Author Topic: Lurker, new member, and a conundrum...NOW WITH PICTURES (Read 4921 times)

Keelay · « **on:** April 22, 2016, 11:30:24 am »

I've been lurking for a while, and finally registered. It seems as though social media has all but killed the forum platform

I've got myself a dilemma. I have an 86 Silverado, that was passed to me from my grandfather. I've had it sitting in his basement since about 2010, when 2nd gear went out (700r4). Its a beautiful truck (7.5-8/10), and I really love it. My problem is that it's not practical for me to have a truck right now. I'm also extremely limited on income for the next 2 years. I took a sabbatical from work to care for my mother after she had a stroke last year, until my step father retires. I can no longer keep the truck where it is, the house is being sold. I have nowhere to store it properly. As much as I want to keep this for sentimental reasons, it's just not feasible.
Can I get some opinions? Should I put it in my backyard until I can afford to do what I want with it, or sell it to fund a cheap little shoot box build? Either way, neither vehicle will be driven until complete. Also against the truck is weight and the aerodynamics of an air brake. I could keep the truck and wait another 2 years to afford to put 5-6k into and have a fun truck, that still only seats one passenger. Or I can source a cheap fox roller or similar and put the rest of the funds from the truck sale into that.
What to do?

Ishmael · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2016, 12:51:56 pm »

Weird. I'm in a similar situation. My grandpa's truck and thinking the money could go to another vehicle.
1. His was undercoated and is nowhere near a 7.5/10 but it didn't rot away in the backyard after 2 years so yours doesn't have to go anywhere. Just be realistic about how long it will take you to get at it. They are easy as easy to work on as a fox mustang.
2. It will seat two passengers - depending on your size - but that just makes it more fun. The mustang isn't that much better. I've had an 84 and an 86.
3. It was your Grandpa's truck. The mustang would be fun but it will never be your grandpa's. That said if you don't like the truck and you really want a mustang I'm sure there's someone who would be glad to take it off your hands.
I'll be picking up some used GM fenders and doors for mine tomorrow. I may not get at it for another two years but that's okay.

Irish_Alley · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2016, 01:14:59 pm »

i know we have a few members who trucks were their grandfathers/and dads. then we also had some that did have their truck but sold it, i would have it sitting in the yard till it started to bug me to either sell or fix it up.

warhorse · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2016, 02:17:52 pm »

Any time you don't properly set up a vehicle for storage (or let it sit idle in your back yard), it will take a lot more money and effort to get it back to running condition. Gaskets dry out and rot, rust forms inside of all the mechanicals, gas breaks down and forms resins in the lines, brake fluid absorbs moisture, mice and other critters crap and tear up interiors and wiring, etc, etc. If you're willing to invest the time and effort to get it ready for long term storage, or alternatively, start it up and drive it around every couple of weeks, then it would be worth keeping and fixing up later. Otherwise you'll be getting into a money pit as the truck slowly falls into disrepair.

Same would go for a fox body that just sits.

If you're not willing to prep it or run it, sell it. You can buy what you want when you've got more cash.

Keelay · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2016, 03:24:38 pm »

It was stored somewhat correctly. Drained fluids, no battery, didn't have an extra set of stands for the truck, chose to put the mustang on them as its nicer, so the tires will be flat spotted I'm sure.
I'm not saying definitely fox, just something I can get as a roller for cheap.
And this is Alabama, rust isn't an issue on even 40 year old vehicles.

Keelay · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2016, 03:25:48 pm »

I got a few pics today, when I get time to upload them to host I'll link them up

big_al273 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2016, 07:01:32 pm »

there are millions of cars and trucks around the world this truck was your Grandfathers the rest weren't, I'm still kinda pissed that my Uncle sold my Grandfathers 1993 F150, it wasn't my kind of truck 2wd, 300ci I6, regular cab, Ford, but it was my Grandfathers and I wanted it for that reason. Heirlooms are worth more than money. As for long term storage DO IT RIGHT OR NOT AT ALL. I had a 1998 Monte carlo sit for about 3 years in storage on gravel and more than a few things went wrong with it, including the brake, fuel and tranny cooler lines among other things

Keelay · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2016, 09:06:35 pm »

I'm probably going to kick myself years down the road, but I probably will sell it :/ It just doesn't fit what I need for a driver. If I had that already, I'd have no issue. But I don't. I'm using a loaner escort and that is finite.
As for storage goes, it could have been better, but no fluids, in a temp controlled basement, although it was humid down there, it never saw UV or fluctuating temps, let alone high temps.

Keelay · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2016, 09:18:57 pm »

Keelay · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2016, 09:22:59 pm »

Also coming out of storage

English · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2016, 11:03:52 am »

If it has sentimental value to you, and you really love it, you should keep it.
I kept an '82 K5 off the road for a year before I fixed it up. Just drove it backwards and forwards every couple of weeks to make sure nothing seized up/dried out. Didn't have any troubles at all.

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