Is it worth it???

[ilmudrunner]

I might be able to get a complete gray interior for my truck this weekend. It's out of a '89 gmc sierra. If it's in good shape what's the most I should be paying for it?

My other question isn't really an interior question but...is it worth it? should i spend the time and money to swap a gray interior into my truck? i also want to swap my 5 speed trans for a 700R4 auto trans....should i just put the stock tires and wheels back on my truck and sell it to buy a truck that already has the gray interior and auto trans?? or should i keep what i got?

[Loopie]

Depends on the overall condition of your truck.
If your interior is red...then ANY effort to change it is worth it:)
Replacing a stick with an auto is easier than putting a stick into an original auto vehicle.

[Old77]

I'd keep the truck and do the work! It's more fun for one thing and you'll also be prouder of it! What year is your truck and what is the current color of the interior?

[ilmudrunner]

thats what i was thinkin. i just wanted some reassurance (sp?) that i was doing the right thing. my truck is a 1990. heres some pics of it too. not too bad....needs some work but, i've already put so much work into it, i think it would be too hard to sell it. lol



http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/s2autopilot/DSC04197.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c258/s2autopilot/DSC04199.jpg

but how much is a decent complete interior worth? i'd like to have an idea of how much to offer the guy who might be sellin it.

[Old77]

First off, that is a really clean lookin '90! I'd definitely keep it and do what you want to it!!

Anywho, IMO I'd say a complete interior assuming that it's in good shape and includes seats, dash, door panels and carpet plus trim pieces I'd say in the neighborhood of $700 to $1000. I'm not sure if that's high or not but I know that seats alone if they are in good used shape usually run $250 or so by themselves. I'd probably offer him $600 or $700 for the whole shibang(once again assuming it's all there and in good shape) and see what he says. The worst he can tell you is no and give you a higher asking price. That's just my 2 cents worth.

[BlazerBax]

Here's another option...

Instead of paying 6-700 for a used interior, why not have your seat covered, door panels covered, order brand new carpet, and spray the plastic peices down with stock colored interior color (not glossy).

I had two buckets, a rear bench and both door panels, and rear panels done in my blazer for around $850. I can only imagine 1 bench, and two door panels will be MUCH cheaper, and you'll have room to mess with the rest.

Again, just a thought.....but it will be new.

[BlazerBax]

Here's another option...

Instead of paying 6-700 for a used interior, why not have your seat covered, door panels covered, order brand new carpet, and spray the plastic peices down with stock colored interior color (not glossy).

I had two buckets, a rear bench and both door panels, and rear panels done in my blazer for around $850. I can only imagine 1 bench, and two door panels will be MUCH cheaper, and you'll have room to mess with the rest.

Again, just a thought.....but it will be new.

[g0dl355]

holy god get some tint
nice looking truck but tint that bitch out

[ilmudrunner]

Thanks for the compliment, old77!

Here's another option...

Instead of paying 6-700 for a used interior, why not have your seat covered, door panels covered, order brand new carpet, and spray the plastic peices down with stock colored interior color (not glossy).

I had two buckets, a rear bench and both door panels, and rear panels done in my blazer for around $850. I can only imagine 1 bench, and two door panels will be MUCH cheaper, and you'll have room to mess with the rest.

Again, just a thought.....but it will be new.

I thought about doing that as well. I think i might just try and get the door panels, cab harness if its got power windows and door locks and the seat...depending on what style seat it is. Then buy some good vinyl dye and try to dye my red stuff to match the factory gray. It would probably be much cheaper and hopefully look just as good.

holy god get some tint
nice looking truck but tint that bitch out

lol...i tried to tint my back window a couple weeks ago. that didn't turn out so well, but i think i'm going to try again before i take it somewhere to get it done. o i might just buy a sliding rear window that's got the factory tint and get the sides to match. dont know yet...i gotta prioritize my mods...it all takes $$$ that i don't always have lol

[Old77]

How hard is it to dye something from red to grey?? I'd say that'll take several coats, right?

[jimbo92]

stick to auto...your crazy man

[FordeatinZ71]

sweet lookin truck! my opinion i'd keep the stick but the interior change will really improve the looks of the truck...

[ilmudrunner]

i'm still debating the tranny swap...each one has its ups and downs. i might try a short throw shifter first.

[SuperJfunk]

holy god get some tint
nice looking truck but tint that bitch out

Holy god get a newer rig, both of you. In my opinion, pouring cash into a 1990ish truck just isn't worth it, get something worth spending money on, not something you're going to perpetually be settling for. How often do you hear someone saying, DAMN, I wish I had my old beater right now...unless you're beating the crap out of it, in which case...who cares about tint and interior???

P.S. reservations about doing things (selling a truck) due to work already put in are also not productive. It's called a sunk cost, money or time that is already spent and used, you can never get it back, so basically you are at ground zero no matter how much time and money you have put in, your returns really don't change, unless it substantially raises your property or monitary return on the deal...ie resale value.

[Old77]

Holy god get a newer rig, both of you. In my opinion, pouring cash into a 1990ish truck just isn't worth it, get something worth spending money on, not something you're going to perpetually be settling for. How often do you hear someone saying, DAMN, I wish I had my old beater right now...unless you're beating the crap out of it, in which case...who cares about tint and interior???

P.S. reservations about doing things (selling a truck) due to work already put in are also not productive. It's called a sunk cost, money or time that is already spent and used, you can never get it back, so basically you are at ground zero no matter how much time and money you have put in, your returns really don't change, unless it substantially raises your property or monitary return on the deal...ie resale value.

Some of us like our "old" trucks and feel more satisfied about having a really NICE older truck rather than a nice newer truck. Anyone can have a truck that is in good shape when the truck is only 3 or 4 years old but it's rare to have a nice truck that is 10 years old or older!! It's just a matter of taste and if I owned the truck in question I'd definitely spend the money on fixing up the interior. I'm about do a interior revamp on my 95 for the same reason. There's nothing like the feeling of someone coming up to you and amazed at how clean your old truck is because the majority of them are beat to hell by now and you don't see many clean one's running around.

[BlazerBax]

Holy god get a newer rig, both of you. In my opinion, pouring cash into a 1990ish truck just isn't worth it, get something worth spending money on, not something you're going to perpetually be settling for. How often do you hear someone saying, DAMN, I wish I had my old beater right now...unless you're beating the crap out of it, in which case...who cares about tint and interior???

P.S. reservations about doing things (selling a truck) due to work already put in are also not productive. It's called a sunk cost, money or time that is already spent and used, you can never get it back, so basically you are at ground zero no matter how much time and money you have put in, your returns really don't change, unless it substantially raises your property or monitary return on the deal...ie resale value.

So dumping 25-30k on a new truck isn't throwing money away?

[Old77]

Paying 25-30k on something that'll be worth about half that in less than 2 years is more than throwing money away. You might as well just burn it and roast some marshmellows over the fire!!

[SuperJfunk]

So dumping 25-30k on a new truck isn't throwing money away?

Yup, buying anything new is worthless. In fact, manufacturers should just stop selling new vehicles alltogether, and only sell used. Build em, beat em up and then sell em....

I'd prefer something that doesn't leave me stranded at the most inopportune time. Have fun buying parts.

[Old77]

To many on here, though, the 88-98 body style is their favorite body style so they'd rather keep that clean and mod it how they want it rather than buy a newer truck. My personal fave is the 73-87 myself but the 88-98 is a close second.

[Old77]

Yup, buying anything new is worthless. In fact, manufacturers should just stop selling new vehicles alltogether, and only sell used. Build em, beat em up and then sell em....

Have fun buying parts.

Definitely NOT my point. Myself, though, I will never buy a brand new truck again unless I can lay down cash for that truck. Truck payments are a way to stay broke and never find financial stability so it's just not for me.

[ilmudrunner]

Some of us like our "old" trucks and feel more satisfied about having a really NICE older truck rather than a nice newer truck. Anyone can have a truck that is in good shape when the truck is only 3 or 4 years old but it's rare to have a nice truck that is 10 years old or older!! It's just a matter of taste and if I owned the truck in question I'd definitely spend the money on fixing up the interior. I'm about do a interior revamp on my 95 for the same reason. There's nothing like the feeling of someone coming up to you and amazed at how clean your old truck is because the majority of them are beat to hell by now and you don't see many clean one's running around.

well put, old77.

[BlazerBax]

Yup, buying anything new is worthless. In fact, manufacturers should just stop selling new vehicles alltogether, and only sell used. Build em, beat em up and then sell em....

I'd prefer something that doesn't leave me stranded at the most inopportune time. Have fun buying parts.

Did someone pee in your cheerios this morning? Everything that you have added to this thread (which is nothing) has been nothing short of prickish.

Having a 'new' vehicle isn't a guarantee that you won't be left stranded at the most inopportune time either. If I have to buy a couple hundred dollars worth of parts every six months, I will. We get to drive the style of truck we prefer, not have a monthly payment, and get from point A to point B just like everyone else.

[churd69]

Back on topic here for you, it's probably not worth it to sink a bunch of money on replacing the interior. My brother had some nasty tan interior in his car and bought this spray on dye that made the seats black, looks great. He has had to do some touch up, but the stuff cost him like less then $50. Then i would dye the rest of the interior to match.

P.S. I would pay someone to tint the windows, it shouldn't cost that much and you should get some kind of warranty. I'd also get some clear turns and tint the taillights black and get black rims instead, just my .02. Truck looks to be in really good shape, i am sure you will appreciate anything you fix up on it.

-Rich

[danny7481]

Yup, buying anything new is worthless. In fact, manufacturers should just stop selling new vehicles alltogether, and only sell used. Build em, beat em up and then sell em....

I'd prefer something that doesn't leave me stranded at the most inopportune time. Have fun buying parts.


you dont think a new one cant leave you stranded? just because its new dont mean something cant break.

[SuperJfunk]

you dont think a new one cant leave you stranded? just because its new dont mean something cant break.

Oh no they can. I've been stranded once with my 04, but to the contrary I've been left several times by my 91 in the last few years I drove it as a driver, and not due to disrepair or improper maintanence, things start to age, fatigue, and they break, that's the way it goes. The cold up here doesn't help either. I'd PREFER to reduce chances when driving 150 miles from town in -30 degree weather.

As far as replacing your interrior, i'd still say no, not worth it. That body style was very popular, and down where you're at I wouldn't think it'd be very difficult to find one that's more to your liking. If you're hell bent on keeping it though, check around for wrecked rigs. I believe it was 95 when Chevy upgraded the interriors in that body style, which would definitely give your ride a unique touch, and there's a good chance you could strip one at a junkyard for a reasonable cost.

[ilmudrunner]

ok....well to end any argument here...trucks break down sometimes. it doesn't matter if they're old or new. sh*t happens and there's nothing you can do about it.

all i know is that my truck runs just as good as any new truck on the road. i'm an apprentice technician and i keep up on ALL of my maintenance meticulously. i do a lot of driving and i'm not afraid of my truck breaking down anywhere. i have no doubt that it can go as far as i need it to and then some. point being, you don't have to give up on a truck just because it's old. i like my truck and i'm going to keep it. its a good fixer-upper and i like that. i've basically decided that to me, fixing up the interior (and anything else on my truck) is plenty worth it. i pride myself in the work i put into my stuff. i think its cool to take an old, beat up truck and turn it around into a really clean, nice, old truck. i'm done ranting now...i just had to get my thoughts in on that.

[ilmudrunner]

ok....well to end any argument here...trucks break down sometimes. it doesn't matter if they're old or new. sh*t happens and there's nothing you can do about it.

all i know is that my truck runs just as good as any new truck on the road. i'm an apprentice technician and i keep up on ALL of my maintenance meticulously. i do a lot of driving and i'm not afraid of my truck breaking down anywhere. i have no doubt that it can go as far as i need it to and then some. point being, you don't have to give up on a truck just because it's old. i like my truck and i'm going to keep it. its a good fixer-upper and i like that. i've basically decided that to me, fixing up the interior (and anything else on my truck) is plenty worth it. i pride myself in the work i put into my stuff. i think its cool to take an old, beat up truck and turn it around into a really clean, nice, old truck. i'm done ranting now...i just had to get my thoughts in on that.