The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Frame off restoration

Is it necessary to rebuild every single component of the truck during a frame off resoration???? I dont see the point in rebuilding the drive train when it runs and drives great. I want to keep as many original parts as possible. I want it to look like a show truck but still be able to drive the three miles to work on nice days. Any input would be nice. I just wnt to bring the truck up to the next level.

Darin

I believe that this hobby (as all hobbies) is supposed to be enjoyable! So with that in mind, why stress out about what is considered "right or wrong"?? Do it the way you want to do it.....there are too many rules in everyday life to worry about. This is your fun time! Just sayin..........

Darin, if you know it doesn't need any work, just leave it as it is. If you're not sure, it's easy to check something like say a transmission while it's out of the truck. Nice truck!

Leo

Thanks for the input.
just want to make sure I'm going about it the right way. Some guys say rebuild everything, but seems like a big waste of money to me, would rather use the money to give to the body shop for a more quality job.

Darin

Darin,
I am more than half way through my frame off on my COE. At first, I didn't want to touch the drivetrain because things seem to work OK, but a mechanic friend encouraged me to look into things closely. I ended up finding worn U-joints, damaged spider gears in the differential, worn axle bearings, leaking axle seals, damaged axle spindle, frozen (rusted) brake cylinders, etc. Many things were on their last legs, waiting for catastrophic failure. It was an old farm truck that was worked hard. Now I am glad I rebuilt everything.

I did not rebuild the engine because compression and vacuum were to specifications and the bearings were plastigauged and were also to specifications. I doubt I would put more than a few hundred miles a year on my truck, so the engine should last a long time. I cleaned, repainted and replaced gaskets, that is all. It is a later model 235 that the previous owner had put in the truck to keep it going. It probably doesn't have that many miles on it and I thought I might cause more problems if I had it rebuilt, not to mention the expense.

If your truck has had an easier life it might be OK just to clean and paint. Some things, like the drivetrain, can be accessed fairly easy later on. If you intend to have a daily driver, I would rebuild everything you can. If it is just for fun, do what seems right to you, given what your goals and budget are.

Kent

You will be amazed that once you start taking the truck apart to "restore" everything ends up being rebuilt.

Great tips Lightholders Dad. Good Plan. The truck is a 62. It had and still has an easy life. So i'm hoping for an easy resto.
But we'll see once I get torn down.

Darin

Life has gotten in the way of my restoration so I am more focused on just putting it back together and find myself letting more and more issues slide.

I do regret not having the frame professionally done while it was stripped but I didn't feel I was $$$ able.

My new plan of attack more resembles a driving rebuild and less like a frame off restoration.

Either way, have fun, stay consistent.

Bob Villa called it while you are here syndrome. you can get so much in the project you are afraid to drive it, i know. i am not afraid to drive it but afraid of what i would have to go through with the insurance co. trying to get any amount of money out of them. i don't expect get out what i have in it but a reasonable amount. build it to drive so you can enjoy it..

Go to Gundys to insure the old truck, you can name your own value, it is cheaper than regular insurance......Kieth

I think it is like fixing up anything. Everything part you replace or restore makes another part look older, so on it goes.

For me, I want to drive a brand new old vehicle to see if they drove as good (or bad) as I remember. Were they ever smooth running with that new car feel and smell? Did they ever drive straight. It seems like we would not have accepted a new vehicle that wanders back and forth.

That's a great looking truck, by the way.

It is a lot easier to rebuild the front end with the fenders off. I have settled into the look at most of the parts and check the tolerance given in the manual. If the parts aren't within tolerance replace them. I was set to rebuild the engine in my 52 but every check I made looked good. I am now cleaning it up inside and out and putting it back together. I am not one to spend more than I need to. The clutch and anything that isn't to pricey should at least be looked at while the truck is apart. If all you do is take stuff apart and clean it, cleaning stuff that has been sitting for a long time is good for it. Most of all have fun. I am working on my own schedule and I still enjoy it when I find time to fix something on the truck.

I sorta streetrodded my 55,and I am happy with the results.However I know that it is much more and hader work to restore one to original.If you have the skill and patience to do a 100%restoration ,go for it.At 73 I am probably one of the older streetrodders here.But I always like looking over a restored to original car or truck.