Is my Tundra worth fixing?

Well, I’m back. If you thought that I was an idiot who spent thousands of dollars and got way in over their head, you’d pretty much be right!

A LOT has changed since the first post. I have been toiling away for weekends, weekdays, on my lunch breaks… hell, I’ve even been having dreams of fixing the truck. I’ve spent countless hours watching videos, reading this forum, and seeing money drain from my bank account. A lot of it went smoothly, but a lot didn’t. Keep in mind I had almost no experience prior to diving into this project.

But here we are. The truck is no longer on jack stands in my driveway, and my neighbor is no longer asking me when I’m going to be done making so much damn noise. I won’t bore you with pictures and a list of every bit I changed, but here’s most of the important stuff I did:

• OEM upper ball joints + lower ball joints
• OEM radiator + thermostat
  
• OEM performed brake lines
• PowerStop pads, rotors, calipers (front)
• BrakeBest (O’Reillys) Select Brake Drum, shoes, hardware (rear)
• Cardone steering rack and pinion
• New cam bolts (had to cut mine out)
• MOOG lower control arms, upper control arms, stabilizer end bar links, tie rod ends
• Spectra color matched paint
• Rancho RS9000XL Quicklift leveling Coilovers + Rear shocks
• Clockspring (now I can use my horn and cruise control again... such luxury)

My spreadsheet says I’ve spent approximately $3600.00 in parts, including an alignment. The alignment was so bad after I finished my work that the alignment shop had to hold back laughter reading me the results. Here’s big blue now after a wash:





Ironically, while this post was originally about rust, that has ended up being the least of my concerns. Having spent so much time on the truck now, I feel like it’s a miracle it even drove before. So many of the old parts I took out were just completely shot. But that being said, the rust is still something I’ll be working on. I’ve got a needle scaler and it’s been working great for getting the surface rust off:




So yes, I still need to address the rust, but it seems easy in comparison to what I’ve already done. It’s just time consuming and will probably be uncomfortable as it gets hotter.

Thanks to those who posted here originally. Your advice was very helpful. While this process has not been easy, I’ve learned an insane amount and I’m glad I decided to stick with it. I’ve definitely spent more than I planned for and probably more than I should have, but I’m not too fussed about it. I see no reason why the truck can’t last several more years.

And get this… one of my first drives after completing all this work and the truck throws a check engine light for the first time since I’ve owned the truck. The comedic timing was impeccable. It’s P0430 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 2), so I may try changing the oxygen sensors and see if that helps.

 

Sir, we don't have an emoji on this forum for how great this follow-up post is.

 

A die grinder and wire wheel will get rid of the fine rust particles unlike a needle scaler. A $40 investment if you have a decent compressor.

 

Yeah, I should have just got that when you told me the first time I got a compressor for this project so I'll go ahead and pick up a die grinder as well

 

This is what I got...damn, it's doubled in price from when I bought it 10 years ago.

https://www.lowes.ca/product/air-grinders/kobalt-14-in-angle-die-grinder-75538

The fan wire wheel works better than the cup type. I got mine at home depot, but now they only seem to have the cup type to buy online. (wear goggles, those wires tend to fly off occasionally) Only downside was I borrowed a craftsman 30 gal air compressor that had like 4 scfm which wasn't enough air volume to run full blast with the die grinder so I had to wait a minute or two until the tank filled to run at full speed for the tough areas. Otherwise it'd run at 1/2-3/4 speed with the current air compressor motor which was okay for most of the stuff but full blast would definitely eliminate all the rust with minimal grinding of any good metal.

 

Your follow up post was great. And it was great reading all of this. Good luck and know you have a forum of people with a wealth of knowledge who love seeing/helping these projects.

Personally, I think you made the right choice!

 

Yeah for me, that rust wasn’t horrible, but my context is NE trucks. As far as money spent, your cost with the original purchase price is still below this crazy COVID market value. And you’ve got a bunch of new stuff on her. I’d say you made a smart choice if you’re not regretting the time you’ve spent. Kudos to you. It’s a good looking truck now.

 

Who did the paint??

 

I don't think that is even all that rusty. Mine looks like a sunken barge and I still drive it and work on it.

Glad your upgrades went well. It's much more enjoyable to do them yourself anyway.