Quote:
Originally Posted by tutone
At one time years ago, once I got one up on it's feet, I adopted a "two week" rule. I had a young family at the time with lots of running. I woul adhere to it by not keeping the vehicle down for more than two weeks for any work or modification. It works surprisingly well, but a frame off or total rebuild is out of the question.
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This two week rule is a must unless you already plan on a full restoration, have the shop space, have the skills, have the tools, have the time.
This is why you need a two week rule:
There is a rabbit hole too many fall into. Here is a typical story of a very long prolonged or failed project:
1.They start doing one repair or one rust fix, the next thing they know, the truck is all apart and a full restoration is going on. They work diligently for weeks and months, then realize:
2. They do not have the space, skill, money, time, or tools to complete this huge task. Often all the above.
3. They soon burn out when they hit a critical path, where they have no time, funds, or skill to complete one big task to continue get the project driving again.
4. The burn out becomes an unwilling eyesore and now becomes a psychological hurdle they have to cross and it becomes overwhelming. What was once a task that had to be done next, now is an overwhelming giant hurdle. You take a break.....
5. The project sits for an extended time and becomes a burden just to get started again.
6. Often this drags on for years. Some parts get lost or forgotten where they went. Rising prices make it hard to purchase what you need. The vehicle gets buried in the garage. Now you need 4 hours of cleaning the garage done just to start working on the vehicle. This becomes an excuse.
7. When you do work on it, it often is small piece meal tasks and not on the big critical task that has preventing you from finishing.
8. You get sick of looking at the project as it only reminds you of your failure to complete it or your lack of skills, or the mistakes you already made.
9. You no longer have a recollection of good times with the vehicle, you only connection now is negative. The project is officially stalled.
Time Flies:
10. Then only four things can happen:
1. You get rid of it. Either piecemeal or all at once. usually at the result of a divorce.
2. You find a way to get motivated to work on it again. Maybe you finish, maybe you stall at the next critical path.
3. You finish the car, either by cutting corners, or spending some dough.
4. The car sits in your garage, barn, or shed unfinished until you die, or they take you away. Your widow or kids get it and post
it up on FB Marketplace or craigslist. The poor potential buyers hound your loved ones with questions like: Do you
know where all the pieces are? title? Can you look for the missing hubcap? Can you please look for the tailgate?
Are you sure you didn't see the cam card laying around? It looks like this.....