.

Brad Allen has the right idea. I also clean prime,paint and clean as I disassemble. That way when I get frustrated and tired I can look at what I've already accomplished and I feel better. Just take it one piece/project itema at a time and it will amaze you how it will come together. Many folks here have tackle what seemed like some hopeless projects only to make a real jewel out of them. I just hope my panel turns out like that

Oh, welcome to the bolt. This is the best home away from home a man could ask for. LOTS of good guys and good help here.
Good luck, keep us posted and don't forget we like pictures.

Just do whatever is next until you finish.

I am trying to figure the picture thing out right now? Lets just say my talents are elsewhere. If I could take a wrench to my computer it would help. Me I am still looking for the anykey on this thing

ok here is a look at my pick-ups
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/mnwildpunk/img014.jpg
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/mnwildpunk/img017.jpg

I hear you on that I had a friend who this happened to after awhile he hated working on his (sorry non GM)roadrunner and he finally sold it. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME

The best advice I can give is to "bag and tag" every bolt and part you take off. Also I took at least 200 pictures as I disasembled my truck and still as I try to reassemble I find I need pictures I failed to take. So, wear your digital camera out.

Welcome to the Bolt rusty52. This is a great place with lot's of great guys and gals with helpful advice. I think Lonnie's idea of a timetable and 551stsub's objection to it mearly reflect different types of personalities. Some people find them helpful and others don't. Do whatever works for you and just enjoy the journey. By the way you have a couple of nice lookin trucks. The green one looks way better shape then mine. Good Luck!

I think it's good to have a plan but I don't think a schedule is the best idea for a hobby.For me everything has taken longer and been more work then I thought it would.Rusty bolts and jagged sheetmetal are no friends to timetables.My one tip would be to do at least one job a week on it.Even if it's just scraping grease off or getting one frozen bolt out just to keep the project moving forward.I spent nearly 2 years pulling parts off and cleaning them and wondering what the heck I was doing lol.Now things are going back togeather and the excitement for the project is returning.

I haven't read all the responses so if I'm repeating anything I apologize.

First and foremost... There is NO SUCH THING as a big project. Think of it as a series of small projects and do them one (or two while waiting for pats) at a time.

Second... BAG AND TAG!

Third... Take photos of everything from all different angles.

Fourth... Have no timetable. This is a hobby. It's supposed to be fun. Don't put pressure on yourself. When the project is done no one is going to care how long it took, what problems you had, what crisis was going on in your life at the time - your efforts are going to be judged on the final product so take your time and try to have fun.

BTW, if you think you got rust welcome to the crowd.

I agree 100% it needs to be fun not a chore. if it sits for a few months because you are buned out so what. like I tell people it is a restoration not a race. it will be finished whenever it is finished. also put a pic of your inspiration vehicle in the shop so you can allways see what you are working towards.

I WHOLEHEARTILY AGREE!...I was pushed at the end to have mine ready for my sons senior prom ...man that last 2 months took ALL THE FUN OUT OF IT!
it went from my rainy/snowy day nothin else to do PROJECT ...to another JOB!...spent long arse hrs. on the weekend in the shop in the middle of the night alone other than my dog fo company take a nap get up an go at it again ...it came down to a race ...and it stunk!
AND yes take a ZILLION pics!....you will be amazed at the time it saves a year or two later when your looking at this bracket or other odd shaped duflicky and say now I took that off ...where does it go ?????????????????????? and in what position.
DONT GET IN A HURRY~!
take your time & enjoy it
Tim

Concerning a schedule I believe Lonnie meant to make a plan and that plan would be include in what order you would attack the project. Don't expect to stick to it as the unexpected is always lurking in your garage, it sure is in mine!

Thank you everyone so far for all your comments everyone is really nice I have pretty much looked at all you trucks and I have seen a lot of rusty to royalty stories.

I get caught up with it sometimes also..At times at the end of the day I look at what I've done and say,"What a piece of s---".
Then after being away from it for a few days I look at it and say," Wow this truck is going to look great". A lot of it is in your head.

Have a plan..and only work on the truck when you feel like working on the truck..Forcing yourself to work on it to meet some deadline is really not enjoyable and can produce lack luster results..

Keith

I use the old timetested method of lock up the shop and come back tomorrow.When the going gets tough put away the tools and do something else. The truck will still be there tomorrow,and things will usually go a lot better.And for Gods sake dont put a timetable on it,this is supposed to be a fun job.

For what it's worth, my '49 4400 frame off restoration project will have it's 10th anniversary in January ... Still fun, though. I haven't touched it since April. Hope to get back to it after Christmas.

Bag, tag, take boo coo pictures and turn off the shop lights when it gets to be a chore is the best advice above.

Welcome to our web site!
John

Rusty52stovey, welcome to the Stovebolt Page. There is more information here than you will ever know and it is willingly shared by people who know their stuff. Ask just about any question and you will get answers. I am into my 5th year of a frame off on my 49 Suburban and it can be overwhelming I know. Take one thing at a time. My mind has a tendency to wander when I am working on a part. I want it to be finished so I can move on and it can be frustrating when progress is slow. Wisconsin winters are notorious also. I find I can get a lot done in wintertime in between shoveling snow. If you have a place you can work in the winter progress will speed up. Main thing is to stick with it and you will prevail. Good luck on your project. Weeds