Hi guys, I was wondering if you guys thought that this is something worth too much trouble. Here are the details: It is a 1998 F-150 Supercab with the 5.4L engine. The engine has about 70,000 miles on it and the body about 130,000. Here's the bad: He hit black ice last winter and put it over the hill. There is a crack at the bottom of the windshield, a small crumple on the driver corner of the hood, a broken passenger rear shock from pulling it out, a couple small rust spots, needs front end aligned, needs tires, needs rear brakes, and a turn signal lens on the driver side. Can you replace just one shock, or do you have to replace both to even it out? What do you guys think this might cost to get repaired? He is asking $2700 for it. Is it worth it? I really need your help on this one. Thanks in advance.

 

I forgot to mention that the e-brake cable broke too. Is that hard to fix by myself, or is that something I should take to a garage?

 

Iduno. 130,000 miles isn't much. I have over twice that and she still run great. The e-cable can be fixed, -if you use it. I've had more problems with that cable than it was worth. I removed it and all of it's hardware, -in the cab as well. I would replace both rear shocks. Check out the leaf springs and axle , make sure nothings bent or broken. Both leafs should be lined up, -if not you'll have to straighten the axle. Yea, you suppose to pull via frame , never the axle.

You'll have to eval the rust yourself, it will only get worse. If there's no holes and it's confined to the lower panels, you may be able to slow it down by grinding the rust down/ use pore 15, then etching primer, then linex. Do this to the inside as well. Eventually it will most likely come back thru, but it will take awhile.

 

Thanks for all that information. Do you think it is worth it as a first truck so I can learn how to fix all that stuff myself? except for the windshield obviously.

 

Sure, if that's what your after. These windshields crack across the bottom like that, -it's common. You can learn "HowTo" repair online thru the internet.

 

Ok. I will check it out Sunday, along with another one. I'll try to take some pics and post them on here. Thanks again.

 

emm.....cracked windsheild, crumpled hood... check the frame.

 

Yeah when i traded my 98 5.4 in, i think i had almost 190k on it ran like brand new too and i was rough on it. first truck/car pretty much. I beat it up. Good motors! And obviously its not the original motor or its a rebuilt engine. If its not rebuilt, find out what year the motor is. 99+ 5.4 make a little more power. I might give 1700 tho bc that's still alot of stuff to fix and your not gonna kno everything about it, until you own it and find out all the crap thats not right. Without pics it hard to judge repair costs. But you said it needs tires, add 600 right there atleast If you could get it for that i'd just fix what needs to be fixed and just drive it man. It's not as big of a deal when an old truck is beat up at all. IMO if you want a nice one just look for one your not going to have to repair as soon as you get it. If it had a thing or two.. but it sounds like its gota laundry list of little things...

 

well shoot, if yall wanna talk about miles......264,XXX on the green machine....

 

And a set of swampers

 

Ok. Thanks again guys!