Your thoughts on a truck

[i82much]

Hi all,

I am in the market for an older truck to use as a hunting rig. I found the attached on craigslist from a drier area of the country, the guy is asking 3500 and says the truck runs fine, 4x4 works, says it needs tires, wanders on the highway, and the blinker doesn't work.

Can I just get some initial impressions from you on this truck, just the first sort of thoughts that pop into your heads when you look at this guy? I know there is no substitute for seeing the truck in person. I am pretty good with old cars (have a 65 GTO) but I don't specifically know much about these old trucks. One big concern I have is parts availability - you can practically build a classic GTO from aftermarket parts these days. I don't have any plans for modifications, if it functions more or less as original I am fine with the likely exception of adding a dual-stage master cylinder for safety reasons and possibly disc brakes.

I guess my main question is this - if I buy this thing, are chances pretty good I'll get my $3500 back if I just decide to bail?

Thanks all.

STeve

[Clyde65]

In my opinion $3500 is a fair price for that truck, it runs and drives. If you post where it is, maybe one if the guys here will go look it over real good for you.

Would you fly in and drive it home or have it transported?

[i82much]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

In my opinion $3500 is a fair price for that truck, it runs and drives. If you post where it is, maybe one if the guys here will go look it over real good for you.

Would you fly in and drive it home or have it transported?

Hi Clyde - I live in Spokane, the truck is about 2 hours away in Pasco, WA. If the guy is willing, I would probably ask him to meet me halfway and give him 50 bucks for his trouble, look over the truck as best I can, and give him the $ if it all checks out. If not, I'm out 50 bucks.

[LostMy65]

Where in Washington is it located?
Like Clyde said, someone here on the board might be close enough to go check it out for you.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Where in Washington is it located?
Like Clyde said, someone here on the board might be close enough to go check it out for you.

In Pasco - the Tri-Cities. Here's the craigslist ad:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4227904407.html

[TopFuel1966]

My initial impression is that it has Washington state tags and has probably been in a lot of damp weather which the rust in the bottom of the drivers door attests to. I would do a very close inspection for rust in all the usual areas before I shelled out $3500.00.

[LostMy65]

My initial thoughts are:
The guy listed the known issues. To me it shows he wants to be upfront.
It looks solid. And the known problem areas look to be good.
Ask him for a pics of any problems wih the floorboard metal.
Also ask about the Rockers, and any body repairs he knows of.

[i82much]

Originally Posted by TopFuel1966

My initial impression is that it has Washington state tags and has probably been in a lot of damp weather which the rust in the bottom of the drivers door attests to. I would do a very close inspection for rust in all the usual areas before I shelled out $3500.00.

I hear you, and I do see that one rust spot on the door. That said, Pasco is one of the driest places in the state and if the truck has spent its life in the Tri-Cities I'd expect it to check out.

[i82much]

Ok - what I am hearing is that if the truck seems to check out from a rust perspective it is probably worth investigating. It seems to me finding these trucks in a 4x4 is very difficult and I am dead-set on getting a 4x4 so this is probably about as good a candidate as I am going to find.

[TJ's Chevy]

I do have to say according to the "Value books" I've read on these it's a class 3 pickup. Meaning Driveable. $2,000-3,000 was the value for a 2wd so I would say it's a fair price. If he'll go down a tad like $3,000 that would be fine, but I wouldn't try an bring him down lower. My 2 cents.

[aerotruk63]

I'd give him his asking price in a minute! Loved mine, but had to let it go. Even without disk brakes and 39" tires it would brake fine. I'm finding junk at that price on this side of the continent. Lot's of info on those trucks and so easy to work on.

[duallyjams]

I just had a 2wd shipped from Washington to Maryland for 1200 on a open car transport, expect a 4x4 to cost more to ship it.

[i82much]

So what about parts availability, is it reasonable to expect to be able to find parts to keep this thing stock? Not so much engine stuff but things like shocks, wheel bearings, ball joints, other front end/suspension stuff, all that.

[donthekawguy]

That s to be a good price for the truck. And since it's from the Tri-cities (also called the dry-****ties down there) the rust should be minimal. Sounds like the front end might need a refresh that can get spendy if you have a shop do it. The shop here wanted $1500 to redo the front suspension on my 84 4x4 so who knows how much for that one. Parts are everywhere for these trucks so that not an issue. If it turns out to be rust free it would be worth a zillion dollars back east. lol You might want to start a post asking if there is anyone in the Tri-Cities that can go take a look at it for you and take some pics. I'm about 3 hours away. If it was summer I would do a road trip for ya but its too cold and going to snow.

[i82much]

Ah I am really being lazy. I live in Spokane so it's just a few hours drive, but I have a newborn so feeling kind of guilty about taking so much time to go look at it. I am trying to get some better pics from the seller, he seems like a really nice guy. I guess maybe one of you guys on here might wind up buying that truck if I don't get moving!

[jtrichard]

the bed wood and windshield are worth about $1000 so $2500 for the rest of the truck is (why aren't you there yet) a no brainer

[i82much]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

the bed wood and windshield are worth about $1000 so $2500 for the rest of the truck is (why aren't you there yet) a no brainer

I asked him if he'd take 50 bucks to meet me halfway between Spokane and Pasco, about an hour drive for each of us. He didn't seem to interested. My guess is he can sell this truck pretty easily without jumping through hoops like that.

If I didn't have the newborn, I'd be in Pasco this weekend looking at that truck for sure.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by i82much

So what about parts availability, is it reasonable to expect to be able to find parts to keep this thing stock? Not so much engine stuff but things like shocks, wheel bearings, ball joints, other front end/suspension stuff, all that.

If you are insistent on keeping the drivetrain and suspension original, Parts will be a little on the spendy side.
64-66 would be a little less cost for mechanical upkeep.

[Dillon Rock]

Hey, that's not too bad for the rig, ask him what his lowest or most reasonable offer for it would be considering what it has wrong with it. I talked the guy I bought mine from from 2 grand to 1,500, I could've gone lower but I could care less at the time. I'm over in Everett and I'm Navy and on leave so that'd be a bit of a drive if the Pass' were closed and we're supposed to get snow Friday and the pass would most likely be closed then. See if we can raise Markeb01 on here and see if he'd be able to have a look at her, he lives over in Spokane Valley area (close to you I assume) and he's pretty knowledgeable with things like this. Other than that,

[PGSigns]

Here in the rust belt we would be tripping all over each other to find a truck that nice for 3500. So value depends on where you are. I think it is a fair price. I would get some one to help out the wife for the day and ride up with a buddy and give it a good look over and take it for a drive. Then with cash in hand see if you can do some dealing.
Jimmy

[61_FL_Apache]

That looks like a nice find!!

[i82much]

You guys are killing me! I pretty well gave up on it but every time I check this thread there are more posts telling me that it looks pretty good.

[donthekawguy]

What the hell, just go get it. Take a road trip with the wife and baby. Take pics of the baby and truck so you have some when the baby grows up.

[61K10]

not many of these trucks left, if its stock running gear. for everyday maybe for you something newer.

[TJ's Chevy]

And it is in great overall shape to!!!! Just imagine it with a Cummins diesel rumbling under the hood....and a nice set of chrome diesel stacks let all the cool roars of a cummins out the back.....I'm starting to drool now....you better buy it!!!! There ain't to many left in AS good shape!!!! Wip out the green cards and tell him you'll take it!