TheaterFire

$500 trucks do not stay $500 for long.

Posted by engineerortechnician@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 32 comments

$500 trucks do not stay $500 for long.
It's done 14k in the past 10 months though and only ever mildly blown up

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32 Comments

GreenGhostBravo@reddit

That body style has to be one of the best looking of and make,  IMO. Plenty of engine swaps and aftermarket support for whatever your goal is. Congrats
View on Reddit #67676564

engineerortechnician@reddit (OP)

The goal is a bazillion miles A good portion of what I've bolted onto this came from ac Delco since I can rockauto it at a very reasonable price. These trucks are so good the best parts are made by GM
View on Reddit #67676713

Uztta@reddit

The inline 6 from that era would def run that gazillion miles
View on Reddit #67743893

Major-Leadership-360@reddit

Honestly the 5.8’s would too. As long as the trans would let you
View on Reddit #67950259

Which_Initiative_882@reddit

Wont get there quick, but you'll get there for sure.
View on Reddit #67875519

stuntbikejake@reddit

I remember years ago being a very green teenager in an old hotrodders shop, had two signs on the wall that stuck with me "The only difference between men and boys, are the price of their toys" "Built Ford tough, with Chevy stuff"
View on Reddit #67718946

Kenw449@reddit

JEEP, Just Everyone Else's Parts.
View on Reddit #67741196

stuntbikejake@reddit

Just empty every pocket.
View on Reddit #67741524

rpitcher33@reddit

* What do you have that cost so much? Or are you paying for labor? Bought this for $800, zero rust. Replaced the rear tank with a Tanks Inc. tank, in-tank 340lph pump, and sending unit. -6AN with quick disconnects at the tank and rail, Redhorse fittings and filter. Entire brake system: master, lines, hoses, calipers, drum assemblies. Entire steering system: Borgeson shaft, RedHead box, MOOG rods. Long tubes/true dual exhaust. Tires, rims, both window motors, wiper motor, blower motor, all new sensors, head gaskets. Megasquirt ECU, painless harness, and plans to convert to coil-near-plug to get rid of the distributor. All in, I'm at like $6k...
View on Reddit #67711263

engineerortechnician@reddit (OP)

14k miles I'm at like 5k all in at this point including the sound system
View on Reddit #67711370

rpitcher33@reddit

Ah, got it. I'm dumb.
View on Reddit #67716657

Holiday-Witness-4180@reddit

Don’t feel bad, that’s definitely the way it reads.
View on Reddit #67744478

1leggeddog@reddit

Sweet truck
View on Reddit #67741059

TypicalSoil@reddit

Boy do I know that lol. I bought mine for 2k Canadian. It's eaten another 2k, not including the hours and money put into cutting out all the rust. It always costs 3 times more and takes twice as long as you expect it to.
View on Reddit #67740380

engineerortechnician@reddit (OP)

What's been replaced Rad support whole cooling system ignition system sensors and vacuum system valve cover and intake gaskets manual swap entire braking system entire steering system all front end rubber tires sending units and tanks I'm running out of shit to replace
View on Reddit #67676651

siresword@reddit

Just based on the one photo looks like it could use some new headlights/headlight housings, those are looking mighty yellowed.
View on Reddit #67699258

h3xm0nk3y@reddit

I thought these were sealed beams?
View on Reddit #67712180

siresword@reddit

Nope, 86 and older trucks have sealed beam headlights, in 87 they switched to the more modern housing + bulb with the 8th gen upgrade. For the 92-97 (9th gen) trucks it'll be a 9007 bulb. I wouldn't bother with LED bulbs, I've tried them in my truck (even got the better designed ones that are meant to emulate a standard halogen bulb as closely as possible) but the light scatter/cutoff is to messed up IMO. If you are comfortable with wiring, you could get a kit to upgrade the wire gauge to the headlights and add some relays to increase the voltage and this brightness of them. Could be a pain if you have daytime running lights though.
View on Reddit #67716963

wetblanket68iou1@reddit

Manual swap was what, $800? Ha. I swapped my 94 lightning. Factory pedals. Factory crossmember. Used an aftermarket slave and master but it was genuinely simple. Left the trans shift sensor in neutral so the computer “controlling” the E4OD thought it was just revving.
View on Reddit #67699190

engineerortechnician@reddit (OP)

$800 exactly pretty much. Clutch kit was $250 from rockauto and I got everything off a part out truck for $600
View on Reddit #67711287

GloriousIncompetence@reddit

Love these trucks. My first car was my 94 302, got it at \~90k, just rolled over 150k this weekend. Still drive it most days even with other projects. https://preview.redd.it/v3t0ki79k3sf1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9fed7cd34d7960a88007d55d32119bcfcc0faac7
View on Reddit #67695660

donosairs@reddit

ford of theseus
View on Reddit #67680335

TransitionNo9031@reddit

I feel ya bought an 87 dodge for $200 a month ago all, I’m up to $1900 and haven’t gotten to the engine yet….
View on Reddit #67708601

IllustriousReason944@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/b3ffqjzkf4sf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d1bde9ab95dd5bfc9b46972274c5bd2d5ef5f46 Same here but after $1,500 in fuel system parts she runs like a top.
View on Reddit #67706907

DaveCootchie@reddit

I have a similar $600 truck that has about $3500 into it and was painted last year lmao.
View on Reddit #67700699

StimpyMD@reddit

That’s a $15k around here. It looks super clean
View on Reddit #67696581

donald7773@reddit

Can't beat a 90s pickup. I'd love one of these with the inline 6 and 3 pedals
View on Reddit #67693995

SolarE46@reddit

You mean 14k miles right?
View on Reddit #67679039

engineerortechnician@reddit (OP)

Yes it's been daily driven. E46 best car. I've had 4
View on Reddit #67679208

SolarE46@reddit

E46 best car!! I’m on my second one with plans for a 3rd at some point, I’ve gone 33k miles in 10 months looking back at it now, wow, it’s kinda crazy to think about. Keep on trucking man
View on Reddit #67679397

rocktropolis@reddit

The last good looking Ford truck. From there it's been all suppositories and robocop douchewagons.
View on Reddit #67676498

I_amnotanonion@reddit

At least the suppositories were pretty reliable
View on Reddit #67677157