Would like some opinions on rebuilding a truck .. 1998 FLD vs 2003 Century

The Century is the one we're running right now (have been since SHTF in 2008/2009). The FLD has pretty much been sitting idle for years, although it does get started every now and then and we have moved it to various locations on our property over the years. That being said ....

The FLD needs some pretty "major" work done to it. It has 1.4 m miles on it. It's got a Detroit 12.7 Liter 60 Series 430/470 HP (DH says its set at 450). Needs an inframe, new turbo, fuel lines, new tires, shocks and some other relatively minor repairs/replacements done on it. To be honest, not really sure 100% since it hasn't been "run" in a while.

The Century has a Detroit 60 series 14 Liter engine. 515 HP. It will probably need an inframe done sometime in the relatively near future (it also has 1.4 m miles on it). The EGR cooler is cracked right now, but we're going to be fixing it asap. Just replaced the U-Joints, brakes on one of the rear axles, carrier bearings on the drive shaft, turbo actuator, Delta-P sensor, Air flow sensor (in the breather), fuel pump and fuel temperature sensor, and the air dryer (still having issues with that though) all within the last month. We're still having issues with the A/C (which has been an on-going issue for years now).

The interior on both trucks is definitely in need of an overhaul.

We're wanting to invest in rebuilding ONE of these trucks with a more customized interior (since we drive team sometimes) so that we can be a bit more comfortable. Honestly, I'm leaning more towards the FLD even with the "unknowns" since it's PRE-emissions. Either way, California is not something we're concerned with so it doesn't factor into our thought process.

I'd just like to get other people's thoughts on this.

And just in case it's relevant ... we haul flatbed for Mercer.

Let the discussion commence!

 

mnmover ... that is one of the options DH and I discussed (going with a glider kit)

RunFlat ... the FLD is DH's truck and the Century is mine (so to speak .. "we" own them both ... KWIM?) I personally prefer Century but ONLY because that's the only truck I've ever driven. DH Loves his FLD which is why it's still sitting in the parking lot. LOL

281ric - we're only interested in running one truck. I only run team with DH for part of the year (at least the last couple years). We used to run separate trucks (hence why we have 2 now) but didn't like being apart that way. At least when DH comes home I'm here and not on the other side of the country (and vice versa).

magoo68 - the 12.7L is in the FLD .. the century has a 14L. My real issue with the century is that it's got an EGR system which has caused us nothing but headaches over the years. DH has said the FLD turns totally different than the Century because the front axle on the FLD is further up than on the century. Personally, I've never driven the FLD (other than around our property) so I'm not familiar with how it turns.

baha - I agree with the lesser of two evils thought! Like I said, we've forked out THOUSANDS of dollars on the EGR system on the Century and are getting ready to have to do a couple thousand more very soon.

Thanks for the responses everyone! Look forward to reading more

 

Yeah, DH & I talked about this on the phone for a couple hours last night LOL

We're going to look into doing the FLD. Now my question is ... do an inframe or just buy a crate engine ... DH seems to think it will cost 12-13k to do an inframe on that truck. To me, that seems like one hell of a lot of money to spend! LOL