How many hours did it take you to build your truck?

[RenoKeene]

I was asked the question so I sat down and put a pencil to it:

Total build time for 'Rose' was two years (lets say 90 weeks) for a full frame off. I worked alone most of the time but recruited help when I needed it and I farmed out the body and paint work so that is not in this equation.
Keep in mind that this is a conservative estimate.
2 hours a day, 4 days a week (I have a full time job so this was after work)
8 hours on the weekend (split between Sat. and Sun.)
2x4=8
8+8=16 hours per week
16x90 weeks=1440 hours
If I had paid a pro shop say $60 per hour it could have cost $86,400 but I am assuming they would have been faster than myself so maybe $60k.
This is a labor only estimate, NO PARTS $.
So, if you ever wondered how someone could spend $80 grand on one of these trucks now you know.

Lets see what the rest of you folks think you have in labor hours.

[WIDESIDE72]

My 72 swb step was a frame off as well. I also farmed out finish body work and paint. ($8k) My dad installed new floor pan patches as well as in er and outer rockers. (Took about 80 hrs.) i did everything else except install the seat covers on the buckets. I used to work nights 4-10's sun-wed so on two of my days off i worked on it every thurs and fri at least 4 hrs a day for nearly two years (!) I am still not done as it needs the vintage air lines made up/ installed/ charged, headliner installed, other minor details. I work a normal 5 days a week 8 hr day now so i dont have the free time like before. I never would have finished it if it werent for having the two days evry week. I am glad i can spend time with family though!

[WIDESIDE72]

I almost forgot that a little over a year ago when i started my new job i took three weeks off and worked on it nearly every day mon-fri for at least 4hrs as well. I put a pencil to it once and figured there is about 500 hrs of my labor in it. Also around $10k in parts in addition to the $8k body and paint.

[67ChevyRedneck]

More hours than I honestly care to think about... then the countless hours on research and parts research/pricing/ordering, going to actual junkyards and swap meets....

[RenoKeene]

I think this info might be helpful for those about to take on a project like this. As you can see it takes dedication to complete these builds, lots of projects go unfinished due to lack of commitment, life changes and lost interest.
Now, get off the computer and go work on your truck.

[BruthaMan]

My '78 build was a frame off restoration. It took about eight months, more money than I'd ever care to admit (I went nuts with NOS parts!). I hired a guy I had bought some parts from to come help me. He spent about five months on the project.

Was my first time and I really had no automotive/paint/body experience prior. Most days consisted of a few hours trying to figure out what we were doing, a few hours back and forth to Tractor Supply for trivial nuts, bolts, screws, etc., followed by a few hours of actually getting something done!

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

More hours than I honestly care to think about... then the countless hours on research and parts research/pricing/ordering, going to actual junkyards and swap meets....

X2 and im still not done.....and loving every minute of it!

[67 cst swb]

I think we need to DELETE this thread RIGHT AWAY!!!
hopefully it won't turn people away from building these trucks.....
OH WAIT !!!! yea... let's keep it at the top of the page.
Then... maybe it will get people disinterested and they will give their truck/parts to me.
LOL

[Mapearso]

Most of the time it's fun so I don't count the hours. I'll farm out the stuff I can't do, can't do well, or don't have the space/tools/equipment for (like bodywork). I value my time so I don't feel too bad about turning some things over to the "Pros"

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

I was asked the question so I sat down and put a pencil to it:

Total build time for 'Rose' was two years (lets say 90 weeks) for a full frame off. I worked alone most of the time but recruited help when I needed it and I farmed out the body and paint work so that is not in this equation.
Keep in mind that this is a conservative estimate.
2 hours a day, 4 days a week (I have a full time job so this was after work)
8 hours on the weekend (split between Sat. and Sun.)
2x4=8
8+8=16 hours per week
16x90 weeks=1440 hours
If I had paid a pro shop say $60 per hour it could have cost $86,400 but I am assuming they would have been faster than myself so maybe $60k.
This is a labor only estimate, NO PARTS $.
So, if you ever wondered how someone could spend $80 grand on one of these trucks now you know.

Lets see what the rest of you folks think you have in labor hours.

Yours is finished? Sheesh!

[11SECSS]

Crazy how many hours add up over time .I'm just getting started on my project and only have about 6 hours off and on and havn't really done much other then bumpers and grill and other little stuff. I now know whats in store for me ......

[RenoKeene]

Diggin your SS, I've got a 97 Z28 we have had since 98.
My build hours are based on a full blown every nut and bolt build. Basically a brand new truck. Time and money well spent I think compared to what a new model truck costs.

[Mr Handy]

Dang I would have to think about that... If counting research and web surfing I have 2 full time jobs...
In woodworking people can't understand when I till them I have 100 hours in a table... there is a lot more to a truck than to most tables.
here is what about 150 hours looks like in table form.

[CST10]

Yea. I'm digging the camaro too. Mines a 98 Z28 with 33K original miles. Runs with full interior and spare still in the trunk a solid 10.875 second 1/4 mile time consistently.

[BlueBullet]

I don't really pay much attention to how much time I have in my project. It is more a labor of love. I find it relaxing MOST of the time. And a great feeling of accomplishment when finished. Many people are amazed I can take something apart and put it back together and it works. Thank god for this site.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

I was asked the question so I sat down and put a pencil to it:...snip....
Total build time for 'Rose' was two years (lets say 90 weeks) for a full frame
Lets see what the rest of you folks think you have in labor hours.

Ohhh...This should be fun.

Got RAT as a very nicely finished frame and suspension from a pal. He had too many projects going. So, just before I retired in Sept of 2008,
he and a few of us (Lunch provided by me for $55...hahahaha!!!) delivered the frame, a bed, two cabs, running gear, a front clip, and boxes of
"stuff" to my son-in-law's 3-car garage.

I was in the "big bay" for five years. Every week day that it wasn't raining (hard) or snowing for at least four hours a day. 1,825 days. If I pull out
the weekend days (I often worked on weekends, so I'm shooting for a "conservative figure), that drops it down to 1,305 days at 4 hours per day
...Or, 5,220 hours. If I pull out a full two months a year, or 300 more days for for inclement weather, I get 1,005 days x 4hrs, or 4,020 hours.

I also had some help. Maybe about 300 paid and 100 or so from friends. I won't count those. I also won't count the trips to the computer,
the times I had a road trip to pick up parts and meet some of you folks, or the parts chasing to the post office, auto parts store, or grave yard.
All those hours, I wouldn't want back if I COULD get 'em back.

Also, it's hard to add up the hours I went out to the driveway to "just do something"...and then came back in six hours later for a shower.

Anyway, the "documentable hours" at just over 4,000 X my personal shop rate of $26 (I'm not worth a REAL shop rate...hahahahaha)
would be $104,520.00.....

And RAT's just a driver...And that was BEFORE chasing around the paint.

Thank All That's Mighty that I didn't charge myself for the painter's hours sanding!!!!

No, I could have spent my time doing worse things to myself...
And, I used to....

[bbcmudtruck]

Wow! I've estimated that I have around 60-70 hours in just my frame over the last year and a half. Like you guys, I'll spend a few hours during the week and then most Saturday and sundays welding and grinding. I think I'm finally to a point where I'm satisfied with the frame work and will be able to actually start on the cab....

[custom1970]

Wow, what a thought. Lets see.. The truck was originally my grandfather's so I've probably first worked on it over 34 yrs ago.. Since I've owned it I've restored it 2x and I don't think it'll ever be "finished"
Hours or price? My sanity....

[CastIron]

I haven't spent much time at all working on mine. All I've done in the 15 years I've it is add power steering, replace an exhaust stud, the alternator, some tie rod ends and align it, and buffed the paint a few times. I think I've changed oil in a few times as well. All in all, maybe 20 hours?
My future plans include a front disc brake conversion, maybe put a 5 speed transmission in it, and eventually put a crate motor in it. So I may have to work on it another 20 hours or so.
I've put on about 15,000 miles in the time I've owned it, so I've probably spent more time driving it than actually working on it.

[BruthaMan]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

Dang I would have to think about that... If counting research and web surfing I have 2 full time jobs...
In woodworking people can't understand when I till them I have 100 hours in a table... there is a lot more to a truck than to most tables.
here is what about 150 hours looks like in table form.

You are truly a craftsman, Mr. Handy. Those tables are stunning!

[special-K]

I have it all written down for each truck down to the minute, right along with the fuel economy figures and how many women I've laid
Just kidding. I only kept track of the latter...on one hand (finger)

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

Dang I would have to think about that... If counting research and web surfing I have 2 full time jobs...
In woodworking people can't understand when I till them I have 100 hours in a table... there is a lot more to a truck than to most tables.
here is what about 150 hours looks like in table form.

Beautiful work Andy!

[Mr Handy]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

Beautiful work Andy!

now I just got to get my truck looking as good...

[coopdog]

It took me roughly 2 years to complete, but i calculated that i had about 1000 man hours in just the body work

[54belair]

I currently have over 500 hrs invested and the truck is currently in the beginning stages or Re-assembly. Life got in the way of my project last year. Hoping to spend another 200 or so and finish this year.