Need Opinions - Truck fire

[crazyb0064]

My buddies truck caught fire, and its not looking pretty. Had a leaking fuel line that went up in flames.
[IMG][/IMG]

I'm thinking of picking it up for a project, and since its not in good shape my wife couldn't make me sell this one. The 454 block and heads seem ok, will need a rebuild, has a 700r4 trans, recently rebuilt rear end. I'm planning on stripping it down to the frame and building it up from there, it has the engine, trans, wheels that I want, but will need new cab probably, front clip, wiring, all rubber and plastics. Definitely planning on a few year build, day here and a day there, would it be worth 1300 ?

[57taskforce]

I personally wouldn't pay near 1300. It will take a lot of time and money to bring that back. It can be done but I'd be into that at 500 or less. As you said motor and trans at best need rebuilt as well as the rest of the sheet metal replaced. At the end of the day It's worth what your willing to pay for it.

[cdowns]

rubber fuel lines bite back

[crazyb0064]

trans is good, motor I was on the fence about to be honest, its nice but probably would swap in a 350. anything up here in Michigan for under $2000 you just about have to replace most of the metal on the truck anyways.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by cdowns

rubber fuel lines bite back

Yep, one can only assume. Now I don't feel so bad as the grump old man (different one, not that one) telling everyone to use steel lines every time there's a picture posted of long rubber hoses...

Sucks to see it! I don't personally think it's worth $1300, but if the sheetmetal is all good, maybe...

[Overdriven]

Unless the metal warped why does it have to be replaced? Steel needs to get awfully hot to lose its heat treat and for sheet metal that's not really a concern anyway. The wheels, frame and suspension/steering pieces are another story, if anything I'd be more worried about those things being weakened by the fire than the sheet metal. I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.

Don't really see the need for an engine rebuild either unless the fire was put out with water. In that case you know water got in it. But even then it may not be too bad, ball hone the cylinders and slap it back together as long as the bottom end didn't get rusty from water sitting in it. Carb, distributor and probably water pump will need to get replaced though.

If it was me I'd be tempted at $1300, the fire stripped the metal, just clean it up and paint it. The worst part is any seam sealer needs to be redone and all the plastic and rubber is gone. So complete suspension/brake rebuild, sourcing new climate controls and complete interior including things like door mechanisms, rebuilding pedal assembly and steering column. Obviously wiring would need to be replaced and a ton of other little things you didn't know or just forgot were plastic or rubber that have melted.

[68 CRACKERBOX]

at a salvage sale might bring a 100. burned cars& truck don't bring anything and here scrap is 3.75@100 right now . 1300 is way high I would say needs to be less than 500.for sure.