Look on a little advice

[Kevkev1411]

Hey you guys, I'm a lurker and I've commented on a few things here and there, but I own an old 87 Hardbody D21 4x4. I've had it for almost a year and finally got it running and driving and titled, licensed, and insured all within the last couple months. Here's the problem. I'm just a poor college kid, trying to pay rent, student loans, food, etc etc. And on top of that I have this old project truck.

It's rough, boy is it rough. Holes in the floorboard and bed and body. Rust has laid a strong claim to this thing. It's not bad enough to be impossible though, but it does need some pretty inventive thinking. I patched holes using glue and aluminum flashing and screws, but it will need someone with access to more tools than me to do it right. The engine possibly needs a rebuild (not sure) the transmission might need one (every now and then third gear and reverse decide not to cooperate) and it needs clutch work (nothing serious, just a little fussy). It's primed, but if you want to paint it right, sand it down to the metal. Interior will need to be built form the bottom up.

So I can't decide if this is another project I Will have to let go to someone else who could really make it shine, or if I should tough it out. I can do all this work eventually, but I'm not sure if it's worth the time and money. Any advice would be appreciated

[Sharp]

Hi Kev, is this your daily driver? If so I would first make sure the break lines, and break components are done. I purchased my 90' 4x4 and it had sat for 10 years, popped in a battery, inflated the dry rottet tires and it fired off....... but break lines were bad, fuel lines slave cylinder lines and a few of the hoses. You might want to in this case work from the bottom up if its a daily driver. I am not a body man, but every time I have saw aluminum put on steel it oxidizes, basically a chemical reaction that forms a powdery type substance like the corrosion on a battery terminal. So for less money you should use sheet metal which can also be purchased in a coil.

Your clutch or some of the clutch components are surly to blame for the temperamental 3rd gear and reverse issue. You can adjust the linkage but its best to spring for the clutch and assembly.

As for the holes in the bed and other areas, I am not sure what the best strategy for fixing very large ones without the tools and know how. I have opted to purchase the bed and bad parts, but I can tell you these things are rare to find in good condition.

Bottom line in this case based on what you said, it seems you have a money pit and from the sounds of it a very deep one. I payed 1500 for my 90. and put about another 1000 in between tune up, tires, breaks, lines, etc but the motor and clutch were strong, with less then 50k on and the 4x4 works great....... for you the motor doesnt seem to be so hot, clutch is on the downside, and then there is the body. You may want to sell it as is, and use that money for one in better shape. Or just drive it as is with minimal repairs till you can save up enough to purchase a decent one. Good luck

[whomadewho]

The bottom line,you can't make a fruit salad out of horse s!!t. Drive it until it dies,then take it to the salvage yard.

[Kevkev1411]

It is not my daily driver, I bought it to make it into an offroad toy, but I wanted to be able to drive it to work if I wanted to MY daily driver is a Lumina. So instead of paying attention to the transmission I should look at the clutch? That makes sense because sometimes when you push the clutch all the way in it doesn't separate the engine from the transmission.

The patching on the bed I was just gonna cover with a plastic bed inlay, and the interior holes I was gonna build an all new interior.

I'm ready to start all this work, I'm just not entirely sure if it's worth it considering the place I'm at right now, where I just moved to a new town and am living with a friend and don't have my own place. I am considering selling this to get a project with less rust.

[Sharp]

Yes sounds like you have a plan for the work. I dont know your budget. On the plus side of replacing a clutch and assembly the chances are you wont have to do it again for a very long time, and if you plan on doing offroading believe me you will want to start with a new clutch. I think for most off roaders upgrades or repairs is a constant task so keep that in mind. That will apply to any project truck.


Do a compression test on all cylinders if your are in good operating range, then maybe just a tune up will be good enough. Anyway good luck with this project hope it works out.