Hi Most of you have probably seen my first post about the f100/f250 , I'm 20 years old and the f250 is my first project , I have no clue where to start how ever I know people to do the body work and electrical and mechanics etc , I'm just trying to work out the best way to tackle the project with the least amount of work . I'm after a list of stages , should I start by cleaning out the chassis and get the engine going before painting the body ? Any suggestions will be great, a list will be awesome from start to finish of a complete nut and bolt restoration , sorry about the rookie questions thanks heaps
Yes, get it running and moving first. Do not take it apart into little itty bitty pieces. If it is your first time doing that it is overwhelming, you will never finish it. Make it a bunch of small projects. Running and moving first. Drive it around town for a summer. Next winter something easy like, take the bed off, clean things and get it in primer. Work that way it will get done and you will always have a fun project, not a bunch of work.
milrules, When I bought my 57 Corvette in the late summer The first thing I did was to repair the wiring so that I could drive it safely. I then put on new tires and wheels so that it could hold the road. I then found out that the missing sway bar would be a good thing to have back on. This went on for the whole fall with different small projects and I got in a lot of driving time, enjoying my new ride. Then came winter... Time for a complete frame off before the spring driving. In your case, I would do only things that would not tie up the truck too long so that I could enjoy both working on it and driving it. Another thing to consider is not starting something that your budget won't let you finish.
I agree with oldolds. Small steps as you learn to work on each different part. There has been many a project lost to taking it all apart and getting overwhelmed. Its a lot easier to keep motivated if you can drive the car and enjoy it while doing different things to it. Make a short list of things that need to be done to get it driving and tackle them one at a time. There is lots of help here so don't be afraid to use the search function and ask questions. Good luck
Yep, get it running good, stopping good and steering good then deal with the other things one step at a time as you go. As the others said, it's all too easy to get bogged down and loose interest if the project is torn down so far that it begins to look like it will never be done. When you have it where you can drive it or at least get in it and back it out of the garage to sweep the floor it doesn't take on such immense proportions. Getting the dings worked out of a fender or bed side and getting it slick in primer builds enthusiasm to move on to the next panel.
Like said above, get it on the road. That means tires and brakes first, then move on to the drive train. Looks dont get you down the road and back home so resist the urge to buy those cool looking wheels and put that money into something like the rear axle bearings and seals. Once you get it to where you can jump in it and go cruzing without worry of breaking down, then start on the cosmetics. Just my .02
With what you do tear apart... bag and/or tag everything. Otherwise YOU WILL lose or misplace it! Keep all nuts, bolts, clips for a related part in their own labeled ziploc bag. Keep all bags in a big bucket. I also like to take a lot of digital camera pics of stuff as it comes apart. I can burn it on a disc and play it back as a slideshow on the DVD player in my garage if needed.
Many times when someone pulls apart the whole vehicle, it might not ever get put back together. It becomes such a big project, it is easy to get lost or discouraged. Like what was mentioned, take it in small easy steps. Don't get discouraged and have fun.
the advice given in the previous posts is the same advice i would give to someone for their first "build". i advice people that a first build should be a "two out of three" good body and good drivetrain or good body and interior, or half good body, half good interior and good drivetrain etc... if your question really is what is the most efficient way to do a complete nut and bolt restoration it is as follows; get vehicle running and driving [if possible] make a list of "flaws". assemble and fit all body parts, repairing supports if necessary. TAKE PICTURES! disassemble completely and make a list of parts needed as you go along. TAKE PICTURES. keep all parts together, marking and labeling as necessary, order parts early [some take time] send out all machine shop stuff [some take time]try to sand blast, prime and paint by color, for instance all the chassis parts that will be black. body work, paint and, study photos and reassemble. upholstery. there is more to it but thats the idea.
Price out the project. If you need to have paint and body work done by someone else get a rough estimate. Price rebuilding the engine/transmission/rear end. Be sure you will have enough money. Don't put more money in the vehicle than you can get back out if you sell it. Remember that it is frequently less expensive to buy a restoration than to do one. Charlie Stephens
^^^ what tb33anda3rd said... I'm coming up on the end on my 58 GMC resto and can verify first hand to the need to follow those suggestions. Even when I plan on 'getting to' a project like the steering column it can take an extra 6 months from when I took it out to when I actually begin working on it and having the parts in a bag that's labeled makes all kinds of difference. I also placed all the broken off bolts in the bag with the good ones. Then I went through all the bags to get a count of what I needed when ordering time came around, it helped that it was labeled on the bag as well. Just yesterday I began to reassemble the steering column and after finally finding 'the bag' I was able to lay everything out on a table and sort it out. I have to say is was rewarding to be able to pull that all together after several years. As opposed to having to figure it out from scratch and a pile of "Where did I put that and what's THIS for?" So thanks to who ever you are that gave me the advice back when I started!!!
Well lucky I haven't started yet , I got so excited when I got it in dads factory , I had my socket set and screwdrivers on it ready to start , I had containers for parts and screws but I think what u have said is much more reasonable. The engine is good and working as is so I should be ok to get it registered once I put seat belts and a battery cover , once I get it working and driving how I like I will then begin my restoration thanks everyone for ur help and any advice will be appreciated and I will upload pictures as I go
Back in 77 when I was 16 I tore apart my 37 Chevy p/u to restore thinking it would only take me 2 years but how I was way wrong,it did not see the road until 2000. It almost did not get back togather because my uncle who was helping me rebuild it decided to end his life so it sat for 10 years before getting back on it. Do just what others said and get it running and drivable before doing anything else,if you take it all apart life has a way of getting in your way and stopping the work.
Yeah, just like the guys said above.... Make it safe and reliable and drive it this spring/summer - enjoy it! And ditto on the bag and tag idea. I've found things go back together much faster and easier that way. A couple boxes of sandwich bags and felt tip marker are cheap insurance. Sounds like you have a place to keep it while the fun begins? For me, that's nearly half the battle.... And how about some pics of the little jewel???
Totally true, but restore can mean anything from factory perfect to get the darn thing to run so I don't have to sit in it and make motor noises. I have a car I am doing same with. My plan is get it driveable, list the bugs that crop up, and then have a to do list for next winter. Attack one problem at a time but drive it every chance you get! That's what the hobby is all about. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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