Just me whining

[74 DART']

Anyone get frustrated with there project ? Mainly lack of time and money. Still a single income family so there is a thousand other things that come before my Dart. Nobody’s fault but my own but sometimes it would be nice just to go down to the garage and go for a cruise!

 

[MrJLR]

Anyone get frustrated with there project ? Mainly lack of time and money. Still single income family so there is a thousand other things that come before my Dart. Nobody’s fault but my own but sometimes it would be nice just to go down to the garage and go for a cruise!

It's a marathon not a sprint.....it takes time.
It's the difference between men and wanna-be's.....
Hang in there....may take a long time but you'll get there.

Jeff

 

[ILLDuster74]

I hear ya. I had to sell my baby to keep above water. Now that things are getting better I'm looking for a new A-Body, but man there is a lot of garbage for sale on this site now. Hope you can get her running. Best of Luck!

 

[318willrun]

Anyone get frustrated with there project ? Mainly lack of time and money. Still single income family so there is a thousand other things that come before my Dart. Nobody’s fault but my own but sometimes it would be nice just to go down to the garage and go for a cruise!

when i do a project, getting it on the road takes priority over anything. I'll sit on a bucket so to speak just so i can go for a 5 mile ride. If it can take it around the block, it keeps my interest. I generally don't give up, I generally find other cars I "have" to have... LOL

 

[74 DART']

I hear ya. I had to sell my baby to keep above water. Now that things are getting better I'm looking for a new A-Body, but man there is a lot of garbage for sale on this site now. Hope you can get her running. Best of Luck!

Thank You I hope to get it running also. Sorry you had to sell yours but I have been there before myself.

 

[dartfreak75]

Yes all the time. I get so overwhelmed and defeated sometimes especially when things dont go as planned which is every single time! Haha
Take my advice. Start with something easy (easyish) that's cheap and you know you can get done. Get up one morning and do it. That sence of accomplishment will give you motivation and inspiration to do the next thing. Once you get so far you cant back out. Lol just dont look at it as a whole! Look at one area that needs addressing and get it done. Then move to the next. I started with all the safety stuff brakes steering suspension you know all that stuff you dont really need! Haha
Just focus on that once it's done move on to the next thing. Its alot less overwhelming than looking at it as a whole.

 

[44070dart]

I have time and thank God, the finances to put my project together. The thing I'm lacking is physical ability. I have a bad shoulder and knee, and it causes me a similar frustration that your going through. It's just part of the hobby, there is always a pothole in the journey. Hang in there, and when your not enjoying the work on your project, walk away, done it hundreds of times.

 

[4spdragtop]

Obviously a lot is timing....you need the right levels of time/space/money. Those 3 stars have to align at least a little bit. It ain't easy. I've had my 69 cuda for near 30 years and nothing's aligned for it lol.
I said pi$$ on it and trying to sell it.
Gotta be tuff on single income.

 

[rumblefish360]

I have always had junkers, considered them just like and worthy of the show Roadkill. I have almost always been a single income family. So I get it, I really do. And because of that, the goal was never but always pipe dreamed of a shiny car. More often than not, the hot rod was the daily driver. I have found it better to be happy driving a project than frustrated with a half done non driving ride.

Moral of the story I’m suggesting is to just get it running and driving and enjoy it.

 

[missing linc]

I have found myself frustrated at the length of time it's taking to get this one up and running, but I'm 20 years older than I was last time, when I had more time and less money. LOL I find that when I get really frustrated, it's best to close the garage door, lock it and walk away for a few days. Then I get back at it with a clear head, and as dartfreak75 said, take one area at a time, get it done and decide what to tackle next.
Today I got to the point of filling the cooling system, after disassembling, cleaning out an inch or more of mouse **** and rebuilding the heater box. I always fill with water the first time in case of any leaks, and sure as ****, the new lower rad hose leaks like a sieve. Tried removing it and checking for a burr on the inlet of the water pump or inside the hose, nothing. Reinstalled it and turned the hose back on, still leaking. Re-positioned the clamp, still leaks. Drained the remainder of the water form the rad, removed the lower hose, closed and locked the door. Tomorrow I'll get another new lower hose.

 

[74 DART']

It's a marathon not a sprint.....it takes time.
It's the difference between men and wanna-be's.....
Hang in there....may take a long time but you'll get there.

Jeff

Thank you sir. You are right. Sometimes being patient sucks though lol

 

[74 DART']

I have always had junkers, considered them just like and worthy of the show Roadkill. I have almost always been a single income family. So I get it, I really do. And because of that, the goal was never but always pipe dreamed of a shiny car. More often than not, the hot rod was the daily driver. I have found it better to be happy driving a project than frustrated with a half done non driving ride.

Moral of the story I’m suggesting is to just get it running and driving and enjoy it.

Thank you. It means alot to hear from all of you that have been there

 

[rumblefish360]

Thank you. It means alot to hear from all of you that have been there

On behalf of the other posters and myself, Your welcome.
I’m about to retire. I’ll now have lots-O-time to waste on the hobby. Most of the money goes to collage costs for my son. (A totally worth it expense.) I’ll still have that “Road Kill” style ride. But at least I’ll have time to learn how to do body work and paint.

Like 4spdragtop, I also have a (E body) Cuda for 30+ years with near zero movement. Still chippin away!

My daily driver for decades was a ‘79 Magnum. Daily driver, dead reliable, part hot rod. Just deficient in the body area.

 

[Demonx2]

For what it's worth....I parked 2 of my cars for 26 years while our kids were born/raised. Never moved them an inch. Then last summer, pushed them into the driveway to see the sunlight for the first time in all those years - just to wash off all that dust/dirt! That's my timeframe!!

 

[dartfreak75]

For what it's worth....I parked 2 of my cars for 26 years while our kids were born/raised. Never moved them an inch. Then last summer, pushed them into the driveway to see the sunlight for the first time in all those years - just to wash off all that dust/dirt! That's my timeframe!!

Sounds like mine. My dart was parked in 04 and never moved until 2018 when I started working on it again. In that time frame I got married had three kids bought a house. Had several other projects come and go. But I never could let go of the ole girl. And finally I couldnt take it anymore and had to do something with her. It's been 16 years now since I drove her I can't wait to get behind the will again. And that's what gives me motivation to keep plugging away at it.

 

[74 DART']

Yes all the time. I get so overwhelmed and defeated sometimes especially when things dont go as planned which is every single time! Haha
Take my advice. Start with something easy (easyish) that's cheap and you know you can get done. Get up one morning and do it. That sence of accomplishment will give you motivation and inspiration to do the next thing. Once you get so far you cant back out. Lol just dont look at it as a whole! Look at one area that needs addressing and get it done. Then move to the next. I started with all the safety stuff brakes steering suspension you know all that stuff you dont really need! Haha
Just focus on that once it's done move on to the next thing. Its alot less overwhelming than looking at it as a whole.

Good advice Thanks. Your build helps keep me going in a way. Your a working class guy like me doing what you can to get your project going. I have alot of respect for that!

 

[Valiant63]

I get frustrated all the time, but I find something else to occupy my time or to give me pleasure. Sometimes getting angry at something helps me to go out and work on the car to get rid of anger. It’s more therapeutic.

 

[dartfreak75]

Good advice Thanks. Your build helps keep me going in a way. Your a working class guy like me doing what you can to get your project going. I have alot of respect for that!

I'm gonna be honest I have put alot more money than I wanted to / should have into it. When it started it was supposed to be a cheap easy project but everywhere I looked there was always something else that needed replacing. I have had to stop working on certain things and save up some money to continue iv had to sell some guns and other tools parts toys etc to buy parts I needed. I have worked a **** ton of overtime to buy parts and such. I get the budget thing I really do. I also have a single family income there is 5 of us and my income is the only income. And I don't make a alot of money. I do pretty good for the area but with today's cost of living it really isnt alot. It just takes sacrifice and a really good game plan. And not having to have the best of the best. There are some places you can save a ton of money without cutting corners safety wise. For example brake lines everyone told me just get that prebent ones there al ready flared and bent all you gotta do is install them I looked them up and geez they where expensive. I did my entire car all brand new for like 36 bucks. Now it took a full day and was alot of work but I flared them all myself and bent them all myself and every line on it is new including the gas lines. I also bent them myself I think I have 28 dollars in them. So for less that 65 bucks everything line and hose on my car is new. I think the prebent ones was close to 200 bucks that's a huge savings. And I didnt cheap out on materials either i got the good copper nickel stuff that wont rust in half. If you need any help feel free to pm me I have all kinds of money saving tricks lol

 

[74 DART']

I'm gonna be honest I have put alot more money than I wanted to / should have into it. When it started it was supposed to be a cheap easy project but everywhere I looked there was always something else that needed replacing. I have had to stop working on certain things and save up some money to continue iv had to sell some guns and other tools parts toys etc to buy parts I needed. I have worked a **** ton of overtime to buy parts and such. I get the budget thing I really do. I also have a single family income there is 5 of us and my income is the only income. And I don't make a alot of money. I do pretty good for the area but with today's cost of living it really isnt alot. It just takes sacrifice and a really good game plan. And not having to have the best of the best. There are some places you can save a ton of money without cutting corners safety wise. For example brake lines everyone told me just get that prebent ones there al ready flared and bent all you gotta do is install them I looked them up and geez they where expensive. I did my entire car all brand new for like 36 bucks. Now it took a full day and was alot of work but I flared them all myself and bent them all myself and every line on it is new including the gas lines. I also bent them myself I think I have 28 dollars in them. So for less that 65 bucks everything line and hose on my car is new. I think the prebent ones was close to 200 bucks that's a huge savings. And I didnt cheap out on materials either i got the good copper nickel stuff that wont rust in half. If you need any help feel free to pm me I have all kinds of money saving tricks lol

I’m right there with you. Family of 5 plus pets lol and I’m the only one bringing income in. My wife and I sacrifice quite a bit to make sure the kids are taken care of first. My job is flat - rate so you never know day to day what is coming in. I have a lot to be thankful for that I take for granted sometimes. It’s nice to hear I’m not the only one struggling sometimes. I will get the car back on the road again I know. My youngest is car crazy already so I know as soon as he can he will be out there with me. Thanks again

 

[Dartvader440gt]

My Dart is almost 20 years in the making. Sat parked for many years. I decided to get back on it when we where shut down because of Covid. Give it time.

 

[missing linc]

Mine is the only income as well, but we have no kids, only 3 dogs, still have a mortgage and all the other bills. I've been trying to keep my budget for the Dart as low as possible but there are some things that can be expensive. I have learned to do much more myself than I did on the last one, which helps me keep the costs down. I have less patience sometimes but I can't get ahead of myself or give it up. So I do what I can and I wait until I can afford the things that I can't get right now.

 

[coloradohill]

I’m right there with you. Family of 5 plus pets lol and I’m the only one bringing income in. My wife and I sacrifice quite a bit to make sure the kids are taken care of first. My job is flat - rate so you never know day to day what is coming in. I have a lot to be thankful for that I take for granted sometimes. It’s nice to hear I’m not the only one struggling sometimes. I will get the car back on the road again I know. My youngest is car crazy already so I know as soon as he can he will be out there with me. Thanks again

Your doing it right, your family should always be top priority. You will never regret sacrificing for your kids. Your car will get there, don't lose interest. When frustration starts to creep in, spend some time with your kids and wife and it will be clear what is most important. Hang in there. Remember its just a car, steel and glass. You will never be able to replace the time you have now with your family. They are only kids for a short time. Enjoy every day.

 

[RandyB]

Anyone get frustrated with there project ? Mainly lack of time and money. Still a single income family so there is a thousand other things that come before my Dart. Nobody’s fault but my own but sometimes it would be nice just to go down to the garage and go for a cruise!

Just a suggestion mopar lover.
I ‘donate’ my plasma to pay for my car parts. I go to BioLife two times a week. I average around $100.00 a week. You get ‘paid’ for your time and not only does it help others, but puts some spending money into your project! It’s made life at home less stressful because it’s MY BLOOD MONEY!!

 

[Cuda416]

I bought a 70 Cuda vert in 2012. Haven't started on it.... but will soon... lol...

 

[340doc]

Hang in there man. Guarantee just about all of us have been exactly where you are a few times over the course of our builds. When I was doing our Duster, there was times it sat for a year with no progress. Just me putting air in the dry rotted tires to keep it up. Like others I went out of my comfort zone and did things I couldn't afford to pay for. I got help on things I wasn't sure of, and bugged a few people with phone calls for advice. Keep the faith brother!