[xjokerz88]

My dad scored a tremendous deal on a 92 F-250 back in the day. The PO didn't know what he got himself into, and he had it for a few days before he traded it in (obviously lot a lot of money) for something else. My dad went in and took it home. Had it until 2011 when he passed. It has 320k miles and used it like a real truck owner would, but it was running a bit odd at the time of his passing. After he died in June of that year, I drove it a few times but I remember him saying earlier in the year how it needed a new fuel pump or fuel injector. I can't remember but he did say the part was, at the time, 500-700 dollars. It had an issue where it would die on me on the highway. I parked it on August 31 and never tried starting it again.

I've wanted to get it up and running for a long time but I had other priorities. Now that I have kids, and they are getting older, I'd like to add a truck to my 07 Avalon. I went out there in 2022 to look at things for the first time in years, and honestly, the frame doesn't have any significant rust; just superficial. No crunching of the frame or anything. The truck has been in western Washington its whole life. The inside smells old but that can be remedied. I realize it was old even in 2011. That truck means a lot to me though. I would love to get it up and running.

I'm not naive though. I understand that pouring thousands into the truck by replacing all the rubber, seals, and many other parts, I have to come to terms that the engine does have 1/3 of a million miles. If I got it on the road driving well in say July, who knows, maybe in November something happens and the cost to get it going again would be another couple grand. Only I can determine if that's worth it.

Since I do want to move forward with the project, what kind of costs am I looking at? Is 5,000 (US) dollars in parts pretty reasonable? This doesn't include new tires, which is of course a given. I'm talking strictly under the hood. I don't know much about diesels. I figure I'd have a diesel mechanic install parts that I purchase (with guidance from a wealth of sources after analyzing the truck), since I don't have 1) the time and 2) the expertise to install them correctly. This will add to the costs, obviously, but is the $5,000 for parts and labor (again, not counting tires or any cosmetic repairs) realistic for a project of this magnitude? What kind of insight can you guys give me? I appreciate any guidance.

 

[Stroking it]

Before you start this project ask yourself if it's sentimental or is it just what the truck is worth? Personally I would restore the truck if you have the place to do the mechanical s yourself. There are not many shops that will put your parts on a motor. They make money on the parts they sell you so there is that. Trucks are not that expensive to restore but it's not cheap ether. Is the body all beat up? How is the chrome? Brakes will need to be replaced and maybe all the parts as well. You need to look seriously at the truck and decide the max amount of parts needed tom make you happy with the truck and decide if it's sentimental value out weights the value of the truck. Post a picture of the truck we all want to see it.

 

[oldrebuiltdodge]

The first thing to do would be to make sure there isn't any water in the oil, then start it up and see what it needs. If the engine runs and doesn't make funny noises, use the hell out of it. If it has a ZF-5 transmission, even better. E4od, well you pays your money and takes your chances. Might run a couple grand to rebuild it.

 

[Big Horn]

Also, if the truck starts and runs it can be a project in stretching out cost. I too believe hiring a mechanic would be problematic in keeping a realistic budget. You said you have kids....... that could be a great learning experience for them that isn’t commonly passed down to generations as it once was. Your at the right place (TDS) for getting advice from members on “how to”. Good luck!

 

[xjokerz88]

I will try to snap a few pics within the next few days. Been terrible weather here.

I completely understand that I would be taking a gamble by restoring the truck, only to discover a host of other major problems 6 months later. I also don't know jack about diesels or about fixing up any vehicle, for that matter. It's why I've owned older Toyota sedans my whole life. Lol

One way or the other, the truck is going to need something done to it: restored or removed from the property. I can't imagine the latter, so I've kind of decided on fixing it up by default. Keep in mind though... if fixed up successfully, it's not going to be my daily where I put 25k miles a year on it. I'm talking maybe a couple grand per year at most.

 

[aerobf]

Also, if the truck starts and runs it can be a project in stretching out cost. I too believe hiring a mechanic would be problematic in keeping a realistic budget. You said you have kids....... that could be a great learning experience for them that isn’t commonly passed down to generations as it once was. Your at the right place (TDS) for getting advice from members on “how to”. Good luck!

Good luck with that truck no matter what you decide. My 1988 7.3 idi sat 2005 to 2012 when I bought it from Uhaul. People talked me out of overhauling it because "ITS a DIESEL!!"..WELL, engines aren't designed to sit for years and years and started up and run down the highway without issues. Took my engine out in May 2021, still working on it today . As a result of sitting, the cylinders rusted inside enough to let it run but developed excessive 'blow-by ' where diesels will pull oil mist from the breather causing runaway rpm and explode. At $1,200.00, I got what I paid for. AS of today, I have over $9000.00 invested since I've been rebuilding the engine which involves every and all components for whatever else to make it road worthy.
88, Whatever rotates, holds liquid or air needs common sense and experienced technical evaluation. University of You Tube is interesting, but not always authentic for making high dollar decisions. Getting a truck to fire up is one thing, but how's it do pulling a trailer up hill in the Navada Desert at 112 degrees. THATS WHY I LIKE MY ENGINE REBUILT TO SPECS.
You're taking the time to figure it out, and I think you are on the right tract. Take care.

 

[Bulletproof Garage]

It can be quite expensive...

I have $12k invested in my truck - F350 crew cab dually 4x4 - and that's all mechanical stuff - no paint, interior, etc. It had been sitting for years before I got it and went through a few trials and tribulations with sourcing an engine. Anyway, I'm getting ready to reinstall the rebuilt engine, but I'll have to spend several thousand $ more before it's road worthy.

FYI - I did convert to 4x4 so you won't have that added expense.

Details here - https://www.youtube.com/@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE/videos

 

[Stroking it]

it's funny how stuff you didn't think about add up pretty fast. It's not like the hard parts block pistons injectors its the gaskets sealants oil antifreeze Maybe you need a new water pump alternator power steering pump. It could get expensive but just the motor should not be that much to rebuild. Thats why I kind of figure out how much I like a truck or car before I drop any heavy cash into one. You will NEVER get your money back. That is not the point of rebuilding a car or truck.