New Member Need Your Help!!

[1973maverick357]

Hello i am a new member a ford guy at heart sorry But i bought a 1951 5 Window 3100. Its very rough but im gonna restore it for a profit not my own truck unless i fall in love which is possible. What do you think would be worth more compeletly stock or a streetrod with late model chevy frame and suspenseion with a built 350 etc. WHat do you guys think? I plan to have it finished in close to a year and sell it for right around the $15,000 mark.

[1973maverick357]

Also here is a picture i forgot to add.

[blackdiesel]

Hope you dont get in upside down on this deal. you might be able to get 15k out of it but it will take a lot of work and at least 25 thousand to get there. good luck

[1973maverick357]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

Hope you dont get in upside down on this deal. you might be able to get 15k out of it but it will take a lot of work and at least 25 thousand to get there. good luck

Not really. I think i can have this truck finished for under $10,000. I can do any patch panels needed. I work part time at a restoration shop i can get a paint job on it for free. I will just freshen up most the parts that need it replace the doors and floor pans the bed is perfect.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by 1973maverick357

Not really. I think i can have this truck finished for under $10,000. I can do any patch panels needed. I work part time at a restoration shop i can get a paint job on it for free. I will just freshen up most the parts that need it replace the doors and floor pans the bed is perfect.

like i said, good luck

[Arkansas50's]

I appreciate the originals, but resto-mod is more my style. Plus, I think going original would be more expensive unless its paint only. I have two friends that have almost 10k in theirs with no paint. Good luck.

[MrTucker]

I think $25k is high - especially if he's doing all the work himself and getting a "free" paint job. These trucks are not great profit turners, but parts are also relatively cheap. If you intend to do a factory restoration you're looking at spending a lot of money - depending on the condition of the truck. If you do a typical MII, 350/700R4, 4 link, shiney paint job it'll sell, but not for a ton of money. $15k is a reasonable price, depending on how nice you do it, but I suspect you'll have close to that in the truck - again, depending on how nice you do it. You could easily have a solid daily driver for under $10k, but probably not a show winner.

Just take a look at LFD's project LowBuck ('67 C10) - that guy built a very nice C10 doing all the work himself for like $8k (before he went nuts on it).


One more thing - resale will be much higher with a stock frame (with a MII), rather than a modified/late model frame. When you customize a frame it tends to scare a lot of people off. I know I would never buy a truck with a modified frame.

[1973maverick357]

Thanks for the feedback. I need some parts first part i need the most is a good radiator,gas tank, 2 good doors and 2 good running boards.

[MrTucker]

If you're thinking hot rod, those are some of the last parts you should be worried about right now...

[1973maverick357]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

If you're thinking hot rod, those are some of the last parts you should be worried about right now...

Well i know i need the doors n running boards either way i go.

[wood1]

Lets see, eng./trans, frame mods and drive line mods, brakes, streering, gas tank, suspension, tires/wheels, interior, gauge set, glass, rubber, door hardware, wood bed/strips and sils, patch panels, to name some of the things and then all the little things. Some of this will have to be new or newer. Good used doors are about $100 each up here and still need some work. I've yet to see a good set of used running boards, they are either rusted or too dented up. They're about $450 new. Hopefully you can find some good parts.
If you are thinking rat-rod, yes/maybe.
But I'd agree with 'blackdiesel'..

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by wood1

Lets see, eng./trans, frame mods and drive line mods, brakes, streering, gas tank, suspension, tires/wheels, interior, gauge set, glass, rubber, door hardware, wood bed/strips and sils, patch panels, to name some of the things and then all the little things. Some of this will have to be new or newer. Good used doors are about $100 each up here and still need some work. I've yet to see a good set of used running boards, they are either rusted or too dented up. They're about $450 new. Hopefully you can find some good parts.
If you are thinking rat-rod, yes/maybe.
But I'd agree with 'blackdiesel'..

Oh yeah...I got the vette suspension WAY cheaper than the mustang 2 and ford 9" stuff sells for and bought a used running engine/trans to save money there as well and mine has about 8K in it already. Wiring harnesses and tailgate and gas tank and patch panels, with used rims and a pair of leather seats etc. It all adds up. What it comes down to is you have to do it because you want it, not for the potential profit. There are a few cars like 57 BelAirs and 61 fuelie Vettes and such that can do that but pickups just don't bring a return. BarrettJackson has ruined the hot rod community because every nut with a slant six Dart thinks it's a classic worth 50K. If you want the truck build it your way and drive it. Otherwise just sell it now for a little more than you bought it for and save yourself alot of work.

[blackdiesel]

lol dont kid yourself, you can give it away now and make several times more than you would if you built it and sold it.

[Arkansas50's]

Maverick, I hope you're not getting your feelings hurt here. Everyone here is just trying to give you "realistic" advise. I've been a lurker here for a while and the experience and knowledge is priceless.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by wood1

If you are thinking rat-rod, yes/maybe.

If you're looking to turn a quick profit, Rat is possibly the way to go. It looks like it's got good patina, and with Rat, you can use almost any drivetrain combo. I see some Rats selling on eBay in the 7-10,000 range.

This one (not mine) was on eBay (ended Dec 20th) was bid up to $7,600 (reserve not met) 350 TBI with 4L80E trans S10 frame, but if you use a little imagination you don't need to go with a S10 swap or that engine/trans combo. I watch the Rats all the time on eBay and it seems the more unique they are, the more money they bring. I think one thing that hurt this one is that it ended just before Christmas.

[solidaxel]

[QUOTE=Arkansas50's;3711974]Maverick, I hope you're not getting your feelings hurt here. Everyone here is just trying to give you "realistic" advise.



The experience and knowledge on here is priceless!!!!

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