2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Am I Crazy? '01 exterior refurb

[TboneMan]

So my '01 has around 195,000 miles on it. Living is the "snow belt" of NYS, it has seen a lot of salty roads during its life.



I need to do some work on the house and will likely be getting a HELOC. I'm thinking about having the truck refurbished. New door skins, fix up the dents and other blemishes and a complete paint job.



I have an orig. VP44 and clutch.

OEM lift pump has 133,000 miles on it, and it still produces 8-10 psi. I have a spare on the self in the garage.

Wheel bearings have been replaces (twice), ball joints, heater core, calipers, brake lines, axle seals have all been replaced.

I changed transmission, diffs, and trans case fluids several times.



The way I look at it:

1) the truck meets my needs

2) I don't want a new truck payment

3) I like getting 19-20 mpg





I figure with some new sheet metal around me I can get another 4 or 5 years out of it.



I'm interest in the TDR's thoughts.

 

[mfburns]

I think these trucks can go on forever. The motor is bullet proof and I think the body work is cheaper than a new truck payment. The new ones don't get the mileage and seem to require an electronic engineer degree to maintain. I like mine and just wash it alot in the winter to get the salt off it as best I can. Not sure where Pennelville is but I have lived in several NY areas and understand the salt problem. I vote for the rehab.

 

[LBARTLETT]

go for the rehab if you don't have any engine blow by

 

[Missouri Mule]

Fixing it up sounds good to me!

 

[McCRam]

I was getting the itch to get a new truck. But I figured I can repaint, reupholster, and fix my gooseneck, for less than a years worth of payments on the 06 I was looking at.

 

[Tinman]

Tough question. Fixing it up is a good option especially if you really like the truck. But I will say the 3rd gens are just great trucks. So much smoother, quiter, tighter and all around much nicer. Stock they produce a lot of power. Moving from an 01 to a pre-6. 7 3rd gen is an improvement. It could be argued that moving to a 6. 7 isn't necessarily better with all the complicated emissions stuff. So if that was what was on your mind, that might not be an improvement. I love my 01, but after driving it for a week or two then I drive the 06, I think; man this 3rd gen is an awesome truck.

 

[jgillott]

I loved my '01. If it wasn't for the fact that a regular cab and a growing family just didn't mix in my case, I would still have it.



The 3rd gen is a lot more comfortable to drive on a daily basis, but to me, there is nothing so special about it that would make me go out and sell a perfectly good 2nd gen to purchase one. My vote is to go for some nice body work and continue enjoying your truck.

 

[SHobbs]

Go for it! For me I did not want a new or newer truck not having those huge payments is nice. I have no rattles, squeaks or wind noise. Last September I had mine completely re painted, new carpet and headliner will be next. Hopefully this week the dash gets replaced which Chrysler is paying for the labor on that and a new heater core and evaporator will also go in at that time. The seats are also getting a face lift as well. Feel like I am driving around in a new truck.

 

[robbiesworld]

I would fix it up if I were you... . I just refinished my bed and rear dually fender on a tree last week!!!!!

 

[hammersley]

Maybe a Better Idea........

How much are you going to spend ??????? I use to live in the Rust Belt - 40+ years ago and while I know what you're proposing would be a big help - you can't get at all or even a large percentage of the rust that is lingering - let alone the rusted EVERYTHING under the rig, i. e. every nut and bolt etc.



I would suggest you check on getting a used NO RUST rig from the West Coast! For example my 01 with 320,000 miles looks almost new underneath - No RUST and this is common here and other places. You can go on Craigs List, and maybe even have a TDR member go look for you, and get a Rust Free rig to Start over with... ...



NOW you're going to be shocked at how much some are going for - BUT put your rust bucket Frame of Reference away... . I mean these rigs, for the most part - there is the Occasional one who moved here from Michigan or wherever, or who lived at the Coast running throw the Ocean... but the vast majority - 98% Have No Rust - so the values are not in your known universe.



Some examples.....



2001 Dodge Ram 2500 "SPORT" ( 5. 9l Turbo Diesel )



2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad Cab

 

[TboneMan]

Go for it! For me I did not want a new or newer truck not having those huge payments is nice. I have no rattles, squeaks or wind noise. Last September I had mine completely re painted, new carpet and headliner will be next. Hopefully this week the dash gets replaced which Chrysler is paying for the labor on that and a new heater core and evaporator will also go in at that time. The seats are also getting a face lift as well. Feel like I am driving around in a new truck.

How much did this cost?

 

[HBarlow]

Borrowing money with your house as collateral to spend on an old truck is never a good idea.

If you suffer a personal financial problem you could lose your home. A new paint job and upholstery in an old truck won't be much comfort to you if you can't repay the HELOC.

 

[RHestand]

IMO, my 98 is much more comfortable, especially after several hours in the drivers seat.

Don't get me wrong,my 06 is a great truck. It has better steering, more power, etc, but I still prefer driving the 98.

In fact, due to lack of use, I'm concidering selling my 06.

Ray

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I think these trucks can go on forever. The motor is bullet proof and I think the body work is cheaper than a new truck payment. The new ones don't get the mileage and seem to require an electronic engineer degree to maintain. I like mine and just wash it alot in the winter to get the salt off it as best I can. Not sure where Pennelville is but I have lived in several NY areas and understand the salt problem. I vote for the rehab.

I'm with mfburns. Every time someone hits my driveway, they say "Gotta new truck, huh?"



I say "Nope. That's Rustoleum and 2500 grit wet sandpaper on an old '01 paid for rig. "

 

[SHobbs]

How much did this cost?

Tbone,



The paint job cost me 4k which was a complete strip and redo and I also had some body modifications done as well. I did get a friend of a friend deal on the paint actualy. I no longer have an antenna on the fender and my tailgate handle was moved to the inside. I had the bed and aluminum running boards shot with LineX xtra which cost me around $1300. When I get to it the carpet, sound dampener and headliner should cost me around $400. I need to get a current picture now that the outside is done I did change the cab lights to the smoked ones from Recon as well as a smoked third brake light and new mud flaps all the way around oh and upgraded to the towing mirrors. It's going back to the painter in May for some minor fixes and a 3 day buffing. Currently I think I have around 6k in it which about 5k of that was a back pay check from my employer after out last contract negotiation.

 

[kenny61]

Is that your house? If not what area is it. Looks like my kinda place...

 

[SHobbs]

Kenny,



No sir, wishful thinking though. We were in Southfork CO and noticed a very nice house for sale and decided to take a look. Darn thing was selling for I think around 350k.

 

[kenny61]

Thought it looked a little hilly for TX!. A little too close to CF for me but thanks beautiful Country there. :-laf

 

[SHobbs]

Kenny,



Thats my favorite place to go to. I am there every Feb. for skiing at Wolf Creek about 15 min. from town.

 

[icman95]

Funny, not too long ago I just had this conversation with my parents regarding my truck. They are not truck, or even car people. So long as they can make it from point a to point b reliably, they don't feel much passion for motor vehicles. No matter-to each his own.



They were telling me that their neighbor just did a resto on his truck-not sure what kind it was, but they did say it was diesel. He had the bed removed, everything gone over and repainted. They don't know what he paid for it, but now he has a new truck all over again. This is exactly what I will do to my 01 when the time comes. Hopefully it won't be for a while, but eventually the road salt will win out over the paint. I love my truck enough that you couldn't get me to give it up even if you gave me a new one free. Putting a few bucks into it to keep an otherwise mechanically sound truck going for another decade seems to make perfect sense to me.



When I first bought it, I told the dealer and my wife I'd be happy if I got 12-15 good years out of it. Now I'm starting to think in terms of 20+. Do what you have to do to keep the ol' girl running. She deserves it.