What are the Airbags and Frame Mods doing to the future of these trucks?

[68shortwide]

I think I found the topic for my hs research paper. This is a really good topic that hits all over the automotive world. Great responses.

[oldertruckfan]

my .02 is that these trucks will continue to deplete, just as the vw did. they will become more scarce, like most of the early muscle cars in garages now, pampered and lost to the public eye. I figure 10 to 20 years from now you'll see one on the road and be delighted you even saw it. I'll keep mine kinda stock, its a 3/4 ton 4x4, but I will drive it. in the rain and the snow. That's why I bought it, to use it

[Hubscrub]

Most all fads fade away seen several in just my 32 years. I like my trucks old school, i tend to go the opposite of popular i do like the patina trucks shiny paint won't get ya home. i'm not laying frame and wanting big wheels i like steelies. I like the old carbed engines don't care what anyone says they are just as good as modern stuff they all get you there and they all break eventually plus the modern engine is sooo ugly. When scrap hit a big high over the last several years we lost alot of good stuff, but the aftermarket will fill in and there will be "kit" trucks to build like there doing now for the cameros and mustangs and earlier trucks.

[Eddie H.]

I've been a car/truck guy for 50 years or so and I've seen many trends come and go, then some even come back in style again. As far as prices go, who knows. I just wish I would have had the foresight to buy up a bunch of classic cars 30 years ago and put them in storage.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by Eddie H.

I just wish I would have had the foresight to buy up a bunch of classic cars 30 years ago and put them in storage.

I hear ya there. I past up on quite a few 67-69 Camaros in the late 80's for under $1000 all because I am not a Camaro fan.
I had bought a 66 Nova when I lived in Dallas. Stripped the Glass, Chrome, Doors and Decklid then sold all that stuff. The car was already missing the motor, trans, interior and front clip.
But then we scrapped the Body. That rust free Texas body would be worth $1000's today. Not to mention I wouldn't mind having one now. Doh?!?!

[boraxman]

My truck is bagged and on 20's but nothing has been cut...cant lay frame but its easy to reverse should I ever decide to go another route.

That said, I wouldn't want something that couldn't go back to stock if it was ever desired, to me that lowers value - I don't care how much much it cost or how nice it was done/

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by boraxman

My truck is bagged and on 20's but nothing has been cut...cant lay frame but its easy to reverse should I ever decide to go another route.

That said, I wouldn't want something that couldn't go back to stock if it was ever desired, to me that lowers value - I don't care how much much it cost or how nice it was done/

Perfect. My exact way of thinking.

[mmiddle]

Well, there is a risk of depleting the stock of good trucks. But as I see it, I am building my truck for me as a DD. I do not have any intention to sell the truck at any point. Nor am I building it to satisfy anyone but me. With that said, I do think it important to maintain the appearance of stock as much as possible while bringing the comfort, safety, and reliability up to modern standards. I do oddly have a problem with Resto-shops cranking mod-ed cars and trucks like a puppy mill.

[slowcpe]

I've never been a big fan of cutting a rare vehicle up (SS, COPO, Yenko, etc) but vehicles that were built in the masses, I say do what you want. These trucks seem to be just about everywhere still and make great canvases for whatever an owner wants to do. As stated before, your options along with growing up with them have a lot to do with their current popularity.

Yesterday while driving to a neighboring city I saw 2 places that more than 3 c10s sitting out behind their barns. When working in small towns I almost always see an original one going down the road or sitting in a store parking lot. That's always a nice sight. These trucks are still readily available

I can appreciate both sides and really respect a well-kept or restored original trucks. In respect to value, I honestly feel the trucks are somewhat of an exception to the rule where as modified can be worth more than original. Of course the ones that would bring the higher prices would have to be done right using all the right parts. Hack-job builds with no documentation would more than likely not surpass original value. But a truck with PB, No-Limit, Scott's etc chassis, big brakes, LS/modern drivetrain, billet wheels, and original sheetmetal are very much in and people will pay for that. Of course those trucks will have a lot more money invested than an original restore so it would be difficult to compare.

Now take my truck for an example: Its pretty much a rust-bucket. Better shape than most in the rust-belt with little to no value. I highly doubt someone would take the time to restore this truck to its base model glory. Yes I'm notching the frame and replacing every crossmember for newer/better pieces but everything I'm replacing would need to thrown away anyways. I'm building the truck for me to drive and enjoy which is one of the reason I have such a hard time making decisions.

[terry b]

Our trucks will never be worth all that much. I say cut them up the way you want. They are only trucks. Other than us knot heads on here no one gives a dam.

[tranz am]

okay here's my thought on modifying frames or suspensions. my thought is that if it is done correctly and looks good it will preserve its value possibly even increase it. Although some guys are looking for bone stock trucks exactly how they came from the factory. in the eyes of these guys, anything other then stock will diminish the value. Other guys are looking for the exact opposite highly modified custom to their liking. it all depends on what the particular person wants as to what the trucks value is. Personally I don't care too much about preserving the stock appearance and ride that these trucks have. I would rather see upgrades to the original design with a more sporty and performance oriented configuration. some want a daily driver, some want a trailer queen, some want to play in the mud, some want to lay frame, and others want to haul azz and modify the living piss out of their trucks to get them there. To me highly modified street or performance oriented truck is very appealing.

[Vintage Windmills]

I am surprised how many people here don't distinguish between the rarer configurations of these trucks when talking about how common they are or not valuable. The truth is factory original rarer trucks will always demand a premium. I think many of us here are of the modding persuasion and the pursist collectors are a quieter bunch but they are out there. There is a difference between a 68 327 50th anniversary CST truck compared to your typical janer. Its sad how we are the truck guys and many here don't appreciate our "RS Z/28"'s