Trying to make a plan.. Could use advice

[Tolson93]

As some of you may know I have asked so many questions , and have had so many issues.. I think that's finally coming to a stand still. (Knock on wood)

But I've been thinking and I do love my truck, even though it's in rough shape with rust , had needed so much work done, little things are going on it.. But it almost motivates me to keep it and keep throwing money at it since I'm almost 5,000$ into it..

So I was trying to figure out what would be best to do ? My ultimate goal is to have no rust, no issues, lifted and bigger tires .. But I know that will be thousands of dollars and many years before its completed..

Any advice? My current issues are pinion bearing in the front I believe cause there's play in the front driveshaft and it leaking up there.

Burn oil around 3 quarts 3000 miles give or take.. Just plan on driving it this way for now until it goes or can get to the bottom of the issue.

Also, need some rear shocks.
A/c only seemed to work when I was moving and started to blow warm when stopped.
Horn doesn't sound right (not a huge issue)
Also some minor things like one heated mirror doesn't seem to work, abs and brake light comes on randomly, cruise doesn't like to work sometimes..

On the other hand, some things I WANT to do is...
New front bumper mines dented
New bed and tailgate since they're rusted
Cab corners
Passenger front fender has couple real small dents
Probably rocker panels.
Want to re gear it 4.10 or 4.56s
Cai
Run different rims and bigger tires
Tuner (from what I read they do help)
Better exhaust (just have a 18" glasspack currently swapped for stock muffler)
Lift it 6"
Would love to build a stronger engine. Different cam, bore it out? Just make it stronger than the stock , I want to do that since I burn oil and it could be rings. So maybe find a engine and slowly buy parts and build it the way I want and swap it in when my current one is too tired or needs a rebuild

Well there's the lists of needs and wants.. My main question is, how would you guys prioritize that? I mean the pinion bearing and seals probably should be done first I assume. But after I get that fixed what would be best to attack next? Body or the lift and drivetrain things? I'm making a plan to start putting money away to eventually work towards this goal any input would be appreciated. I'll upload pics of my truck so you all can see how the old hemi looks.

Thanks



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[RonJon '06]

I guess the big question is whether or not this is the truck you want to build. If the body isn't in great shape and it has a lot of mechanical issues the it might be better to put just enough money into it to keep it running and save up for something else. If you decide this is the truck you want to keep then I would definitely address mechanical/drive train problems before doing anything cosmetic.

I don't know how accurate this is but I talked to a dealer service mgr about restoring old rusty vehicles and he said it costs around 5K to have the body looking like new again.

 

[Tolson93]

Yeah I mean I like the vehicle and by the time it's paid off.. Won't be worth what I'll have into it so I am thinking at that point just to keep it. Plus I'll know the history and if I got into another used vehicle it could be another lemon for all I know. Guess maybe take it slow and fix and Do what I can when I can and see what happens.


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[MADDOG]

I'd do a "radiator cap" mod....

Pull the radiator cap off the truck, pull a new one under it, install the cap and move on.