The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Parking Lot General Truck Talk How long did it take you to resto - rebuild

I bought mine as a driver in 1983 and drove it regularly and had some minor things done, Ifs and open drive shaft and trans with a nova rear end done in the first 5 years. after that i drove it until June 2006 and them put it in the shop for two years. i had most of the work done by some one else.

Drove my truck the first four summers working on it during the week and going to car shows with it on the weekend. Even though it isn't a show truck it got me on the field rather than parking three blocks away.
I made the mistake of tearing the front clip off, the engine and trans out 18 months ago and still taint gonna have it back together this year. No problem doing a frame up if you can avoid all the household chores, family events, don’t have any other hobbies and have a ton of money to throw at it. You will also need to have people to share a lot of the work with you. Other wise I would take it a step at a time and drive it in between. When you get ready to park it for the winter and all you have left to do is pull the cab and have the paint work done then you may be able to get it all back together in time for the next spring season.
I only know one guy that has started on a frame off restoration and finished it in a year, but he’s just a kid and still has lots of energy, right Peter???
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I did the majority of the work in one winter.Course I am always thinkiong of ways to improve it.Mine was a street rod set up,which I like very much.

I started mine in Sep 2006 and finished in April of this year. Did it all myself still adding it all up but at least 10k. Figure twice as much, and twice as long as you planned. I worked on it most days so I could see progress. These last 2 months driving it make it all worth while! I grin everytime I fire it up.

I would say 10yrs. Started to take engine out for rebuild and when I finished the truck was in a million pieces. With interuptions ( kid, grandkids, huricane Katrina, work, houshold etc.). It took 1yr after retirement before I actually had it licensed and on the street legally to drive.I love it, the grandkids love it. Thats all that matters, it was a long time coming and a LOT of $$$. However I'm still smiling, and when I see the smile on the grandsons faces it makes all the hard work worth it.

I purchased the ’53 back in early ’90. It’s still not finished, but I am hoping to be done this year. Yes it was a frame off.

The ’65 I purchased last January and was driving it in the fall. No it was not a frame off. I’m still tinkering with it. I don’t think it will ever be “DONE”.

The ’66 was supposed to be a daily driver while I finished the ’53 and then get restored. Seems I’m spending all my time keeping it going and no time on the ’53 lately

After reading some of these posts, I don't feel so bad that mine "only" took 6 years!

18 years and counting....

take your time estimate and multiply by 3. take your money estimate and multiply by 4 and you may be close.

My 53 had the cab mounted and engine installed and wired into an s-10 frame, then I decided I did not like the radiator/steering interference and have went the route of '53 frame, modified cab, and a suspension redo. currently working on 3 years calendar time or about 80 hours total.

Six years & counting. Does anyone ever really finish??