Too Rusty

[smart68]

I have a 79 c20 my dad purchased in the early 80s and used for hauling water to the farm. I have been planning on using the cab to build myself a short box step side. I have the frame for the step side and the box, both need work but its doable. I planned to use the front clip, engine, tranny, and whatever else is useable on the 79. The problem I have run into happened when a friend and I started to replace the floor and rocker panels. The rust has worked its way down to where the crossmember attaches to the cab. It is very bad and my friend says it isn't worth fixing. I have looked for other peoples projects on the internet and have found some but they are all further along than I am. I have already scrapped my 68 because of rust and bondo and now may be on the verge of doing the same to this one. Is this problem fixable or do I gather all my pieces and parts and start listing them for sale? Suggestions?

[1LowToy]

Some days are better than others and it sounds like you cab has seen it's better days. Maybe find another truck with a rust free cab. Watch closely on cab with the aftermarket sliding rear windows as they tend to leak and start the rust problem from the inside. Being from California there are fewer trucks that die from rust, but die from modifed smog equipment and back registration fees. Arnold needs more money.

[D.FENS]

I've seen people fix trucks rusted so bad there was almost nothing solid left below the windows. So it can be done.

That said, it may be more cost effective to find yourself either a better cab, or even another complete truck to base the build on or for parts. Seems like somebody was on here gloating the other day because they bought a complete rust-free '80-something truck for like $200, so they're out there.

[chrismoore701]

as long as you have the time, see what you can do to fix it. I have a 79 Stepside Sport that more than one person told me to scrap. I replaced the floors, front cab mounts, rockers inner and outer, cab corners inner and outer, and the bottom corners of the windshield on both sides. I have never welded before this and learned how on my own. I am still moving forward.