WIW? 1953 chevy

[68c10owner]

So I may have a trade going for a 1953 chevy shortbed. It already has a MII frontend welded on, tubular control arms, drop spindles and 11" brakes, 90`s chevy 60/40 seat, brake master and pedal kit and possibly a couple other parts. The body is pretty decent from what I can tell, has patch panels for the cab cornes and the front bed panel needs work and I think the floors need some rust repair but the main body looks ok. I`ll be checking it out in person on Saturday. Based off of my vague descrition what would you guys say it`s worth? I`ve got about $7000 invested in my trade but asking $4500 for it. Does this sound like a fair trade?

[Atomsplitter]

Your going to get alot of requests for PICTURES.
It's hard to get an overall impression of the trucks condition to put a dollar value to it from just a description. Its all the little details that make up alot of the value of a vehicle.

- Are the MII A-Arms chromed?
- Is the truck wired?
- What motor does it have and is it a rusted anchor or a chromed out gem?
- Etc, Etc.

[68c10owner]

Yeah I figured everyone would want pics. The A arms are not chrome but are tubular, probably just regualr steel, it`s not wired but there is a wiring harness for the truck but we are still deciding what all is going to go with the truck. It doesn`t have a engine or trans but I`m not worried about that. I`m thiniing it`s in the $2500-$3000 range so I would be losing some on my trade but I`m ok with that if the truck is as clean as it looks in the pics because it`s what I want. I`m also looking at the fact the the frontend and brakes are done and only need the steering rack cutouts installed and everything mounted. Anyway, here are all the pics I have of it for now. When I go look at it in person on Saturday I`ll try to remember the camera.

[nickp51chevy]

I personally wouldn't pay more than $2500 for it. The main reason I say that is it has the IFS installed, but BRING A TAPE MEASURE WITH YOU AND MAKE SURE IT IS INSTALLED STRAIGHT! The fact that it's torn down make me want to pay less.

Does the guy have the bed, and everything else for a complete truck? If it's just the cab and chassis you really need to think about it. The reason I say that is there is a '51 up here in WA that they only want $125 for and you can put the MII IFS in yourself.

Last bit of my .02 is don't make a decision on the spot, take lots of pix and get lots of info and bring it back to us so that we can help you evaluate the truck.

Good luck.

[68c10owner]

Yes he has the bed. He says he has everything for the truck Thats a good idea about checking to make sure it`s installed straight, I`ll definatly check. From talking to him on the phone he seems to have some expereince with street rod stuff but that doesn`t mean anything. He did sound like he know what he was talking about so that makes me think he probably installed it correctly but I will check for sure.


I see project trucks all the time for under $1000 but they are usually gutted, rotted out POS trucks that aren`t worth installing a MII frontend on. I did one on my old 57 chevy p/u and thay are`nt hard to install, almost idiot proof if you follow the directions. The fact that I don`t have to do it myself is appealing at this point because first, it`s all there and installed, second, I don`t have a welder right now or the money to buy a welder or the MII parts so for me it`s a win/win deal. I agree, it`s not worth what I`m asking for my trade but I`m trading my old work tools that unless your a mechanic for a living, you`ll never justify the price of the big name stuff so I`m not having any luck selling it. I do have another deal lined up for a running driving 65 el camino which has alot of good stuff but I really want a 47-53 chevy truck. I`ve been wanting one for years. I`ll definatly take some pics and post them up here for you guys to help decide if it`s worth doing. I`m real bad about impuse buying but in thiscase I definatly need to hold back on that. Thanks.

[68c10owner]

Here is the text from his ad. It lists everything that will be going with the exception of the chrome steering column that itold him he could keep.


"1953 chevy truck. Truck is straight and in great shape. The truck has all the parts including bumpers, grill, hood, fenders, etc. truck has some rust in the cab corners but I have new patch panels, also some rust in the floor under the seat, easy fix. I have installed a mustang II cross member and have all new parts to complete front suspension: tubular a arms, springs, 2" drop spindles, manual rack, 11" rotors ford lug pattern with brakes calipers. Front of the frame has been boxed. I have new TCI motor mounts, chrome tilt steering column, new wiring harness from southern rods, new tubular transmission mount. I have a ford 9 inch rear end and a seat from a 90's chevy truck with new upholstery. New windsheild rubber plus extra window trim inside and out. Plus more parts I can't remember them all. I also have a 1970 corvette 350 with 8,000 miles on rebuild. I would sell this with the truck for the right price. I am not selling because I need the money but because I have lost interest. I am interested in all trades so let me know what you have. Send me an email with pics of your trade ideas"

[nickp51chevy]

That sounds good. Your trading your tools for it?

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

That sounds good. Your trading your tools for it?

Yeah. I`m not wrenching for a living anymore and i want a toy but don`t have the cash and the tools are all I have that are worth anything and since I haven`t been able to sell them I am willing to trade them for the right truck. I got about $7000 invested over the last 7-8 years and I`m asking $4500 for them. Nobody has evven emailed about them. So I can trade them for a toy or watch them collect dust while I have nothing to play with.

I forgot that the engine won`t be going with it. I don`t need it anyway but he is throwing in everything that is specific to the truck and there is a bunch of stuff that wasn`t listed in the ad.

[OrrieG]

I'd get the column, measure the rearend to make sure it is one that will fit there is a current thread that gives widths that will work. I'd also cull through his boxes to see if the small stuff is there (gauges (working?), misc. clips, screws, bolts, etc. Are the bed rails in good shape? Tailgate? Back fenders? Bottom of cowl/firewall? Also asked who did the welding on the front end and qualifications? Looks good in the photo but in my professional life I've seen lots of pretty welds that would not pass inpection.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I'd get the column, measure the rearend to make sure it is one that will fit there is a current thread that gives widths that will work. I'd also cull through his boxes to see if the small stuff is there (gauges (working?), misc. clips, screws, bolts, etc. Are the bed rails in good shape? Tailgate? Back fenders? Bottom of cowl/firewall? Also asked who did the welding on the front end and qualifications? Looks good in the photo but in my professional life I've seen lots of pretty welds that would not pass inpection.

I don`t want the column. I`ve never liked chrome columns. I`ll probably either do a van tilt or find something else that will work for a lokar whifter or something. This guy is into the street rodstyle where I`m more into the "ratrod" look, suede paint, white walls, ect. He isn`t sure of the rearend, it was a freebie. I have a housing as well that I could cut down if needed. I got it for my old 68 c10 project. I`ll definatly dig through the stuff he has. being that it`s 56 yrs old I`m not expecting a cherry truck.

[solidaxel]

Get the column, I will buy it from you if it has the indicator on the column and a netural switch mount on it !!

[68c10owner]

I don`t have any details on it but if I end up with it I`ll pm you about it.

[robin58]

If he has patch panels it means there is sufficient rust to be unrepairable in his opinion. You mentioned you don't have a welder.

If you can I'd try to find someone local from this board who owns an AD truck and ask them to go along with you. They'll have a better idea looking through his box of stuff to be able to identify what's there and what isn't. And they'll know what's a PITA to find and what the approx $$$ will be for what's missing.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by robin58

If he has patch panels it means there is sufficient rust to be unrepairable in his opinion. You mentioned you don't have a welder.

If you can I'd try to find someone local from this board who owns an AD truck and ask them to go along with you. They'll have a better idea looking through his box of stuff to be able to identify what's there and what isn't. And they'll know what's a PITA to find and what the approx $$$ will be for what's missing.

Yeah I don`t havea welder right now but by the time I`m able to get started on it I shouldhave one. I`m almost done with truck driving school so I`ll be on the road alot pretty soon anyway.

Good idea about bringing someone with me. Anyone want to come?

[solidaxel]

Looking at your pic of the front spring hat on your truck it looks to be mounted too high on the top of the chassis. It is hard to tell in the pic maybe just the angle

[solidaxel]

These are at ride hight from the previous pics

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Looking at your pic of the front spring hat on your truck it looks to be mounted too high on the top of the chassis. It is hard to tell in the pic maybe just the angle

I seewhat your saying but I think it`s just a different brand of crossmember? I`ve seen several done both ways.

[solidaxel]

I guess it depends how low you want the truck to ride.
The centerline of the spindle in relation to the bottom of the frame should tell you a lot of info, with the bottom A arm level with the earth

[68c10owner]

I don`t knowabout the AD trucks but I did a MII on my old 57 p/u and the spring perch was on top of the frame rail. I don`t remember if the A arm was level with the ground but it was a Fat Man kit and I followed the directions to a T since it was my first time doing anything like that. I`ll have to look around online and see if I can find more info.

[68c10owner]

I also see that your frame isn`t notched for the steering rack clearance. Being that your spring perch is lower it gives you more room under the rails for the R&P. The truck I`m looking at still needs to have the notches installed and being that the perches are higher it will definatly need them.

[68c10owner]

Well guys I ended up not having time to go look at it on Saturday. We are moving this Friday and I had to take stuff to my moms house since we won`t be having a garage anymore. I`m still very interested in it and if it`s still there in a couple weeks when weget settled I`m going to go look at it. If I end up with it I`ll start a new thread.