Need advice on keeping or selling truck

[esamuelson]

I may have gotten myself in over my head on this one. My 92 dually is now down to the frame and I am in the process of sandblasting,painting, and rebuilding the truck. I didn't realize how rough shape the truck was in until I started taking it apart ( still a good solid truck, just needs cleaned up). The problem is the wife (bean counter) is seeing what this is going to cost and how much time I am putting into it and is now wanting me to unload it and get a newer, ready to roll truck. I bought this truck with the intentions of doing what I am doing and making it a cherry vehicle. The cost I figured would be well worth it in the end, having a solid, reliable, long lasting vehicle. If I get a newer truck it would be an 01,02 24 valve, 6 speed. I have a better paying job now so can swing the payments unlike before. I know the older trucks have there problems as do the newer ones but need some advice from guys that have been there done that, and bought the t-shirt! I like the style of the 1st gens, but there are some definite improvements on the newer trucks. The repairs on my current truck would be alot less that the price of the newer on but no blood and sweat.



Any advice is appreciated!! Maybe I just need some moral support to continue on!



Thanks!

 

[KSommer]

Keep at it!! my wife hates my truck, but too bad. she doesn't have to drive it.

anyone can make payments, it takes pride to say you built it.

kent

 

[Idually]

Right there with you! Keep it, you won't regret it. A payment is one thing, but then you get to register it(taxes) and insurance. If you own it outright what could you loose? It's going to take WAY longer than you anticipated, so my best advice is would be to stay patient.



#ad




This will be the frame/CTD drive train under a 1978 Ramcharger before too long.



Andrew.



P. S. You're in the right place for the moral support.

 

[bmoeller]

I'd keep it. Outside of the time invested (which I wouldn't be surprised if that is her biggest beef with the project), it will be cheapr than the payments on a new truck. Once it is reconditioned, it should last a long time.

 

[chunter]

Keep it. Heck when you are done with your truck it will probably be nicer than when it rolled off the assembly line!

I traded my 92 W250 in on a Gen II truck which was subsequently traded in on a Gen III truck and while they are very comfortable I eventually came back to a Gen I. Decent Gen I trucks are getting hard to come by these days.

 

[esamuelson]

Idually I like that frame you have that looks in great shape!! Mine has alot of scaley rust on it which is coming off with the sandblaster, just taking time!

My bed was rusted out (previous owner had a salt spreader in the bed) but I was able to find a complete bed with fenders,tailgate and all lights locally that needs minor work. I need to get the trans rebuilt, and beefed up, the od was burnt up. I am looking at upgrading to the lock up convertor trans. I need to put a rocker panel on the driver side and probably 2 front fenders. So I have my work cut out for me, and all that doesn't include all the little things I will find along the way.

I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed now that I see what all I have to do. I only drove the truck about 75 miles before I tore it down! So I really don't know how I am going to like it when I am done.



Thanks for the support!!

 

[esamuelson]

chunter, Why did you come back to the 1st gens? What didn't you like about the newer trucks? I am concerned about the braking on the older trucks.

 

[MMiller]

I too had a Dodge to the bare frame rails. It was a toy, but I am glad I built mine instead of buying a complete one. I know every component, and I put it in the way I wanted it. Now that it runs, I can fire it up and drive it, I am really glad I put the hard work into it. The really nice thing about starting the frame up, you can put the pieces in the way you want it. I would recommend cutting the center hump out of the truck and making it bolt in. When it comes time for any drive train work, having a removable center hump makes it tons nicer.



You just have to find that happy medium with your wife, about the time spent in the shop, and the time spent with her. Trust me, I am still trying to figure that out. Been married now almost 3 years, and been with her for going on 6 years. Built one truck completely and have been modding 3 others in the last 6 years. It is a balanceing act.



KEEP HER, oh and your wife too! Second gens are OK, but not nearly as simple as a good old first gen.



Michael

 

[HonkinDiesel]

I'd definitley keep at it. You will probably have one of the best trucks on the planet.



Every generation RAM (or vehicle) has its weakness but the first gen was built on probably the most solid platform ever known to man (second only to a freight train). You can modify out any of the other weaknesses the first gen ever had as you rebuild. Read the TDR 1st gen problems, mods, and TSBs.



I would also suggest a coat of "Rust Bullet" or "POR15" on the frame with a good quality rubberized coating on top. It'll make that truck last forever along with that million mile engine. Add posi traction and an NV5600 (6-speed) or NV4500 (5 speed) trany outta make that drive train just about bullet proof.



Keep at it, I know its alot of work (<<under statement) but you will have a vehicle that you will know inside and out and thats a great feeling thats priceless.



Let us know how it goes. Don't forget TDR forum is a fantastic resource and full of folks willing, able and capable of giving you the right advice.



-Peter

 

[chunter]

esamuelson - The Gen II and Gen II trucks are nice, but were are so many wizbang gadgets in them trucks that it made me nervous. Between the lift pumps and all the electronics I figured it was time to go back to a solid, relatively simple and dependable truck. I have not done it yet, but there are several folks out there running the larger rear wheel cylinders on their trucks and they say it makes a difference. I want to swap out my auto trans for a NVG5600 and then after that I may start looking for ways to upgrade my brakes.

 

[Deezul Fumes]

Keep It

When I was 20 I did a ground up restoration on a 1941 1/2-ton International Panel truck. It took me the better part of 4 years to complete. When I started I thought it would be a piece of cake, ever try to find a original glass lense for a tail light on a old truck? At time's I almost gave up!

I will never forget the day I drove the finished restoration. I was so dam proud I could barely get my head inside the cab.

While driving my International, I had countless conversation with people about all types of truck's. Never met a truck I didn't like!

My girlfriends came and went, but my truck was alway's there. Sadly after 25 years I sold the old girl. :{ Tell your wife. at least she knows where you are and there are some thing's your new girl can't do.



KEEP IT!

Deezul Fumes

 

[RailroadJim]

You must press on, it's your destiny, it sounds like you may need to rekindle the whole "old truck vision thing" with your spouse but in the end that truck will be far superior to anything that will ever get you "upside down" when you drive it of the lot. It's the long run sort of vehicle, simple, tough, beautiful and everlasting not to mention pragmatic, it's even an "earth friendly" project by recycling an older truck, come on, she can't argue with earth friendly, can she? You have my support, keep on keepin on.

 

[CLiberty]

yeah!! what all those guy`s said!

 

["Mad Max"]

'Sam,

Now isn't that the $64M question, eh? :-laf Do I press on with the rig, or just go buy a new one? Man I think all of us have been there and thought that..... but..... we're all still driving them good ole' 1st gens..... having folks ask us how many miles are on yer engine, folks telling ya yer rig looks great for an old one and watching their face grin as they hear it rump to life..... and that's when you see it... . right in their eyes... . the onlookers wondering how they can get out from under their $700/month payment on their new shiny truck when they wish they had kept their good ole 1st gen.

No brainer bud, keep the rig. Make it beautiful. Ask any question you can think of. We the members of the congregation will point ya in the right direction and keep you motivated brother .



I have always found that having my sig other help me, somehow, with the project, is huge. When they feel like part of the solution, not part of the competition, you're golden. Lots of dinners out, movies, and lots of talk about how much nicer the rig will be when done, how much better than a newer one it will be, and how much pride you have in the project in restoring a great truck, well those always help too.



Pride in your work is unmeasurable, and pride in accomplishing a project like what you have going on can be overpowering, especially when you're enojoying it after it's done.



Alright - Here's a link to my Ramcharger project.

http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/index.php?topic=49434.0

Aside from the custom stuff have a look at the new sheetmetal, refinished frame, etc - might just motivate ya back to the old-school side of the fence :-laf

- Sam (a. k. a. Mad Max)

 

[John Martines]

Since your in PA I thought you might be intrested in this. I took the bare frame of my Chevelle to Virginia Galvanizing 804-798-3257. They dip it in a rust removal then a wash and then a giant gavanizing tank. You want to make sure they skip the last step which is a oil bath. It comes out amazing the Galvanizing coats everything so you want everything off the frame that you might want to ever remove. It DOES NOT harm the metal. After that you wash the frame with white vinager and paint it with a black latex paint. Yes I said latex paint ! The name of the paint escapes me right now but it's latex based . It is made to paint Gavanizing. That's it you will have a frame that will never rust. Oo.

 

[mysteryman]

good plan

Galvanizing is a great plan. How much is it going to be???? Keep in mind that road salt will ruin Galvanizing in time also!



As for weather to keep it or sell it... ..... Lets just say I traded my 97 for 2 first gen's last year ... . I was an automotive engineer for Chry... . You fill in the blanks from there.



As for the wife verses the truck... . The main difference between a wife and a first gen Dodge truck is as follows:



There will never again be anymore first gen trucks built!!!!!

There will always be plenty of broads out there looking for a sponsor and a ring. No shortage of them!



When a Dodge truck wears out or gets a little ragged looking or does not run correctly... . You CAN take it apart , throw a little money and hard work at it and end up with a good looking and good running machine again. One that will actually WORK for you. .



As for women... ... They will never run right no matter how much you work on them..... When they get old and start looking a little ragged they can not be taken apart and rebuilt. There is no amount of money that you can throw at them that will ever keep them satisfied for very long... They do not age gracefully! And when your investment in them grows. It will not grow into anything that you can put back into the bank. And worst of all ... despite all the years of hard work and money you invest in them you still end up with a worn out over loaded broad that never worked a day in her life... . And lets not forget that when you get ****** or had enough of the truck. You can park it ,turn off the key and walk away. Out of sight out of mind. The broads you can never turn off and when you try to walk away the just follow and keep right on *****ing till you give in .....



The moral of the story is : it is best to keep and rebuild the Dodge truck.

Trade up on the wife... They are disposable and are considered a renewable energy sorce. So its best to trade up on them before the warrentee expires... And remember they do not have any trade in value...





Good luck

Since your in PA I thought you might be intrested in this. I took the bare frame of my Chevelle to Virginia Galvanizing 804-798-3257. They dip it in a rust removal then a wash and then a giant gavanizing tank. You want to make sure they skip the last step which is a oil bath. It comes out amazing the Galvanizing coats everything so you want everything off the frame that you might want to ever remove. It DOES NOT harm the metal. After that you wash the frame with white vinager and paint it with a black latex paint. Yes I said latex paint ! The name of the paint escapes me right now but it's latex based . It is made to paint Gavanizing. That's it you will have a frame that will never rust. Oo.

 

[John Martines]

Call The # and ask for Oscar he can give you all the details about the gavanizing. My car frame was $250. Cheaper than sandblasting and powdercoating and the galvanizing gets into places wear no paint or coating could. As for keeping the truck I have been kicking around the samething but I love this truck so much I can't do it. My steering box went in June 04 so I got a rebuilt! Great done,right? No! last week it takes a ***** again. It gets me ****** I just keep dumping money into it BUT! AAAAA ! It's still cheaper than a car payment :-laf . These trucks are still going because they are built tough. YAh! they have their little quircks and Yah they ain't all smooth riding and lush inside but they are the last of the heavy iron! Nuff said

 

[esamuelson]

I obviusly must press on!! I may go look at a 1st gen that I seen for sale today. I could use something to drive now while I build super truck. My current daily driver/tow vehicle is a 73 Dodge club cab w100 with a 318, 727, dana 60s with 35" tires. It gets 10 mpg empty and can hardly move itself let alone a trailer. The other problem is it is high maintanance, not that I am complaining about that, it is 30+ years old, but it is taking time away from my project. It would be nice to get better mileage and power and hopfully a little more reliable. It also would be nice to have 2 of the same truck to compare stuff to. The one I am looking at is a 92 dually with a 5 speed, w350, cummins ( of course ).



Thanks for the push guys. The wife has also seen that the bottom line is still less than a newer truck so I will continue on!

 

[jeff77indy]

I'm kind of in the same situation with my '89. I've been trying to sell it, with no luck most people are afraid of the miles and it needs some body work and paint other than that it's a good reliable truck, I drive it to work everyday. I've had the old guy so long I'd hate to see him go.

My plan is to just bite the bullet and get it done, body work, paint and fix all the little stuff it needs. I'm thinking about putting a 518 transmission in but with the 3. 07 gears don't know if it would work well, I know some have done this swap, I need the dicuss this with them I suppose.

First the '89 W250 then my '92 W350.



Jeff

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I sort of went through a steep learning curve that may be of use. (I'm great for experiencing the School of Hard Knock - then dispensing advice to others :-laf ).



Although I've never had a G1, I've driven plenty of FS Dodge Power Wagons in the field. They were tough trucks and a good platform for fire pumps and weed spray rigs. Albeit the saying was they would "beat themselves to death", i. e. rough riding.



I had an 98 12v, an 02, and an 04. I sold the 04 last week and purchased a 97 12v. Why? Because I had enough of the payment treadmill. The 98 was the first NEW vehicle I've had. I purchased it after looking around for a good used one - rare as hen teeth back then. Then I wanted a Quad Cab, which lead to the 02. Then I wanted a 1 ton, which lead to the 04. In hind sight, if I'd gotten a 98 12v 1 ton QC I'd still have the same rig today - perhaps. They all were fantastic trucks with the only problems being a couple minor TSBs and two u-joints on the 04. The 04 was by far the best road machine, what a cruising beast with the NV5600, 305/555, 3. 73, and 17" tires.



To make a long story shorter, I decided just say NO to payments. Thankfully, everything else is paid for - our home, apartments, and wife's car. Also, I was also jonsing for an old mechanical 12v that I could tinker on without the electronic doodaws. Like I've always done with my rigs. Finally, the fuel prices make me realize that either a bigger chunk of my budget is either going to fueling the 97 - or I will need to use my truck for truck duties, e. g. firewood, hunting, and winter driving (which we have plenty of) and look for a car with good fuel economy for road trips and grocery getting in town.



In summary, stick with the 12v project, and just say NO to payments, invest a small portion of the "payments" into your dream rig, buy a cheap used fuel economy car if you need to.