A Question for Keith?

[wolfpack]

Hey keith i've been watching you truck come apart and go together for sometime now, my question is how much time and money and parts trucks do you have in your project? and if you had to do it over would you do it? Because i'm getting ready to embark on this 71 ford truck for some reason most people would junk it but I just can't seem to let go of it that easy, it's tugging on my heart strings and looking at your project gives me alot of inspiration to start from the ground up and build it like i want, keep up the good work and thanks for such a great website...Terry

[customcrewcab]

thats like asking a women here weight i guess if he has a goal to keep a truck under a certain price he might be keeping track. most of us don't keep track of those thingsbecuase its not being done to be turned around and make a profit. most cars cost more money then there prob worth to somone else unless your in the busness to make money. you just kindof have to roll with the punches and figure things out for yourself becuase not every has the tools and knowhow to do things the same way. its hard for someone to say something going to cost this much for you to build.

[flyboy2610]

Very few people will ever get back the money they spend on restoring these trucks. They just don't have the draw of say, a 2-door '57 Chevy convertable.
Restoring these trucks is a labor of love, and a desire to have good reliable transportation. If that truck is calling out to you to restore it, you'd best get at it, cause you won't rest until you do!

[67F250CS]

Well I got over $7000 in mine so far and its looks like this now.

That isnt with the $1000 purchase price.

But the way I see it I could have spent 25-35K on a new truck and full coverage insourance and be left with a truck that I need special tools to work on it antway.
My 67 can be fixed 95% of the time with a 1/2-11/16 wrench and a phillips and flat driver.

[FORDification]

You know, the question of the money I've spent so far never even occurred to me until about a week ago, when it crossed my mind that I ought to try and figure up what I've put into it so far, just for the knowledge. However, I don't think I've put as much into it as some people would think. I've bought 6-8 parts trucks and parted them out and not only got some great parts but usually came out ahead afterwards by selling the leftover pieces. For example, I bought two parts trucks at the beginning of the project for $250. I then sold the grille and door panels off one truck for almost $200, and still have a lot of leftover parts to get rid of as I need the money. Then just a while back I bought the '67 CS for $300 and sold the bed for more than that, I actually made a slight profit PLUS got a good cab and lots of other great parts. The first two parts trucks I had access to were given to me by a friend, though there really wasn't much off those I could use, aside from the Dana 60 from one and the underdash A/C from another, but I was able to sell a lot of other parts from them, which allowed me to buy supplies.

Yeah, this truck was never intended to make me any money....in fact, just the opposite. It's being built to be my daily driver, and I don't intend to ever sell it. I haven't kept track of the money invested so far because it really didn't make a difference. If I needed something, I found a way to get it.

Over the next week or so I'll try to sit down and work it out. It WOULD be interesting to know. However, I can almost safely say that there's been actually very little out-of-pocket money invested so far. But my way has definitely been more time-consuming than I'd have liked. Because I have to buy parts trucks, tear 'em down, sell parts, etc., it goes a lot slower than just paying for parts with the credit card.

[wt4speed#2]

Boy I wish I had a place to bring 'em home and dismantle them to help defray the cost

Tony B

[1970F250]

hey Keith. what motor are you putting in it

[wolfpack]

yeah i'm not in it for the money just the experience of building a truck that has what i like about it, and i have access to at least three more ford trucks and i'll probably do like keith does to off set the cost is sell stuff and wheel and deal what i can but i'm really think i'm going to try the pro-street look but once i put it on paper as far as cost maybe just a somewhat modified 71 since i have to strip it down to the frame might as well see what happens the cab need to be replaced and i'll see what parts i can take off to sell will let you know in the days to come what i have. but with you guys here i don't think i'll have a problem putting something together..... Terry

[69F110]

Well, I applaud your methods Keith. Mainly because whether intentionally or unintentionally, you're doing what I want to do as a part-time money maker when I retire (from the Army...will actually be changing professions and still working full time). I plan on having about 10 acres for nothing but 1967-72 Ford Trucks. I plan on buying, bartering, and trading for any and all that I come into contact with. Then, those that are basically parts only, I want to strip them, sort the parts, blast them, prime them and store them for selling. I have a vision of a large barn warehouse with all parts sorted and stacked, ready to ship.

My actually wants a 61 or 62 unibody restored and told me she would even agree to the 61- 66 trucks being done the same way as mentioned above.

It is a dream, a goal, a plan... I'm even looking into the possibility of obtaining government grants for new small business owners.

[willowbilly3]

I saw a satellite map of Nebraska and there was a black hole over Keith's house that was sucking in all the 67-72 parts trucks.
Just kidding Keith, I wish I had time/room/money to have a few dozen around. Except most of them here are rusty and too expensive.

[Chasbod]

No question that these trucks are a labor of love. When I was heavy into looking for a truck and getting to know a couple of auto brokers that have sold top quality 67-72's at auction, it became quickly apparent that it is almost a given that you can easily spend more on these trucks than what you can get back. At least in today's market. Hopefully that will change the older they get. I'm not in it for making any money, just to have my little piece of vintage Ford.

Keith certainly has the ideal method of paying as you go and I would love to do it that way. But without storage area and shop space, it just ain't happening.

[cobraF100]

I dont think Keith will be into his Truck for near as much as some of will be as he has made some good buy's to resale to raise some money for his Truck...

You know what I mean:
He buy's a Truck for $200 then sale's it off part by part and makes $800-1000...

I'll say he'll have about $15-18,000 in it altogether but only have $7-8000 of his own "Hard Money" in it.

[flyboy2610]

I saw a satellite map of Nebraska and there was a black hole over Keith's house that was sucking in all the 67-72 parts trucks.

You know what?
It HAS been pretty windy in Lincoln the last couple days. Winds blowing to the north, too!