The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs At what point

do you say,nope,this is just a parts truck,or,yeah i think she can be brought back to life? Just wondering.I know there are many factors,money,talent,time yada yada,but,what would be the main factor?

I think the first question is paperwork. If I can't title it, its a part trucks.

After that its just how bad do I want to save this one, versus what could I do with the parts if I treat it as a parts truck.

I cut up at least one truck that was better than my Suburban, but can't see parting out a running driving Sub, while that pickup was easy, and I've made good use of the parts.

I've seen some basket cases resurrected when they should have been for parts. I think you need a good frame, running gear and the bigger body parts to be good. Buying all that stuff again gets too expensive.

It depends how much you love that particular truck (family vehicle...), but I would say mostly it depends on your skills and how much you enjoy/take pride in applying these skills to what may have been a lost cause.
Then there is the money issue (it is usually cheaper to start with a good clean complete vehicle) and the time issue (do you want to drive in 3 months, do you prefer to build or to drive).
So many parts are available that only a real complete wreck could be called dead for good.
But then again, if it is good enough for parts, isn't it good enough to rebuild?...

Lots of variables, but the key ones as previously stated are....money, time and skill and money trumps all the above.

NO SUCH THING AS A RIG THAT CAN'T BE SAVED. I HAVE PROVEN THAT, WHAT I STARTED WITH WAS DEAD NOW IT STARTS AND DRIVES JUST FINE AND EVEN LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.
NEVER SAY NEVER

I have seen guys take a car rusted in half (two peices) and rebuild it. It does depend on the person the most imho. My buddy spent 4k in parts for his 55.5 truck and has only installed 1/8th of the parts before he got depressed by it sitting. We havent messed with his truck in 2 years now. Wasted money, truck and parts.... to make things worse he bought the truck from my dad 5 years ago. I too, have started feeling depressed by my beast not looking any better. She runs great and driving it is a blast... but it is an eye sore to me.... so much to do, so little money!

I find having one that drives seems to help me keep my enthusiasm up. My Suburban is ugly, but I can hope in it and go pretty much any time I want.

With it standing by I seem able to take years on other projects no matter how bad they start and feel good about it. The truck I'm working on today was one that came as part of the deal when I bought another. It was the junk/parts truck. I'm finding it much more interesting to work on than the others.