Rusty Rodder,
I pretty much live where you are in your build every day. I've been financially stalled out for months on my build too. I've started to buy major component parts three times since October and EVERY SINGLE TIME I get the cash for something major my plans get screwed! I've got a cab, a bare frame, although it's brand new, a grill shell, a steering wheel, and three boxes of misc. parts in storage and that's it!
Seems like the whole idea of me owning a rat rod is just a pipe dream sometimes. However, if you want something bad enough you'll find a way to make it happen. Take everyone's advise and focus on something else or just the smaller tasks at hand. I've had no choice but to concentrate on the small stuff for months now. If I don't I'll lose my focus and my motivation and I can't afford for that to happen either. I've already got too much invested to give up. You just have to get inventive and find things to occupy your time until conditions improve that's all. You wouldn't believe all I've done to just stay busy and motivated! I've disassembled, cleaned, and painted a bunch of small parts. I've modified several to fit my build, and I've even made brackets etc.. to mount some parts on my build at some point in the future. It's an everyday thing for me now. This stuff doesn't have to be expensive to keep you busy either.
Things will pick up for you eventually just keep your eye on the big picture. I'm one of the most impatient people who ever lived (it's true) and my project has been one of the most frustrating attempts at doing something in my life. However, If I can stay motivated you can too! We are here for you and your not alone in this. Just sound off to us and we will get you through this. That's why we're here!! Oh, yeah, I almost forgot - I also got laid off from my job today too! Oh well??? I gotta suck it up and keep going. I gotta Keep the dream alive. NOBODY is taking that away from me!! NOBODY!!
Thunder1