Resurrecting Clifford the big red 87 R3500

[MadOgre]

Yeah, I agree with all that for sure. I think what I may do is check out the 350 in the van my buddy has. If it's viable I will put it in and run it for a while just so I have something that is reliable. In the end it would end up being free or close to it. That way I can focus on other things that need done as well and then put together another motor or pull and rebuild that one down the road. Right now I am a one legged man in an ass kicking contest on this project with a cab to prep, a shot engine and fall in the air already. Kinda over my head right now.

That might be a real good way to go seeing as you need it to drive.

 

[Georgeb]

Well, I am considering scuttling this entire project in favor of a 98 Z71 extended cab. I hate to loose both my squares but time just doesn't allow for me to have a driver project.

I haven't committed yet but leaning that way. Depends what the 98 looks like. By the time I'm done with Clifford I will have a $5,000 plus square (over $2800.00 as of now) but I just don't see how I can get it done.

Maybe I am spread too thin with the body work and engine work on my mind at the same time.

Feel free to talk me out of square suicide.

 

[MadOgre]

Well, I am considering scuttling this entire project in favor of a 98 Z71 extended cab. I hate to loose both my squares but time just doesn't allow for me to have a driver project.

I haven't committed yet but leaning that way. Depends what the 98 looks like. By the time I'm done with Clifford I will have a $5,000 plus square (over $2800.00 as of now) but I just don't see how I can get it done.

Maybe I am spread too thin with the body work and engine work on my mind at the same time.

Feel free to talk me out of square suicide.

Just focus on the mechanical work. The body can always wait till next summer!

 

[Georgeb]

I should just buy this and screw all the work!
http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5143339540.html

 

[DoubleDingo]

I should just buy this and screw all the work!
http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5143339540.html

Hard to go wrong with a truck like that, get it and have some spare parts from the project.

 

[Georgeb]

Hard to go wrong with a truck like that, get it and have some spare parts from the project.

I don't think it will fly with the wife...... Besides trucks like that don't really exist up here for that price. I wonder what "restored" means? Anyway it's a half hour from home so it wouldn't hurt to kick the tires. If it is what he says it is it should be sold by now.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Couldn't hurt to see it like you say. If it turns out to save money in the long run she may go for it.

 

[Georgeb]

Couldn't hurt to see it like you say. If it turns out to save money in the long run she may go for it.

Yeah, well so far it's a no. I also have my eye on that 98 and she likes that idea better. What she would like to see is me get the 98 and keep working on Clifford on the side but we can't swing it right now. She has also pointed out that when I am done with Clifford I will have touched every nut, bolt and wire in it and therefor know exactly what I have for a truck. And that selling it as is will be a loss. Technically the 77 wont save me much if anything all said and done anyway unless it is absolutly problem free and rust free.

 

[Georgeb]

Decided to persue the 98. Don't have a good feeling tho. Guy said he has had some low ballers already and that he needs to change a rear brake line before I can drive it..... Usualy means it's a pile. You can put listick on a pig but...

 

[Georgeb]

Kinda sad to walk into the shop now. I haven't even made a move towards buying somthing else and I am already mourning my square.

 

[Georgeb]

Kinda sad to walk into the shop now. I haven't even made a move towards buying somthing else and I am already mourning my square.

I sorta hope the 98 is a POS so the decision will be easy. I had a sweet 96 I let go just before my son was born. I wish I would have kept it and sold the lil saturn instead.

 

[MadOgre]

Decided to persue the 98. Don't have a good feeling tho. Guy said he has had some low ballers already and that he needs to change a rear brake line before I can drive it..... Usualy means it's a pile. You can put listick on a pig but...

Ahh it might not be a POS but it sounds like the guy is letting you know he wants to milk you on the price. I had a friend who thought he was being low balled. But honestly I wouldn't even offer him what he was being lowball offered lol. His idea of fair value was double what it really was. Sounds like this guy may have an unrealistic idea of what his truck is worth too!

A 98' is worth $3k tops. Doesn't really matter what shape its in. You can buy 2003-2007 4x4 trucks with 150,000 miles for 4-7k

I don't care how good it is I never buy any thing at an inflated price! EVER!

 

[Georgeb]

Ahh it might not be a POS but it sounds like the guy is letting you know he wants to milk you on the price. I had a friend who thought he was being low balled. But honestly I wouldn't even offer him what he was being lowball offered lol. His idea of fair value was double what it really was. Sounds like this guy may have an unrealistic idea of what his truck is worth too!

A 98' is worth $3k tops. Doesn't really matter what shape its in. You can buy 2003-2007 4x4 trucks with 150,000 miles for 4-7k

I don't care how good it is I never buy any thing at an inflated price! EVER!

I agree! Like I said, I sold a 96 four years ago for $3500.00 and it was truely rust free. That truck should have depeciated rather than appreciated but for some reason it would seem to be worth more now. A $3000.00 truck here is in bad shape body wise. 98/99 old body style is my limit since the 2000 and up trucks are total rust buckets here.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I like your wifes reasoning about knowing every square inch of your project truck if you keep it and stick to fixing it up. I am 2nd owner of two of my vehicles, and 3rd owner of the other two, and it is really nice knowing what has been done to each and what each needs done because I know them front to back.

 

[Georgeb]

I like your wifes reasoning about knowing every square inch of your project truck if you keep it and stick to fixing it up. I am 2nd owner of two of my vehicles, and 3rd owner of the other two, and it is really nice knowing what has been done to each and what each needs done because I know them front to back.

Me too! So far I am thinking if the 98 falls through I will switch my attention to the mechanical portion of the project and push the body off until next year like MadOgre suggested. Another option that has come up that I like a lot is to get a "less desirable" pickup that better fits my family life and look for a square burb or blazer for a toy/family fun ride in a year or so.

I just don't know. Thanks everyone for putting up with my crap! Loosing a square is like putting your best dog down!