I'm thinking of restoring my truck

[Droopy]

I have a 1989 Isuzu pick up truck that runs really good still and only has about 96,000 miles on it. Problem is that it has a few mechanical problems and the body is getting rough. Here's what I need:

New front brake pads
New front brake rotors
New speedometer
New front bumper (rust)
New passenger side door (rust)
Rust fixed
A couple of minor dents fixed
Paint

I thought of taking it to a mechanic to get the brakes and the speedometer fixed. I know someone who can do the body work a lot cheaper than an auto body shop can. I'm thinking I can get the whole truck looking like new for around $2,000. That's about a down payment on a new truck without the new truck payment.

What do you think? Would you restore the truck or get a new one? I would also like to hear from those of you who have restored vehicles. What was you experience? Was it worth it?

[skygazer]

1. Pads and rotors are an easy fix

If you can do them yourself, you'll save money. Doesn't sound like it needs a lot of major stuff and it sounds worth fixing if it's got such low mileage and it runs well.

I'm a big fan of fixing what I already own as opposed to going into debt to buy something new.

[Droopy]

4. Well I can change pads

But I have never changed rotors before. I might be able to enlist some help with that and do it myself, though.

I'm with you on fixing things. It would seem like such a shame to get rid of a vehicle that still runs good. I've owned for the past 9 years and it only broke down on me once, but that was just a dead battery so no biggie.

[fit4life]

13. It's pretty easy.

Once you get the tire and the calipers off, there should just be a flimsy retaining nut holding the rotor on the axle. This would also be a real good time to replace the inner and outer wheel bearings. Chances are if you haven't had that done in the past, it's time to do so.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Depends on what the value of it is wholesale

if it's double that after you put the 2K in...fix it...if not...get rid of it and use the 2 K to get a newer used truck

[Droopy]

8. It wouldn't be worth any more than 2k after I got done with it

At least I don't think so. I would have to check the blue book or somthing to know for sure.

I wouldn't be fixing it up with the idea of selling it. I would just use the truck for my daily transportation. If I fixed it up I would drive until it died.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. that's a lot of money to put into a truck that old

why not just fix the mechanical stuff and leave the body alone? is the rust that bad?

[Droopy]

14. The front bumper is gone on the corners

The corners of the bumper are nonexistent. The passenger side door is rusted so badly that along the bottom the inner skin has come loose from the outer skin. There is a rust hole in the bed. It's about the size of a baseball.

I suppose I could just fix the brakes and let the rest go, but it probably wouldn't be too long before I was unable to keep the elements out of the cab.

[CO Liberal]

3. An '89 Isuzu...

...doesn't have much value to a collector, so I don't think your investment would increase the vehicle's resale value. It might increase your enjoyment of the vehicle, but it doesn't seem like a very good investment.

On the other hand, a more popular vehicle (such as an '89 Ford Ranger or Chevy S10) might be worth the investment.

[Droopy]

7. Well I wouldn't be looking to sell it if I fixed it up

I would just use it as my transportation. After I got done putting 2 grand into it, it would probably be worth about 2 grand. ;)

[sendero]

5. It really...

... depends on what a decent used truck costs in your neck of the woods.

Around here, you cannot buy anything any better than what you have described for $2000. That might be different whereever you are.

I wouldn't really call what you are contemplating a "restoration", that would cost you a lot more than $2000.

If you *like* the truck, you should fix it. Financially and environmentally, that is a good choice.

[Droopy]

9. You can't get a good used truck for $2,000 dollars here

You'd likely have to spend somewhere around $6,000 for a decent truck. Then it is likely to have a lot of miles on it.

[sendero]

12. You've answered ...

.... your own question. Plus, when you fix your own truck you know what you've got.

Anytime you buy a used car, you are running the risk of buying someone else's problems :)

Go for it!!!!!

[fit4life]

6. It's always worth it!

And the vehicle is even more special because you did the work yourself. I don't know why you'd pay anyone to do any of the work. As long as you're careful, take your time and use any and all instruction available, you can do all the work yourself and save a lot of money.

I own a Hayes manual on all of my vehicles, and it has been invaluable for everything I've done from swapping out engines to body work.

I've got a '91 Ford Explorer I'm working on. I dropped in a new motor three years ago but quit driving it after I got my Jeep. It was a two-door manual shift. Customizations include:

Getting rid of the automatic locking hubs and installing manual lockouts.

Free-flow K&N air filter

New exhaust (3 inch pipe from the headers to the back)

3 inch lift so I could get 33 inch tires on it with plenty of clearance

With the free-flow filter and bigger exhaust, I was cranking out over 25 mpg with an SUV, and still California emissions legal.

I'm working on replacing all the old suspension components now. Once everything is good with it, I'll be replacing the doors, hood, back liftgate, rocker panels, and rear quarterpanels. I could just fix the rust spots, but there's just too much there to mess with.

Good luck, restoration is a great project and a lot of fun!

[Droopy]

11. I plan on helping with the body work

I'll be doin lots of sanding and grinding. But I wouldn't trust my hand with fiberglass filler and paint. It takes an artist to make body work look good and I do not have a steady hand when it comes to that sort of thing.