Maybe time for a new truck.

[MossRoad]

Your body looks great, but you are correct, the underside is rotting. I think your hunch is correct, and you'll be replacing a lot of items in the next 2-3 years. If it's your only truck, start looking for a good used one and sell that one before the rust moves towards the outside where its visible.

 

[dodge man]

I owned an 04 2500 with a Cummins. To be honest, compared to newer trucks, it wasn’t that great. Rust chased me out of that truck. Great engine but the truck had a lot of noise, mostly crappy door seals and a terrible vibration at about 65 mph. I traded for a 2011 Chevy 2500 with a gasser. Good truck but I noticed rust above the rear wheel with only 60000 miles. Got rid of that and went with a new F150 a little over a year ago. Aluminum so rust shouldn’t be a problem.

New trucks are better in most every way. Just little things, better ride, quiet, back up camera, more air bags and safer, stability control, hooking up your cell phone. All stuff that will make you like a newer truck more than you would think.

If I am spending your money I would go with a newer Ford diesel, aluminum body. A dodge Cummins a close second a D-Max isn’t a bad choice either.

 

[robertsa]

I thought you might have been overstating the damage but after seeing the photos, I'd part with it without a second thought. Those underhood, body mount, and suspension shots are terrifying, especially the underhood. So many small parts and lines ready to go at any moment, probably one at a time until the stress drives you bald. At that point you will sell but not before sinking thousands more into this thing and still have stuff breaking. This isn't a classic car you're trying to restore; it's simply not worth it. You'll never get out anywhere close to what you'll put into it.

Most people you hear complaining about emissions and other changes on newer diesels just don't like dealing with change and are just grumbling about it. Many issues that come up are due to people not leaving the vehicle as the manufacturer designed it. Don't fix what isn't broken.

 

[4570Man]

Corrosion is killing that truck. I’d get rid of it while the getting is good.

 

[LD1]

So many small parts and lines ready to go at any moment, probably one at a time until the stress drives you bald.

My exact fear that I couldnt put into words quite as good as you.

Simply put.....I could buy parts and spend a week and a grand or two (not too bad) to replace everything that looks like it might break and get the truck back to reliable.

But.......that might buy me a year or two before the body and frame really start to look bad. And seriously diminish the value.

So by spending a few grand to buy time and get some more life out of this truck and save my money....I might be shooting myself in the foot and killing my resale.

Again, all speculation....but this same truck and low miles but rusted all to crap, door bottoms gone, fenders, body mounts, etc......I think its value is gonna be pretty poor

 

[ddbackhoe]

......I think its value is gonna be pretty poor

Me too. Put the plow on and I 'll come haul that junk away. Best to let it go before you get too emotional over it.

 

[crashz]

Its crusty, that's for sure. But savable. If you use a good product like Krown or FF, you can save the body and chassis. But like you said, you need to replace every line in that truck. I think you are in for more than a few thousand to really go through it thoroughly. Trans, drive shafts, might as well do the frontend, u joints, and everything else. Basically build a new truck and keep the frame and engine. Don't plan on selling at that point, you'll never re-coup your investment.

My 2003 F450 was just a little better when I bought it. While it never plowed snow, it worked near the coast. I'm battling the same stuff, but the first thing I did was buy time by coating the truck very well with FF. But I don't depend on it and I love working on it.

I'm starting to lean to the side of selling and starting new. But personally, I 'd still go brand new.

 

[k0ua]

Corrosion is killing that truck. I’d get rid of it while the getting is good.

After seeing that corrosion up in the engine compartment, I am inclined to agree with you.

 

[LD1]

Its crusty, that's for sure. But savable. If you use a good product like Krown or FF, you can save the body and chassis. But like you said, you need to replace every line in that truck. I think you are in for more than a few thousand to really go through it thoroughly. Trans, drive shafts, might as well do the frontend, u joints, and everything else. Basically build a new truck and keep the frame and engine. Don't plan on selling at that point, you'll never re-coup your investment.

My 2003 F450 was just a little better when I bought it. While it never plowed snow, it worked near the coast. I'm battling the same stuff, but the first thing I did was buy time by coating the truck very well with FF. But I don't depend on it and I love working on it.

I'm starting to lean to the side of selling and starting new. But personally, I 'd still go brand new.

Have already did front end components....and front axle u-joints more than once. The front ends are certainly a weak area on these trucks. Thats no secret. Forums are riddled with people with front end issues

 

[LD1]

After seeing that corrosion up in the engine compartment, I am inclined to agree with you.

And remember I already had to replace the oil pan because it was rotted through. That was a fun job :mur: