Ok, so i have a 88 pickup and it needs work. Rate now i am deciding if i'm going to keep this and find something else or if i'm just doing to put a lot of work into the truck. It needs a lot of TLC and at the moment i'm in the process of replacing almost everything that spins. So that said, it also needs a lot of body work, or a decent amount, and then the frame is kinda bad. It has a really jerry rigged lift, like a 2'' or something, an add a leaf and some dumb crap with the rear leafs, kinda hard to explain, and the torsion bars cranked up in the front. So if i am to keep it, i'm definitely going to be investing in a proper lift. When looking for a vehicle i read the 22re's are really reliable and last for a long time and good mileage and all that. Granted i wasn't thinking really if everything else it sits on would last as long. I'm a college student and usually don't have much money during regular school semesters, but i have a good amount during summer. So a semi limited budget, and i have decent mechanical knowledge with some metal working knowledge as well. I do have a lot of help in all the areas as my my whole family is in auto repair and have shops. Actually one other thing, it is using oil rate now, but thats because its leaking out of the oil pump pulley, which i plan to take care of as soon as i get parts and time straightened out and i'm really hoping its not burning it, if that is the case then there is no real way i'm going to invest time into it. Ok so all that said i am asking your guy's opinions if i should keep it and put some time into it, or try to find something else. This is my daily and very occasionally weekend wheeler, or more so some trails and water wholes. Also i'm going to post up pictures of everything so you guys can get a better idea of what i'm dealing with. Sorry that was so long and thanks for any input.

 

Find something with a bad motor to put your running gear into. Sounds like this truck is at its end of days.

 

Sounds like a diamond-in-the-ruff, to me. Barring any structural damage to the frame. But I'm an optimistic,gett'er done eventualy, patient type. I bought mine, an 88, in same type shape your talkin'. What I don't like on it, I change, or let break off. She loves me for this, actualy. I'm a lot better than any man she's been with before. She's waited her whole life for me. Gettin' my point, yet? GO ON BOY, GETTER 'FOR SHE GETS AWAY!

 

If your goal is to get it done on a budget, you'll spend a lot more time and potentially a lot more money fixing that one than you would dumping it and buying one worth a few k more...

I've polished a lot of turds in my days... It's a lesson that I learn over and over.

Once they're fully polished, I typically get about 50% back of what I put into them in terms of money, not to mention time... Some of the best deals you can get are rigs that are fully pimped out.

If you want to do work yourself, starting with one that is mechanically solid has big advantages..

 

Yeah, trying to build this one ailing rig up will be expensive and time consuming...unless that's what you want to do. You'd learn alot, but just as much to take two ailing rigs to make a decent one or get a good solid one to play with. And the rewards will potentially be more lasting...if you don't have a wreck. Don't ask...lol!

On the other hand...pics would say more. How long this rig will last depends on how bad the rust is and where it is.

 

And no the handy work on the bed is not mine. Lol should have put the mud terrains on for a couple of these So now that there are pictures of what its like, what do you guys say?

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0323.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0317.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0316.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0315.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0314.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0313.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0312.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0311.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_0310.jpg

 

no one has any opinions now??

 

My opinion: I'm glad I don't live up north...

 

As thook said, you'll learn a bundle. You might consider the price saved by knowing how to work on your rig, as a self-taught technician. My brother, true story, just spent two years and I'm not sure how many thousands of $, in college courses, recieving "certification". He'll start a fist fight over what I'm about to say here, but here goes. I know more, how? A little over a year of dedication to my little sweetie pie there. Sayin' this aint gonna make your task any easier, Aye,Aye,Aye. MUY P.O.R.!! Cool runn'n boards, though. I think she's cute, but I've always been partial towards tramps, esp. blonds.

 

lol, well nether of those were really opinions on whether i should go with it or not but yeah. Well, i know if i keep it i will learn a lot more, which will be really cool, also, even if i do sell it, i plan on taking care of a few things. Yeah, honestly the only real concerns i have is over real old parts just crapping out like out of know where and then trying to figure out how to deal with all that frame rust. Plus, the fender on the drivers side sheet metal is mostly dead, fender and door, or at least it will me, and the rocker panels on both sides are gone as well. I plan on making a bed, so thats not an issue. Really i'll see how it is once everything thaws out and what not. If i have to patch up any of the frame then thats going to be the deciding point. But if anyone has any "real" opinions or advice, that would be much appreciated. The pictures are a few posts up (the links)

 

Keep it! Drive it till the frame snaps in half!

 

Well, that is pretty bad the best I can tell from a picture. But how deep is that rust? Is the frame rusting on the inside much...it kinda looks more surface. In which case. If you're gonna pull the body, you could do something with the frame and have it last a while longer. Years, in fact. You're going break a lot of bolts, my best guess! Hmmm....had I the time, the inspiration, money, the curiosity, and the help I'd give it go just for the fun of it. Then drive every ounce of fun out of it. She's is a cutey! How's that motor running? How many miles?

BTW, your passenger side control arm is eating through. Planning a SAS?

 

The motor runs good, still needs a few things but its sound. It has 144,000

 

And the frame rust....?

 

oh yeah, well first off, a solid axle swap might be a little much, as i would have o buy and or find a lot of crap. Which also doesn't seem to be anywhere in Michigan. Thats and its my daily. The rust is just surface just, but its pretty bad, but it is kind of hard to tell as i haven't had a grinder to any of it yet.

 

LOL! The more I look at those pics, the more I think I like your truck myself. Ooops! Don't get mad...just that there is something to be said for seeing the beauty and potential with something.
Well, Swansen...if you're up for it then give her a go. She'll be some work and be down for a little while treating the frame and body and all, but if done well I think she'd last you a while longer. And, hey!...you're already cutting some of the renovation work by putting on a flat bed. But, the real question is....how do you feel about it?

 

Yeah i was just kinda wondering from a technical aspect if it was even worth putting the time into it. Yeah i pretty much want to do everything and get as much life out of it as i can. It will be awhile until i can start working on it, but i'm planning on doing the work.

 

Come down to TX, I just aquired 2 4runners - both have much better bodies and no rust! I'll cut you a deal!
(Too much darn salt in MI)

 

oh man, don't even tempt me......

 

When my dad died, i draged 1 of his old trucks from behind his house. I took my time over a couple years and completely went through it , inside an out.. I really enjoyed it.. Its nothing like building 1 from nothing.. If you got the time and money? I say go for it....besides it looks pretty good to me if the rust is not too deep