This story started about 18 years ago when I picked up this truck for $800. If I’d known it would still be running today, I would’ve treated it a little better back then. Ugly? Yep. Reliable? Also yep.

It’s been sidelined for about four years because the front end needs attention and it isn’t exactly “safe” to drive — or stop.
Update: brakes are fixed ✅

Step one was simple: a quick one-hour blast at the local car wash. Nothing fancy — just enough to knock off the “abandoned farm equipment” look. Next up: getting some clean photos now that it’s not wearing a decade of grime.

The plan (rough estimates)

This rebuild is a “make it safe, then make it pretty” kind of project:

• Front end rebuild: ~$1,400

• Tires: ~$800

• Suspension: ~$500

• Gas tank: ~$200

• Engine + transmission (worst-case rebuild): ~$8,500

After that comes the body work, and yeah… that part won’t be cheap. I’m not pretending I have a perfect number yet — but I do know the goal.

When it’s done, this old truck won’t just be “running.” It’ll be a mobile base camp — the kind of ride you load up for camping trips, day adventures, and whatever trouble looks fun that weekend.