Hello from Albany NY

[Mystery Leak]

I always wanted to learn how to fix cars and found this little gem on the WantAds the other day. I paid $500 for it figuring I won't be out too much money if I fail. Right now, it looks like it's going to need a good amount of work. The engine runs really rough. The previous owner said it probably needs a head gasket or heads because there's a mystery leak he can't seem to track down. The paint is peeling off the front bumper, the bed is dented up pretty good on the other side and the tailgate is falling apart. I may just rip the whole thing off and go flatbed.

I want this to be my new daily driver so I'm shooting for reliability. This is also my first project, so to keep things easy, I think I'll stick with a 3.0 instead of swapping in something more powerful. Once the engine is taken care of, I want to upgrade to the 06 sheetmetal and grill. I think it looks sharp and from what I hear, the parts should all just bolt in.

What do you all think?

-E-

 

[koda6966]

Whats up with that cap? It looks like somebody grafted the back end of a aluminum cap onto a fiberglass highrise lol.

Should be a good start. The 06 parts don't bolt right in, but it's not too hard to change. There's a bunch of people on here who have done it.

Also, your beds not in too bad of shape, you could probably get away with just swapping the tailgate.

 

[koda6966]

LOL nevermind about the cap, I just realized what I was seeing was the trailer next to your truck. In the side picture it blends right in.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

I can't belive you got that for $500, where are those sweet deals when I was shoping around. That'll make a awesome start for a project. You'll half to make a build thread and take pics. 4.0 swap would be a good way to go IMO.

 

[det107]

Welcome to TRS. Good to have a local here. Good luck with your truck project-

 

[Mystery Leak]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! On Saturday, I went to Stillwater to pickup my new toy. I was worried about overheating so I had the heat blasting and the windows wide open. The weather was beautiful and I got some fantastic views of both Saratoga Lake and Round Lake on my way back. At the halfway mark, I figured I'd push the overdrive lockout button and go easy on the tranny ... BIG MISTAKE! Soon after, the oil pressure gauge started spazzing out and then flatlined. I was worried the oil pump went after reading about the cam syncro problem and quickly searched for a place to pull over.

I finally found a driveway after what seemed forever and turned the engine off. When I started it back up and there was still no pressure. I revved it a few times and the oil pressure started spazzing out again and finally settled in normal. I had to go real gentle on the gas for the rest of the trip so the pressure wouldn't act up. Other than that, the truck limped its way back home under it's own power. I didn't have to call AAA!

Can't wait to start working on it! I'll start a build thread as soon as I can.

-E-

 

[koda6966]

AAA is pretty sweet. They were gonna come tug me out of a mud hole for free once and I don't even have AAA, just the person who's house I stopped at to use the phone did so he made the call.

 

[Mystery Leak]

I'm gonna see if I can salvage the engine. Check out my Build Thread.

-E-