New chevy guy. The big decision

[joebeetle]

Hey guys,
Im new to this scene so any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Heres the low down. I am usually a honda and vw guy, never figured I couldnt afford a chevy build. Well I want to get my cousin a truck of this model for his graduation and do a semi rebuild. The thing is I have no idea what to look for or what years are better to get parts. long bed vs. short. all that. I am basically going to put all i get from the sale of my bug into this truck and take it as far as i can. so any advice is GREATLY appreciated! Hope this all makes sense. I will be selling my bug next weekend and then looking to purchase. Thanks a million

[bumslie75]

Welcome, I would have to say is go with a short bed.

[joebeetle]

Thanks Bumslie, yeah it seems from what I have seen so far that the short beds are more popular. Some stuff I forgot to mention is I have a buddy that knows how to build these engines. He hasn't done one in a while so he's unsure how much it would cost. Would it be a good idea for me to find one that needs to be rebuilt or one that runs well. Also I have another buddy that is gonna help me with painting it. Lastly I want to lower it, not slammed but a nice low stance.
Thanks again guys

[joebeetle]

Trench, I am just looking at a nice clean stock look, with the exception of lowering it and rims, maybe ss rims. It is going to be a d.d. around town. Around here there are alot of low to mid 80's available.

[85Bowtie]

I always liked the front ends on the '85-'87, but all years look great.

A short bed definitely has more value based on demand.

I personally don't like stepsides all that much, but they probably are the most wanted.

They're all easy to get parts for and modify, if you want an expensive thrill and total lack of available parts then go buy a pre-'72 Mopar . But a newer truck, late 70's up, is going to be a little better bodywise. GM had some serious rust issues prior to '78 or so and starting really fixing them in the early 80's.

[trenchwarfare]

It depends on what look you like, what you will use it for and what's available in your area. I's suggest browsing the build forums. I personally like the early grill, hood and fenders better than my '90 burb squarebody.

[84 400]

shorty will cost alot more. You can pick up a nice long bed for cheap money and it might already have things you want done to it. Check out you local cregslist for truck in your area. With the current economy people are giving great deals on really nice trucks. I like VW's as well! Welcome to the board from NH

What is your budget to buy the truck??? that would help alot.

[joebeetle]

Thanks for the info Bowtie and 400. Well my budget is gonna be around $3000-$3500. I have found a number of shorties here around $500-1500. The ones on the lower end need rebuilt engines. Thats what I'm wondering if i should pay more for a good running engine, or if affordable enough to rebuild one and add a little more power. Like I said I'm gonna do as much as I can with what I have. My cousin will finish it but I just want to make the wisest decisions so I can make it as nice as possible.

[billnorman]

Get the cleanest body you can find. Engines are cheaper and quicker than body work. Avoid rusted out floors like the plague. The internet has a lot of sources for inexpensive parts. A new grille, parking light covers, and straight bumpers improve the looks enormously. Cracked dashes can be covered with available covers and total replacements. Used engines are cheap, easy to change, and can be rattle can spray painted after pressure washing and cleaning.

[joebeetle]

Yeah thats what I was thinking BillNorman. Is there a few internet stores you could recommend so i can start pricing parts? Thanks again guys for all your help. I really appreciate it! I am leaning towards a 84 swb that is up for sale here locally.

[babyJay]

Go with an 87 shortbed, it's the first year for fuel injection.

[billnorman]

I got my new grille from a guy that does body work out of his home (for my 85) and I think I paid him $40.00 or so. I bought my parking light cover lenses from an auto supply store for about $16.00 for the pair. No shipping when you buy them locally. I lubed my window cranks and rollers and it helped immensely. I put new rubber seals around the bottom of the windows, I forget where I bought it, it really looks good, probably J.C Whitney or similar.

[joebeetle]

Hey guys, This is the truck I'm leaning towards getting. http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/1107060340.html The thing is since the post he has had the timing set, installed a new gas tank and sending unit and is asking $1200 for it. Do you think this is a pretty good deal still? Please let me know any advice. Thanks again.

[trenchwarfare]

Originally Posted by joebeetle

Hey guys, This is the truck I'm leaning towards getting. http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/1107060340.html The thing is since the post he has had the timing set, installed a new gas tank and sending unit and is asking $1200 for it. Do you think this is a pretty good deal still? Please let me know any advice. Thanks again.

I'd offer him less. Looks solid enough. Take a look and don't be afraid to go low.

[joebeetle]

Thanks Trench,
Yeah I really liked the $900 price. If weather is permitting tomorrow I might go check it out. Again just to verify with you guys I want to look for rust right? Thats a big warning sign? I never did any major body work, but my dad has been a welder for 20+ years so i know we could do some stuff. Thanks again. Oh and just to let you know what I have been up to, this is my current car. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie....php?id=767790. I loved having it, but seeing my cousin in one of these bad boys is worth it!

[bumslie75]

ya i agree start low i bought my 87 for 3300 and the guy wanted 4000 plus hey changed the oil and serviced the tranny so try to low ball it

[OrangeAnimal]

You are not asking enough for your beetle. I bought one that needed lots of work back in 97 and paid 1600 for it. It was not rusty but I ended up replacing the engine and doing alot of detail work. I ended up trading it in and they gave me 3500 towards a newer car. Worst choice I ever made. I see your car going for more like 4 or 5 thousand. I would list it on ebay. Take some better pics of it. It looks very nice and despite it's faults should pull in a good amount.

P.S. My was a 74 Super

[joebeetle]

Hey OrangeAnimal. I thought about asking more, but theres alot of things that you just dont see in the pictures that is wrong or needs to be worked on. Plus I need a quick sale so I could get this truck for my cousin. I wouldn't feel comfortable with myself asking for more knowing whats wrong with it. Grant it, the guy I am selling it to, I told him all the flaws and he still wants it so. Maybe if I ever sell my other bug I'll definitely sell for more. (its a 58 ragtop).

[bumslie75]

how did it go with that truck on craigslist the one for 1200

[OrangeAnimal]

Yeah the 58 Ragtop would be a keeper for sure Joe. I would love to have a older bug. I hear you about the condition. Sometimes the pics do not show everything. Good Luck with your search.

[joebeetle]

bumslie, I am planning on picking it up next weekend for 1000. OrangeAnimal, yeah I cant wait to get the 58 on the road. I want to do a full body off restoration on that one though. Thanks for all the advice and support guys! I appreciate all your help.

[84 400]

Great start a build up and document your progress. It is nice to have for yourself and is good reading for the rest of us.

Have fun with it

[JohnC]

Hey welcome to the board. I was just through Sallisaw last weekend. Found this on craigslist http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/cto/1128274727.html Might be worth the look since it's in town.

[joebeetle]

Hey JohnC. Were you at that car show in Roland? I drove by but didnt get a chance to stop. Yeah thats a pretty nice truck, but is out of my budget. Thanks for looking though. I appreciate it.

[JohnC]

Yeah I thought it may be a little out of the budget range, but thought it still may be worth the heads up. Like stated above the economic state make some people give out great deals on things.

Wasn't at that show. My wife and I went up to Eureka Springs, AR for a Mustang weekend. We head out I-40 to Sallisaw, and then head up 59 to Siloam Springs.