94 6.5L Blazer, what's it worth?

[scottm]

First post since 2013. How have you been getting along without me?

In 2014 I came across a deal on a 94 Blazer 4x4 not running. It has been sitting in my yard untouched ever since. Rats chewed up some wiring and vacuum lines. It is missing some things but I'm not sure what. I have never tried to turn it over with the starter, so I have no idea how healthy it is. It can't be too healthy or it would not have been parked. I'm debating whether to sell it as is or spend possibly months and big $ working on it. It is a rare combination - Wiki says only 4/10s of 1 percent were ordered with the diesel. I have seen them go for over $20k on ebay, or at least they did 3-4 years ago.

So what to do? This weekend I'm going to pull the oil plug and hope there's no water or chunks. Then hook up a battery and spin it. If it has compression then I keep going. I'm just worried about getting all the solenoids and relays and crap hooked back up right. My question is what do you guys think it's worth. 216k miles, paint is typical mid-90s flaking-off white, interior is complete but dry rotting. First year of the electronic Stanadyne injection, OBD1. With this many miles, it is past due for an injection pump and injectors, at the least.

Value:
As is
Barely running and driving
Running and driving well, still needing paint/interior

Scott

[DmaxMaverick]

10 years is a lifetime for a vehicle that doesn't move. Actually, a death-time. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the older trucks, but without constant attention to details and proper care and storage, they deteriorate very quickly, and often permanently. As much as I would like to restore my 1985, it isn't going to happen. That's a tough one for me to take. 600K+ miles, it's lived a long and productive life, but it isn't coming back. I owned it since new, so here it sits.

As-is or barely running, donate it and take the tax write-off. Donate to a kids hospital or veterans, if you do, please.

It won't be running and driving well, before you spend more than it's worth. I'm not sure I would even try, as-is. If you see evidence of rats/rodents, it's done. Short of a complete wire harness and every piece of soft material they can reach, and what you can't see, you're just as likely to set it on fire when you put power to it. Been there. Done that. In my driveway, 20' from my house. They will have been in the HVAC ducts, and if there is ANY evidence they've been in the cabin, that will double your efforts and expenses. Most parts you will need you will get from someone else's wreck that's been sitting for who knows how long, if you find them, at all.

Like any similar resto job, the end product will cost far more than what it will be worth. If you want a similar Blazer, spend whatever you might have on a restore job on a working vehicle w/o all the baggage. You'll be money ahead, and minus the headaches. If there's someone else, whose doing something similar (paying for a vehicle that will be worth 1/3 the investment), and needs your parts, get what you can out of it, and be happy as it's hauled away.

....Or, entertain the romance of a resto, and throw in your wallet, as well as a chunk of your retirement savings.