Looking for opinions on what to do with a somewhat rusting 1999

[BigBlue99]

Help me think this through if you would...

Bought a 99 about 11 years ago because of what I learned on these boards. Have continued to use these boards to troubleshoot and maintain my Cruiser to the degree that I can (183,xxx miles today). Rust is creeping up onto the truck as we live close to the ocean (150 yards) and deal with the salted winter roads. New Englanders would not flinch at the current state of rust, but Southerners or those from ideal car climates would run in horror. Beyond the underside getting a little worse every year, it has started to bubble a bit just past the rear doors where the sill meets the wheel well. This is because we're on the ocean and there is no garage for protection so the truck lives out in the open year-round and that will not change. Beyond the rust, some of the trim on the windows is peeling up (small issue), the clear coat and paint is going a bit, and the interior has really started to go with the seats starting to degrade a bit more. Finally, the heater core will need to be replaced this year as I've had my guy flush it, reverse flush it and then flush it again with no success in getting long-term heat established. I don't wheel and have not done any mods other than taking off the running boards.

I'm feeling like I need to bring it back and put money into it or keep it going and address issues as it slowly declines. Some might say that a true car enthusiast would never think like this, but we live next to salt water and that is not going to change so rust is just a part of life. It's just a brutal place to have a vehicle.

So, for a truck that is likely worth $5k, I'm debating whether or not the cost of bringing it back to better condition makes any sense at all. I don't think a true restoration approach makes any sense and am not looking to spend $25k for a truck that is then worth $15k on a good day.

Here are the numbers in my head:

New seats and interior installed: $3-4k

Respray: $????

Heater core: $1500

180k timing belt: $1400

Rust remediation: $????

I run my own company, have kids and little time to grab a wrench so I would need to hand the keys over and let someone do all of the work.

If anyone on here can relate to the situation, please let me know what you're thinking. I love my Cruiser, but trying to balance that with being pragmatic.

If anyone on here knows someone who has a shop that might be able to address all of these issues in the New England area, please send me their info, would love to hear from them.

Thanks in advance to this group that has always been so helpful.

 

[97 AZ LC]

I say it's not worth it, just use it until you can't use it anymore.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

A few pictures will be very helpful. But from one salted roads dweller to another, it is just not worth dumping money in to your truck. Drive it with minimal, necessary maintenance and when it is too far gone, replace it with another.

 

[Exiled]

Based on your description, I think you're better off selling it or parting it out and finding a cleaner/rust-free 100 instead.

 

[D21FJ60]

One thing to keep in mind is the prices of trucks, especially clean ones, is insane right now. And even if you buy a replacement, you'll probably have to do similar if not the same PM on it.
I will voice in favor of the other side and say spend the money on this one and get 11 more years out of it. Have everything addressed and the underside treated.
It's the devil you know vs. the devil you don't.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

New seats and interior installed: $3-4k

Opt for high quality seat covers instead. Both Specter Off-Road and Escape Gear seat covers come with matching armrest and console covers as well. You can cover all of the seats for around $500. When the covers get dirty, simply pull them off and wash.

Respray: $????

Hard Pass. Find a good body detailer who can work magic on your existing paint. I’ve seen them take some burnt clear coat and paint on AZ vehicles from dead to shiny again for $300-500.

Heater core: $1500

This job sucks. It’s terrible. Price seems reasonable.

180k timing belt: $1400

A little high but not out of the range. If that’s a dealer quote, then hard pass because they won’t replace everything that probably should be replaced at 180k. Find a good independent Cruiser shop. Ask for a recommendation from these guys: MA/NH- Yankee Toys - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/ma-nh-yankee-toys.112/

Rust remediation: $????

FLUID FILM. Go buy $50 worth of fluid film aerosol cans and spray everything: The entire frame, rear axle, suspension and steering components, AND the rusty spots on the body (it is safe to use on paint). Do this once or twice a year and the rust won’t progress. It’s the best rust inhibitor that exists.

 

[halbeezy]

I would not be putting money into that, you will spend sooo much on labor. It would be different if your goal was to do a buildout spending a lot of time wrenching on a project. As a fellow father/husband with little precious free time, I completely understand not taking that on. I know I wouldn't.

But what if you to a pragmatic approach and took the emotion out of it. Why not fix what is absolutely necessary and just keep driving it. So what it's getting rust. Keeping spraying with FF every year and replace things as needed. You don't have to get it all fixed at once. I just know how many people regret getting rid of their 100 series.

 

[87warrior]

My 1999 is rusting. It was rusting when I bought it 5 (or 6) years and 120k miles ago. I will continue to drive, modify, maintain and attempt to slow the rust (Woolwax) on this cruiser until it is unsafe to drive (I estimate another 10-20 years). It will never be an Instagram model cruiser, but I don't care as long as it continues to be reliable and comfortable.

I would suggest taking some steps to slow the rust and have the required repairs and maintenance done; then keep driving it.

 

[BigBlue99]

I swear this is one of the last great places on the internet... you ask a question, and you get thoughtful responses instead of trolls and smart asses. I appreciate the perspectives on this, very helpful. I'll keep nursing it along for a bit longer and resist the temptation to spend stupid money on it.

To all that responded, I thank you.

Ryan

 

[87warrior]

... and resist the temptation to spend stupid money on it.

Whoah, let's not get carried away here

You can still spend stupid money on it making it yours (bumper, winch, lift, tires, snorkel, roof rack, long range fuel tank, stereo, seat covers, storage drawers, fridge, dual battery, brake booster, steering rack, etc)

 

[toyotanorthny]

OP Let's get some photos to get a visual, so that we can better give you opinions on your original question.

 

[pocarles]

I agree with @D21FJ60 and a few others...

If you look at the way LC evolved on the market in the last decade or so, we started by bringing back to life Serie 40s, then 60s, and now 80s... and sooner or later, it will be the turn of the 100s and then, the 200s.

What I mean by that is that your 1999 can last "forever", as long as you accept you will have to invest a few thousand dollars in it every year to maintain, replace, fight against the rust, etc... but I think it's totally worth it as 1/ anything more recent will cost you much more money anyway and 2/ you will know that one by heart so you will "control it".

 

[D21FJ60]

I agree with @D21FJ60 and a few others...

If you look at the way LC evolved on the market in the last decade or so, we started by bringing back to life Serie 40s, then 60s, and now 80s... and sooner or later, it will be the turn of the 100s and then, the 200s.

What I mean by that is that your 1999 can last "forever", as long as you accept you will have to invest a few thousand dollars in it every year to maintain, replace, fight against the rust, etc... but I think it's totally worth it as 1/ anything more recent will cost you much more money anyway and 2/ you will know that one by heart so you will "control it".

I think @BigBlue99 was scared off by the immediate answers- never came back after posting it seems . . . .

 

[ramangain]

I think @BigBlue99 was scared off by the immediate answers- never came back after posting it seems . . . .

Or he got sick, a family member got sick, he lost a job, etc.

To assume can make an ass out of u and me.

 

[D21FJ60]

I meant nothing snarky by it and if it came across that way I do apologize.

Life comes at you fast, for example this wis why my plans of getting my cruiser fixed up are still on hold a year and a half later.

I do hope OP comes back with an update.