Did you do it all ?

[Jim Nilsen]

I have been reflecting on my build and fell short of my goal to do everything to my car with the exception of the engine machining and the first alignment. I really thought I would be able to do it all including getting it started.

I keep asking the question? How many of us here actually have done everything to your car to get it on the road? It is a a lot of work and it takes more patience and that alone can make a man break out the wallet and pay.

If I had gone with a carb setup and live axle instead of the irs in the back I think I could have pulled it off all the way to the end including the alignment.

My hat is off to anyone who has done it all and has done a good job.

So how many here have actually pulled it off?

And to those that have....

:cheers:

[wedgehead]

I have done on a few cars. The thing is the interior. I have installed a few kits including the seat covers. I bought a sewing machine this summer to play with some seats to see if I can do it. If I can't that and engine machine work will be it, that I farm out on my twin sons car builds going on right now.

[mc84_zz4]

I have done all the work to the car myself, along with help of some friends.
I used a crate engine this time, had enough heartburn w/local machine shops cutting corners, always delayed, or messing up.
I have built several of my own engines, and helped with others as well, so i'm ok with that.
All done in my own garage at home.

[parsonsj]

Not me.

I ended up having Road Killer do the body work and paint, Wegner do the engine, and 1 Off Rides do the interior.

And I had help from many others too. I'd have never gotten the car done without Frank and the boys from Prodigy, Mike Norris, the design committee, Brian Schein, Katz Tsubai, and on and on and on.

No shame in not doing it all yourself. Hell, the friendships I made are more important than the car anyway.

jp

[NOT A TA]

Some things are better left to pros in my opinion. I do almost everything but something like welding a cage in a car I plan to go 200 in is better left to an expert I think. Someone who builds cages every day with the knowledge, experience and equipment to do a better job than I could possibly do. If I crash it's my life we're talking about. I would have to spend a long time learning (years) before I could come anywhere close to the quality of the fabrication and welding work done when the cage was installed in my Firebird. I spend a lot of time well over 100 MPH and the cage doesn't even enter my mind. There's a certain peace of mind knowing the cage is as good as it can possibly be. Had I tried to fabricate it myself (Not that I could) I'd have to spend a lot of money on equipment I'd rarely use and never be proficient using. I'd always have that thought in the back of my mind of how well it would hold up if there is a serious impact.

[formula]

At first I was a little embarrassed that I let prodigy do my engine and body work and such, but then I thought about it...and I realized that I'm terrible at all of those things and would have done more harm than good if I'd done them myself. I'm proud of the work I did do, and proud to call the prodigy crew my new friends--I think it worked out ok in the end.

[Bow Tie 67]

Im so fricken anal I wont let anyone touch my car. It could be on fire and I want to be the one to put it out. Not to mention I'm cheap!

[mikey]

I'm doing it all myself with the exception of the trans and interior. That's why it's taken me 21 years and counting.Really I do alot of side jobs that have kept mine on the back burner. Also playing with dirt track cars 6 mos. out of the year really limits the free time. About all I lack now is Drive train parts to build it so it's on top of the list.:jump: and back in the garage. I've been doing mechanical work since I was about 10. My Dad taught how to the basic stuff. Started doing paint and body full time 7 years later in 80.

[class67]

I have done absolutely everything by my self with the exception of the actual spraying of the paint and the interior, other than that...all me!!

[Martin71RS]

done by others:
-trans rebuild
-headliner install
-re-upholster rear seat
-paint (I did help out where I could and aligned the panels myself)

rest I did myself. I outsourced above jobs since these are specialist jobs in my opinion and I didn't have the space, tools and "learning money" to do it myself.

I like to do stuff myself, I work in an office so in my spare time it is nice to actually make something with my hands.....

Allthough the build has given me loads of headaches it is also what has kept me sane in difficult times.

for those who have not seen it, I documented my whole build on my page: www.pro-touring.nl (http://www.pro-touring.nl)

Martin

[Ron S]

I've done everything myself on my last couple. I even have a local machine shop that lets me use they're equiptment. I'll do anything but interior,thank God my Mustang has none. Ron

[dropit69]

Im so fricken anal I wont let anyone touch my car. It could be on fire and I want to be the one to put it out. Not to mention I'm cheap!
Really Matt i never noticed..lol..but you killer work so its ok..

[Vegas69]

I'll do anything that I feel is on the level it belongs on....I've got well over 1000 hours in my car so I've done a majority of the work. Some things are best left to someone with the skills in that area. The caliber of car really dictates this as well.

[Bryce]

i have done everything myself with the help of my dad. I designed and fabricated the front suspension. Did the front alignment. Assembled my motor. Built a dash and a steering column. I will probably paint the fiberglass front end myself too.

the only thing i had done was engine machine work and welding has been done by a certified welder.

[dadto2jays]

Everything in my truck was done in my shop by three of us, the only thing that was done elsewhere was the paint and the exahust....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG004481-1.jpg

everything ripped out of the engine compartment

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/intaparta-1.jpg
the whole cab inside also taken apart everything
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/intapart2-1.jpg

all the gauges ripped out including all the harness..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/mn1015-1.jpg
cab being put back together after repainting it inside...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/reaint4-1.jpg
reinstalling gauges and brand new column....

you guys get the idea we redid everything in the truck from engine,tranny, interior, suspensio,brakes there is not a bolt we did not change....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG001752009073009421-1.jpg
front suspension
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG001872009073012231-1.jpg
rear suspension
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/100309-1.jpg
finished truck
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/eng0120-1.jpg
fully built "406"

I can tell you all one thing is that I am never doing this again my next vehicle would be someones finished vehicle or with very little to go then I will finish it. I rather drive them than build them....This is the second vehicle I have built from the chassis up first was my 65 el camino then my 71 c10....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/2412031370_7e4104b887_b-1.jpg
my el camino interior

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
elky finished....

[camaro2nv]

Im in the process. Ive always modded cars and about eight years ago I had a fall out with a paint shop. Needless to say that was when I picked up a paint gun. I will be doing EVERYTHING on my car except for interior. Nothing feels more rewarding then building something yourself.

[Mark Antrim]

I have done everything but the trans. The interior was just rear seat cover and new aftermarket seats. I will be making a custom center console this winter. All engine work including machining was done at home or work by me. The paint and body work was done in my 2 car garage.A friend would come over and show me what to look for and would tell me see you next week. This is the only way I would do a project,it is more rewarding for me. Also I couldn't afford this project if I farmed this out.