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Jim
Not trying to sound like an idiot here but have you thought about buying a used truck and even financing a portion of? I dont know your credit situation but it seems like you have a bunch of nickel and dime stuff in addition to the motor issue. Might be a better route, I dunno
I get it that a truck is ideal for the scooter. Can't get around in the scooter, trying to fit it in a compact car. A van with a ramp may work. But the real difficulty is finding a reliable one. These days, any vehicle that doesn't need a lot of work, will be expensive. I was surprised that that a working 04-08 F-150, in reasonable condition, like mine, still sells for up to $$$$$. Maybe a smaller import truck or work van could work. The parts are usually less expensive. But it will be hard to unload that 05 F-150, and recover what has already gone into it.
I agree. Engine replacement on an F-150 is expensive. Not to mention all of the other things that need to be fixed on those trucks.
There are nonprofits which accept donations of cars. They typically refurbish those cars for needy people. I would contact them to see if there are any resources for auto repair. Maybe one of them can help.
This group looks like they could help, or at least point Jim in the right direction. Talk to someone there. Maybe you could donate the truck to them, they make the repairs, then sell it back to you.
Wow, quite a few responses since this morning.
Tim., I know buying a used engine is a gamble. However, if I can get a new one from Turner's auto wrecking for $2k, I will not have to worry. Back in the mid 80's I bought a used Dodge 318 engine. I had no issues with it. However, the car I put it in, a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger fell apart around it. The K-member was replaced because it was cracked, and then after a few months the one that replaced it also became cracked. The trans was rebuilt and the same thing, less than six months later it started acting up. I was taking automotive classes at Cypress JC at the time, and except for the trans, all work was done there.
Hank. I am in this position because last year I traded my brother's 1996 Dodge Stratus in on a 2017 Dodge Charger R/T which I could not afford. My brother passed away two years ago in May. I got his car and was upgrading it, and then on a whim decided to go to Own-A-Car Fresno to see if I could afford a 2014 Dodge Challenger 100th Anniversary Edition. My credit rating back then was 718, and I had five credit cards, two of them with a limit of $2,500 had zero balances because six months prior I got approved for a loan consolidation. The Challenger was too old for a bank to finance for 72 months, so the salesman steered me to a bright red Dodge Charger R/T with a black SXT hood and loud exhaust. I hate red. But I took it for a drive, and did I mention it had the 5.7-liter Hemi in it? I was hooked. Scared the heck out of me with the acceleration, and I told myself I had to have it. Problem was that my brother's car was paid off. No payments. The Charger payments were $400 a month. Even after using three credit cards to put 5k down. So, I had to make a decision. Make credit card payments, or car payments. I chose to make the car payments because I did not want them to repossess the car. So, my 700+ credit rating fell all the way down to 400 before inching its way back up. Currently it is at 531. I have enrolled in a debt relief program which negotiates with my creditors to get a lower settlement. That costs me $320 a month.
The Charger was stolen and destroyed in a pursuit with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department back in February of this year. The full coverage insurance I had on it paid off the bank loan and gave me $1,200 towards another vehicle. That is when I found out the pandemic had raised the used car prices out of my reach. I saved for three months before finally finding the F150 for $1,800. He even lowered it to $1,500 because I was a disabled vet, and he wanted to help with the back due registration fees. The fees were originally $1,931, but the DMV clerk told me if I apply for disabled plates, she can reduce the amount due by eliminating the weight fees, and weight fee penalties. That made it $988. With the help of the Central Valley Veterans organization, (with a check to the DMV for $500) I was able to pay them.
Then I went to Red Carpet for an oil change, truck wash, and smog test. it failed smog. I bought the parts to make it pass and paid a friend's mechanics to install them. They did and tried a retest. It failed due to the clattering noises of the timing change and the CE light coming on again. They returned the truck yesterday and I paid them $295. I noticed on the receipts that they also replaced the O2 sensor, as well as the spark plugs, cam position sensor and two of the coil packs. That is when they told me it would be better to look for a used engine. Any engine under 100k should be fine I am thinking. However, they did say they could get a new one from Turners for $2k. So, I started a GoFundMe page with a $3k goal. Two thousand for the engine, nine hundred for labor to do the swap, and the extra hundred for all the GoFundMe fees.
I too have thought about throwing in the towel, but it is too late. I have too much money invested in this truck now, and with no other money to work with cannot get another truck even if I wanted to. The body on this truck is good, interior is above average, and the bed is good. It does need rear tires and a battery, and AC work, but it is already registered. Just need to pass that damned smog test.
I am not going to donate this truck. I am aware of the CAP program, but I doubt $1,200 will be enough to get the timing chains/guides replaced. I used that program to get the Ranger smogged back before I got my brother's car. Not everything that is listed in the Don't buy a 2004-2008 F150 is going to go bad on this truck. Even the guy who made the video says most if not all the problems can be fixed just by using the upgraded OEM Ford parts. Done that already with the Motorcraft spark plugs. The 4x4 switch will be replaced in time as will the crash sensor. Right now, getting it legal and reliable is my main priority. Once that is taken care of, I have plenty of time to work on the other "known issues".
As for getting a smaller pickup. I tried that. Not only was the 92 Ranger a PITA to get into and out of, the scooter lift company said it was not strong enough to put a lift in the bed. I told them I disagree, but without their recommendation the VA would not pay for it. I loved that Ranger though. Once I got it running, it was very reliable. only problem I had was with a stuck brake cylinder on the right rear wheel. Which Les Schwab fixed. So, my current plan is to pray that the GoFundMe account will actually bring in enough money to make it possible to put a new engine in it.
Hank, I have not seen O4Bradford in a long time. He did pop in once about a year or two ago, and said he was busy in real life, but that was the last I saw of him.
When you get the used motor make sure to have your mechanic put the new plugs you just bought in the new motor.
Where is the link to the Go-Fund me Jim? You might as well post it here maybe you'll get a few bucks. I donate to a couple different Veteran originations; I would rather donate to a Veteran that I know really needs it then to an origination where the management takes the first 80 to 90% and leaves the veteran with only pittance.
I forgot to mention that I have already had the talk with the mechanic about putting the new plugs and coil packs etc. on the replacement engine. I may even ask him if he can drain the oil and use the oil filter from the current one, since it was put in last month. I also found out what tires my truck came with. I looked at the door sticker and it says 255/70R-17. So, the current tires are 10mm too skinny. Have not heard from the vendor who will be installing the scooter lift. i am guessing that will happen sometime this week. I'll take a pic of it in with my scooter loaded, and then add that to the GoFundMe account so people don't think I am trying to defraud anyone.
Good morning, Tim. I received a call from Ray Fisher Pharmacy yesterday afternoon, and they will be out Thursday around 11am to install the scooter lift. They wanted me to bring the truck to them, and then bring the scooter, but I told them I don't want to drive the truck until it gets fixed. So, he called the VA for permission to come out to my apartment and do it. I'll take before and after pics when he gets here.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
