Successful stories of overcoming collecting-warning-long!

[Gregj50!!!!!]

OP…. You’ve taken the first step….. you’ll do the right thing!!!!!

 

[toyotajeep]

Thank you for that Greg. I usually do. The 4x4's are not the problem. It is the silly cars.

My newer Camaro SS is going to get me in trouble. That car is way too much fun. Likely will off that first and then invest in the other 55 and so forth. None of this is an emergency but I would like to clear things out before I have to.

I just spent my whole life working extra and investing in this stuff to get "here" and I now realize it was the game and struggle that mattered, not the end result. Real basic stuff, the power of the journey. I have known that for awhile, but it is really becoming crystal clear.

I kinda feel with the needless push against the ICE that I need to get as much of that done as possible. So a 500 CID pro street car ought to be a good start.

Spent all day getting my shop closer to in order. I feel a lot better about that now. Should have not waited....

 

[toyotajeep]

Almost feels like an AA meeting...

Hi, my name is Bob, and I 'm a hoarder....

I have been going through this same thing the last couple months. Have way too much crap, and I need to unload some of it. Wife and I are 15-20 years from retirement, so I'm not quite ready to fire sale everything, but also realizing that I am collecting a lot of stuff. My issue is that I collect parts and vehicles to keep my current rigs going. Picked up a rolled 4runner because it has a good running 3.4 for my DD taco. Same with a wrecked FJ because it has a complete drivetrain for my wife's tacoma. A couple spare 1st and 2nd gen trucks for axles and body parts. Have had the rolled runner for almost 10 years. Need to just make time to pull the engine and scrap the rest. Same with the FJ. And the rest. BUT, as stated above, it never fails, as soon as you get rid of it, you will need it. I had a spare set of brake calipers/rotors/hub/spindle's for SA toyota that I had been tripping over for years in the garage. Finally scrapped the whole assy because "I havent needed it in years, probably never will". 2 months later, my Tacoma smoked a wheel bearing, welded it to the spindle. jacked a bunch of stuff up. No problem, I have a spare...Ended up having to special order from a Toy wrecking yard.

My wifes dad is a hoarder. Like garage big enough to fit 6 cars in, and it is packed so full of shit that you cant even walk through it... and there isn't a vehicle in it. I am looking at the fact that I am going to be the one that is going to have to clean it out when he dies. My parents are getting along in years, and my dad is an avid collector of crap as well. All I got to say is my son is screwed. He is going to have SO much shit to go through, he won't have room to collect his own crap. At least I can see that I am not alone.

I am planning to start throwing stuff out when the snow melts...

I hear you on that. My grandparents realized they had a problem and when my 97 year old grandpa died he had very little to worry about. Not a burden to others so I am proud of him for that. His son didn't get that memo. So I will get some quality time with myself clearing that out.

Part of this is the realization that I will be cleaning out 2-3 other peoples stuff here in the next 5-10 years.

 

[toyotajeep]

Every time I have passed a desirable car behind some bastard's house I've said, "Hey, now there's something I'd like to have."

But when I add all that up in my mind, I think, "If I were made of money, by now I would have sixteen 69-70 Mach 1's, three M422 Mighty Mites, two AAR Challengers, an International one ton four door, a couple of Scouts, a couple of Broncos, and more of every jeep model you can name than one person who does not own a museum could ever need.

And then, think about this. Every time you pass those cars, you think, "Why is that numbskull letting that FSJ Cherokee rot into the ground? Why is a complete 70 Mach 1 sitting outside in the snow?" Then we lament this fact to other car guys.

"Can you believe that asshole has a Principality of Monaco edition Thunderbird and he doesn't restore it?"

"Why would a guy with a 429 Torino leave it out in the weather while his Civic sits in the garage?"

"How can someone let a M170 languish behind that shed? Doesn't he know that I'd love to have an old ambulance jeep?"

And then...it has occurred to me lately, that we have become those people. Other car guys are driving by my garage and seeing my Jeep in the back and saying, "Why doesn't that old dickhead get that thing out and use it to cruise around the Superstitions?"


They'd probably even trade me their Civic for it.

So true. I have become that guy to some level. I actually have plans, and I do knock out about one car every year or two. So there is time. It is the other stuff.

 

[Rerock]

Alright, I have too much stuff. I work alot, and am over 50. When I was young I thought it was so cool to be the guy that had the ,"two GTX's, and LS-6 Chevelle, but they all need work and are missing half the parts..but they are bad ass." To some degree I have become that person, although my stuff is 55 Chevies and Broncos. I know lots of you are way ahead of me in the collecting thing, but I insure six cars a month for two people. We really only drive three. Most of the time on weekends -every weekend- we drive one.

Realistically, I am not going to get to all my projects-less than ten but still...... Most likely they are not going to go up much in value (that was a year ago when they maxed out). I have a lack of quality storage, so you are doing the tarp show, it is snowing like mad.....you get the picture. Almost all of my friends are 20 years older and I see what it has done to them. Not sure I want to go there myself. Not sure I want to be 75, unmotivated staring at rusted but cool cars that will never run under my watch.

I don't want to get rid of stuff because I can't replace it for anything near what I paid. But I also am feeling a little like screw it, there is more to life than worrying about trees falling on your engineless project cars....

Not sure life is better with stuff. For many years I had two vehicles and a reliable but scrappy dirt bike I rode all the time. My DD for almost 20 years had 38's and I snow wheeled several times a month etc. good times.

I know it sounds like Dr. Phil time, but I am seeing now that I will not live forever even though I am healthy, but I have other things to do such as an aging parent etc. to think about on the horizon. Kinda like I need to prepare for that.

My gut says sell time for at least 2-3, and clean up all the extras other than what will fit the remaining cars. I have no issues with storage and have room for lots more.

Positive thoughts about your own crud shuffling and what you came up with?

Enlightening words would help me and maybe some other collectors.

Thanks for your useful thoughts.

How about this for thought...

Ask yourself this... of all your projects, for whatever reason, which one is most important to you or is/would/could be your favorite.

Once you figure that out, consider selling off everything else and just focus on finishing that one.

Having tons of freed up space and a pile of cash to throw at that one project might just be the kick in the pants you need.

 

[Tooheysmax]

My boss friend is up to 27 cars now only one is being torn down currently the other 26 run drive and drives regularly he moved up to Daytona just to be in some open road and just added another 3900 square feet of floor space to his shop there so now this is the second addition totaling almost 9800 feet now with 6 lifts.

 

[Clemson13]

My boss friend is up to 27 cars now only one is being torn down currently the other 26 run drive and drives regularly he moved up to Daytona just to be in some open road and just added another 3900 square feet of floor space to his shop there so now this is the second addition totaling almost 9800 feet now with 6 lifts.

The reality is money makes everything easier

I'd have a Carryall & an rv10..... But I don't have the time to build them or the money to get someone else to do it for me

 

[FleshEater]

I didn’t read the whole thread.

But that EB is freaking awesome.

I’ve met a couple people who consider all their junk, non-running, rotted out cars as “car collections.” I personally don’t. Yes, I have 6 Suzukis on my property, but I only have 3. The rest are just holding parts until I need them, or strip them, and then to scrap they go.

If you have decent stuff, don’t let it rot to the ground (is that even possible in Oregon?). Sell it to someone who is actually going to build it and bring it back to life.

 

[[memphis]]

This site is full of denial hoarders. We have had threads on this before. I didn’t read the last two pages.

True hoarding runs in my family and it sucks. The fact that you recognize you have too much is a good thing. When you can’t recognize this, it’s debilitating and nobody can really help you until you recognize the problem.

I’ve done the tarp thing… it sucks. I am now in a sea container but it’s a slippery slope. My wife’s condition is that NOTHING is allowed outside of the container. If it doesn’t fit… it doesn’t stay.

Trying to build a vehicle in a container sucks. I feel like I’ll never get it done and I only have ONE personal project

 

[MoparMoe]

Didn't read the whole thread...
Storage is an issue for me as well, and projects that I haven't worked on cause me anxiety so I have to limit the amount.
I worked real hard during covid to get my XJ on the 406 portals , cause I said I was going to do it , and I'm a man of my word.
next is my big block 73 Scamp project I'm diving into... Trying so hard not to get distracted by another project purchase. The maintenance on the ones I've got now takes a lot of my time and cash, 2 sleds, 40' Bluebird RV , 1959 JD440 Dozer, 1982 JD450c dozer(project), 2009 JD110 TLB, 1979 Datsun B210 ( just restored , my summer daily), 98XJ long armed F&R on portals and legal, 2016 Ram 2500 Cummins, .....

Now that I'm listing this I think I need help...

 

[toyotajeep]

My boss friend is up to 27 cars now only one is being torn down currently the other 26 run drive and drives regularly he moved up to Daytona just to be in some open road and just added another 3900 square feet of floor space to his shop there so now this is the second addition totaling almost 9800 feet now with 6 lifts.

That’s crazy! But he obviously has the resources so have at it😎. Just the time alone that would require has got t be astronomical.

 

[Poke]

The only way to down size is to take $ losses off the table. Sell and give things away for half what you think they are worth.

If you see dollars or lost dollars or I’ll never replace that dollars then you will keep it all.

That is why I can walk around in my basement, barns, and garages. I only keep immediate project stuff and parts. Then I get rid of the stuff with prejudice.

Sure there have been a few parts and vehicles I had moments of ‘you fool you shoulda kept that’. But there are far more where I’m not overwhelmed with my piles and vehicles. I could easily have 2-6 buggies in various states. But I have 1 running machine

 

[toyotajeep]

I didn’t read the whole thread.

But that EB is freaking awesome.

I’ve met a couple people who consider all their junk, non-running, rotted out cars as “car collections.” I personally don’t. Yes, I have 6 Suzukis on my property, but I only have 3. The rest are just holding parts until I need them, or strip them, and then to scrap they go.

If you have decent stuff, don’t let it rot to the ground (is that even possible in Oregon?). Sell it to someone who is actually going to build it and bring it back to life.

Nothing is rotting into the ground. Just a pain to keep track of it all. I have actually completed a car about every 1 to 2 years sometimes quicker. I think this is more a matter of truly focusing on the stuff that is important and quit wasting time on superfluous stuff😐. And definitely stop bringing more home. That’s the main thing

 

[toyotajeep]

This site is full of denial hoarders. We have had threads on this before. I didn’t read the last two pages.

True hoarding runs in my family and it sucks. The fact that you recognize you have too much is a good thing. When you can’t recognize this, it’s debilitating and nobody can really help you until you recognize the problem.

I’ve done the tarp thing… it sucks. I am now in a sea container but it’s a slippery slope. My wife’s condition is that NOTHING is allowed outside of the container. If it doesn’t fit… it doesn’t stay.

Trying to build a vehicle in a container sucks. I feel like I’ll never get it done and I only have ONE personal project

I have seen true hoarding. I don’t consider myself a hoarder but if someone wants to label me as that that’s fine. This is more of a priorities thing as time has become the true cost here. It’s the time to adjust the tarps it’s the time to dig through 13 boxes to find the new calipers that’s the real problem.

Actual debilitating hoarding is not funny at all. I’m going to be involved in cleaning up several other peoples hordes in the next 10 years so I’m trying to get my own affairs in order.

 

[AKnate]

I could justify more vehicles no problems. I just don't. So I buy parts. Not much better...

Don't have time to work on my shit because I work on other people's shit.
I need to either stop working on other people's cars, or just pay someone to work on my stuff.
I originally started working on other people's vehicles to fund my offroad addiction.

Funny how it works.

I.sold my place i owned for 13 years thus summer for a place with more room. Which currently is just a shop with small apartment.

Still living out of a box, when I've had time when I wasnt up north at work I've been working other jobs, too tired, sick, or had other stuff to do.

 

[toyotajeep]

The only way to down size is to take $ losses off the table. Sell and give things away for half what you think they are worth.

If you see dollars or lost dollars or I’ll never replace that dollars then you will keep it all.

That is why I can walk around in my basement, barns, and garages. I only keep immediate project stuff and parts. Then I get rid of the stuff with prejudice.

Sure there have been a few parts and vehicles I had moments of ‘you fool you shoulda kept that’. But there are far more where I’m not overwhelmed with my piles and vehicles. I could easily have 2-6 buggies in various states. But I have 1 running machine

Your first couple of sentences spell it out pretty clearly. Nobody likes to lose money. But what I realize as I get older is there are other things that cost you more than money time and headspace etc.

 

[arse_sidewards]

All the "I know what I gots" idiots will die with it all and their kids will send it to the scrap yard which defeats most of the point of hanging onto that shit in the first place.

 

[0ilburner]

Friend of mine has a rule, if he can’t keep the new thing under a roof then he can’t have the new thing. Course, he is now shed-poor as well LOL

 

[Tooheysmax]

That’s crazy! But he obviously has the resources so have at it😎. Just the time alone that would require has got t be astronomical.

He’s pretty much a one man show when it comes to his cars this is just the original area and not all of the cars

 

[Grendel]

You are a pro. And I like how you actually do something with them. Good work.

Well, send me some of yours :). I have engines and transmission galore.

 

[DirtRoads]

-everything should be operational and ready to go unless it is in project status. I try to drive everything once every week or so.

-Only intentionally disable one machine at a time, aside from any unscheduled breakdowns along the way.

-20 minutes per day minimum spent on any large project, and one project at a time. I’m 9 or 10 months into my Land Cruiser build and this is the only way I have kept moving and not burned out.

-it doesn’t have to be completely perfect to be used and enjoyed.

-any parts car gets stripped asap and out of my fawkin yard.

5 cars, two drivers, three trailers, two jet skis, a boat. Got a little knot in my stomach after typing that

 

[toyotajeep]

-everything should be operational and ready to go unless it is in project status. I try to drive everything once every week or so.

-Only intentionally disable one machine at a time, aside from any unscheduled breakdowns along the way.

-20 minutes per day minimum spent on any large project, and one project at a time. I’m 9 or 10 months into my Land Cruiser build and this is the only way I have kept moving and not burned out.

-it doesn’t have to be completely perfect to be used and enjoyed.

-any parts car gets stripped asap and out of my fawkin yard.

5 cars, two drivers, three trailers, two jet skis, a boat. Got a little knot in my stomach after typing that

Pretty much my MO. The only thing I didn't or don't do here is get rid of the parts cars. I should have been doing a better job of that. Having room to store stuff without bothering anyone is nice. You can't even see the stuff, or most of it at least.

I held onto too many parts and parts cars. They will be the first thing to go.

Generally, I work on the projects at least five days a week.

 

[Tiha]

I went through this. More projects than I am capable of doing. Spend so much time trying to keep them from rotting into the ground. let alone having to move at some point.

This last move I let most of it go. Sold what I could. Loss? Yeah but it is so freeing.

Now I don't feel guilty if I go goof off instead of working on a project vehicle.

I have other projects going, house stuff, ATVs but not looking at a project car or truck wishing I could get started on it is a huge relief to me.

My life feels lighter, simpler. More organized and in control.

Bought this ATV for $400 a month ago. It is sitting outside on the trailer and it is bugging the crap out of me. It has reminded me how happy I am that I let everything else go.

 

[toyotajeep]

I went through this. More projects than I am capable of doing. Spend so much time trying to keep them from rotting into the ground. let alone having to move at some point.

This last move I let most of it go. Sold what I could. Loss? Yeah but it is so freeing.

Now I don't feel guilty if I go goof off instead of working on a project vehicle.

I have other projects going, house stuff, ATVs but not looking at a project car or truck wishing I could get started on it is a huge relief to me.

My life feels lighter, simpler. More organized and in control.

Bought this ATV for $400 a month ago. It is sitting outside on the trailer and it is bugging the crap out of me. It has reminded me how happy I am that I let everything else go.

Thank you for that. That is encouraging to hear and sounds nice.

I haven't moved in over 20 years and live with more cows and coyotes than people. When this process is over I think I can be down to 7-8 cars including the daily drivers. 7-8 sounds bad, but if say 4-5 are insured and the rest are stored it isn't too bad. Unless I leave the states when I retire I don't see myself being down to one car anytime soon. Too many specialized needs.

What I do is rotate like use the nicer Bronco in the summer, do some work to it over the winter while I drive the bigger Bronco. I have always done that.

The plan is to get the Toyota hulks gone first, then start in on the pile of parts. Getting my shop cleaned so I can go through tools was a good thing to do.

I can see the light as they say.

 

[IUsedtoBendCars]

You’re a hoarder if you don’t want people to know what you have you’re a collector if you don’t mind sharing your toys with others.

I just informed my wife I am no longer a hoarder. I am a collector. The look on her face makes me think she doesn't believe me.

 

[Tooheysmax]

I have recently acquired a new project it wasn’t the one I wanted but for 500.00 dollars it has new tires water pump and working heat and ac and my commute from the house to the shop is 1.6 miles each way it is good enough I haven’t owned a truck or suv since 2016 when I sold my 88 4 runner due to it just sitting and rotting crazy park found it pop up for sale in Jacksonville at the start of the year and almost bought it back until I got close up photos of its current condition they beat the shit out of it wrinkled every panel blew the motor.

I’d like to start by swapping the bed for a stick but for now it’s great for the runs to haul stuff from depot and lowes

The owner was replacing some trucks in the work fleet the irony I’ve been driving it to and from work since July 2018 for free I just put the first 50 dollars in gas out of my own pocket last week 😂 in it.

 

[45acp]

Friend of mine has a rule, if he can’t keep the new thing under a roof then he can’t have the new thing. Course, he is now shed-poor as well LOL

This is my dream... if steel will ever come back down to realistic $$$, I'm going to have a series of various carports out behind my shop.

(and the shop desperately needs an add-on, but that's going to be cost prohibitive for a long time)

 

[MoparMoe]

This is my dream... if steel will ever come back down to realistic $$$, I'm going to have a series of various carports out behind my shop.

(and the shop desperately needs an add-on, but that's going to be cost prohibitive for a long time)

I just did a 48' x 18' carport from versa tube for my RV Its 13' to the eve, decent construction , went up fast , would recommend

 

[toyotajeep]

This is my dream... if steel will ever come back down to realistic $$$, I'm going to have a series of various carports out behind my shop.

(and the shop desperately needs an add-on, but that's going to be cost prohibitive for a long time)

I hear you. A little clean up and some inside storage would go a long way. There is a guy down the road that must have a half a football field at least under cover. He just kept adding on. Weird thing is he works outside under an awning and has very little enclosed storage with walls. He likes it that way.

 

[Tiha]

I just did a 48' x 18' carport from versa tube for my RV Its 13' to the eve, decent construction , went up fast , would recommend

What is the overall height?

I have city code to contend with. We wanted to do a 40x40 but it needs to be under 17ft at peak.

If we want to go taller It needs to look like a horse barn.
Stupid city.

Last summer a metal carport at 40x40 was running about $16k.