scrap truck

My work truck wont give up .
but it's a rust bucket can't get inspection as per PA law .
not to say that has stopped me for the last 2 years .Still driving based on police
giving grace to the old rust truck is risky . If you get stopped,
is the decision they make to over look or hit you .
I found another dodge 2 years older but minimal rust receipts show replaced motor and trans .
the truck feels fresher also .
Main draw back 6 foot bed
but pro's are
holds 6 passengers so I can take kids with me ( this I need )
has a trailer hitch with wiring

Since the back seat flips up I could put some items in there
so over all I am excited .

Got a 318 & test drive seems a touch better MPG
price is $1000

sounds like a decent scrap rig, going to want to capitalize on the trailer setup with the 6' bed though. myself having a 6' bed, trailer and no extra room in the back... I would consider it an upgrade as steel in the trailer/truck and plenty of room in the back for 5 gallon buckets and such
If your confident a few years with some parts and the trailer price,highly suggested for saving gas $$$, she sounds like a money maker.
Perhaps part out and scrap the old truck to pay for the trailer?
Gotta love that new,old truck feeling

I owned a box van that came from Pennsylvania, so I can feel where you're coming from.

Do you know the year on that truck? Dodge made a very good truck. I've owned two- both are workhorses. The 318 is one of the best engines ever made. If everything looks safe and the major stuff isn't falling apart, I think you have a winner!

Since we don't know the ages of the two trucks, I can't say for certain, but if they're both from the same generation, it may be worth it to keep one for parts. We have a 1992 F250 with 364k miles that won't go on the road. But, when I need some little $5 part for my 1995 F150 or a panel if I'm in an accident, I can go and pull it. That may be worth it....

My current dodge 2001 1500
just for the record 15 Below Zero starts like sumer time - I do use Mobil one in winter
has 114000 so it's low for the years & motor type . It was use by a horse vet with lots of use in winter
even I have to say it looks nasty . I use wood and a ratchet strap to hold box together .
My 4 X front UV are tap dancing .

Next truck is a 1999 1500 140000 miles but motor & trans have 80,000 miles
Tight truck & typical 318 (old friend)
this truck has power windows & I wish it did not but for now they work .
I have a bad memory of my Chev venture that windows were stuck shut
& in summer it was 110 120 129 Degrees . for old cars I like crank windows
cause one less thing to bust .

There will be some transition time so I will switch some parts like front seat from my current
& other parts .

-----------------------------
I should of kept my mouth shut concerning
"driving based on police
giving grace to the old rust truck is risky . If you get stopped,
is the decision they make to over look or hit you "

So at 4 PM driving slow UV joints sounding like a Broadway Tap Dancer pass a cop
& he gives me a look - like my look when I see a curb find ! yeah and I'm with my kid
I look in mirror and yep he pulls out . Might as well be watching the movie Jaws
I knew in 30 seconds or so trusty rusty was getting a look over by the police
He tells me " your passenger light is out when you brake " then I heard a higher pitch sound
of excitement from the cop " Ohhhh your inspection is UP " 2 tickets naturally

Two hours later I think to my self something is not rite , so I ask my daughter to step on Brake
(wile truck is not running ) & low and be hold it works of course it works he saw the old truck and he saw - Quota - that was easy to fix I went to police station and said it works they looked and signed the equipment volition . Still I did get the inspection tic. Ah business expense

My 1986 Dodge has a 360 with a 4bbl on it. 29 years isn't really that old, is it?

Out here we don't rust, though. You would be amazed at how many carbureted vehicles are still on the road out here.

You do what you have to, though. It sounds like the new truck will be a nice one for you. The 318 is one heck of a motor!

Originally Posted by matador

My 1986 Dodge has a 360 with a 4bbl on it. 29 years isn't really that old, is it?

Out here we don't rust, though. You would be amazed at how many carbureted vehicles are still on the road out here.

You do what you have to, though. It sounds like the new truck will be a nice one for you. The 318 is one heck of a motor!

Yeah I had 30 year old work trucks .
a good auto is good regardless of age
318 's I had previous been in trucks and cars
& I'll say for dependability 318's don't let you down . They start as exploding to life in such a way each time you just gotta say what a motor , but I have never found them to be good on fuel
considering the displacement. Maybe this one will be a factory freak and be good on fuel .

I found Mobil One to work very well with them. not oil burners nor are they fast
there rather slow . Still if you keep pouncing on them they wake up and can surprise you once in a wile .

Open up the secondaries on the Rochester, and you'll hear a beautiful symphony. You have to pay for that concert, though

My 1986 was a county truck, and we don't have vehicle rust in Wyoming. The Dodge is the oldest truck I've ever owned, and is my only carbureted vehicle. But, it's one of the tightest trucks that I've ever driven. The good maintenance it received makes the years seem not as bad.

If you take care of your equipment, it'll take care of you.

Copper Head, would it be cheaper to throw some newer body panels on your old reliable?

Copper Head what part of PA are you in?

Is it possible to sell the truck to a salvage yard close to you for more than scrap price?

Motor is strong, tranny is strong, axles are good, transfer case, etc etc etc. I would try to squeeze some more out of her than scrap weight. Or throw it on CL for $1000 as a farm truck. Emphasize that the frame, motor and tranny are great - the rest is giving you inspection issues. Take $800 for it. Youll be happy and some farmer over in Perry County will be thrilled. I get shes not suitable for the road but you're making it sound like there's a lot of life left in her. You say you don't want to let her sit in pieces in the driveway, and I totally understand that, but that shouldnt stop you from ripping the motor and trans and seling them for much more than scrap value.

If you do go the part out route I would do a few things...

1) take a nice hd video of you driving her around. Up close on the tach/dash through all the ggearsears, on the highway with the windows closed so they can hear it. A walk around at idle under the hood and under the chassis. Just show them she's sound.
2) set a time limit. You have 1 month to tear into her. Tell your wife its one month only. List it all, sell what you can, haul her in pieces in the new truck after 1 month. Don't let her turn into a lawn ornament (I know you don't want to anyways)
3) sell! You're asking $400 for the motor and its week 3? Take the $250 someone waved in your face. $250 is worth the whole truck in scrap. Dump the parts, smile to the bank.

Here's some of the reasons I made this post:
html://lancaster.craigslist.org/pts/5055448830.html

These guys sold a bunch of stuff a month ago...
99 Dodge 1500 Parting out only

This guy knows how its done...but he also has land to let it sit...
1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Parts

Parting out 1996 dodge ram 5.2 4x4

Upon doing this research... I cannot find one dodge 1500 that's being parted out where the owner still has the tranny on the for sale list. Looks like they're going for $3-400. Ask for $250 and make them pull it themselves in the driveway. Rent a uhaul car dolly for $100 so you can get it to the yard and you've made an extra $125 (we're gonna pretend the tranny weighs 500lbs) still taking her to the scrapyard after one day of work pulling her with your new truck.

I was really happy with myself when I sold my bimmer to the salvage yard next to the scrapyard for the same price as shred. I knew someone would be able to use the good parts that were left.

There's lots of farmers in Pennsylvania and there are a lot more things you can do with a beat up old truck than load her up with shred and leave her at the yard.

I just wanted to throw it out there before she's gone.