Thread: Low-budget/T-Bucket Pickup

Tweet

Most give up on a budget after awhile, it's going to be fun to see if you can get er done .

I kept a running total on my Track-t and completed it for $5539.22, painted, upholstered, carpeted, and lettered. I got the engine and the seat upholstery in exchange for doing work on a friend's '40 Ford pickup. If I had bought those pieces the total would probably be $500 - $600 more. Shortly after I put it on the road I made floor mats for it which cost another $20 or so. When I sold it last July I got almost double my $$$ investment. (I never count my time when I'm working for myself. If I did, at $15 per hour, I probably lost abut 20K!) I know things have gone up in price since, but I think $6K is a realistic goal.

You're doing really well on your budget! I always blow mine because I can't leave anything alone.

Thanks guys. My original goal was $4000. Now it’s $6000. I’ll just keep “slightly adjusting” the goal as needed to make it work out!

Every type of project I take on always takes about double the time and money I think it will, so I’m used to that.

I’m having a lot fun on this journey so far. All my friends and neighbors check out my progress every time they stop over. My plumber was gawking at it tonight after he replaced my water heater.

I understand, you never go over budget cause you raise it

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I understand, you never go over budget cause you raise it

Well said Seth.
I wish I could push the 'Like' button twice for that!

And I too like what you're doing on this build Steve.
I've been following it with interest.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I understand, you never go over budget cause you raise it

LOL, well...... When you say it like that, you make me sound like a politician or something.


Thanks for the compliment Johnboy. I’m glad I’m providing some entertainment.

LOL, well...... When you say it like that, you make me sound like a politician or something.

I was going to link it to the US " Debt Ceiling " so I think we're on the same thought page

I’ve finally found some time to get some stuff done on the T.

I used some leftover 2” x 3” frame tubing to make a pair of shock/headlight stanchions. As usual, I used some poster board to make the pattern. I welded a 5/16” bolt on the inside to use as a headlight and turn signal ground. I’m using front shocks for a ‘75 Ford Pinto. The lower mounts are just a piece of angle iron which attach to the lower batwing bolts.

B10AB53B-6496-4085-B5BF-0ACDC99D5011.jpeg

6D32E89A-4F2B-4BC2-9457-148476DFF2BD.jpeg

35DD3268-FA3C-42A0-87C8-3A9309706822.jpeg

5AECBFDF-F62B-4DFE-BEC8-5F367A6B1D6E.jpeg

I finished up the last few brackets, e-brake cables, brake line mounts, trailer hitch, etc. then I took it all apart to finish the welding and start the painting.


8DED3DB9-73CF-47DA-9648-FF1191DD418E.jpeg

B0869446-7BF1-431F-BC1D-78E36D28862E.jpeg

7F3A5EA9-2A39-492D-B568-7B35BD745098.jpeg

Nothing looks better in my eyes than a fresh orange small block Chevy.


3351272D-C57C-4DFB-8C2B-5AD54FD391B2.jpeg

I finished welding up the frame, and adding gussets to all the weld joints. I got it painted, and it’s going back together. The past couple days I have been running battery cables, fuel, brake, and transmission cooler lines.


7C298AE0-F049-48E8-919A-2DA456A6615D.jpeg

DA812C2B-AF4F-4D69-879F-57F40368B3F7.jpeg

6D67902A-3A0C-4DCC-A61E-BBC580536638.jpeg

Why the Ford style solenoid?

I did that as a little bit of a theft deterrent. An exposed small block Chevy is extremely easy to hot wire. At least now someone would have to crawl under the car and find the solenoid in order to hot wire it.

Originally Posted by Driver50x

I did that as a little bit of a theft deterrent. An exposed small block Chevy is extremely easy to hot wire. At least now someone would have to crawl under the car and find the solenoid in order to hot wire it.

Not a bad idea, I got a hidden kill switch hooked to the engine computer on Rita as well.