Keep my truck and fix it or just get a new one

[camopaint0707]

I currently have a 1997 Ford F150. Oil is leaking out of the timing chain cover which needs replaced. Both front wheel bearings are also shot and need replaced. Has 120000 miles on it. The estimated repair costs for the oil leak and shot bearings are close to $2000. I was going to take the time to do it myself for cheaper and have some friends help. What do you guys think I should do?

[jpalamar]

Those are easy services that will give you tons of future miles. $2000 is much cheaper then buying another car.

[RedBowTies88]

the old f-150's are the biggest hunks of garbage ever. your better off getting another truck IMHO its only just begun to nickel and dime you

[turboman808]

When it comes to trucks and van I don't give a **** how they look as long as they do their job and don't cost alot.

If your someone who is really into having a cool looking truck you would feel otherwise and if you got 25k to drop then do what you got to do.

[camopaint0707]

no i just need a truck to run, this one already has a bunch of dents on it

[RedBowTies88]

how big of a truck do you need? you can find an old ranger 4cyl 5 speed for cheap and they will run forever.

[RedBowTies88]

or better yet, a VE pump cummins 5 speed. all you'll ever need is a fuel pump and a good clutch and to keep the rust under control. and they'll do 13's all day with a few mods

[camopaint0707]

I wouldn't be looking for a fast truck. I would just need a V8 and 4wd. Something for the winter and for towing cars. But I'm still not sure if I should get a new one yet r not

[RedBowTies88]

more then a handful of these around with 1,000,000+ miles take care of them and they'll be good to you. and this is the P pump version. the best of the best

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...t_14906wt_1165

[RedBowTies88]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1934774750.html

[camopaint0707]

I'd never buy a dodge or chrysler, ever. And I'm still just asking if its worth getting a new truck or fixing my current one

[turboman808]

Well all I can say is when it comes to my personal friends and family, if they don't have the cash to pay for it then don't buy it. I don't do loans anymore. Did it once and felt stupid for doing it.

I'll take dents over a car payment any day.

[RedBowTies88]

what i was getting at was, for not so much more then what it will take to fix you current truck you can get one that will last 3-4 times as long and WONT nickel and dime you to death like all those older ford pickups do. take it for what its worth cause ive owned more then one of those ad spent more time over/under then in them. the **** hits the fan a little over 100k

[camopaint0707]

Originally Posted by RedBowTies88

what i was getting at was, for not so much more then what it will take to fix you current truck you can get one that will last 3-4 times as long and WONT nickel and dime you to death like all those older ford pickups do. take it for what its worth cause ive owned more then one of those ad spent more time over/under then in them. the **** hits the fan a little over 100k

well there could always be problems from a new truck as well, i mean no matter what getting a new truck would be more money than replacing parts on this one but I am trying to think long run here.

[LIPCOLL320]

Can you find a truck that won't need some kind of repairs for 2K.....most likely not.

[camopaint0707]

so your saying just keep the F150

[RedBowTies88]

ive found pefectly good trucks for 200bucks before... twice actually but both 2wd rangers. i think the cheapest i found a 1/2 ton 4x4 was 600 but it ran like a champ..just needed a starter solenoid

[turboman808]

Bought my cargo van last month for 3k. It still needed a bit of work. $600 and I got a good running van.

You buy anything that old and oyur gonna have to put some money into it. If oyu got a truck that you know what it needs no point in buying a surprise for yourself.

[420sx]

You wont buy a Dodge with a cummins just because its a dodge, but you want to drop 2k into a '97 F150? Youre nuts man, that dodge is 50x the truck you have now. If I was looking at a fullsized pickup, the ONLY trucks id be looking at would be Cummins and Duramax. Duramax is outta my pricerange, and probably yours, so that leaves the cummins. Bulletproof. Economic. Diesel. Awesome. And itll rip a house down.

That being said.. If I were you, id do the repairs myself on the F150 for a fraction of the cost. Theres no reason to pay someone to do work on your car when theres a million resources online that will walk you through whatever you have to do, step by step. You may have to think a little, and work a lot, but youre lookin at a job thats 10 percent parts, 90 percent labor.. Do it yourself!

[camopaint0707]

Originally Posted by 420sx

You wont buy a Dodge with a cummins just because its a dodge, but you want to drop 2k into a '97 F150? Youre nuts man, that dodge is 50x the truck you have now. If I was looking at a fullsized pickup, the ONLY trucks id be looking at would be Cummins and Duramax. Duramax is outta my pricerange, and probably yours, so that leaves the cummins. Bulletproof. Economic. Diesel. Awesome. And itll rip a house down.

That being said.. If I were you, id do the repairs myself on the F150 for a fraction of the cost. Theres no reason to pay someone to do work on your car when theres a million resources online that will walk you through whatever you have to do, step by step. You may have to think a little, and work a lot, but youre lookin at a job thats 10 percent parts, 90 percent labor.. Do it yourself!

I just don't like dodges. Nothing personal to you just my opinion. I don't like SRT-4's either. And I would do the repairs myself as much as possible but do you think its worth it to repair my truck as is or just get a new one.