It took me almost 3 years to get my 2000 crew cab running right. I knew the cab corners were getting bad, but after this winter, the cab corners, rocker panels and front lower doors have accelerated rust. I just got a rust thru hole in the cab corner, same with rear drivers rocker. It's enough to make a grown man whine!

Here is my dilemma. I have limited body work experience,, no tools , no welder and either no time or no money throughout the year. I have thought about buying the patch panels, sheet metal and slowly teaching myself how to cut out the rust and use adhesive to adhere the new metal. I would probably rust proof and spray the rockers and cab corners myself. The doors I would have painted I figure on the cheap, I could do this for $1500 or pay someone approximately $4000 and I would have a nicer truck....OR

I was thinking of finding a rust free southern cab with doors, prep it, have someone spray it to match the rest of the truck. I am a little worried about swapping the dash and electrical components. I have access to a hydraulic lift. I don't know what this will cost, but I figure $3000 for cab, doors and paint and my time to go fetch it. Basically close to $4000. OR..

try to find a 2wd crew cab with a great body and swap out the body onto my truck. I'm guessing $4000 give or take.

What do you all think and where can i find what I'm looking for? Do you think I'm nuts for trying to do this for under $5000 and to a 14 year old truck? Every time I look at a newer to new f250 crew cab, its 25k and up.

 

i would look at auction sites for a clean high mileage truck. they usually go for under $1000, and if they don't run even cheaper.
i bought a 03 2wd crew cab F350 with blown engine and stripped dash for $200, and paid $500 to have it delivered from out of state.
after i took what i wanted off it i sold what was left for $900

 

Thanks Tom! What auction sites have you used? How clean was the truck that you picked up? I appreciate the input.

 

the crew cab i got through iron planet: IronPlanet - Used Heavy Construction Equipment - Auction - Backhoes Dozers Excavators Farm Tractors - Caterpillar John Deere Case Komatsu for sale
they do a lot of mine sales and construction contractors.
i also buy a lot through usgovbid.com not sure if us gov bid is just an east coast thing or not though.
we get a lot of good deals from the state of Delaware.
last year got a 6 year old street sweeper that was $145,000 new for $4,300. all it needed was 4 batteries. it sat for 5 years, and only had 2100 miles on it. in december we picked up a 2002 dodge 3500 gas engine 4X4 with snow plow and 56,000 miles on it for $2,100.
got an 4 year old asphalt roller with 300 hrs on it for $16,000. new it would be close to $80,000