Opinions Needed: 86 project

[andyman86]

Hello everyone, new to the forum here but I, like a lot of people, need some help.  I have a 1986 Silverado Short Bed, it needs work and I wanna know what you all think about saving it or selling it.  So I'll list pros and cons and anyone's take will be greatly appreciated.

The Good:
 - Recently completed partial engine rebuild, including:  Rochester 4bbl rebuild; Z28 GM Performance Intake, Hedman Full-length headers, Proform Chevy Engine dress up kit.  Engine looks and runs absolutely fantastic.
 - 4 speed manual transmission shifts perfectly, never misses a beat
 - Truck gets me around in some mean PA winters; and I need it cause I live in the sticks
 - Bed, unlike most from these years, is completely rust free
 - All the electrical components (except some blown speakers) work great

The Bad:
 - Really bad rust holes below the corners of the windshield that let water in and now the firewall is severely rusted
 - Both front inner-fenders badly rusted out
 - Will not pass emissions inspection because the motor is actually a 79 and has none of the emissions parts an 86 is supposed to have (even for visual inspection)
 - The exhaust system (from the headers back) is almost completely rusted through and falling off
 - The frame is beginning to rust, looks like just surface but pitting is starting and looks bad
 - Rear drum brake housings are severely rusted

So, long story, but I love this truck like a best friend but I, like everyone, am on a budget.  Thinking it may be too much for me to tackle since I don't have the space, tools, or time to do the work myself and would have to contract it out.  So guys give me your opinions/advise on keeping or selling.  Thanks in advance!

Andrew

[werewolfx13]

I'm always a fan of saving a vehicle that means a lot to you. I've still got my first car, though its in storage, and my '83 has a secure place in my personal fleet, and is still driven daily. I've had it since early fall of '06. Most of the time, if a vehicle means a lot to you, you'll regret selling it for the rest of your days. Very seldom do you hear "I wish I'd sold it instead of fixing it" after having major work done, just pick reliable shops, preferably one that is VERY familiar with these trucks. The body shop that will get any work I have to have done for me, is run by a guy who worked at a GM dealership in the body shop from 1978 through 1996.

Every one of the frames on these trucks I've seen used as a daily driver is pitted. Unless its getting thin, I would wire brush the loose stuff off, brush on a coat of Ospho and a coat of brush on rustoleum and not worry too much about the frame yet. Also, try spraying thinned oil on the frame and such once or twice a year as a rust preventative. Works wonders.
As far as the brakes, are you talking about the drums themselves or the plate that actually holds the workings?
Rust holes below the windshield are a tricky fix, not usually impossible, but usually takes some dedication to fix, especially if its spread to the firewall.
Inner fenders are usually fairly simple, a body shop that is comfortable working on these trucks doesn't have a lot of labor time in replacing them..
As far as emissions, junk yards are your friend. Call around, see if any of the junkyards have a similar year with the emissions intact. Only problem I see with that is the headers, unless your headers are emissions approved headers, you might need to switch to some with the AIR ports. If you install an AIR pump, headers with the ports, the AIR tubes, and make it look right, you could pass a visual inspection. A somewhat simpler option that would kill two birds with one stone, is find a 73-76 cab and front clip in fair condition with a title, and have the cab and clip swapped over. You'll wind up with a different look, but you'd eliminate the hard rust fix AND your emission trouble.
As far as the exhaust goes, figure out your emissions fix and then have an exhaust shop run a simple dual exhaust system with universal cats, mufflers, and turndowns behind the cab. Usually get that done for about $350-$400. If you get a 1975 or earlier cab, you shouldn't even need cats, so there's another penny saved.

[DnStClr]

Here's your answer- Knowing what you know about the truck, and also knowing that you have limited tools, space, and money,  if I were offering to sell you the truck as it now sits, would you buy it?   

[bd]

Andrew, compare this beautifully stated objective argument...

...Knowing what you know about the truck, and also knowing that you have limited tools, space, and money,  if I were offering to sell you the truck as it now sits, would you buy it?   

...to the subjective...

...I love this truck like a best friend but I, like everyone, am on a budget....

Now, candidly - sitting there, reading this - which argument makes the most sense to You?  That's what You should do.

[zieg85]

Reading this, and knowing first hand the work to get it tip top and emission compliant.... If it were me... Pull the motor/trans all the stick shift related stuff including the hydraulic clutch set up, steering column, cut the high hump out of the old cab leaving plenty of extra metal, pull the bed, and take any other goodies and scrap the rest.  Ideally find a complete older 73-74 shortbed style that needs your bed and put all your good stuff on it.  If you get fed up with messing with it you can drop it off in NW Indiana where I will responsibly take care of it.   At least you only have a visual emission inspection, where I live they run it on a treadmill and measure the emission levels out the exhaust.  The only visual they do is with a mirror to check to see if your exhaust is up to snuff including the cat. 

BTW, welcome to the site

[andyman86]

Wow!  Thank you everyone.  Good stuff and the opinions and info are greatly appreciated.  Thank you very much for the informative tips, they are a big help.
 
As to the subjective/objective argument the answer is no, if someone were trying to sell it to me I would not buy it.  But I'm attached to this truck, lots of good memories, so there's an enormous sentimental value in addition to a utility value.  Hard to put a price on that. 

I have been looking for a replacement cab but they're hard to find in the northeast, not too many of these trucks have survived this long in PA.  Most are in much, much worse shape than mine if they're still outside of a junkyard.  It's also really hard to find a manual set-up cab, seems to be a somewhat rare and very desirable feature.  I've tried looking down south and out west but its kinda a shot in the dark as I've just been picking random cities on Craigslist.  I haven't found any real good resources to locate a potential donor, so if anyway has any good tips that way it'd also be greatly appreciated.

One last thing: the rear axle is also starting to rust around the outside, but I have a feeling a know what the answer is there - get a Dana. 

Thanks again everyone.     

[Custom Deluxe]

I've just been picking random cities on Craigslist.  I haven't found any real good resources to locate a potential donor, so if anyway has any good tips that way it'd also be greatly appreciated.

Try the Phoenix & Tucson area 

Also I've found lots of good stuff here;
http://www.dvap.com/

Good Luck !