I have a 1997 2500 dodge 12v. the one in my sig. The truck looks like this now http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0003_large.jpg

Here is my question. The truck is originally from MN where I grew up. I had to put new doors on it BC of rust and now the thing needs a new cab or at least new rocker pannels and of course a paint job.

How much am I looking at if I want to fix it. it runs great needs a bigger turbo and some tuning but awesome runner.

should I sell it and buy a 92-97 4 door f-350/250 4x4 for a planned 12v swap or should I restore it. neigther of which would get done over night but I feel I could find a nice bodied Stroker or gasser and really clean it up and then add a 12v at say auto world in MT and have a sweet truck.....BUT BUT BUT I love my DODGE it has never ever let me down in 150k+

 

I think that's your answer right there. I know I'd never forgive myself for selling my girl.

 

yeah but its mainly the motor that has never let me down nothing really dodge. its a hard decision gall dang it

 

[QUOTE....BUT BUT BUT I love my DODGE it has never ever let me down in 150k+[/QUOTE]


I think you just answered your own question.....I'm pretty sure that even a rusted Dodge beats a converted ford any day of the week....but that's just my opinion for what it's worth.

 

How hard would it be if I swap the cab to swap on a quad cab??? how would I go about getting a truck like that registered and legal

 

Unfortunetly, You'll never see a financial advantage on swapping cabs, or even repairing the rust. I've decided to live with mine, try and keep it up as best as I can, and not worry all that much about it.

And NO - I would not swap into a Ford.

 

no I want a cancer free truck that will look as good as it runs. This is now my toy and will be parked inside all the time I have an '82 f-150 for DDing. so the living with it is not an option!!!

SOOOO that being said I'm not looking for a financial gain just another lift time out of my best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

Your best bet would be to find a decent 2nd gen (even if it's a gasser) down south that someone wrecked and doesn't have any cab damage. Then you can match your paint, repair any issues, and of course the best part is rust proofing it while the replacement cab is upside down. Problem solved, and its cheaper than new.

As for it being legal, of course it is! You'll need to document everything and worst case scenario is you have the local PD or sheriff come out to inspect it for DMV. Since this is common (and the old cab will still be around) its easy to prove and will go rather quickly.



Kris

 

Unless your Mn. truck is rusted worse than my Brownie, I would simply replace the rockers and cab corners.

 

yup replace what you have to and run her into the ground thats what i plan on doing. we all know the dodge part will fall apart before the cummins ever will ...

 

I have head that replacing the rockers is a huge PITA on these trucks

 

Nothing comes easily with body work - or cheaply.

That's why my truck is staying as it is, getting two coats of hand-applied wax per year, and just letting it (slowly) depreciate.

To me, as much as I like old '96...it's just a truck. I can't afford it to be anything else...

 

No harder than any other, BUT, at the same time, when you do it your way, you can clean, and coat the bejesus out of things, and that rust will not come back.

That rust free southern cab will be rusty in 4 or 5 years.......

 

I guess you missed this part.



And that's the whole purpose of getting a rust free cab from down south. Flip it over, rust proof it, install it, and paint it. Classic example of the KISS principle.



Kris

 

yeah the new cab will not rust becasue it will be in the garage unless i want to take it out. I have an older truck for DDing