Few things are more satisfying than successfully restoring an old truck to its former glory. Naturally, the older the truck, the more difficult it can be to complete a restoration. This is especially true for a truck with a make or model more difficult to find or produced at a smaller capacity. If you are new to truck restoration, here are two important tips to get you started and make the process a little easier for you.
Keep it Simple
For your first truck restoration, you don’t want a rare and extremely valuable truck. A truck from a popular brand will be much easier to find parts for. Used Chevrolet truck parts, for example, are very easy to find. You also may want to avoid a total restoration and opt for a vehicle that has a lot of parts that still function.
Stay Organized
Nothing puts a stop to progress like losing a part or tool, forgetting what the next step is, or not knowing what a part or screw is for. Before you begin, make sure you have all of the parts you’ll need for the restoration. Organize parts, screws, and tools so that everything is easy to find when the time comes to use it. Labeling things is also helpful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with any part. Even putting parts in the order you anticipate using them in will expedite the process and prevent any forgetfulness.
Ask for Help
A truck restoration is a big job, especially a full body-off restoration. It is always a good idea to find someone you trust to help you out, even if they won’t be involved with the entire process. There will be tasks that are difficult, if not impossible, for one person to complete on their own, so make sure you have an extra set of hands when you need it.
While this is a far cry from a how-to manual, these three tips will help your restoration project go as smoothly as possible.
