Posted by Joe Cimoch on Sunday, December 15, 2002 at 7:02PM :
In Reply to: A comment on us PW guys.... posted by Eric B. on Saturday, December 14, 2002 at 10:30AM :
WOW, this post has legs.
On my 1st truck, the '68 FF took a lot of time, and a lot of cash. When we were sitting around the table at Terry & Linda's in Bozrah, Dennis Sherman joked how I was still dismantling the truck 2 months after I bought it, he was being kind. I knew the frame needed to be replaced so I probably did a lot more to the truck because it was apart, than if I could have left everything in place.
I didn't do a full blown restoration, but I figured it was worth replacing worn parts, and cleaning and painting everything while putting the truck back together. So it took a while. That does take its toll on the pocketbook. I was keeping track of my expenses, then decided I would just do what I had to do, when I could to get it finished. I'd agree with Ken See that certain financial details were better off being kept to myself, no sense alarming the Mrs. Tools & supplies are another costly part of the project. I used a LOT of fastners, stainless, geade 8, etc., that adds up too. The dog I picked up at the hardware store while picking up some tools doesn't count. She was free, but I've been paying ever since.
Time is a big piece of any project. I have to make time to do the work, and fit that in with the other responsibilities in my life. I enjoy my kids, and they are growing up fast, I figure the trucks will always be there. I'm not in that much of a hurry.
The Townie is a new project. Will I go that crazy on her? Probably not. But I have been collecting parts while trying to decide how to approach her. Someone gave me a 360, which I thought I might use, decided against that and gave that away. I had an NV4500 tranny that I thought would make a great transmission for a Townie, until I got mine with a winch. I want the winch more than a 5 speed OD, so that went. I'm thinking about taking the body off the frame, to make it "easier" to work on, and you know what that can lead to. And, I figure its time to invest in a welder, so a Miller 210 for $1049 is in my future. And so it goes.
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