Well, it happened again. More rusted lines

2004 v10 with 230K miles. Really been the best truck ever. It has not had an easy life. Six kids, vacations, and a wife whose version of car maintenance is to leave it in the rain ti wash it. But in the last year transmission lines rusted - replaced those, rear diff leaked - fixed that. One running board rusted off on the rear mounting point. Took it to the shop and they said there was not enough metal to weld it back on - for a reasonable price. Decided if anything else went I was going to be done with it.

Then the brake lines rusted. New brakes, one rear caliper, master cylinder and 4 rotors/pads later was back in business. I said if anything else happened I was going to get rid of it.

Got back from vacation to a large oil spill in the driveway. Diagnosis - rusted out power steering line.

Car is not sitting in the driveway as I debate the future. Engine is perfect - tans is prefect. One side of me says if I fix this then there is nothing else to go wrong. The other side says no reserve ebay auction. With the new tires and everything I have probably put $3000 into her in the last year. Oh - and the AC lines look they are going to go next.

Just venting and debating my future.

 

How much per month to keep it running vs a newer vehicle payment? Sounds like typical old vehicle problems.

I have about $2000 worth of parts sitting/on the way to install. I think I will have a nicer vehicle when I am done than I would want to buy otherwise. I hope to have a solid vehicle for quite a few months after replacing everything from the axle out on the front end, full new front and rear brakes, steering linkage, nickle/copper brake lines, stainless brake lines and the upcoming red head buy. Probably won't be able to swing the towing mirrors for a few months, but we will see. That's about 4 months of a newer small car monthly payments. I haven't spent hardly any money on it since last fall. I think I am still doing pretty good. Plus, it isn't a small car.

 

That's where it gets complicated. I have all well used cars that sometimes take a lot of money to keep going. I just put $7000 into a 2008 BMW with 140,000 miles. But as I always tell my wife and kids it's much cheaper to repair something than buy something new.

But we no longer really "need" the excursion. My wife won't let the kids drive it - she claims it's too big. It sits most of the time - except in the summer when all the kids are home - my wife will sometimes drive it so a kid can have her car. I drive it in the winter when the weather is bad. We do drive it when go somewhere with all the kids (there are six of them).

But it may be cheaper to get a ford focus - get better gas mileage, no repairs, and everyone can drive it. And just use two cars when we all go places.

If I knew this was going to be the last repair I would do it. But I just feeling like I am going down the rabbit hole.

 

Location? 1234

 

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I am in Akron, Ohio - part of the rust belt

not sure what 1234 is?

 

I have to have 10 characters to post, the 1234 is just so I can post the message Update your profile and someone in the area might be able to help you.

 

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and put on a new steering box and new lines. I have been looking for an excuse to get some new tools.

Now the question is autozine stuff and hope for a year or two or get OEM lines and the red box or what ever its called steering box.

 

I know that feel.

Check out my manifold thread on the first page.

My problem is I took out a small loan to pay cash for my truck last year. I've been paying it off pretty quickly, as planned, but I seem to be working on it more than I am paying on it.

 

Just a follow up if anyone cares. Wife said get rid of the Ex and wants an Infinity qx80. About $70. Payments of about $1000/month.

The Ex is getting new lines and a new steering box (thanks to the group buy) - I looked at Autozone, but every review said don't bother.

Guess my hands are going to get a little dirty, and if I get a few more months out of her I am still ahead.

 

There is a place called A1 Truck Parts in Ohio right now they have anything you could need for an Ex or Super Duty. I live just south of Columbus. They are on C list just put in Super Duty in parts.

 

Is that the lease payment on those?