My '97 xlt 4cyl needs some exterior reconditioning (some interior too). I've been neglecting the **** out of it pretty much since I bought it ('05) except for the required repairs and engine maintenance stuff. Kept telling myself "whatever, its your beater, who cares what it looks like" (i've got a mustang in the garage that gets pampered like a queen in comparison).

Anyway, popped a rear brake line leak the other day and got me thinking about how much I actually like this truck and don't want to get rid of it. It still only has 58k or so on it (I bought it with 49k for a couple grand) so it deserves to be held onto a bit longer.

primary exterior concerns are:
1) Paint: got rust coming up all over and the entire body looks like it got into a fight with some 10-ton cat--scratches everywhere. Should I just sand these spots (there're alot of them), prime and paint them with a spray can, or should try and see if I can get a cheap full paint job from a body shop?

2) Chrome/bumpers/front grill: just about everything that used to be "chrome" is now chipping and looks like crap. I was thinking maybe trying to get new bumpers and front grill from a salvage yard. What model years are bolt-on w/ no modding req'd? (I can't weld). Or is there another alternative to dealing with the chrome parts?

suggestions are welcome. (I'm already working on the brake line issue)

~Mo

 

I painted my grill gloss black on my 93 it looks way better than the cheesy chrome that was chipped up anyways

 

picssssssss plz

 

Sorry for the delay
Keep in mind this was a 30 minute job. I got the truck for practically nothing and just wanted to get rid of the faded gray crap. I polished up the headlights with a powerball and mag wheel polish they were very yellow.