Need some advice on 71 C10
 

First of all if this is in the wrong section or the Mods need to remove this I understand, also a little bit of a long read so I apologize in advance.

Currently I am disabled due to a few autoimmune diseases, and lack the energy to really take care of this truck anymore. I also have a dilemma, my 71 c10 has a transmission problem; a few leaks ranging from the shift linkage, to the Speedo casing and real seal… just about everything is leaking except for the front seal. The cheapest estimate I got was just to rebuild the transmission at around $800 (with a mild shift kit included). I REALLY DO NOT want to get rid of this truck, but I think that I might end up having to bite the bullet I was wondering if you guys could help me out. I was thinking that if need be I sell my truck as is or do I spend the money to fix it up. In the long run I believe I might have to let it go eventually…

So I was wondering what you think it is worth now versus how much it would be worth after fixing the problems.

-Thanks in advance!!
There are a few pros and cons with the truck….
•Rebuilt motor with around ~20,000 miles
•Mild cam –(old school term 3/4 cam)
•Edelbrock Intake
•Edelbrock Thunder Series 1806 carb
•2-inch drop spindles
•Airbags on the rear
•Long tube headers
•Has A/C but compressor is not installed
•Transmission leaks...
•Carpet got wet so I had to remove it
•Body molding removed but holes not patched
•Has few surface rust issues but not cancerous rust

http://i.imgur.com/uXlsFMIl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/K4txwSrl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Jz2YKXxl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kjBJL3Cl.jpg
my attempt at customizing gauges
http://i.imgur.com/OU1deq7l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WVXYTZal.jpg
Bucket seats out of mystery GM donor, though I know the color is Carmine
http://i.imgur.com/L52sln9l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sHXG99ol.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FMT3uw3l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4D6lxWil.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SYCyv4Gl.jpg

Again sorry for being so long but wanted to be thorough.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

bump

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

NADA says $7330, but I doubt you would get that.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...ide-LWB/Values

I'm guessing around $3500 - $4000 as she sits (assuming everything runs right, etc). I think you would increase the value, or at least make it easier to sell, by hooking up the a/c as opposed to fiddling with the tranny. Pensacola gets rather warm. My wife loves our truck (We live over in NOLA) but prefers not to ride in it when it's hot out. Give the wife one less thing to complain about and the husband may be able to get away with buying it.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

thanks! yeah I need to hook the a/c back up but I am not sure if it is already converted to R-34.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

Sorry to hear about your predictament. I would advise shopping around for someone to reseal the trans. If the front seal isnt leaking, it can all be done in the truck. $800 is more along the lines of a trans rebuild, imo. Or at the least, a remove reseal teplace, but too much to reseal in the truck.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

I just re read and saw it was $800 to rebuild. Why rebuild if its just leaking? If it shifts fine then you are looking at about $50-$100 tops for parts. Even a novice could replace the trans filter and pan gasket as well as remove the drivshaft and replace the rear seal in an afternoon, without a lift, so i would say another $100-$150 tops for labor.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

I think the mechanic told me that by the time you replaced all the seals with labor involved I was looking at around $500, but he was saying that with the rebuilt motor and the transmission being original, the best bet would be to just rebuild it.

an added note is that it leaks a lot, even when parked. I usually have to add a quart of transmission fluid before I leave my house, roughly after a ~10 mile trip the gears start slipping and its time for another refill...

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

Ummm... Okay. Just my opinion, but obviously a trans shop is in the business to rebuild trannys and make money. Resealing a trans wont make any money. I am still ofthe opinion that if it works fine when fluid level is up, then it just needs re sealing. .

Imo you would be better off just selling it as is and telling potential buyers it needs resealing in the least. You will never get your additional $800 back.
Anyone else care to offer ther opinion? I dont see it.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

Do you have any friends who coul help you out by resealing the trans? IMO its worth trying to reseal the trans before spending the money on a rebuild.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

sadly no I don't have any friends in the area that could help me reseal the trans. I was not sure that if I dumped $800 to rebuild it, that I would see a return if I sold the truck.

Get what I am saying?

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

2 grand tops.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

"
Imo you would be better off just selling it as is and telling potential buyers it needs resealing in the least. You will never get your additional $800 back. "

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

X2

I cant tell for sure. Is it a lwb or swb? Youll get a little more if swb.

I have never bought a vehicle in primer. Too much to possibly be hiding under there.

Re: Need some advice on 71 C10
 

Thanks for all your answers! Definitely gave me a lot to think about

It is a lwb with the factory toolbox option, not sure if those came on certain models or if you could get them with any package.