furious70

It's an interesting niche in the market for sure. Yes, new trucks are $50k easy and have pros and cons beyond the price. The problem is the donors are over 20yrs old and the crews are 30yrs old. If the person doesn't basically go through every sub assembly (including elec) the next owner is still stepping into a 30yr old truck with a 20yr old farm truck drive train. Financially it's difficult from both sides, the guy that pours 1,000hrs into one to rebuild it such that it's got 200k mi left in it wants to be paid for the time and parts to do it but the buyer can't see spending $15-20k on a 30yr old truck.
IMO the conversions that are 'hacked' or are made roadworthy but aren't 'finished' with all the little things working will really suffer on the market. At least that's my view as a guy who is trying to decide what to do for my next truck with 'more doors' as a requirement.

thrashingcows

Furious70...you have some good points.

I know I was not thrilled about all the extra work I had to do to my crewcab, but the truck was semi-local which was a HUGE factory on me buying it. And I had another truck to drive while I worked out the major kinks. But a lot of buyers don't want to be bothered with the "little things" that an old truck will require, so they go with a newer truck.

Me personally, I love having to constantly tinker on my vehicles. I'm not a drinker, smoker or party-er, so I call it my vice.

furious70

Ya, if the trucks are your hobby that's one thing for sure. As you know, the old cars are my hobby. I don't mind tinkering on the truck some, but mostly I need to treat it like a daily driver - it needs to be 100% reliable, relatively comfortable, and can't take up my free time to keep it that way. That might make me more prone to buck up for a newer truck, it definitely means if I were to buy a conversion it would need to have the little things done, and preferably been driven for awhile (like the one Bruiser has for sale) to work the kinks out. His is actually a great example of what you can run in to on a conversation even after you're 'done'

penguinman

^ AMEN....i don't think any vehicle is %100 reliable 100% of the time though....

Buddy Stewert

It is pretty much a no brainer you want a cool old truck or you want a new one.
Not that big a deal.
Everything gets old.
The 5.9 will get you to the top of the hill just like a new one will.
The older crew cabs are not for everyone.
I think of a old car is more like 78 years old.
If your only 18 years old everything is old.
I'm going to work on my old car o that's right it does not need any work.
Just go for a ride in the country.

furious70

Want and can afford are 2 different things. I would prefer a newer truck since I spend time and money on my fury and coronet. I suppose there are still 2 camps here in the 1st gens, those who prefer them and those who 's budget requires them.

Buddy Stewert

Good point

BRUISER

there is a nice crew cab for sale in the classifieds here on this board

furious70

ya, too bad it's not within a couple hour drive of Chicago, would make it a lot easier to be interested in it

moneytlks01

i agree with this statement 100%, most peoples jaws drop to the floor when i tell them how much i have invested in my crewcab. 25k is cheap for a brand new truck with some old school flavor...after rebuilding both axles, tranny, transfer case, and replaced all u-joints and brakes i essentially have a new truck i guess you could say. if this was indeed a rust free truck with the swap mostly completed i say 6k is a steal, having built one "right" i know what it takes. i do pretty much all my own labor but the parts themselves are getting rare and super expensive.

QIK2D

its listed on the local pascagoula craigslist for 7k. i really dont believe it's a bad deal. still lots of work though

daryl

Thiss

You couldn't buy the crew and the donor for 7k let alone the labor. I would roll on this if it were local. Finish it and then flip it. I bet you would put another 4k into the paint and interior. I agree with driving the kinks out. I have been driving mine for 3 months now and still have a few loose ends.

AUGIE DOG

Furious 70 I know the owner of that sweet blue crew cab and if you want it work out the details and I will personally drive the vehicle to your front door.No charge you pay for fuel!! I am originally from Peotone,Il and I will be visiting the old home place in about two weeks. My mother and brothers still live in the area. Soooo....give Ken a call and see what you can come up with!! If you do work something out Ken has my phone number he can call me or e-mail me at goncampn@hotmail.com. Good Luck!

AUGIE DOG

Bruiser,I put a plug in for ya!!

BRUISER

thanks.. and yes I would trust AugieDog driving the truck across the country