Had an accident in the truck, now needs more work over what it needs... What to do?

[lha1992]

Well, I have been on vacation overseas in the middle east since Aug. 4th an just got back this past Sunday. I was taking my truck to a friends house so he could watch it while I was gone (an this happened the day that I was leaving for my trip, Aug. 4th. Like 4hrs before I was to get on the plane). So, I come around the bend on the road, look to my right an the back an theirs a durango stopped in the middle of the road. I slam on the brakes but it was to late, bammm into the SUV. All 4's were locked up.

So, his SUV came out pretty good. Had justs one small dent on the lift gate but, well my truck. Uhh came out pretty bad because the Durango I hit had a trailer hitch hooked up to the frame an thats what really messed up my truck. If it wasn't for that well his car might of suffered more damage than mine would have but whatever. Nobody was hurt though I kinda slung my back but i'm better now. The plane ride though hurt but its all good now thank god.

My truck needs this now:
Grill
hood lock support
AC condenser
Bumper with all new bumper mounts
Fenders (was needing that before the wreck)
Frame needs to be fixed in the front.

Also, found out that my radiator is leaking so gonna need a new one of those too. The list just keeps growing.

Now, all this just adds on top of what the truck still needs which is:
Upper an Lower Balljoints
Shocks
Steering gear (loose as usual with these trucks)
Tie-rods (inner and outer) - These could wait....
Paint (obviously haha)

So, yeah it needs alot, The truck was neglected before I got it up here from Mississippi. As some of you may know this truck was my Paw Paw's truck. He bought it brand new and gave it to me back when I was 13 an he passed away back in 2007 so its sentimental. Now at this point I just don't know if I should really be even putting so much work into it now. Its now overwhelming sorta! What do y'all think I should do?

Here's some pictures of the truck:
Before


Now


Taken apart by me


Frame


Core support


Right now, IDK even know if I should get a new radiator core support too? I took it to a body guy an he said that they will take it to a jig to make sure the frame isn't bent by any chance anywhere else other than up front an he said he will put both new fenders on, fix the previous damage to the driver side door, fix all the old dings down the body, put a new windshield in, new door bushings, an paint part of the frame up front. All this for around $1200-$1400 with parts included. Really, i'm getting the parts so it might be $1000 for the work.

Yes, I know what alot of y'all are gonna say, its an old truck an it is. But really what should I do? Keep on going? I just don't know anymore...

[benoit454]

if it runs good and drives good minus the bad parts fix it. it's cheaper then a new car payment.

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by benoit454

if it runs good and drives good minus the bad parts fix it. it's cheaper then a new car payment.

Oh, it runs and drives heck yeah! But as soon as I turned the wheel when i went and picked it up the joints squeel like no tomorrow. Its not the power steering pump its the balljoints, ect. And doing ball joints cost.

Your right about better than a new car payment, but i'm an 18yr teenager an this was my daily driver. Just been using my mom's Suburban since the wreck so.

I've just been thinking, would it be better to just give up an buy maybe a 67-72 truck? I mean yes, older but easier to work on with steering components. Theirs a '70 CST/10 for sale in my area for $2000 but who knows what that trucks been through then again its still a nice truck. It may need stuff but maybe not as much as mine haha. I think i'm over analyzing this thing WAY too much. Prolly just need to step back an relax

Here is the '70 though: http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/2592623030.html no affiliation.

[RandyP]

As long as the frame damage is really just up front, it'd be a fairly easy fix. Those were notorious though for bending behind the wheel where the A arms bolt on. If it is hurt back there, it's a bugger to fix. Parts on those are very reasonable and available, so no real challenge there. If you do all of that, I'd go ahead and replace the condenser as well "while you're there".

Good luck with whichever direction you go. Sentimental situations can be be tough.

[benoit454]

it aint no easier or cheaper to fix something that old, the balljoints rivets and press in just as the ones on your current truck do, and the older trucks parts are hard to find and more expensive everday.

Plus it costs more to buy the old ones.

If you don't feel comfortable fixing the one you got yourself or paying to have it fixed, IMO it'd be stupid to buy an older one.

Learn to fix it yourself and save money, ball joints are easy just need some tools.

[bpeters5814]

Speaking from experience, I bought a '98 from Grandpa that he bought brand new. I sold it about 6 months after that, and I've been looking for it ever since. That was about 5 years ago. My advice? Keep yours and fix it up. You'll know exactly what you've got that way. I'd like a new pickup, but I think I'd rather fix up our old '91 so I know what I've got. I've learned that a new truck just brings new problems and a payment. So... I guess I'd fix it up, and do it right, and you'll have a "new" truck for less than you'd have in something else. My .02...

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by RandyP

As long as the frame damage is really just up front, it'd be a fairly easy fix. Those were notorious though for bending behind the wheel where the A arms bolt on. If it is hurt back there, it's a bugger to fix. Parts on those are very reasonable and available, so no real challenge there. If you do all of that, I'd go ahead and replace the condenser as well "while you're there".

Good luck with whichever direction you go. Sentimental situations can be be tough.

From looking at it the frame damage is really just up front, but they're gonna make sure on that. It drove good when i brought it home which is about a 7mile drive from my friends. I know parts are resonable an available, these trucks are still kinda new though. An your right being sentimental is tough!

Originally Posted by benoit454

it aint no easier or cheaper to fix something that old, the balljoints rivets and press in just as the ones on your current truck do, and the older trucks parts are hard to find and more expensive everday.

Plus it costs more to buy the old ones.

If you don't feel comfortable fixing the one you got yourself or paying to have it fixed, IMO it'd be stupid to buy an older one.

Learn to fix it yourself and save money, ball joints are easy just need some tools.

I can do most of the work myself. Except maybe brake work if it needed it. Only thing I have to source out is the frame work and painting. Though, with the balljoints I need the tools. I know its easy but takes time. Oh yeah, you have to take the A-Arms out obvioulsy to remove the old balljoints correct?

I'm learning for sure an I love these old trucks. Its an experience for sure!

Originally Posted by bpeters5814

Speaking from experience, I bought a '98 from Grandpa that he bought brand new. I sold it about 6 months after that, and I've been looking for it ever since. That was about 5 years ago. My advice? Keep yours and fix it up. You'll know exactly what you've got that way. I'd like a new pickup, but I think I'd rather fix up our old '91 so I know what I've got. I've learned that a new truck just brings new problems and a payment. So... I guess I'd fix it up, and do it right, and you'll have a "new" truck for less than you'd have in something else. My .02...

Your right about that. Thats been going through my mind time an time again if I got rid of the truck an then couple of years later regret it. I mean I grew up with this truck. An buying a brand new truck? No way! Their hard to work on. Plus, me in college, got no money! Or what I have left has been going into my '89.

I figure, fixing all the steering an suspension componets, body, an the cooling system, plus adding the $2500 i'm into it with bringing it back up to speed. I'll be into it around $6000 possibly... Obvioulsy still cheaper than buying a used newer truck. An I will know what I've got doing it this way.

[rchavez101]

You don't have to remove the A-arms off to replace the ball joints assuming you have your own tools. Our local AutoZone lends out the tools to replace the ball joints.There is some dissasembly required but not to bad. I say fix it and avoid the payment on another truck especially since it belonged to your paw paw.

[benoit454]

the lowers if press in you can remove and have them pressed out, but as mentioned autozone and advance rents the tools you can do it yourself.

Most tops ones rivet in and if they have been changed, they bolt in.

So without knowing you could have purely bolt in uppers and lowers and just have to unbolt.

[bw4sale]

Hate to hear that for you. I had a '68 that was my granddad's. It was too far gone to restore but there are days that I still wish I had it. If you decide to fix it, I think I've got a hood latch support that I'll send you for just the cost of shipping. Good luck.

[89chevsj]

have you ever thought about taking it to a highschool auto class? thats where mines at now, last time i went in they were finishing up the drivers side suspension and moving to passengers. saves alot of money in shop labor rates. you would have to supply parts but thats a given. just a thought.

[lha1992]

UPDATE:

So, after thinking about it the last few days I decided to just go ahead and fix the truck. Its too good of a truck to just let go and the fact it being in the family since new and I know all about it. I mean it still runs, drives just fine. Just needs the balljoints and suspension parts after the body work.

Oh, since my last post bw4sale (aka Brent) had offered to help me out with parts well that same day I went to the local pick-n-pull and found a hood latch support and just yesterday I got another fender along with new bumper brackets. So, now I have 2 fenders, hood latch support with horn, and bumper brackets. Just need to get the bumper itself and a radiator core support an just send it off to the body guy to get started on it next week.

Originally Posted by 89chevsj

have you ever thought about taking it to a highschool auto class? thats where mines at now, last time i went in they were finishing up the drivers side suspension and moving to passengers. saves alot of money in shop labor rates. you would have to supply parts but thats a given. just a thought.

You know what, I didn't even think of that! Theirs a technical school just down the road from me that supports the high school I went to and I think I might just go down there Monday and talk with'em about getting the truck in there if they would.

[Boog]

Have you even tried greasing the ball joints? That may do it some good and buy you some time. I had one lower joint squeal big time on my 88 and I hit it with more grease and quieted right down.
By picking up the body parts here and there you can save money. Just be sure they are straight, rust free parts or the time spent bodyworking them before paint will add up. Shoot. If it still drives good get it fixed and enjoy the ride. Pawpaw will be proud you think so much of it.

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by Boog

Have you even tried greasing the ball joints? That may do it some good and buy you some time. I had one lower joint squeal big time on my 88 and I hit it with more grease and quieted right down.
By picking up the body parts here and there you can save money. Just be sure they are straight, rust free parts or the time spent bodyworking them before paint will add up. Shoot. If it still drives good get it fixed and enjoy the ride. Pawpaw will be proud you think so much of it.

I've had the ball joints greased 2 times in the passed year since I got it up here from Mississippi. But whenever their is a real heavy rain right after they start squeaking. I guess the joints blew a seal maybe IDK an that could be why they aren't hold in the grease.

And from what i've learned on this site, always pick up good rust free and straight body parts! Your right, just fix it and keep enjoying the truck. My Pawpaw would be very proud of me fixing this old truck up. I still remember when he was getting bad ill back in '05-'06 he would be sitting out on front porch of his house and he'd see me tinkering with the old truck. I'd over hear him talking to my mom saying "thats Laith's truck right there"! Never will forget the day he handed me the keys to it. Man I miss him.......

[lha1992]

So an update! And its a good one!

Finally after so long, the truck was taken into the body shop to have all the body damage fixed and to be repaited with new windshields, weather striping, and bed liner put in.

Its gonna take about 3 weeks to a month to be done cause of the amount of work being needed to be done. The guy who's doing it is a real nice guy and does great work!

I can't wait till its done! Gonna look so nice!

[bpeters5814]

Cool beans! I'm glad you were able to get your truck put back together. Hope everything goes smoothly at the body shop.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by lha1992

So an update! And its a good one!

Finally after so long, the truck was taken into the body shop to have all the body damage fixed and to be repaited with new windshields, weather striping, and bed liner put in.

Its gonna take about 3 weeks to a month to be done cause of the amount of work being needed to be done. The guy who's doing it is a real nice guy and does great work!

I can't wait till its done! Gonna look so nice!

You wont regret your decision. Keep it as long as you can. That truck is of that last of the good GM trucks in my opinion...especially if its a 5.7. Think of it this way...It needed a paint job anyway! Just remember....traditionally 3 weeks in body shop talk is 3 to 6 months!

[mountie]

I didn't read all the previous posts......

Some of the work your truck requires, was needed anyway due to age......

Parts & paid labor is lower cost than most other trucks, and you will have a ride as good as a newer truck, that would cost thousands more to purchase.

Fix yours and it will last a very long time......
A good investment.