giusto
NG
I have a situation and I could use some input.
I have a 2004 – currently at 207,XXX miles – with a straight body, perfect paint, immaculate interior, and ... loads of rust beneath.
I was dealt and played a bad hand when I purchased it a few years back over the internet and multiple phone calls (typically a bad idea, I know):
Me: "So, does it have any rust, and could you send some pics from under the skirt?"
Dealer: "Looks good as new, I'll send pics."
I received a pic of the underside (along with more of the interior and other body shots). I purchased the truck and had it sent out to California.
The pic of the underside must have been a different truck because I received something quite different looking. I bought it, I shipped it, I took the risk, and was burnt. Lessoned learned. I'm done beating myself up about my play and now it's time to deal with it.
I've been driving it for a few years now and racked up about 35,000 since I bought it - just on trips - not my daily driver. Many trips from California to Colorado, Utah, Montana, Washington, all over the Southwest, etc. Besides the rust, this thing is perfect. The motor is fantastic and haven't had one issue with electronics (except the damn 6 disk CD dinghy anchor). Just had the oil changed after 4000 miles of driving and it's almost as good looking as the day the oil went in. The timing belt has been changed a twice, never missed a scheduled service, etc. The one previous owner took superb care of this thing. Except for the rust. (thanks for reading this far).
It's becoming a safety issue now. At least I'm thinking it is. It must be, I stuck my finger through a skid plate the other day. I just drove it 1400 miles mostly freeway but made it to the hills for a few days (Bay Area to SLC and back without a hiccup). But now, I'm scared to death to take it out again because a cancer ridden bolt is going to giveaway and that bolted on bit, like a trailing arm, will drop out and land in the windshield of the poor sap behind me. He'll start waving his fist and laughing, half mad about his windshield and half relieved about the instant karma payment, as I swerve off the road and into a ditch.
I bought a RAM 1500 because I cannot afford a new-er LC. I'm going to mount my tent on the stock a sealed bed, bolt all my kitchen bits in and keep driving. Driving and feeling like I'm cheating on the brand and model I've grown to love. The 80 before this rust bucket gave me years of faithful service.
On to the advice and/or perspective I'm looking for: is this rusty LC worth anything to anyone? I don't feel good about selling it unless it's for parts or to someone who has the time, resources ... and, stomach for a project.
I have a 2004 – currently at 207,XXX miles – with a straight body, perfect paint, immaculate interior, and ... loads of rust beneath.
I was dealt and played a bad hand when I purchased it a few years back over the internet and multiple phone calls (typically a bad idea, I know):
Me: "So, does it have any rust, and could you send some pics from under the skirt?"
Dealer: "Looks good as new, I'll send pics."
I received a pic of the underside (along with more of the interior and other body shots). I purchased the truck and had it sent out to California.
The pic of the underside must have been a different truck because I received something quite different looking. I bought it, I shipped it, I took the risk, and was burnt. Lessoned learned. I'm done beating myself up about my play and now it's time to deal with it.
I've been driving it for a few years now and racked up about 35,000 since I bought it - just on trips - not my daily driver. Many trips from California to Colorado, Utah, Montana, Washington, all over the Southwest, etc. Besides the rust, this thing is perfect. The motor is fantastic and haven't had one issue with electronics (except the damn 6 disk CD dinghy anchor). Just had the oil changed after 4000 miles of driving and it's almost as good looking as the day the oil went in. The timing belt has been changed a twice, never missed a scheduled service, etc. The one previous owner took superb care of this thing. Except for the rust. (thanks for reading this far).
It's becoming a safety issue now. At least I'm thinking it is. It must be, I stuck my finger through a skid plate the other day. I just drove it 1400 miles mostly freeway but made it to the hills for a few days (Bay Area to SLC and back without a hiccup). But now, I'm scared to death to take it out again because a cancer ridden bolt is going to giveaway and that bolted on bit, like a trailing arm, will drop out and land in the windshield of the poor sap behind me. He'll start waving his fist and laughing, half mad about his windshield and half relieved about the instant karma payment, as I swerve off the road and into a ditch.
I bought a RAM 1500 because I cannot afford a new-er LC. I'm going to mount my tent on the stock a sealed bed, bolt all my kitchen bits in and keep driving. Driving and feeling like I'm cheating on the brand and model I've grown to love. The 80 before this rust bucket gave me years of faithful service.
On to the advice and/or perspective I'm looking for: is this rusty LC worth anything to anyone? I don't feel good about selling it unless it's for parts or to someone who has the time, resources ... and, stomach for a project.
