Time to cut losses?

I’m at a crossroads with my 96 SR5 5 speed. At the moment it needs:

-new rear driveshaft, or at least a new slip yoke and rear u joint
-steering rack
-diff seals
-pinion seal
-possibly upper oil pan gasket or RMS (I’ve been having to add about a quart every 5000 miles or so)
-LCAs (I have these, just need to be installed)
-at least one upper ball joint
-alignment


To add on, the hood and roof are sun damaged, there are plenty of pinstripes and a few dings on the side panels, and the decals and badges are worn. The drivers seat also has a tear.

On the plus side, the frame is at least virtually rust free being from Texas, and the engine has strong compression across all cylinders. Recent oil analyses have also been encouraging. It has shrockworks sliders, a marlin crawler short throw kit, and Eibach springs with 5100s. HID headlights too.

I just can’t get past the issues listed above, especially the leaks pictured below. Would it be better to cut my losses and see what I could get? I had someone willing to give me 6k for it before I told him about the driveshaft (I was hoping it was just a u joint that could be replaced before I sold it).

Would I get back any of the dollars “invested” into fixing this thing up, or is it time for greener pastures? I was discussing trading for a 96 Camry wagon with a lot of recent work done.

 

The return on investment would be a truck that'd last you for many more years to come, but without the issues you address.

Many of the items you've shared countless times before can be bundled up into a weekend job.

You've just dragged your feet for over a year, acting like a broken record when we've all been telling you the same shit over and over again.

 

Fix. Drive.

 

I just can’t get past the fact I may end up spending more than the trucks worth in parts alone.

 

I can't wait to see your grandmaster plan unfold for saving money by buying another vehicle.

But I would like to see you sell this one yes

 

There are people spending more just to modify their vehicles than its worth.

Why? Because they see the value in a platform that hit on every level as intended.

 

Sell it. Keep it. That's the replies you'll get for asking shit like this on the intardnet.

My vote is sell it and learn to keep on top of maintenance on your next vehicle. lol

 

He continually refuses to actually do any maintenance despite knowing what needs to be done. My vote is still a vehicle with a warranty and to make sure he trades it in before that warranty runs out

 

Tbf I’ve only had it for a year and a half.

Well at least a Camry is an order of magnitude cheaper to maintain. My dad always said he never got a 4wd due to the upkeep, and I certainly understand why now.

 

At least Toyota's let you get away with that. Remember my old 96 that I lost the LBJ on at 350K? Could I have replaced them? Yep. Did I know how to replace them? Yep. Did I know it would fail? Yep. Did I want to see how far it could actually go before failure?? Yep. That answer is a long fucking way. lol

 

It depends what you count as maintenance. I think of that as mostly fluid changes, not rebuilding/replacing half the vehicle.

Admittedly I did neglect to grease the u joints when I got it, which might’ve bought them some more time.

 

If nothing else at least you make me laugh. Can't make this shit up. Well you can, but I couldn't have haha. Every vehicle is expensive to maintain if you're incapable of doing any of it yourself. Mechanics don't work for free. Get a rack changed or front axle seal replaced in a Camry or a Corolla, it's just like the truck. Maybe you should keep the truck, at least I'll continue to have a laugh.

 

3rd gen Camrys especially seem to thrive on neglect. My 96 was almost free to operate when I had it back in 2017.

 

Well parts must be cheaper or something, cause whenever my Forester went in to the shop it was hundreds instead of thousands. My Camry never needed anything other than gas and a few oil top ups.

 

Like I said, hilarious. I'm glad I'm not mechanically helpless, I'd be more sunken in debt than the Titanic with all my vehicles apparently haha. Well good luck, I hope you find that magical 30 yr old entirely maintenance free vehicle you're convinced exists. If for no reason other than to lower @Kwikvette's blood pressure.

 

All we've done is move this insanity from one thread to another.

I too have mentioned many times getting a newer vehicle with warranty, then you have 1,000 reasons why you shouldn't.

Then we've mentioned why you should fix your truck, and another 1,000 reasons why you haven't.

Let's not forget the additional 1,000 questions you have when a part is suggested, and you turn a steering rack into a whole separate conversation.

I'll admit, it's comical really. I've never met anyone that was truly insane. I mean, I've lost my marbles long ago but you definitely take the cake.

 

#mentalhealth

 

Nick, I almost want to take you to a bar, where I wouldn't even have to say a damn thing and you'll just throw out anything and everything that worries you

We'd be there passed closing

Definitely not something you should do smoking with someone though, that kind of paranoia/high would be way too messed up for anyone to handle