If X amount of money is required to bring the old truck up to standards it's a given that amount of money will have to be spent. Use that amount and purchase a road worthy used vehicle. I wouldn't put a dime into repairing the pickup.

x2

This is certainly true, I'm just extending my sympathies to the OP for living in a state with an Orwellian standard. After OP graduates, I hope he remembers that not all states are as inconsiderate as Maine. Over the top regulations are harmful to the general population, and beneficial to specific industries that support the overly regulated products.

OP, a new truck is likely to be more expensive in depreciation per year than fixing your rust. My 2 cents.

Pennsylvania is pretty much the same as far as inspection. I think any perforation larger than a dime won’t pass.

But that is not the only issue at hand here - at least not for myself. I like to drive a clean looking vehicle. I hate rust!

I wanted to keep my ‘09 forever but as soon as I saw some body rust starting I traded it in at 9 years old. I don’t mind driving an older vehicle at all but refuse do drive a rusty one.

I went through this with my ‘95. First where the wheel wells - paid a body shop to redo them. Then it was the rockers and cab corners - paid to have another clean cab out on. End result? I ended up selling it when the wheel wells started rusting out the second time. You just can’t get ahead of the rust once it starts around here.

This is why I suggested the OP do like I did and try a used one with the aluminum body like I did. I have high hopes.....

A rust hole in the body bigger than a dime fails?

Yes.

After reading all this bureaucratic inspection crap in some areas of the country, glad i live in a County with no auto inspections or required window tax stickers.

I vote buy a newer used vehicle if you can financially afford it. Your current truck is going to begin to nickel and dime you and since you are in an area with vehicle inspections and a rust-enriched environment, you will only get so much more time out of it. I say cut your losses before you really need to. Start looking for your next one now when you aren't under the pressure of not having a vehicle. You sound like a mature and responsible person, good luck and happy truck shopping!

Dump it and get something newer, it's impossible to fight vehicle rust in the northeast when it has set in. Usually by the time rust shows on the outside what's underneath is in a bad way.
Some of the posters on this thread need to see some pictures of what 10 or 15 Maine winters can do to a vehicle, might change their mind on the value of a safety inspection.

In the area of Maine where I live they've been getting more lenient on body rust. They are still strict about rusty frames and brake lines.
A guy I work with recently had to take his 07 Silverado off the road because the frame wouldn't pass inspection. The body was still in good shape because he had the rockers and cab corners fixed a few years ago.
They recently took a vote on whether or not to do away with state inspections in Maine and they voted to keep them. :thumbdown: I suppose it's a good thing because there's always that guy that will push the limits of what's safe and that could endanger others as well as himself..