Is it worth it????

[commandojd]

I purchased a m35a2 truck a few months ago and I have been considering having a full restoration done to it....such as complete sandblasting, new paint job, new undercoating....and stuff around those lines. I currently have just shy of $4000 into the truck and the restoration will be around $4500. My question is: Would a restoration like this be a good investment given how much money will be put into this project? I dont really know the going prices on restored trucks like this.
thanks

 

[emmado22]

how bad is the paint that it needs sandblasting? CARC is an excellent base for new paint.

 

[markmontana]

I purchased a m35a2 truck a few months ago and I have been considering having a full restoration done to it....such as complete sandblasting, new paint job, new undercoating....and stuff around those lines. I currently have just shy of $4000 into the truck and the restoration will be around $4500. My question is: Would a restoration like this be a good investment given how much money will be put into this project? I dont really know the going prices on restored trucks like this.
thanks

My opinion is that an $8500 truck will not be a good investment. But you might really enjoy it yourself.

 

[DeucesWild11]

I don't know if I would go to that extent. Not sure if you would get that all back, perhaps some of it.

 

[wreckerman893]

The bottom line is that it is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it once you get it done.

Ask anyone that has done a complete restoration on an old car if they got back what they put into it.

In most cases the answer is no.

 

[M1031CMT]

The bottom line is that it is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it once you get it done.

Ask anyone that has done a complete restoration on an old car if they got back what they put into it.

In most cases the answer is no.

Fully agree.

I have restored more than a few military vehicles and unless it is something pretty rare or something I intend on keeping for a long time, I am finished doing full restorations. Is not worth it for me, as I have never gotten back close to what I put in them.

It really depends on what you are going to do with it. If you intend on keeping it for a long time it might be worth it to you. Some people have spent tens of thousands of dollars on their deuces and are happy having done it. Others not so.

But if you intend on selling it soon after, I wouldn't expect you to get all your money back.

The question is really: is it worth it for you?

 

[commandojd]

Thanks for the info....Im still stuck on whether or not I should do the restoration or not.......but I would like to see my truck come back to life just as it looked when it came off the assembly line. Plus the main reason I am wanting it sandblasted is because their is rust everywher on the thing...but I guess it dont matter much on these trucks

 

[commandojd]

Fully agree.

I have restored more than a few military vehicles and unless it is something pretty rare or something I intend on keeping for a long time, I am finished doing full restorations. Is not worth it for me, as I have never gotten back close to what I put in them.

It really depends on what you are going to do with it. If you intend on keeping it for a long time it might be worth it to you. Some people have spent tens of thousands of dollars on their deuces and are happy having done it. Others not so.

But if you intend on selling it soon after, I wouldn't expect you to get all your money back.

The question is really: is it worth it for you?

True, but in the long run do you think any body would pay for a restored truck like this? is $8500 a good deal on a restored deuce?

 

[hndrsonj]

True, but in the long run do you think any body would pay for a restored truck like this? is $8500 a good deal on a restored deuce?

Look at how crazy the A2 prices have been on GL lately. (and they are unknowns)

 

[M1031CMT]

I have seen people pay $8,500 for a non restored truck before.

I have also seen a lot of people refuse to pay more than $3,000 for one too.

Like wreckerman said, it depends on the buyer. Is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay.

I would recommend only doing it if you intend on keeping it for a while. They might sell for a lot later on, and they might also sell for a lot less. Never know what the future will bring. Not everyone can afford to fill the fuel tank on these trucks and I hate to see what the price of fuel will be in 2-5 years from now.

Though for $8,500, I can also buy one nice M35A3 at the moment.

If you have the money and the will then go for it. I am sure you will have a nice truck in the end.

 

[gimpyrobb]

How about a pic so we can assess it?

 

[ryan77]

You also have to think every time you drive it it will get dirty! When i had my Harley i gave up trying to keep it clean and would just ride it hard and put it away wet some guys would spend 8 hrs after ridding cleaning it with a rag. With your truck fix the mechanical so its reliable and paint it, And drive it!!!