I've had my '68 Chevy for about a year now and I've really been a little nervous about breaking it down and doing the work on it. I've sanded a little here and there and messed around, but I really want to do it.

How hard is it for a beginner to do a frame off restoration? Especially getting everything to align! I have no experience, but I am pretty confident in my ability to do it. I don't have a garage, will be working mostly outside. Have a very large building, can't put truck in though.

Can some of you experienced beginners give me some advice???

I hate to sound like the bad guy, but seeing how this is going to be your first vehicle, it will not be a perfect show rig after you get finished...... you're bound to have screw ups somewhere along the line. But with that said, certainly you can do it. The key is have patience, take your time, and always try to get information on how to do things, whether thats talking to bodymen, reading books, and practice, practice, practice. When I built my truck *my first ever project* I did basically the whole thing outside. The biggest tip I can give you to kinda ease the frustration would be to work on one aspect of the project at a time. When you start to have 5 things going on at once it gets hard to remember what stage you're at with each, and money can be quickly used up like that. Good luck, theres lots of help on this board.

Rule of thumb: If you think it will take you a year, it will actually take you three, If you think you can do it all for $3000.00 it will take you $6,000.00. Triple your time estimate and triple your money estimate, usually.......JB

damn.........

Just take your time and don't be in a hurry!!!!!!! I've done a few things and had to step back and say DID I DO THAT some good and some not so good. So when you get mad at it walk away for a while then come back and do it again!!!!!!! And don't be afraid to ask for help here or where you live somebody will come to your rescue!!!!!!!! I know that to well LOL !! GOOD LUCK!!!:bowtie: :flag: :bowtie:

It helps to have a little bit of metal working experience. You WILL find some areas where its necessary to cut out and weld in inserts ( if you want to do it properly). Start gathering info, materials, tools etc. If you know someone who has done similar work before, pick their brain, and maybe see if they are willing to help out. I'm currently doing the same thing, first time for me, but I have years of welding and fabricating experience behind me, not to mention the "if it doesn't fit then make it fit" attitude.

Make your assessments on various body panels. That is, see if cost of replacement is better than the sweat, money etc. put into fixing them.

Don't start until you are confident that you can carry it thru and have a lot of it worked out in your head. My truck is also my daily driver and whenever I have large projects in mind I make sure I won't be getting called in for any contract work in the near future. So far I've managed a complete front end swap, cab supports, corners and mounts and have just got the front clip pieces and doors back on. It took me three separate sessions over a 3 year period. I can work on the body now for paint prepping AND still drive the truck.

And TAKE PICTURES, post them on this message board and ASK QUESTIONS! You've got one of the finest sources of info, parts, tools, etc. for these fine trucks on this website. We are all willing to help out in spades.

Have a browse thru my pictures and you will get a good idea of whats ahead, lol. Good Luck.

http://groups.msn.com/Alsplac/shoebox.msnw

Go to the local supermarket and buy at least 3 roles of film and 2 boxes of large ziploc bags. Take pics of everything before you take it apart. When you take it apart put the screws etc. into the bag. Throw a piece of paper into the bag that says where it came from and what it is for. Then tape it to the part. From there break the project down into little projects. Get that one done before you move on, that way you will see progress.

Is there is a tech school in your area. They often times have beginner classes in autobody and mechanical. This will give you enough info to be armed and dangerous.

Everyone on this board had a first project. If you don't start, you will never be able to have it done or have a second or a third. So get at it, times wasting, but take your time and good luck!! We will be here to help! And don't think any questions are stupid. If you don't know, ask.

Oh yeah, I'd like to add something. You WILL come across rusted, fused, stubborn nuts and bolts. Make sure you have lots of demolition gear available. Grinder, hacksaw, prybar, penetrants like WD-40, Liquid Wrench etc. Drill with good titanium bits, easy-outs, the list goes on. Its amazing how one lousy bolt could potentially ruin your day if you aren't prepared for it.

when I bought my truck, told the wife it would take about $2,000 and a year of working on it at nights in the garage. Sept 23rd, it will be 3 years and about $3,500. You tend to loose steam too.

I appreciate you guys giving me this usefull information, and it is nice to see that some others have been there done that. What amazes me is that some of you guys are still in high school and they have some jam up trucks.

I'm 31 years old, have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and design parts all day for Freightliner, Peterbuilt, Kenworth, well Big Trucks and I'm nervous as hell about taking my truck apart. I've bought all kinds of heavy equipment for the disassemblement of my baby and haven't done it yet. I really admire each of you guys that have done this and I am starting this weekend. My wife don't need to know that it's going to take 3 times as much as I told her it would take. :D

I have pics, but they are too large to upload. Is there anyway to make the files smaller to upload them. Got some slamming pics of a buddy of mines truck, he added an extended cab on his '67 Chevy. Bad as hell.

Thanks guys, I will have lots of other questions.

jiggs posted some of the best resto topics and issues out there, and you may also consider buying an assembly manual. they do help when you can identify a part or it was missing when you got the truck. i think cali-surfer said it best when he said to concentrate on one area or piece at a time so you won't get overwhelmed and so you won't end up with a lot of little projects going at one time. if that happens you'll find out that you're shop is a lot smaller than you thought it was. good luck