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Making an old truck like new

Phillip Larson
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KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Phillip Larson said:

I miss my Sierra classic crew cab. Is it worth it to take an old truck with close to 300k miles and put a new vortec 5.3 engine in it, new transmission etc, to make it like new?

Depends on your skill level. Early in our business career in the early 80s during the winter rain out. We refreshed two mid 70s Ford Crew Cabs. Luckily we each had different skill sets to make the refresh easier. We did it in my yard, we didn’t have our shop yet. We took everything off but the cabs. Pulling the engines and transmissions. We had Chilton manuals to aid us. We sent the engines and transmissions to researched rebuilders built to our specks. New front end parts, rustproofing, brakes and lines. Fuel tanks and lines. We painted parts and pieces instead of together to lessen mistakes. Not only did we work those trucks pulling equipment. They carried born free campers across country. We drove those two fords and two 83 little Toyota trucks for ten additional years before replacing with diesels one by one. Honestly the Toyota’s never needed anything. Not an easy ride either going up and down pipelines. The best part they weren’t stock. And a blast to drive.

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted (edited)

If it's worth it to you, yes. At 300 K, not me. 

Edited by diyer2
Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, Phillip Larson said:

I miss my Sierra classic crew cab. Is it worth it to take an old truck with close to 300k miles and put a new vortec 5.3 engine in it, new transmission etc, to make it like new?

 

🤔

 

Depends on the condition of the carcass to me. Does the project truck have good bones? Is it new enough that parts sourcing won't be an issue? Do you enjoy such projects? 

 

You can replace the entire driveline and most or all of the suspension with NEW for a FRACTION of the cost of a new truck and in the end you have a new truck. That is IF the rest of the truck, body, chassis and interior are is really good shape. 

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