When is it worth it to part out vs fix

[lord_glum]

I bought a K5 a couple weeks ago. Overall a decent truck for the $850 I paid. Its an 88, body is in OK shape, as are the engine and tranny.

My only issue is I need to put a totally new cab floor and bed floor. I don't know how to weld and worry it may be over my head.

I may be able to get the bed fixed, but the rocker panel, b pillars and cab floor may be a bit much. So I ask when is it worth it to part something out or fix the rust? I think i can break even but I dunno...i'm excited, bummed and overwhelmed all at once.

Oh and hello everybody

 

[82355]

What are your plans for it?

Martin

 

[Swanson52]

Personally, I hate rust. I have always avoided like the plague rigs with even a hint of floor rust.

They are beyond my capability and desire to fix; I'd rather spend my $$ on upgrades vs sheetmetal.

 

[magik235]

Do you have pictures of the K5 and the rust.

 

[82355]

Meh. If you aren't planning on doing any mods that require keeping the body, just run it, till it causes problems.

Martin

 

[lord_glum]

I have pics but I don't have the posts yet.

The k5 will be used for are back and forth to hardware store, kids/wife camping hauler, and go play in the 80 acres of woods my grandfather has.

I think i will have to put as much work into it to part it out as i will to fix it. more so leaning towards learning to weld....

thanks,
jeremy

 

[496truck]

This is the perfect truck to do what you described. Buy yourself a welder, preferably with shielding gas capability for a much cleaner weld. Do some research, ask around here, watch vids and learn how to weld. Really it's not that hard. Buy some patch panels and have at it. It will take some time and patience and work but in the end you will have a solid floor on a truck you can beat on in the woods cause it's not perfect, it's not rare, and you won't have to worry about your kid falling through the floor. Plus, it's a great learning experience. These trucks are easy to work with as far as body/floor repairs go.

Be advised though, these repairs can quickly become out of hand. Or at least seem that way. Do the repairs one part at a time so as not to become overwhelmed. Don't move on to the next item till the first one is done.

 

[badmix]

^^^^ What he said. Get a welder and go to town. If you mess it up, oh well. Start over, but you will get better the more you do it and this is as good a place to start. If it doesnt work out, your not out much money and can part the truck or use some parts as a donor.

 

[4x4orbust]

fix the rust!! my 82 was the first time i ever did body work. it is a great learning curve, especially if it's a truck you're gonna use as a weekend/fun toy. the worst thing that happens is you cut it out and start over.

if you don't want to spend a lot on a welder, go to harbor freight and get their cheap 110 volt flux core welder. i used one on all my sheetmetal, although it wasn't easy, it came out just fine. practice a lot before you start on the truck.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

Learning to fix rocker panels will save you a lot of $$ in the future too! I've seen quite a few late model street queens in need of new rockers, so hone your skills

I found a decent Lincoln 220v by asking around (friends, co-workers, neighbors), and found a retired auto repair guy that wanted to sell his old mig still on it's second spool with a new tank for $300!

 

[stumpjump]

All the above is great advice and should be taken, but for a beater truck i'd hit everything with rust inhibitor and rivet galvanized flashing over the holes and run it, while you work on it. I've had a bunch old chevy's as semi disposable work trucks and i'd use the ospho and galvanized sheet metal method and then fiberglass everything to help keep the wet out and the heat in... it's a hack way to do it but for a cheap truck the functional but ugly repair is king... plus you don't feel so bad about the body damage when you get too friendly with trees while wheeling

 

[lord_glum]

I found a buddy that has a miller 240 (i think) that I am going to borrow. So I think i can take a crack at it myself. Thanks for all the advice Welding will come after putting back the parts back in the engine the PO forgot, putting in a non cracked 208 and swapping out some 10bolts 3.73 possi axles from arizona.

 

[mrwilliamsburg33]

Thats a very nice air filter setup

 

[lord_glum]

lol yeah the PO had to know somebody that welded. thats all tube steel welded up. too bad he didn't putch that much effort into the floors.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Diesel Driver]

thats definitely worth fixing