In over my head - 85 Scottsdale

[Scottsdale Doc]

I had other ideas to name this thread – “Money pit” “nickel and dimed” came to mind. Some background.
My husband inherited his fathers 85 Scottsdale in 2000, but we were living overseas so the pickup was parked at his sisters home in Mississippi for years. We did buy a shed to go over the truck to help protect it from the elements, but I think that it was too late. Now we are back living in Texas so last year made some effort to get the truck running. We had the truck towed to a local MS mechanic , and he put in a new crate engine (350) and rebuilt the transmission, new radiator, exhaust, etc.
This year in May we put on new rims and wheels and drove it to a local MS paint and body shop to work on all the rust.
The guy is charging us by the hour, and his initial estimate, and our budget is way over and the truck is in a million pieces and only a few pieces painted.

I guess there was more rust than he anticipated, and he is “restoring” it as a show truck, which we only want to get it painted and back to Texas to drive.
I read one thread where a truck was painted in pieces and the owner had to put it back together himself and it still cost $11K. So maybe if we keep under that for the work being done we would be doing well.

The parts list is long as he does not want to put back anything old in the interior. I understand that as we are changing the color of the interior from the original red to black, and most is necessary, but a steering wheel and all the levers are not a necessity right now.

I’ve researched parts with LMC, Classic Parts and Classic Industries.
My first order with LMC was over $1100 for exterior/body stuff that got me the free shipping on oversized items. My next order is around $1300.
That’s not mentioning the other $500 on parts from the other auto web sites.
Those parts list do not include shocks, seats, seat belts, sun visors and stereo.
(seems like I’m working on the S’s)

It’s difficult being in Texas and the truck in Mississippi. We just went there for the weekend, and when I mentioned the pin stripe for the truck, he said that was not happening now as he was finishing each piece individually then putting it back together. So now need to at least come up with a design for the tailgate (not painted yet) and some lettering to have “1985 Scottsdale” on the tailgate.

I’ve been reading through this forum for weeks, and thank you for the education and the many pictures to get ideas.

I did purchase the DeeZee organizer for the back of the truck, but now wonder if the walmart or best buy speaker boxes for the 6x9’s will fit.

I have a few questions if any one can help me out.

1) Sunvisors – need them to be black, so will SEM paint work?
Read that the "soft vinyl" tends to flake.

2) Was going to upgrade to the billet trim as it works out to $9 difference as I don’t have to buy two of the AC vent covers. Does not being able to control AC on pax side make a big difference?

3) Does the billet dash insert and the bezel around gauges come with the screws? No mention on LMC, saw Classic had screws in two different lengths.

4) I read that Retrosound make a head unit that fits, and other than that the dash has to be cut. I have new Infinity 3.5inch speakers for dash and 6x9 for rear, but someone mentioned be careful of the ohms and not to blow the speakers ?
I’m lost on that one.

5) I just got my sample leathers from truckvandiscount – anyone used them and were you happy with quality?
I’ve been looking on ebay, craigslist for the 40/20/40 seats and no luck.

Some of you guys out there mentioned that your wives are complaining about what the truck is costing - well I’m one more and I’m doing all the research!
Not being able to do the work ourselves is making the truck very pricey and I doubt we would ever get out of it what we are putting in. Every time my husband turns a page in the catalogue and says "I want that", I remind him that retirement is a little bit further away.