In over my head - 85 Scottsdale

[Scottsdale Doc]

I had other ideas to name this thread – “Money pit” “nickel and dimed” came to mind. Some background.
My husband inherited his fathers 85 Scottsdale in 2000, but we were living overseas so the pickup was parked at his sisters home in Mississippi for years. We did buy a shed to go over the truck to help protect it from the elements, but I think that it was too late. Now we are back living in Texas so last year made some effort to get the truck running. We had the truck towed to a local MS mechanic , and he put in a new crate engine (350) and rebuilt the transmission, new radiator, exhaust, etc.
This year in May we put on new rims and wheels and drove it to a local MS paint and body shop to work on all the rust.
The guy is charging us by the hour, and his initial estimate, and our budget is way over and the truck is in a million pieces and only a few pieces painted.

I guess there was more rust than he anticipated, and he is “restoring” it as a show truck, which we only want to get it painted and back to Texas to drive.
I read one thread where a truck was painted in pieces and the owner had to put it back together himself and it still cost $11K. So maybe if we keep under that for the work being done we would be doing well.

The parts list is long as he does not want to put back anything old in the interior. I understand that as we are changing the color of the interior from the original red to black, and most is necessary, but a steering wheel and all the levers are not a necessity right now.

I’ve researched parts with LMC, Classic Parts and Classic Industries.
My first order with LMC was over $1100 for exterior/body stuff that got me the free shipping on oversized items. My next order is around $1300.
That’s not mentioning the other $500 on parts from the other auto web sites.
Those parts list do not include shocks, seats, seat belts, sun visors and stereo.
(seems like I’m working on the S’s)

It’s difficult being in Texas and the truck in Mississippi. We just went there for the weekend, and when I mentioned the pin stripe for the truck, he said that was not happening now as he was finishing each piece individually then putting it back together. So now need to at least come up with a design for the tailgate (not painted yet) and some lettering to have “1985 Scottsdale” on the tailgate.

I’ve been reading through this forum for weeks, and thank you for the education and the many pictures to get ideas.

I did purchase the DeeZee organizer for the back of the truck, but now wonder if the walmart or best buy speaker boxes for the 6x9’s will fit.

I have a few questions if any one can help me out.

1) Sunvisors – need them to be black, so will SEM paint work?
Read that the "soft vinyl" tends to flake.

2) Was going to upgrade to the billet trim as it works out to $9 difference as I don’t have to buy two of the AC vent covers. Does not being able to control AC on pax side make a big difference?

3) Does the billet dash insert and the bezel around gauges come with the screws? No mention on LMC, saw Classic had screws in two different lengths.

4) I read that Retrosound make a head unit that fits, and other than that the dash has to be cut. I have new Infinity 3.5inch speakers for dash and 6x9 for rear, but someone mentioned be careful of the ohms and not to blow the speakers ?
I’m lost on that one.

5) I just got my sample leathers from truckvandiscount – anyone used them and were you happy with quality?
I’ve been looking on ebay, craigslist for the 40/20/40 seats and no luck.

Some of you guys out there mentioned that your wives are complaining about what the truck is costing - well I’m one more and I’m doing all the research!
Not being able to do the work ourselves is making the truck very pricey and I doubt we would ever get out of it what we are putting in. Every time my husband turns a page in the catalogue and says "I want that", I remind him that retirement is a little bit further away.

[WigglesTheHoly]

Hmm part of me doesn't want to answer because I feel like I'd be betraying guy code but part of me wants to help.... I'd say on the visors if your dropping the money just shop ebay and get some in black you will be better off in the long run. As for the rebuild If you plan on keeping the truck in the family the full restore is a great idea as it will be easier to maintain the truck once its done. I wish I had that kind of cash to drop my truck off and just say do the body right. although when it comes to drivetrain and interior I want to be hands on and bring out my DIY side.

[engineco713]

I'm in the same boat......I am trying to restore my inherited Dad's 86 C20. I know it's going to cost a boat-load of money but after all, it was my Dad's so it will never be too much. It just will take me longer. Look at it this way, if you spend $15,000 on a rebuilt 85 it will last 10x's longer then a $35,000 2011, looks better, and is something you can go to shows, and meet lot's of great people along the way. It will mean so much to your husband to have his Dad's truck and in turn it will mean a lot to you too. I can't give you advice on the parts as I am early in my build and still doing more research then work.

[Scottsdale Doc]

Photo of the truck before going to the paint shop.
The fender at the paint shop after restoration.
(the streaks are the sun shining)

[Scottsdale Doc]

We already had 7K in it for the mechanical & tires. Budget was 15K now feel it will be completed at $25K. Got to get past the finances and consider it an investment into something we can enjoy. I'd be too scared to drive it!

[WigglesTheHoly]

That truck looked great before you took it in the shop. No offense meant here but whats with the logo on the fender is it getting restored or custom shopped?

[Scottsdale Doc]

Photo doesn't do it justice. It's a V8 stencilled in silver and will be under the clear. It does look really good up close.
As we took off the side and wheel molding and the scottsdale emblem, we needed something to break up all the red. The silver pinstripe was supposed to do that. Now we are having the bowtie with "Chevy" on the rear side of the bed.
With new chrome grill, headlight bezel, door handles, back bumper, tailgate handle we hope it will look sharp.

[WigglesTheHoly]

another idea to save money would be to resell the parts you are no longer using like the emblems and the grill pieces

[Scottsdale Doc]

Yes - I told the guys not to throw anything away. I intend to do that.
I already have the door panels and sunvisors in TX, but all the chrome trim for doors is in MS.
The grill is plastic and has big piece missing, but the molding and headlight bezels may be OK.
I'll probably keep the Scottsdale emblems.
I like to recycle, even from my home remodelling all old stuff is sold.

[nbpro]

That was a great looking truck at the start of your restoration, I will agree. And I wish I had half the original budget to spend. I'm working off of disability income, finding pieces here and there, getting ideas from fellow members here at the website, and am very proud of what I've accomplished with the money I have spent. And I'm sure my nephew will enjoy the truck years to come. And so will your family members with your truck. But as someone mentioned, think about selling the parts you're not using to recoup some of your money. And I will agree Ebay is a good place to look for the sunvisors. But, they're not that hard to recover either. So you could take your old ones and have them recovered for fairly cheap. Everything has it's price, and things do have to have limits. But to do things right (that looks like what you're doing) the rewards will be more statisfying that you can imagine when you're finished. Best of luck to you and your husband, and keep us all posted on the progress.