Hey just wanted to post up some pics and progress. So far with the restoration of the 1984 El Camino Conquista under way I wanted to make a thread to update progress through out the restoration. Also wanted to post plans from the ground up.

Done so far:
Oil and Filter Change
Transmission Service w/ Filter Change
New Airfilter (will be K&N soon)
Replaced Dist. cap, and rotor button
New plugs and wires
Cleaned and adjusted the carb.

When I got her she had a slight miss but since all of the above has been completed she fells totally renewed and the 305 has plenty of power.

Plans (Exterior/Motor):
Replace hood with Cowl Style Hood
Spray In Bed Liner
Bed cover
Window Tint
Paint and body work (still debating color)
new brakes all the way around
new shocks all the way around
replace/repair font bumper
Flowmastet exhaust
Hooker Headers

Plans (Interior)
Buckets
Center Console
Repair/replace cracks in the dash
Replace gauges (speedo and tach not working)
CD Player
Replace all speakers inside
one 10" or two 8's in the storage
Work on door panels to accommodate some 6.5': Speakers
Get power locks working
Replace all door seals...
Grant Steering Wheel

So far this is what I have. I'm hoping I can get most of this accomplished for around $5,000 then I will have a total investment of $6,000 in the car. Here are some pics of how she sits now. I will update as progress is made.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l282/whitecl0ver/1984%20El%20Camino%20Project/DSCF0998.jpg
Thats right GOTTA SUPPORT THE TROOPS BABY!!!!!!!
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l282/whitecl0ver/1984%20El%20Camino%20Project/DSCF1006.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l282/whitecl0ver/1984%20El%20Camino%20Project/DSCF1001.jpg
GO WILDCATS!!!!!!!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l282/whitecl0ver/1984%20El%20Camino%20Project/DSCF1004.jpg

Looks like you have a decent Elco to start with. Mostly TLC needed according to your pics. Dash top etc, is typical of older vehicles like we have.
Have fun. That's what we are about!:smileyb:

Nice work! It's always nice to get it running smooth first. That way you can enjoy parts runs in the car......LOL
Craig

flcamino305,
check out the garage sale area I have a bumper for sale, pm me with your email and I willl send you some photos:nanawrench:

You gt your self some work to do. Well good luck on it and thanks for taking the time to fix one ofthese machines. The more we save the more will be on the road!

As someone else said, it looks like you have a great base to begin working from, FLCamino305. A good tuneup can make a cruck drive like a world-beater, and seems to make all the rattles and dull paint disappear - just like a wash job! However, I have my doubts that you can accomplish your goals on the budget you've stated. I'll be pulling for you, and I wish you the best of luck as you work to make your cruck all that you want it to be...........Ken :beer:

As someone else said, it looks like you have a great base to begin working from, FLCamino305. A good tuneup can make a cruck drive like a world-beater, and seems to make all the rattles and dull paint disappear - just like a wash job! However, I have my doubts that you can accomplish your goals on the budget you've stated. I'll be pulling for you, and I wish you the best of luck as you work to make your cruck all that you want it to be...........Ken :beer:


So what kinda price do you think i'm looking at for whats mentioned above?

Plans (Exterior/Motor):
Replace hood with Cowl Style Hood 300 - $600.00
Spray In Bed Liner $200.00
Bed cover 300 - $900.00
Window Tint $250.00
Paint and body work (still debating color) 2500 -$8000.00
new brakes all the way around $200.00
new shocks all the way around $150.00
replace/repair font bumper 150 - $300.00
Flowmastet exhaust 350 - $500.00
Hooker Headers 200 - $400.00

Plans (Interior)
Buckets 250 - $400.00
Center Console 50 - $250.00
Repair/replace cracks in the dash $150.00
Replace gauges (speedo and tach not working) $200.00
CD Player $250.00
Replace all speakers inside
one 10" or two 8's in the storage 200 - $600.00
Work on door panels to accommodate some 6.5': Speakers
Get power locks working $ $$$$
Replace all door seals... $ 50.00
Grant Steering Wheel $ ?????

So far this is what I have. I'm hoping I can get most of this accomplished for around $5,000 then I will have a total investment of $6,000 in the car. Here are some pics of how she sits now. I will update as progress is made. [/quote]

I do not know your mechanical prowess, but I figured that you would accomplish the mechanical repairs yourself. The other amounts are based upon reasonable quality components and some that are available in salvage yards if you go that route. The paint & body work is the killer. There I figured you would want more than a MACCO paint job, and would probably go with two-tone. I also figured that you would need reasonable quality amps.

In reality, these are all guesses, based upon my experience that all things cost at least 25 to 50 percent more than the low-ball estimates that I go in with. If you can accomplish ALL of the work yourself, you may squeeze it in for your proposed budget, but I would be greatly surprised. I'm NOT trying to burst your bubble. I sincerely hope that you make it, and that the finished cruck meets all of your expectations, sincerely! I've just found my explanation to be basically true.............Ken

Plans (Exterior/Motor):
Replace hood with Cowl Style Hood 300 - $600.00 (i've found $450)
Spray In Bed Liner $200.00 ($150)
Bed cover 300 - $900.00 **probably right here**
Window Tint $250.00 ($100 Lifetime)
Paint and body work (still debating color) 2500 -$8000.00 ($2000 with the estimate if i did not help at all)
new brakes all the way around $200.00
new shocks all the way around $150.00
replace/repair font bumper 150 - $300.00 (I have a parts car)
Flowmastet exhaust 350 - $500.00
Hooker Headers 200 - $400.00

Plans (Interior)
Buckets 250 - $400.00 (>$200)
Center Console 50 - $250.00 (probably closer to $50)
Repair/replace cracks in the dash $150.00
Replace gauges (speedo and tach not working) $200.00
CD Player $250.00
Replace all speakers inside
one 10" or two 8's in the storage 200 - $600.00 (craigs list and i used to work at an audio shop that easy stuff)
Work on door panels to accommodate some 6.5': Speakers
Get power locks working $ $$$$
Replace all door seals... $ 50.00 (I've found $200)
Grant Steering Wheel $ ????? (~$100)

So far this is what I have. I'm hoping I can get most of this accomplished for around $5,000 then I will have a total investment of $6,000 in the car. Here are some pics of how she sits now. I will update as progress is made.


I do not know your mechanical prowess, but I figured that you would accomplish the mechanical repairs yourself. The other amounts are based upon reasonable quality components and some that are available in salvage yards if you go that route. The paint & body work is the killer. There I figured you would want more than a MACCO paint job, and would probably go with two-tone. I also figured that you would need reasonable quality amps.

In reality, these are all guesses, based upon my experience that all things cost at least 25 to 50 percent more than the low-ball estimates that I go in with. If you can accomplish ALL of the work yourself, you may squeeze it in for your proposed budget, but I would be greatly surprised. I'm NOT trying to burst your bubble. I sincerely hope that you make it, and that the finished cruck meets all of your expectations, sincerely! I've just found my explanation to be basically true.............Ken


I appreciate your imput....and i'm glad florida prices are way different then Texas prices.

Just take the buckets for example the pick n pull (basically a junk yard) i've bought buckets for a 1994 Isuzu Trooper SUV for $25 each....and they were damn near in mint condition. So pray for my sake your prices are wayyy off LOL....But seriously...Where can you get door seals for $50? Cheapest I can find is $200 for Upper and Lower seals, and window felts for both doors $200 plus S&h.

Also paint job will not be a $100 maaco job...I i'm good friends with a paint and body man that is going to teach me paint and body on my own car at a heavily discounted price.

My grnad total is around ~$4600 (including 2k on the paint job i also didn't include a bed cover) for I rounded to $5000

The door seals were furnished and installed by the body shop - the window felts were not replaced. Looks like I was in the ballpark for some of your estimates - and if your estimate of the paint job holds, you're getting closer. It must be nice having a paint & body man on your close friend list. As I said, I sincerely hope that you can accopmlish your rebuild for your budget.

I bought my Speakers & Amps off Craigslist also - 2 JL 10" @ $150.00, 2 JL 6 1/2 VR650-CXI @ $78.00 (a steal) NIB, JL 250/1 @ $138.00 NIB, JL 300/2 @ $150.00 NIB. And I already had the 10 disc changer and radio /controller @ $450.00.............Ken :beer: