Almost lost the Truck

[beretzs]

Well, after sitting down with the wife, I explained to her that keeping the truck and fixing it is ALOT cheaper than buying a used truck. When she found out it was going to cost around 2K for the Headgaskets (this is labor and parts, don't have the time or space to do ti myself) the wife almost lost her headgaskets. She said fix the truck and sell it before something else takes a crap. I tried my best to explain that after the heads are studded, I should not have any more trouble. Granted, the truck needs brakes, but other than that, I have replaced everything. This is the list of stuff I have done since I owned the truck..

Turbo - 2500
Lift & tires - 2000
IP and Injectors - 650
Glow Plugs - 60
Holley Elec Fuel Pump - 100
t-stat - 20
4.56 gears with bearings and such - 800
GearVendors - 3000
propane - 900
IC - 100
H20 Inj - 500
Paint - 500
Guages - 200
Misc - 500

Now that is just a rough estimate, that is with the truck costing 6000K when I bought it. So after all this, my father offers me 12K after I fix the HG's. That would clear me for 10K down payment on a newer truck but still have a payment. Even with that low of a payment, it is still a monthly expense I do not want, and either does she, so, as of right now, the truck stays. But I know if anything else happens to the old girl, I am going to get divorced if I ask to keep it. It stinks but she is correct, because it is costing alot of dough to get the truck where I want it, and then to maintain it, where a new (2000 or newer) would have all the power I want, (stock) Overall, I am in shock that she backed down off this, but it may not be so nice next time it happens. I need your opinions, am I crazy for keeping it? I have bought about everything I want for the truck but, if something big happens, like the tranny takes a crap, I am going to be struggling to keep her. But the wife is half correct, if I had just bought a newer truck, I would probably be alot more money ahead right now, but I have taken the hook and am alost done with the truck.. Overall, the headgasket is the first failure of the truck, and that is partially because of the added stress of the turbo and propane, but also, the HG's have never been touched, so they were do. Anyhow, give me a sanity check. Scotty

[Mango]

First rule of a happy marriage & truck ownership.

Never tell your wife how much your truck really costs.

[pnose]

Scotty, your truck is much like your wife,you have too much invested in her to get rid of her and start over.I say keep the truck and after all you have done to it,well,maybe you can enjoy a few months with no probs,you just have to learn not to be pushing the envelope so often.From reading your posts on your mods,it seems to me your throtle is only an on-off switch,lol.

[beretzs]

Yup, tried that, but some things are just totally unavoidable. Plus, the whole do it first then ask for forgiveness, just doesn't work out for me.. Anyhow. Scotty

[beretzs]

Actually, I would say I run the truck pretty easily, at least for me. I rarely ever run over 2500Rpms, and if I do go over, it is not too much. I just think the stuff that is happening is stuff that was going to go anyhow, it was due for HG's, and with a almost 20 y/o truck, I know I can't expect worry free, but if the truck cannot perform to my pretty modest standards, what good is it to have it. I am not asking a whole lot, just that it rolls down the road, straight and pulls hills without losing all kinds of speed.. That can't be too far out of the realm or reality is it? The gearing is a little steep, cause I do run about 2450 at 70 and I do run 65-70 alot, but not faster and I do not thrash the truck, if anything, I baby it alot more than any other truck I have owned. Scotty

[KML]

Are you sure the gaskets are really gone?? 2k? That sounds very expensive for simply swapping out gaskets.

Here's my thoughts, as my 01 is so close to being paid for. I drool when I see the 05's. My 01 with my few modest mods has cost me nothing other than maintainence,oil changes, and the brakes etc. So once it's paid for, in the event something happens, it would be a one time cost. A new truck payment is $700-$800 even at 0% financing. A used one, would still be around $400-500 a month, EVERY MONTH. So even if I had to spend $1000 one month, I wouldn't have to spend it every month after that. It would be very hard to keep a new truck stock as well. They don't fare nearly as well with added power as yours does.

[pafixitman]

I won't get between you and your wife, but reading your first post, you have $9500 spent that you did not "need" to spend. Granted, I just added up the reciepts and I have dumped $3500 into my "perfect" truck in 10 months. I can't get mad at the truck for things like stainless wheel covers, window tint, diamond plate tool box.

I think the difference is rather than $600 a month it is 1 or 2 grand here and there.

[beretzs]

YUP, totally agree, but if I didn't do those things to the trucks, I would have hated to have it. Right now, my truck has no trouble at all with keeping up to traffic, with a load, I love to drive my truck. I have worked so hard on it, to make it really run GOOD. You are totally right about not modding a new/used truck. It is just my nature, heck, even looking at new ones, I was already looking at adding an exhaust, gauges, and a chip. So, stock goes out the door pretty fast. Hopefully, after HG's are done, there really shouldn't be much more, unless the engine dies. THEN I AM SCREWED.. Anyhow, I am keeping the truck. I am pretty sure it is the HG's almost 99%, oil in water, coolant res was blowing coolant.. I have got to stud it just to keep my sanity, if I keep having to worry about HG's I am going to give myself an anurism.. Scotty

[argve]

Been there done that buddy on more than one occasion. Finally we just had to close the books and move on. I understand where your at and will say that it's pretty much up to you and the wife. Only you can make the choice. $2k for head gaskets sounds about right because they are going to walk through those heads - I can't imagine any shop not wanting to do that because it's their name/warranty on the line.

[beretzs]

YUP, and hopefully, they won't come up with any other incurred expenses. Man, it hurts. Oh well, all in the name of #2.. Scotty

[Mike Lewis]

I reckon I'm almost up there with Argve on what I've spent on the truck... and am considering spending more.

Best case would have been to have bought a 1999 model in 2003 when I bought mine... well, until you consider the cost of replacement injectors and other parts that a used truck would very likely need.

I paid cash for my truck, added 6 new tires, did a front end rebuild immediately after the tires went on to keep them in good shape, put on the turbo, did some small things, THEN the transmission blew. $4000 later a BTS trans went in. So what is that... somewhere near $18,000 for a 15 year old truck... that's still stuck with the original engine.

Not a good move from a business standpoint.

Would I have spent gobs of money catching a used '99 up on maintenance? Yes. Would that '99 have needed a new transmission? Quite possibly. What about a turbo rebuild? Quite possibly. Could very well have been nearly $35,000 invested in a newer used truck to make it reliable (purchase price, service catch-ups, etc.).

I won't ever buy a used truck again. Just not cost effective, as I've experienced in getting my IDI up to snuff.

This truck can only be described as being a hobby. A new truck has full warranty to protect the owner... a newer used truck could very well cost you more than you've invested in your IDI... which with the upgrades you've made is truly YOUR unique vehicle.

Mike

[argve]

I stopped counting at $30K (including purchase price) it just hurt to much to keep adding the reciepts up [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/depressed.gif[/img] Didn't want to know the final cost... I sold it for a fraction of the cost that I put in her... Heck there was more in one mod than I sold her for - won't say what I sold it for you would have to get that information from Freight out of respect to him - he would have to be one to say if he wants it known. But trust me he stole the mods for the price paid....

[yaric008]

Keeping it is the way to go. You obviously have alot of time into this truck. So selling it, you would just have to start all over again. Until I'm rich, i probably won't ever get a new truck.


For me, you should see the money spent on my truck. I've spent at least double it's new value over the years. Everything except the paint and interior have been replaced probably multiple times, depending on what it is.

2 engines
6-7 transmissions, some under warranty
6-7 sets of tires over the years
new rims
3 alternators
3 water pumps
several new sets of glow plugs
rebuilt injecotor pump, new injectors
new instrument cluster
new bumpers, grill, mirrors, hood
new tail lights, headlights, marker lights, HID lights
soon to be turbo, intercooler, exhaust.

selling just isn't an option

looks like it wouldn't be a very good idea for you either. Buy a new truck spend gobs more money, or get a used truck and spend just as much money as you would now fixing it up, and also have to go through a learning curve trying to get to know her.

[argve]

[ QUOTE ]
and also have to go through a learning curve trying to get to know her.


[/ QUOTE ]

hee hee yep I can attest to that... I feel like a nimrod standing in front of this one - sort of intimidating at times [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[RedandWhite_69]

Scotty

Expect to hear from me soon for a little moral support. Maybe you should go ahead and put your Warrant packet in so you can afford your expensive toys [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

A word of advice from another BOOB who has way too much invested in his truck. Make certain you need to do the HGs before you freak out and blow a bunch of unnecessary cash. Take it from me, I'm the freak master. I've probably spent money I didn't have to.

I keep reminding myself that dropping a grand or two on my schedule is better than $750 a month on someone else's schedule.

more later, brian