how long does it take

[tenn.jerry]

i was just wondering how long you guys worked on your trucks. i dont think i will ever get finished. i have worked on mine for 15 months and still have a ways to go. seems like one thing just leads to another. ido have my cab insulated and ordered a firewall pad. i am going to try to get pictures up this afternoon. wifes got a digital camera and im hoping i can figure it out.its funny a guy can dismantle a truck and reassemble it but the high tech world gives me a fit. guess ill have to find a 10 year old to show me ha ha. more later.

[Merle Coggins]

I brought my truck home on Mothers Day 2006 and had it out of the shop and driveable on the July 4th weekend 2008, so that makes 26 months. Then the next winter I got the cab interior done. Then the next winter I redid the front brakes and installed a new clutch. And this winter I have a few other things to tinker with.

So what I'm trying to tell you is that you'll never be done.

Merle

[41/53dodges]

4th of july weekend last year, i brought the 53' home. im still workin on it...

[Young Ed]

I went from this to driving in about 6 weeks. Then about another 6 weeks to do the lights and the bed. I've been driving it for 10 years since but I still don't consider it finished.

[JBNeal]

I started on my '48 1/2 ton in '86, revived the motor in '96, got it tagged & inspected in '99, test drove it 'til '09 when I pin-pointed the intermittent electrical & carburetor problems, and am planning on completely dismantling to repair the warped frame as soon as I get house painting & repairs done...did I mention this farm truck was a basket case?

As for the '49 1 ton, I rescued it from the crusher in '01, revived the motor and got it tagged & inspected in '04, but it went off line in '08 thanks to a comedy of errors...have parts & tools, but still working on getting the time to do repairs...will start cosmetic resto after the '48.

Last month, I picked up a '52 1 ton flatbed that I consider in better shape than the B-1s, but it will still need a lot of work done to it to get it road worthy. Then there's the two B-3 parts trucks I've had the brilliant idea of cobbling together to make a hopped-up daily driver. There's a trio of B-1s that are in the yards of neighbors that I've had my eyes on, waiting for the FOR SALE signs to be posted.

When I first started on the '48 when I was jr.high, I wanted to drive it in high school, but didn't have any $$$ to make that deadline. Eventually I accepted the fact that these trucks are labors of love and I take my time on them, when I have the spare cash to do something with them. I tried keeping track on how much time I took on the '48 & '49, but after a hunnert hours spent on the mechanicals, I sorta just guess-timate when someone asks.

[Bob_Koch]

I have been working on my truck for almost 6 years now.

It wasn't running when I got it so decided to do a complete frame off restoration. DON"T do that unless you have the time and commitment to stick with it over the long haul. This project just goes on and on. Through the kids graduations and weddings and periods of unemployment. Oh, yea, and all the DPTECA club duties. My wife has been very understanding.

I thought I would have this done in 1 year. YEA, right! I've learned that it's a journey and one that will be with me for some time still. In the mean time I've learned all the things I never had earlier in life, but wanted to. Now I can sand blast, weld pretty decently, do some body work and I can spray paint. These are skills I never got to learn before, but I'm getting to be able to now. It's fun, but it's alot of work.

In addition, it's given me the opportunity to meet some terrific people and even run one of our trucks down the Bonneville salt track.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Bob_Koch
more to add

[Dave72dt]

I got mine and steered it home at the end of a tow rope back in the late 70's early 80's, notice I didn't say drive, and haven't driven it since. I keep saying next summer it'll move under it's own power, next summer, next summer. It's changed a lot over the years. Some things I did to it I've redone, made it better. Raising a family came way before the truck and a lot of years passed without any changes and even now interuptions but I'm back on it, at a pace that finances allow so next summer......

[MBF]

Bought mine in '95 and was driving it by '97. Been working on it ever since-and enjoying the hell out of it. It won't be finished until you decide that you want to sell it! Enjoy the project-the time will take care of itself. Mike

[Bradley S.]

I started working on my B1F in June of 2009 and am shooting to complete it in time for the 4th of July parades 2011. But if it takes longer, that's OK.

[ggdad1951]

got mine home from the farm after Easter, have the frame done and motor mounted now, axles on as well. I'm doing a frame up resto, have had lots of time and spent quite a bit of money to get where I am right now. I HOPE to have mine on the road next fall. All depends on how much time and money you have to spend.

[52b3b Joe]

i bought mine 2 months ago. I have the frame done, the engine almost done, and the axles are almost done and back on the truck. i plan on getting mine driving next summer or fall.

[SteveMelchiorre]

Bought mine 9 years ago. I was barely able to drive it out of a fire access road 1/2 way up a mountain in BC.

Made lots of progress in the first 3 years but then it all slowed down when my kids were born. Now that they are going to be 6 (twins) its really picked up again with their help...and its more fun now as well.

Steve....

[Dennis_MN]

I bought mine 4 years ago, complete, finished, nothing to do but to drive it!

First Spring I pulled the front clip, cleaned up the engine compartment, added fender filler, added frame ends and added a Dodge Bumper.

Then I added 4 Radial Tires.

2nd Spring I added disk brakes from Charlie Akers, and added seat belts for my granddaughter.

3rd Spring, I found a original Dodge Safety rim, painted it and had the tire remounted (thanks young Ed) Your rim is now in storage but we can get at it if needed)

Purchased a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rear end 3.73 and the next spring will be spent adding disk brake components and then swapping the rear end.

So even though buying a completed truck there is a project every year. Two years from now I may replace the wood in the bed. I'm torn about that project because it is the original wood and while not perfect it is over 60 years old and not too bad.

Dennis

[buds truck]

I'm into mine over 2 years with no end in site, although my wife wants to drive it next summer..... we will see. My 49 Plymouth took 13 years to get to the point of making it a driver, thought it would only take a year. Keep everything in perspective and you will be alright. I found there are more important things than a deadline.....

[1955 plymouth]

I've had mine for about a year and half, I drove it home 70 miles one way, have drivin alot over the past year / half . I have it at my motorcycle shop as an attention grabber right now;), I have alot I want to do, just not alot of spare wrench time. I have a five window cab I would like to swap onto it eventually, etc.. etc.. at the current rate of my progress I would say it will take at least a lifetime...