How much does your truck cost?

[Ackattack]

I did a little figuring the other estimating prices and all the parts that I will need for my 68 that I'm working on a frame off restoration/modification.

I came up with a total of just under $20k, and that doesn't include paint (that I'll be doing myself). Knowing this amount and how much I have, I may change a few plans (such as modify the trailing arm cross member off of my parts truck rather than buying a new "drop" cross member). When all is said and done, I'm fully figuring on a total of around $30k.

Also, my 72 which owned and worked on for the last 10+ years, I've spent about $20k on it. Now that does include several sets of tires, an engine rebuild, and then a different engine, wear and tear items, and other cost associated with just driving a vehicle for 10 years, but non the less it's still quite a bit of money.

So here's the question. How much money have you or will you spend on your truck? What condition is it or will be in. I'm going for show quality for the 68, so my bar has been set pretty high.

The 72 is now in a "nice clean daily driver/cruise in status"

[70cst]

Interesting question...
My 70cst will be going in under the scope this fall/winter and I am hoping to get it done for about $20,000 give or take. I am not planning on a show winner nor an off frame resto but I hope to have a very nice DD. I thought this made more sense to me then to purchase a new truck. My heart is in these era of trucks so why not drive where your heart is. I do know the $20,000 is a drop in the bucket for some people but for me it's a fortune. This truck is original everything so this will be the first time this truck has had a make over. I will keep the 70cst as close to stock looking as possible but I will be upgrading the mechanics so it will drive, handle, and brake better.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I drove the 67 for years just the way it came (tires and all) just changed fluids.

Doing all the work myself, I have a 700R4, 350, Vintage Air, power disk brakes, and a bunch of other goodies. I'm probably up to about 8K now. A GM crate engine will be in the future. Still not as expensive as a new one...

[SactoJim]

I should be just shy of $15K out of my pocket plus the $3800 I paid for the truck 15+ years ago. That is for a complete frame off restoration to pretty close to what I consider "show quality".

I've done absolutely everthing myself except build the short block and stitch the seat. If I charged myself a reasonable hourly wage for the countless hours of labor, I imagine that number could probably triple!!!

[Piece of Work]

Let's see:
$1500.00 - original price
$700.00 - various parts
$400.00 - paint and body supplies, DIY

$2600.00 - so far

Future - Crate motor, new brakes, New A/C, Repaint - est. $3400.00

Total when done for a dependable DD - $6000.00
Enjoyment - Priceless!


-Mark

[see ten]

Uh........... a lot. But I like em!

[70cst]

Those who can DIY are way ahead of those of us (ME) who cannot. I can do the basics but with limited skills and limited time it isn't feasable for me to even try a DIY type truck. That's what nice about these trucks...they look great even in their "natural patina" state! From the barn to the showroom these trucks are winners.

[BigDaddyDave]

I have got about 7500 in mine,and it will go up I am sure but I figure hey I dont hunt or fish so my truck is my hobby and my DD.after 21 years of marriage my wife had just as soon have me outside working on my truck as hanging around in doors.

[Thealien]

too much?

[LUV2XCLR8]

[mnunn454]

Total investment for me is about $18K so far (That's just shy of $7K to buy and get it here and another $11K invested since its arrival, with another $1-2K required to finish up the customized interior.) To make it show-winning-quality I could spend another $10K on it easy, but I'm not going to. I'm going to sell it instead.

[ND_guy]

60 dollars every time I fill it up.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Interesting! They say once you have everything figured out take the budget and add 50% more and for your time double it.

esll.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

Interesting! They say once you have everything figured out take the budget and add 50% more and for your time double it.

esll.

My wife says the same thing; that's why I end up at $30k

[Palf70Step]

I have around $12000 according to my database reports, but about $2000 is tools & equipment for the shop

[bad6772]

which time? lol i dont even want to start adding up all my reciepts, lol and i shure as heck dont want the wife findin gout just yet.........the first time on my 72 i was in it for about 12 grand, thats not including the purchase price.... even with the short stage im at now. (frame painted and now a roller) im in it for about 1,200..and there is lots more to go.......id say ill have about 10k in it this time.....but i am doing everything myself....from mechanical to int<the wife. and body and paint.... but id rather do it myself,( it s how i put food on the table) than to have someone else to it for me..............

[kxnomore]

Here's a rough breakdown of my rebuild:

Part Description Cost

Truck 1500
Trailer 75
Gas (towing) 30
Dash Pad 80
Bed 300
Trailer for moving bed. 80
Seat Cover (houndstooth) 350
Carburetor 360
Bed Wood (oak, shipped) 340
Bed Strips (steel) 72
Bed Bolts 40
fenders- front 100
Hood 150
Inner Fenders- rh 85
Battery Box 50
radiator support mounts 55
Bumper- rear 100
rear bumper brackets 70
License plate brackets 30
New License plates 175
exhaust manifold 130
AC wiring harness 94
AC Control Assy 189
AC interior hoses 70
AC S tube 20
AC Tri way tube 10
AC heater outlet 20
AC Center Vent 20
Wheels 480
Tires 480
Windshield 329
Paint- myself 250
chrome trim- exterior lower 300
chrome trim- exterior upper 260
tailgate band 190
tailgate molding 90
body mounts 130
Bumper- front 100
Exterior lenses 60
dual exhaust 200
front end parts 220
u-joints 70
alignment 100
sill plates 24
seat belts- 3 ea 60
Bezel w/ tach, vacuum 524
Rear brake cable 65
transmission lines 45
brake cable 20
intercable bracket 20
shocks 100
weather stripping- doors 25
Beaded window seals 25
weather strip adhesive 6
channel felt 16
door handles, cranks 20
Door panels 139
rear view mirror 45
Dash Pad 80
Steering Wheel- wood trim 160
visors 64
armrests 34
lock sets 40
brakes 200
AC Control cables 20
AC Diverter box 100
AC Condenser 170
AC Brackets 100
AC Compressor 200
AC engine comp hoses 125
AC dryer 45
AC Heater Hose Valve 30
AC Vacuum switches 75

Total 10431


Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Priceless

[ChevLoRay]

If I have to ask, I can't afford it.


At this time, I'm sitting on $6500. I'm on the verge of spending another $10K on paint, body and interior. Still want to put in a new engine. That'll be another $3K. A 700R4? Kiss off another $2K.

I told my wife I'd have as much as a new truck costs, by the time I get it finished. So far, I'm not lying.

[chvtrkman]

I understand it's easy to drop 10-20K into a restoration. Unfortunately, my wife says that she would prefer that we have heat for the house in the winter.Oh yeah, and it's much better to be able to buy groceries for us and the kids.
That being said, I don't know the exact figure I've got invested in my truck, but.......it ain't done yet. When I'm finished I will tally up all the receipts. but for now I can take a fairly good "guesstimate" and say approximately $ 3000.
This was an "el cheapo" DIY somewhat, sorta resto. (just enough to bring it back to roadworthyness as a daily driver)

[1969k10stepside]

I've got about $7000 in my 71 at this point and it still needs interior,paint,and of course them expensive tow hooks,and other goodies like tach dash,redo bucket seats,etc. I figure shy of $12000 done,as a nice daily driver/weekend cruiser and maybe a show or 2..But 90% of the sheet metal is original !

[retselgerg]

about 10k for mine, its not perfect but very respectable, and i plan on spending about 1500 more before my new paint job to finsih it up.....doors, a 5 speed, a posi 373, and some new rims..........

[Ackattack]

mine could be quite a bit cheaper, but I'm not building a budget truck. Its just the more it cost the longer it takes. Basically since I paid off my car, I get to apply my same car payment to the truck.

I kinda "cheaped out" on the 72 and now have a "nice" truck but with a lot of comprimises. For example I got a good deal on the wheels (TT2s) Not exactly what I wanted, but it was a good deal.

[wugunguy]

waaaaaayyyyyyyyy too much. LOL and I haven't even put a tank of gas in it, heck, it doesn't even have wheels yet.

[Rascal_one2001]

my truck was built out of all my spare parts from different projects and things sitting around in my shop

0 original price
0 vortec 350
0 bed
18 brake pads
5 glovebox liner
0 bumper and grill ( birthday present)
0 windshield ( Christmas)
paint and body work a few cases of beer

but for a most part i built my truck from my brother and friends spare stuff and pay them back by helping them build stuff

[TravisH]

I was curious about this a while ago and started a rough estimate of where I was and where I was going to be (all DIY). Once I hit 30k I stopped being curious