Rebuild or Replace?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Rebuild or Replace?
I have been reading a lot on this forum and I have more questions than answers, so here goes. I have a 1993 F150 with around 300 -350,000 miles on the truck. The odometer stopped working a couple of years ago around 240,000. I’m now having trouble keeping the truck on the road.
As most of you will tell me it’s better to resurrect, then toss away. I’m contemplating a rebuild. As I take inventory of the truck: the get up and go has gone. Brakes, work some time, steering box needs a major alignment, electrical system still works getting sparks every time I can get it started, muffler and tail pipe (well let’s just say the clamps might be good). More oil on the ground than in the crank, radiator bracket, oh about 40% gone, other than that is ready to go to work every day. So I’m without the “Beater”. On a good note the body is in alright shape, minor rust on the outside, interior normal wear and tear, Bed still straight. Frame still tracks. Lights working if you stay on a bumpy road. My question "new or rebuild". I have been following thunderstang and his project, by the way looks great. I think I could do a rebuild I have the basic working knoweldge “I know what a screw driver is for?” So can I get some thought from the community rebuild or replace?
As most of you will tell me it’s better to resurrect, then toss away. I’m contemplating a rebuild. As I take inventory of the truck: the get up and go has gone. Brakes, work some time, steering box needs a major alignment, electrical system still works getting sparks every time I can get it started, muffler and tail pipe (well let’s just say the clamps might be good). More oil on the ground than in the crank, radiator bracket, oh about 40% gone, other than that is ready to go to work every day. So I’m without the “Beater”. On a good note the body is in alright shape, minor rust on the outside, interior normal wear and tear, Bed still straight. Frame still tracks. Lights working if you stay on a bumpy road. My question "new or rebuild". I have been following thunderstang and his project, by the way looks great. I think I could do a rebuild I have the basic working knoweldge “I know what a screw driver is for?” So can I get some thought from the community rebuild or replace?
Ford Fan
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: Newburg, PA
It's up to you, but be sure to enjoy it!
Time and Money, it will take a lot of both. It can be a great adventure or the money pit from hell. I've brought home more than a few that quickly became the next strip victim. I got super lucky with my current ’89. It sat for 19 years covered on a carport. 59,000 Original miles on it! It already had the Rancho suspension lift on it along with lots of other stuff.
The engine had a broken crank, all the brakes were rusted tight, fuel lines, tank, pumps were all full of the nastiest smelling sludge! Stunk up my buddy’s garage for a week. But zero rust on 97% of the truck. The paint and factory stickers are still on the frame in places!
I had a 5.0 I had just stripped out of a ’90 GT, replaced all the brake and fuel components with all new parts. I’ve since replaced most of the suspension bushings, Radiator, shocks …..
I think I have close to $3500 in the truck. I’ll be putting a new engine in it this Fall, at that time I’ll also replace clutch, p plate ..etc. I got a really good deal on the crate motor. A friend was to put it into his Mustang but he sold the car. I traded a 1967 390 GT FE for it. His ’70 F150 gets the 390.
So then there will be close to $5000 in it. Good thing I don’t care about the dents! From being covered with a tarp, all of the clear coat is pealing, just noticed when I shut the door the windshield lifts off the bottom of the seal.
I would do it all over again, but I am semi-retired and I can trade stuff for the majority of my parts and some labor assistance. It is also just one of 5 vehicles I own. So no pressure for transportation.
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you!
The engine had a broken crank, all the brakes were rusted tight, fuel lines, tank, pumps were all full of the nastiest smelling sludge! Stunk up my buddy’s garage for a week. But zero rust on 97% of the truck. The paint and factory stickers are still on the frame in places!
I had a 5.0 I had just stripped out of a ’90 GT, replaced all the brake and fuel components with all new parts. I’ve since replaced most of the suspension bushings, Radiator, shocks …..
I think I have close to $3500 in the truck. I’ll be putting a new engine in it this Fall, at that time I’ll also replace clutch, p plate ..etc. I got a really good deal on the crate motor. A friend was to put it into his Mustang but he sold the car. I traded a 1967 390 GT FE for it. His ’70 F150 gets the 390.
So then there will be close to $5000 in it. Good thing I don’t care about the dents! From being covered with a tarp, all of the clear coat is pealing, just noticed when I shut the door the windshield lifts off the bottom of the seal.
I would do it all over again, but I am semi-retired and I can trade stuff for the majority of my parts and some labor assistance. It is also just one of 5 vehicles I own. So no pressure for transportation.
Sounds like you have your work cut out for you!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 58,557
Likes: 1,165
From: Long Beach Calimexifornia
Doing the work yourself is the only argument for rebuild. You'll learn a lot. But will you end up w/ a strong running engine that the rest of the truck can't keep up with?