How many have had a tractor restoration or other project take a real long time to finish??? For me it was an irrigation pump. Bought it didn't use it, went to use it and it ended up needing engine work. Now it is working great!!! Mrs. jocco would say I have many more that fits that description!!!
- Thread starter JOCCO
- Start date
The John Deere "L" with Hercules engine took over all about 3 1/2 to 4 years to completely restore. Had to make new pistons and rings. Also had to search around for steering box and other parts in various salvage yards. Not all jobs are easy especially when you have to make new parts.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
All of them my wife would say. Longest one is our house I'd say.
Steve in VA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Natural Bridge Virginia
While building my current garage I decided that a cedar shake roof would look nice. Exactly a year to the day between the first shake and the last. I learned 2 things. First, cedar shakes were popular when labor was cheap, and second, I'll never do it again. Does look nice though.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
It took me 5 years to completely remodel and double the size of my house. Started in Nov of 1991 and completed in Aug of 1996. I did 99% of the work, including bricking, framing, roofing, wiring, plumbing, new kitchen, a 24x26 addition with master bed, walking, bath and Sun room, 24x24 garage and moving 20 ft of a load bearing wall to make a larger living room and then putting on the front entrance. Ceramic tile on 4 floors. All windows replaced with Anderson casements, new insulated doors, and super insulated the house. I will never take on a project that big and do it my self.
My most recent room addition, 26x26 only took 100 days. I acted as the general and sub contracted a lot of the back breaking work.
My most recent room addition, 26x26 only took 100 days. I acted as the general and sub contracted a lot of the back breaking work.
pat sublett
Well-known Member
been working on this since 1972. Did everything including design, elect, HVAC plumbing, tile cabinet etc.
Paul from MI
Well-known Member
I started restoring my M38a1 military Jeep in 2001, finished in 2004. Changed frame and tub, rebuilt the entire power train, etc. It's been my summer ride for the last 11 years and 17,800 miles.
Mike(NEOhio)
Well-known Member
- Location
- Newbury, Ohio
Fiberglass body for a '78 Scout that I bought new. Finally sold the body and 2 parts vehicles three years ago. Just getting around to selling all the small parts and rolling chassis. Posted my ad last night. Also an Ingersoll D-65 compressor.
super99
Well-known Member
Back in the days when I burned wood, I would tell people that when I started a new project, I would plant a tree. If I got the project done before the tree was big enough to cut for firewood, I was ahead of schedule. Now I just say; I'm gonna get to it one of these days. Chris
Donald Lehman
Well-known Member
Bought a Kwacker H-1 with the idea of restoring it to running condition. Monky'd around with the thing a couple of times and then it got set to the side and never finished. Sold it several years later.
The short answer to your question is all of them. (chuckle)
The short answer to your question is all of them. (chuckle)
steve_in_mo
Well-known Member
No, but my wife does........
(She keeps thinking she can fix me.)
(She keeps thinking she can fix me.)
SweetFeet
Well-known Member
Funny you posted this thread...
Husband and I were just talking about it last weekend - he said it has taken him 30 YEARS to build the perfect trailer.
He started with brand new heavy duty double axles.
He first built an enormous and high gooseneck trailer.
Years later he torched it apart and rebuilt it into a low car hauler... but built beefed-up fenders that you could drive over and put on a new deck.
Again, years later - he built sides and tail gate for it, so it could be 1, 2, or 3 boards high... and put on new interlocking wood deck so he could haul rock with out having a leaky load.
Then he built an adapter so it can be a gooseneck when needed - but a bumper-tow car hauler the rest of the time. Also installed new automatic electric brakes.
Most recently he added removal inner "fender extensions" to make it better for hauling our Farmall Regular or our son's mud-truck.
Now he says it only took him 30 YEARS to build the perfect trailer... at least until he thinks of something new. LOL!
Husband and I were just talking about it last weekend - he said it has taken him 30 YEARS to build the perfect trailer.
He started with brand new heavy duty double axles.
He first built an enormous and high gooseneck trailer.
Years later he torched it apart and rebuilt it into a low car hauler... but built beefed-up fenders that you could drive over and put on a new deck.
Again, years later - he built sides and tail gate for it, so it could be 1, 2, or 3 boards high... and put on new interlocking wood deck so he could haul rock with out having a leaky load.
Then he built an adapter so it can be a gooseneck when needed - but a bumper-tow car hauler the rest of the time. Also installed new automatic electric brakes.
Most recently he added removal inner "fender extensions" to make it better for hauling our Farmall Regular or our son's mud-truck.
Now he says it only took him 30 YEARS to build the perfect trailer... at least until he thinks of something new. LOL!
Tom OConnor
Member
I got a bug about restoring some implements to go with the tractors. About half way through this combine project I was wondering "what was I thinking" but after three years it turned out great. It was fun project and I had a great team player who I will always be grateful for. It was the only combine ever to be certified "Expo Quality." We chose the model 42 as it was one of the first with the bin above the separator which gave it a much narrower wheel tread enabling it to go on a trailer much easier.
Sam Womer (PA)
Member
Buried in the back corner of my garage is the '38 Chevy coupe that was my "street rod" 50 years ago.. It hasn't 't moved since I stashed it there 40 years ago. T he engine, a Hudson Hornet, may or may not still be usable. If not I plan on a 300 HP Chevy six. Since I'm now 74 years old I guess I 'd best get started. Wait for pics. Sam
RandyB(MI)
Well-known Member
Bought this in 1981 for $ 1500. Nice rust free Alabama car. Did complete nut & bolt resto. Drove it for first time in 2001. Not because of procrastination , but because my wife was a stay-at-home mother of two and NONE of the money for this resto came from the "family" paycheck! Did ALL work myself. (was my vocation) I sold scrap alum/usable insurance replaced parts from repaired cars. Made trades and deals and that "extra" money did this car. There were times it sat idle for 2 yrs at a time waiting for $$$$. Enjoyed it for a few years and with retirement looming decided I needed some "investment " money to help out 401 so I could retire (if one ever really does). Sold it for $27,000 to a retired GM emp. that always wanted one. made another man,s dream come true. Was walking around the car everyday to work on old John Deere,s. Things change. Wish I could keep all I've ever restored but even now, family security comes first. I've never made over $35,000 a year in my life. Auto-body/paint and factory (non-union) jobs just don't allow a life and collection like Jay Leno. If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me if the GTO was done yet, I would be a millionair!
coonie minnie
Well-known Member
That's pretty awesome!
reat work! Had several cars & trucks , even Corvette, but that one has always been my favorite.(quoted from post at 21:49:48 06/16/15) Bought this in 1981 for $ 1500. Nice rust free Alabama car. Did complete nut & bolt resto. Drove it for first time in 2001. Not because of procrastination , but because my wife was a stay-at-home mother of two and NONE of the money for this resto came from the "family" paycheck! Did ALL work myself. (was my vocation) I sold scrap alum/usable insurance replaced parts from repaired cars. Made trades and deals and that "extra" money did this car. There were times it sat idle for 2 yrs at a time waiting for $$$$. Enjoyed it for a few years and with retirement looming decided I needed some "investment " money to help out 401 so I could retire (if one ever really does). Sold it for $27,000 to a retired GM emp. that always wanted one. made another man,s dream come true. Was walking around the car everyday to work on old John Deere,s. Things change. Wish I could keep all I've ever restored but even now, family security comes first. I've never made over $35,000 a year in my life. Auto-body/paint and factory (non-union) jobs just don't allow a life and collection like Jay Leno. If I had a dollar for everytime someone asked me if the GTO was done yet, I would be a millionair!
I've been working on a 1944 John Deere A for 3.5 years & it's so far from being 1/2 way done
it ain't funny. It hasn't ever been a 24-7 work week rebuild. But there's been a month or two of
pretty intence work, then 3 or 4 months off & repairing one of the other 10 tractors on the farm or
some other piece of equitment. One thing I know is My Need to get list is much shorter than it
one time was... I figure when I'm done I'll have 2500 to 3000.00 dollars in a 800.00 tractor.
Plus I got a bunch of parts FREE... It will be a Johnny Cash machine when it does run, the last time
it ran under it's own power was May 30 1985...
it ain't funny. It hasn't ever been a 24-7 work week rebuild. But there's been a month or two of
pretty intence work, then 3 or 4 months off & repairing one of the other 10 tractors on the farm or
some other piece of equitment. One thing I know is My Need to get list is much shorter than it
one time was... I figure when I'm done I'll have 2500 to 3000.00 dollars in a 800.00 tractor.
Plus I got a bunch of parts FREE... It will be a Johnny Cash machine when it does run, the last time
it ran under it's own power was May 30 1985...
john in la
Well-known Member
I have had ADD all my life.
I would rather put up with the ADD than the side effects of the pills;
So I have so many unfinished projects that are years old I could not begin to name them all.
I would rather put up with the ADD than the side effects of the pills;
So I have so many unfinished projects that are years old I could not begin to name them all.
M-MAN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bostic, NC
Stripped my 68 Mustang down, welded in new floor pans and painted it back when my boy was 13. I woulden't put the interior or chrome back because he would be getting his license in a few years and there was no way I was going to allow him to drive it. He's 32 now and I still haven't got around to putting it back together.
37chief
Well-known Member
- Location
- California
I see I'm not the only one with long term projects. I started on a 36 Indian four cylinder motorcycle around late 70's. I just finished it a couple years ago. I have a 52 Plymouth coupe I have had around 35 years. Still not much progress so far. Although I have been collecting parts for the last year. Stan
Lots of them... I bought this truck in 1976 when I was a senior in high school, had it to several shops for bodywork and paint, never got done the last guy finally did did the cab and rebuilt the engine only took 4 years. I guess I started driving it about 3 years ago. I almost have the sideboards done now.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
sms,
When I was a kid, dad had a 49 International pick up with tear drop headlights and a crank out front window. Is your truck an international and what year? Internationals are hard to find, so I wouldn't even think of rebuilding one. If I ever found a restored 49 for sale, I would find it hard for me not buy it.
When I was a kid, dad had a 49 International pick up with tear drop headlights and a crank out front window. Is your truck an international and what year? Internationals are hard to find, so I wouldn't even think of rebuilding one. If I ever found a restored 49 for sale, I would find it hard for me not buy it.
Donald Lehman
Well-known Member
$3,000 in an $800 tractor. Sounds about right.
dr sportster
Well-known Member
1949 Harley-Davidson took me 8 years. Anyone can build a custom bike returning one to factory condition is a whole new ball game because you can't change things.
Not the longest running project, but I expect this 1970 F100 will be ongoing for a while. So far everything about it has been a challenge. Purchased at auction last December, and yet to obtain a title to it, but I bought it cheap enough I can part it and come out ahead. Started browsing around for a 1967-1972 Chevy pickup (yeah, they are popular and hard to come by in decent shape), and ran across this at auction a little over a mile from me. Purchased new 4 miles away, and was a one owner truck and has sat most of the time since the original owner passed. Probably only reason I considered it was that I knew the truck since new, it is all there, and unbutchered. Most pickups from that era have been hacked away, rusted complete away, missing drivetrain, etc. This one has the original 302 Auto in it, and even the jack is still under the hood. Should be a challenge, but once I can obtain a title it will likely hit the road looking much like it does until time permits more.
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