The Tale of Two Cruisers...

[Dustin Messina]

Searching the internet one day looking at 100s and came across a slee’d out 100 in Vermont (I’m in Mississippi) All slee Front bumper, rear bumper, slide steps, full skids (front, middle, belly), lift, dif drop, warm m8000, weather techs mats, clean interior and a 2uz with a 150k miles on it that runs great. I land a deal on the rig then had to get it to MS. Oh the draw back the rustiest pile l have ever seen....

 

[Kabanstva]

Was the previous owner an ih8mud member by any chance?

 

[Dustin Messina]

My plan was to

Was the previous owner an ih8mud member by any chance?

Have zero idea actually. Didn’t find it on mud.

 

[aging fleet]

I hope you knew about the rust before you brought it down to MS. Given the title, I assume this wasn't salvageable.

 

[Dustin Messina]

The plan was to pull off all the slee goodies and put in on my LX. Then part the rest out. I have a buddy the wants the 2uz and drive train so I was off to the races.

Until....I ran a across a two owner locked 99 cruiser in the same color same. Everything with 149k on it...landed a hell of a deal pulled the trigger and now we have a tail of two cruisers!!!

 

[Dustin Messina]

I hope you knew about the rust before you brought it down to MS. Given the title, I assume this wasn't salvageable.

Absolutely knew about it. Plan the whole time was to get slee stuff and part out. And get motor etc for a 2uz swap in an 80 for a buddy.

 

[Dustin Messina]

First thing first start ripping the slee goodies off. These are just some teaser shots, didn’t photo it all.

 

[Dustin Messina]

Got it all loaded and took to get blasted and recoated!

 

[Dustin Messina]

Amazing turn around time just over one week.

 

[Dustin Messina]

More shots.

 

[Dustin Messina]

All coated saved and ready to get put on. Will update when it all goes on.

 

[Kabanstva]

Looks like a hell of a find! Those Slee parts aint cheap! Congrats!

 

[FxFormat]

OMG that under carriage, hope you stole that truck because I wouldn't have paid anything for it except whatever the Slee mods were worth.

 

[Kabanstva]

OMG that under carriage, hope you stole that truck because I wouldn't have paid anything for it except whatever the Slee mods were worth.

I agree. I have slightly more tolerance for rust than most here being that I'm from northern IL and it's so common here, but even by Illinois standards, that rust is pretty bad IMO.

 

[Dustin Messina]

While I was waiting on the powder coating I made a few parts orders..

Timing belt, Water pump and all components, thermostat, Radiator, fuel filter, Spark plugs, Fan clutch, fan clutch bracket, Belt tensioner, Alternator, Ideler pulley, all new heater t’s and hoses, and belts. Bases lined the whole thing. FYI the locked 99 is the keeper.

Also took this time to take advantage of 20% off at metal tech and picked up iron man foam cell prosahocks and iron man torsion bars, but reusing the slee heavies. Iron man stuff should be deliver this week.

 

[Dustin Messina]

OMG that under carriage, hope you stole that truck because I wouldn't have paid anything for it except whatever the Slee mods were worth.

I came out well. If you part out all the slee stuff it’s earlier $6k plus in slee parts and the interior is pretty straight too!

 

[Dustin Messina]

Easily *

 

[Dustin Messina]

I agree. I have slightly more tolerance for rust than most here being that I'm from northern IL and it's so common here, but even by Illinois standards, that rust is pretty bad IMO.

The pictures do not do not do it justice ha it is bad. However the slee stuff held up great just some putting here and there but not bad. I hate to see it too. The rusty truck has all original paperwork window sticker etc. hate to see one in this condition. But it’s getting saved the best it can.

 

[Dustin Messina]

@wngrog and @USMC22 can attest to the rust on the Vermont Truck. Especially @USMC22 hes working on them too!

 

[Dustin Messina]

Face lifts....