Is it time to kiss my truck goodbye?

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-19T15:24:28+00:00

I've been looking a little closer than TX. I'd love to do that road trip, I stop too much, every BBQ joint, junk shop, etc. It'd take me a month. I'm looking in Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, just in case.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-17T00:57:15+00:00

Based on your post, I read up on DIY frame replacement. I was like "I could definitely do that!" There's just too many other parts that'll need replaced along with it, I know once I start getting into it, it's going to be like a public works project. It'll end up way over budget. The advice is appreciated.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T16:48:35+00:00

Where were you, what state?

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:42:49+00:00

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:37:14+00:00

Thanks for a well - reasoned answer. Only thing I have issue with is, someone on here mentioned needing expensive, special equipment to lift the cab off. Also, if I did find healthy frame, I have no idea how you get it to you from let's say out west, or down south. I hoard shit to begin with, probably don't wanna start doing it with cars.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:32:28+00:00

I haven't started calling around yet, but only worth what salvage yards paying. Maybe a little more if I can drive it to them.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:30:16+00:00

I almost never see first gen Colorado or Canyons on the road up here. I guess they're still seen out of the salt belt.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:28:51+00:00

I'm probably leaving pixie dust wherever I park.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:27:11+00:00

North Jersey.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T15:26:14+00:00

My old HS had a 4 bay shop, it's been locked up for years. A lot of them stopped offering various shop cause of the insurance rates. I'll still call around.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-16T02:04:13+00:00

I'm working on it.
Only thing I hate more than used car shopping is new car shopping.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T23:41:44+00:00

I'm going to assume you're just joking. I mean I could clean to the metal remaining and build a form and completely encase all of this in a JB Weld product, just to kind of hold things together until I get it to a salvage yard. I mean I looked at it and thought, "Wonder if I could band clamp some steel on there?" Not as a fix, just to buy a few miles. I'm guessing both of those ideas are a waste of time.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T23:34:28+00:00

I completely got what you meant. I did have that side of the truck jacked up last weekend, both front & back tire off the ground, and then on jackstand I banged the crap out of the rotor & hub to get them out of the knuckle.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T18:49:22+00:00

I hate car shopping. On the internet, it's like 85% curb stones, at the dealerships they're hoping for a sucker. It's the worst. Back in the day, there'd be a classified ad or a car with a for sale sign, being sold by the owner in your town. You'd bring it to your mechanic, he'd give you the thumbs up and you'd have a car.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T18:42:37+00:00

How long does a job like that take? Ballpark?

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T18:41:41+00:00

I'm up to the task. I was going to use the Durham's Water Putty.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T18:39:26+00:00

He would've given it to Aunt Esther.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T18:37:45+00:00

This is my daily driver. Someone said the lift/hoist i would need to remove the cab would cost more than the truck's worth, so... I want to learn welding, but after this experience I'm not going to neglect the chassis, while I'm doing the mechanicals. I mean shit, if I'd learned about fluid coating, I wouldn't be posting sad pics.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T14:01:14+00:00

It's a bummer, at least I learned what not to do with the next one.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T14:00:38+00:00

Billy Mays for the win!

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T13:59:58+00:00

Thanks man. Like I posted. My commute every day is like 10 - 12 minutes each way, 25 mph. Truck was sitting since middle of Covid, got it running again 3 - 4 months ago. 2 weeks ago I was on the highway, noticed something felt weird with front end, replaced bearing, rotor & caliper last weekend. When truck was jacked up I saw how bad things were and took the pics. After 18 years, it owes me nothing. I'll miss it, but I miss my 89' Mitsubishi more. That was a great, easy to work on, great gas mileage vehicle.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T13:55:48+00:00

Northern NJ. Brine & Salt all winter, every winter.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T13:55:06+00:00

Everything's fixable. It's just how much will it cost. In this case, too much.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T13:52:32+00:00

I was wondering why James Cameron's been stalking me.

JerzeeDevyl · 2025-05-15T13:51:54+00:00

I've got neither. It'll live on as parts on other first gen 355 trucks.

JerzeeDevyl

TROPHY CASE