Well, here we go again. I told myself I’d chill—no more big projects. Just finish what I have. But somehow, this absolute unit of a truck ended up in my camera roll… and now it’s in my head.
It’s a tow truck. Rusty. Rough. Manual. Non-turbo 7.3 IDI diesel. Sitting in a field for two years. The bed frame rail is Swiss cheese. And yet—my brain won’t shut up about it.
On one side, I’m thinking, “This is going to be the most Midwest-JDM-inspired tow rig anyone’s ever seen.”
On the other side, I’m like, “Dude, you need sleep. And money. And sanity.”
So now I’m putting it in your hands. Yep. You. The plan is to let Instagram decide my fate. But first, let’s talk through what this disaster would actually take.
So Here’s the Deal.
I’m leaving the decision up to you. I’ll post a poll on Instagram, and the results will determine whether I drag this thing home or walk away with my dignity. But first, let’s lay it all out—because if I’m going down, I want you to know exactly what I’m getting into.
“Rough” Would Be Generous
This thing’s been parked in a field long enough for the grass to claim ownership. The frame under the bed is toast—fully rotted through. But I’m not new to fabrication. I used to weld railroad equipment. Thick steel is my comfort zone. Sure, the price of steel has gone up. Sure, it’ll take time. But the frame’s fixable. That’s not what scares me.
The hydraulics? That’s what scares me. I work around hydraulic systems daily. I’ve seen a coworker dump five gallons of Purple Power into a 150-gallon tank by mistake and rack up a $25,000 bill fixing it. If this system is shot, that’s not a weekend fix. That’s bankruptcy.
Best-case scenario: it’s overbuilt and weatherproof. Worst case: I buy a 10,000-pound leaking truck with speed holes.
The Slowest Thing with a Clutch
It’s got a manual—five speeds of ‘murica. And a naturally aspirated 7.3 IDI diesel.
Yes, the Ford 7.3. But not the turbo one. This is the prehistoric version. We’re talking 120–140 horsepower and 370-ish torque in a 10k-pound rig. For reference, a bone-stock NA 2JZ makes more power.
Will it start? Maybe. It “ran when parked.” Diesel does store better than gas, so a filter change and some fresh fuel might do the trick. If it does I’d have to spend the $2,500 to turbo the 7.3 just to bring it up to early 2000s tow rig performance. It’s still not going to win races, but at least it won’t be a rolling road hazard.
Fun fact: It would probably get the same MPG towing as my LX570. So hey, efficiency?
Creature Comforts & Compromises
If I do this, I have to make it livable. HVAC has to be solid. My wife has already made it clear: no AC, no deal. Bluetooth? Mandatory.
Seats? They’re shredded. I might toss in some JDM seats to complete the hauler vibe or just do covers to get by. The floorboard has a hole. But again—I’ve got a welder.
It also needs a DOT inspection, cable checks, and a full run-through of the mechanicals. Nothing unexpected for something this old; just lots of nickel-and-dime stuff that snowballs fast.
Midwest JDM Hauler Vibes
Let’s dream for a second. Picture this thing dumped on air. Clean welds. Refinished bed. Custom tilt kit for a 3–5 degree load angle. JDM wheels. Some livery from a long-lost Option video. Maybe even a lift-off bed with side skirts. It’s got that vibe. The “I rolled up at Final Bout like a boss” energy.
Would it be easy? Hell no.
Would it be cheap? Definitely not.
Would it be one-of-one and stop people in their tracks? 1000%.
Reality Check: Is It Worth It?
Let’s talk numbers. Best case, I’m $20,000 in before this thing is even painted. That’s a huge investment.
But it’s also an opportunity to build something truly unique. A project that blends fabrication, function, and flair. Something nobody else at the track will have.
So the question is:
Do I sink $20K into a dream with leaf springs and rust holes… or save my “new project” pass for something with a little less baggage?
You tell me.
Hit the poll on my Instagram, drop a comment, and cast your vote. I’m putting my fate in your hands.
And if this goes sideways—well, at least we’ll have something to talk about.
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