Well our new toy arrived today from Sydney, NS. Now all we have to do is decide where to start. It needs work, but as I told hubby, it's 53 years old, what can you expect? That's a whole bunch older than either one of us!

Considering it's from the rust capital area (apoligies to our Maritime friends), it's in pretty good shape but there is still rust in the common spots. The paint is 18 years old but it's in prety good shape considering the ol' girl has been driven. There is some body fill so I think there was some bodywork done when it was painted. Hubby was climbing under it and says it looks like it's mechanically okay. There has been some work done in the last few years but still a long way to go. Just have to decide if the pocket book can handle a complete resto or not. Maybe have to sell off some of the other toys.... Or maybe not.

When it stops raining, I'll take some pics and post them if I figure it out. I know, you guys love pics. I'll get to it. This thing called work sure does get in the way sometimes, but to afford the toys, it's off to work I go.

If anyone has good advice, I'm open to it.

 

55merc

Congrats on your new obsessions arrival. Now the fun begins. I know that you and your hubby have daydreamed about the truck waiting for it to arrive. I also know that his ideas and your ideas are probably different as far as finished product, intended use, budget numbers and lots of other things.

You and hubby should sit down and discuss what each of you see the truck turning into. You have a million options from a mechanical sound old truck to a flat out full bore restoration or street rod. The only limitations are your age and your visa limit. So have a realistic conversation including realistic dollar figures. You might not be able to put a bottom line on it if you haven't researched the actual costs of parts and labor.

Come to a consensus on final product and then make yourself a plan on what needs to be done to accomplish that goal.. If it's just going to be a neat old truck as an occasional driver, don't blow it apart. Take one thing at a time and repair/ replace what's needed... i.e. brakes, wiring,engine rebuild, transmission ( including upgrades to antiquated systems). Take small bites both in complexity and money. Drive it all you can...it will keep you motivated...

If you plan on a full body off restoration/rod, then you'll have to strip it all down and start from scratch...as in scratching off all the years of crud/rust/p.o. work and start your project from the ground up...

It's gonna be the best time you ever had I promise. ESPECIALLY doing it together...

You'll get lots of advise here but until you know where you want to go, we can't draw you a map...

I'll offer this as fodder for your mill... it might give you a little insight...

TRIALS OF A FIRST TIME BUILDER

when the sun comes out be sure and get us some pictures...

enjoy yourselves

John

 

Hi and welcome, great to have another 55 on board!
By the way, if you like you can send some rain here, we`re bone dry........

 

Awesome writing John! You capture the "heart" of loving an old truck and the issues that we face. I hope my wife will have enough of my vision as yours obviously has.... I think my wife is a support; she did, afterall, give me a Ford 8N for Fathers Day 3 years ago!

 

John you are so right. Excellent advice for any first timers!! We decided to tinker with the ol girl and drive it for a few years and then consider the full resto. She's not in that bad of shape and since it will only be driven while the weather is nice (up here, that's not more than a few months each year) there shouldn't be too much change.