Ode to FGT; a refresh story

My poor FGT or BGT does not deserve the way it’s been treated. Relegated to #2 status, when it truly deserves first place by birthright. The time is fast approaching. She shall get her due. In the coming months the projects to rehabilitate her will ensue. She needs a new timing belt, ball joints upper and lower, CVs, starter rehab, maybe a fan bracket since I’ve never changed it, new rear leafs and new exhaust. A new AC blower fan for inside as well. Probably a host of other things will also happen during the rehab. First step is a good deep cleaning. First wash since I added the camper shell. Her body has taken a beating through the years being used as a truck, couple deer strikes thrown in for fun and she’s an outside girl, so the paint has suffered. Has some freckles and some fade. Frame and drivetrain are solid AF. As she sits today.

 

Shweet!

 

Leather and frame appear to be in great shape. How many miles on her?

Edit: 270k?

 

270k miles. 170k of those are mine. Bought it with 99,900 on the clock.

 

strut top hat bolts too short

 

Ha, those are left over from a Daystar 1.25” level puck I had many moons ago. Ditched them for 5100s after the KYBs that were on it blew out. Didn’t swap the tophats or the extended length bolts.

 

Dayum that's a clean engine bay! Body don't look too bad at all, fresh coat o' paint's all she needs! Makes me feel extra ashamed of the neglectful fully-my-fault dent in my truck's side.

 

I left this side out…..

 

Looking forward to living vicariously through you

 

I bet PDR could pop those door inconsistencies out.

Spare tire is mounted upside down.

Look forward to the refresh.

 

Know what happens when you mount your spare upside down?

 

It holds water, rusts, and becomes home to mosquitoes.

It's also easier to check your tire pressure.

 

Bingo

 

Fun fact: that’s the original spare which by now must qualify for a low level ordinance. I’ve never used it. I’ve never been stranded by a flat tire in this truck. I have run out of gas twice though.

 

Oof. What happened?

Deer strike?

 

I noticed that, but was hesitant to say anything. Glass houses and all. My tire was factory original until about 2-3 months ago.

 

Next set I’ll swap the best leftover onto the spare rim. At this point it’s a good luck charm.

 

Authentic battle damage from natures dumbest night walker. Got T-boned by a deer. Insurance totaled the truck over that damage. I obviously kept it and the check.

 

I would have used the check to get those dents pulled. The truck is too nice to leave those.

 

Body shop wanted $5800 to fix everything. My PDR guy was very non-committal. There’s a bolt that almost went through the outside sheet metal. My plan is to get a couple new doors. The bedside will get PDR.

 

Geeze. I take back what I said then. No wonder you didn't fix it. From the picture it really doesn't look that bad. I would have assumed someone could have popped those dents out for $1000.

I paid a guy to pop out a dent on my Maxima once. A friend of a friend. He charged me $60 and it took him about 5 minutes.

 

I'd expect $1k would probably get it done. May be able to talk them down if you pre-pull the door cards for them so it's direct access. We have access to a lot of PDR people in my area, not sure about AR.

But to the point, if you can find matching-paint replacement doors in the same color, you'd be out half that. You just gotta hope they match and do the work.

Not sure what I'd do in that case. I feel like it's a lot easier for us having white trucks.

 

What's PDR?

 

Paintless Dent Repair

 

From your initial description of this classic, I expected a LOT less. That's a great looking truck!

 

Nice looking truck. I'm sure your refresh will be just as rewarding as mine

 

Brother thats is incredilbly minty for 270k. I salute thee

 

It's nearly a quarter of a century in age. It looks great, to be honest.

 

Just got the email that we qualified for bonuses this year, yay! The FGT rehab will begin soon…… with no budget restrictions….

 

Long travel. You won't. No balls.