New build - can you usually sell the old stuff?

[jkmhb]

Good morning, first post. I've started dis-assembly on a new build - 1959 Fleetside shortbed. I'm putting in new front/rear suspension, steering, and brakes. I was wondering if there was demand for the take off parts (obviously old, but mostly useable), and if I should post in the for sale area or try Craigslist? I'm in the DFW area.

[iowaboynca]

Its all dependent if someone is restoring a similar year truck at the same...you win some you lose some.

[dwcsr]

What sells
Engine parts - manifolds, heads carbs, sheet metal
Good Blocks 58 - 59
Transmission - in good shape
Brake hardware
Brake shoes that can be relined
Front axles and spindles
Steering arms
Springs . sometimes
Rear axles that are not grooved

What is hard to sell
Rear axle and housing lower than 3.90, I.e. 4.11 - 4.56

driveshaft
engine complete - locked up or frozen or doesn't make two turns

[_Ogre]

for the money involved... i gave all my stuff away
with the exception of the oem heater, tailgate, rear stake pockets and rear sill for the bed
the '74 350 went into my son's 68 elcamino
the th350 was also sold on craigslist for $10; the cost of breakfast at my local diner

[Tod59]

I'm interested in some parts for my 59 short fleet. Sent you a PM

[dsraven]

do you stuff planned out yet? if not, do a big list of what you need to buy to fix the old and then compare to what a new cab or frame would be. you will get it together faster and maybe cheaper if you have to farm stuff out here and there. me, doing it again, I would buy the aftermarket cab. it comes with doors etc. it may need some tweaking but it is complete. same on the frame. I toured Canadian Hotrods in Tappen BC Canada and their frame looks really nice with corvette underpinnings, hidden brake and fuel lines, mounts for whatever engine trans combo you want, original gm parts for suspension-diff-trailing arms etc and is ready to drop the cab/body on. no assembly of any under side parts required. I have also toured TCI's shop and they also have a nice looking frame. with the US dollar what it is compared to the Canadian dollar you may get a smoking deal. it may be worth a look.

[jkmhb]

Thanks, I already have a Heidts M2 front crossmember with drop spindles ready to weld in. I haven't purchased the rear end / rear suspension yet.
The cab and everything else is good.

[dsraven]

if you want to build your own 4 link look at the welders series stuff. all kinds of brackets etc.
make sure to mock up the frame so it is level side to side and at the rake angle you want before tacking the front end in. spend some time on research so you get it right the first time. get the pivots at the right distance apart (top to bottom control arms) you will avoid lots of headaches later (voice of experience talking). also check what the upper control arms are supposed to be for angle at ride height. most are supposed to have the lower control arms parallel to the ground looking from the front when at ride height, and also the pivot bolt should be level when loooking from the side. use the level across the control arm pivot bolts for side to side level, just leave the bolts sticking out far enough to have the level sitting on them. I recommend a digital level. the alignment guys check to the tenth of a degree and an eyeball bubble level is not that accurate. you could place the level on the crossmember but you don't know if the member is parallel to the pivot bolt centre lines.
make up some struts to replace the shocks during mock up, that way you can keep it all at ride height
have fun,
post pics
mock it up including spindles and steering rack
move system through entire range of suspension travel to avoid binding issues later

[OrrieG]

I was able to sell my transmission and clutch bellhousing assy in 85. Tried for 15 more years to sell the 235 engine and rearend locally, finally sold it for scrap in 2000. Today might have some value, I seem them and parts on CL but no way to know if they sell or not. Ebay is an option, but shipping big or heavy stuff is a pita, labor involved in crating, etc. outweighs any profit unless you have the material and like to work for free. Front axle has value as a core for someone getting a lowered one.

[joedoh]

I advertised rolling frame with engine when I got the truck, figured I could always pull the cab sooner if I had a buyer. when I pulled it and still didnt have a buyer at $100, I scrapped it.

good intentions dont fold like cash and dont keep the wife off your back for having stuff no one wants to buy hanging around.

when I switched from 62 to 65 cab on my old truck, I bought a membership here and advertised at make any offer for months. I scrapped it and put up a picture and guys blew up my inbox about how I could throw away so many usable parts.

that said though, I still have the GMC 248 here at my house, I cant stand the thought of parting out a running motor. parts are worth four times what I am asking for the whole thing, and I still cant do it.

[paulspickupparts]

It will be a tough sell . Sometimes you could offer to give stuff away and someone will ask if you are including free shipping. It usually does not get that bad but close sometimes. If you want to see what sells (or not) look at the 47-59 parts board. Tom Korinek has a pretty big pile of parts listed. They moved really slow. It never used to be that way but so much is made overseas it is hardly worth the time to part one out. Good luck .

[mr48chev]

I think joedoh hit on one thing that often causes an issue and that is if you have a place to store the pieces until you can find a buyer for them. If the wife, neighborhood home owners assn or some other entity is on your butt to get rid of them they either go cheap or to the scrap yard. Those same guys who give you a ration of c--p about scrapping "good" parts won't get in the car and drive a hundred miles to get them at any price because it's "too far". They will pay some guy 4 states away a premium for similar parts and pay more for the UPS fees than they would have bought the part from you and bought gas and lunch.

That said I've got an engine that was given to me (not a Chevy) that I ended ups spending about 200 to get home after driving 175 miles one way and buying two meals for my wife and I and a cheese burger for my dog. It was a great day a great ride and we had a great time.

Still I'd advertise the pieces and see if I could recover better than scrap price out of them .

[59chev]

I got lucky, I was able to sell off my running 6 cylinder engine, transmission, rear end, and front axle. I made enough off these parts to pay for the purchase price of the camaro clip and the 2nd gen z28 rear end.