Fix or leave it?

[Machete]

 

[Machete]

So you can see the rest of the truck is nice.

 

[Killer Ride]

I would probably err on the side to fix it because rust never sleeps and it sucks. Oh and your Expy looks Identical to mine, cept for the running boards I removed mine. I like a more rugged look.

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[AarBehr]

Meh, I'd "fix" it. And by "Fix" it I mean I'd take a wire wheel or flap disc to it and then cover it with primer and paint. (Oh, and I wouldn't do a great job.)

 

[Killer Ride]

Meh, I'd "fix" it. And by "Fix" it I mean I'd take a wire wheel or flap disc to it and then cover it with primer and paint. (Oh, and I wouldn't do a great job.)

Exactly what I would do ^I would mean knock the rust off and prime and get some color matched paint and jus touch it up

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[larryjb]

I'd do the above, but prime with POR-15, then put a top coat to get a close colour match. Don't forget to put the POR-15 on the inside wherever you can reach.

 

[Trainmaster]

It's almost 22 years old... Those rocker panels have many more years without doing anything to them. How much longer do you think that old gal has?

 

[docraymund]

Leave it sell it as is. Don't hide the defect.

 

[Machete]

After reading up on the various vehicles I considered ie Tahoe, Silverado, F-150, Tundra, Grand Cherokee, and a budget of around $15-18k, I’m coming to the conclusion I should save my money and put another 50k-100k mi on this ole gal.

I’ve maintained w open check book. It runs perfectly. Needs nothing. Just did rear brakes and the driver door actuator for locks-which did fix the sluggishness.

My new job is driving all over Florida and between the monsoons and hurricane seasons having a high-water-vehicle is necessary.

I’m going to collect some bids from body shops and post them here. I don’t have the tools to do this repair properly and if I’m going to do it I like doing things right.

 

[docraymund]

Good choice!

 

[knewblewkorvett]

I would sure fix it before it gets worse. My 2000 started out like that and now she rests in a junkyard. My 1997's body is still rust free but I expect that to change as the Iowa winters can be bad and the road crews salt and brine the roads like crazy. Hell, they already have done that this year.
This time as soon as a see a spot of rust, I'm fixing it.

 

[Plati]

On my 2003 Expy ... rust started appearing on the outside, but it had started on the inside.
So dealing with it on the outside is like ******* into the wind. Hate it when that happens. YMMV

 

[brhulen]

I'd junk that puppy! But when you do please send me your GEM!

 

[Machete]

On my 2003 Expy ... rust started appearing on the outside, but it had started on the inside.
So dealing with it on the outside was like ******* into the wind. Hate it when that happens. YMMV

View attachment 38794

Wow. That’s rust. Mine is just now popping blisters. If I fix it it’ll last me a couple years before it starts to bubble up again. Damn shame cause truck looks and runs excellent.

 

[Machete]

Just got two estimates.

Private body shop approximately $2000 to cut off the rocker panels, weld new ones, paint and clear coat, including removal of running boards and replacement of the rusted metal frame backing.

Ford dealer over $4000.

 

[knewblewkorvett]

That's a LOT

 

[docraymund]

Yes, that's a lot! If your engine is ok, well check cylinder compression on all 8, if ok or still within specs and you consider your truck a keeper, well then go ahead just ask for a discount.

 

[Machete]

Yes, that's a lot! If your engine is ok, well check cylinder compression on all 8, if ok or still within specs and you consider your truck a keeper, well then go ahead just ask for a discount.

Which one is a lot? $2000 or $4000?

This is decision is driving me nuts. It’s either fix it or buy used.

If I need to buy used I need to stay around and under $20k which puts me in the 2009-2014 model range f150 w 5.4’s which scares me.

 

[knewblewkorvett]

$4,000 is a LOT. $2,000 seems reasonable but not be worth doing as these trucks are getting up there in years. How many miles does she have? If she has low miles and you want to keep her for awhile, go for it.

 

[Machete]

$4,000 is a LOT. $2,000 seems reasonable but not be worth doing as these trucks are getting up there in years. How many miles does she have? If she has low miles and you want to keep her for awhile, go for it.

212,*** but maintained w open check book. It needs nothing but I’ve always made repairs needed most recently driver door lock actuator, rear brake rotors and pads, about a month ago new exhaust manifolds, year ago cat back exhaust w SS muffler, 6 mos ago new Monroe coil over kit, the original Monroe kit lasted 80k miles before shocks blew.

Complete tuneup w all new cops at dealer. New fuel pump.

Drop all fluids every 50k miles rear diff, transfer case, tranny, coolant, brake fluid all done at dealer.

I’ve stayed ahead of maintenance the entire time.

My issue is if I just sell it what do I replace it with in the $20k budget w good reliability?