There's been little progress on getting the truck back out of the garage. Mostly, it's been a hesitation to spend money on it. Somehow, it doesn't seem right to spend money on "non-essential" things like a 41-year-old truck. The turning point(s) have been the realization that that old truck is almost in better condition than the Prizm, there's a lot of stuff that needs hauling (that won't fit in the Prizm), and I really want to start parking in the garage again.
--
Last winter, I came up with a rough estimate of what it would cost to get the truck to pass inspection (and brake upgrades to make it safer). Four hundred for the fuel system, eight hundred for the brake conversion, and one seventy for the exhaust. Add ten percent for cost over-runs and bits and pieces, and the bill would be $1500.
--
$1500 - that is far less than it would cost to buy another vehicle or repair the Prizm to a newer state. Even doubling that figure, it's less than buying another car.
--
After letting that sink in for a few weeks, I started ordering parts. Fuel tank is here, filler hoses are backordered (but on the way soon), straps are being ordered tomorrow, and the hard lines and fittings are available locally. There should be a new fuel system installed in a month or two.(It's cross-country season, so everything depends on Levi cooperating while I watch him after school...)
--
Here's hoping that it won't be another ten months before the next update....
Awesome! I'm excited for you and the truck! Why the $800 for brakes? Are you going to discs? Or doing the power booster upgrade? Duct tape Levi to a chair and get to wrenching!
ReplyDeleteDid a part-by-part listing of every part needed to restore the drum brake system to factory spec - that was over 800. Realized that converting to front discs was around 650. Going that route, but left the original budget figure. Hopefully the discs will make stopping a more confident endeavor.
Delete