Looking at this Sub to buy! Please help

[sk8er32283]

I currently have a 71 c10 but I have been patiently waiting for a Sub to pop up so that I can have the whole family in the vehicle at the same time. Well I think my time has come. I found this right down the road.

http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/5113652938.html


My questions to you guys to what should I look out for when I go and look at it. Things on my list as of right now are

rust in fenders and tail light areas
glass
engine turns over freely
body panels straight
all body moldings and lights are present and dash components
and other basic stuff


Any specific things the experts recommend.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Rodney

[Free Candy Inside]

If it looks pretty straight then you are probably fine. I mean they all seem to have some rust issues but everything in the cab that could be bad is just basic truck patch panels as far as I know.

Only think you might want to check is make sure where the wood floor bolts to the body that, that area is solid. The wood floor actually tucks under the inside "bedside" and bolts in from th bottom. If that area is rusted you might have major floor issues or support issues down the road.

[Free Candy Inside]

And overall it looks pretty good from the one pic. See if the roof rack was installed halfway decent or if it was cobbled up. Either way I'm sure you can get it slightly cheaper and that seems like a really low price. I'd buy it for that price even with some issues!!!!

[3drburb]

Buy it, or it will be gone soon at that price. If it's straight and have all the good glass, rolls freely etc. it should be a good project at that price.
Good luck.

[oem4me]

Look for any rust or body damage that is beyond your ability to repair or pay to have repaired. After that, completeness. If it's been picked over a bunch for parts, it may take awhile and cost a bit to find the missing pieces. At that asking price, I would consider a motor that works and intact upholstery as bonuses. Do not bite more than you can chew, but it probably wont last long if the above stuff checks out ok.

[sk8er32283]

OK. Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice and vote of confidence. I thought it was a good price to at least start with. After I got my C10 I learned that completeness of the vehicle is very important especially with these old classics. I am suppose to meet her here in about a hour and a half. I will report back later. At least someone else may find it worth their while to come look at it closer.

[sk8er32283]

Ok. I finally got down to look at the suburban. Here it is. For the most part it was really complete. The engine needs an alternator and it needs to be cleaned out big time but I think it is doable atleast to the point of a daily driver. The body panels are super straight. The luggage rack needs to be fix or removed and the front fenders and floors have rust. It does not have a 3rd seat. Do they normally have the 3rd seat or no? Even with all these questions I still pulled the trigger. My first offer of a 1000 bucks sealed the deal. It was her bottom price and 50 bucks higher than the previous on lookers. I think I won this one. I am just hoping that the engine can be revived. If not then I am going straight for a more modern engine.

Let me know what you guys think

[blown240]

Nice score! Great price!

[RedRoad]

Great buy!

Third row seats were an option and since the rear glass is not a slider it did not come factory with the third seat.

A few reproduction parts have been made recently that were hard to find in the past, tail light lenses and slider window locks are now available. The real expensive parts are the rear upper gate supports if you want to keep it original, if not modern gas strut retrofit can be done.

Ps, Pb,V8, auto, posi, overload rear springs....NICE!!!

[Free Candy Inside]

I paid $300 for a rusty as hell body only that had no front clip, doors, hood, etc. just a rusty body. So you did great on this find.

[sk8er32283]

One of the first things I looked at was the tail gate area rust. There was none that I could find. The top portion looks to be from another sub and the handle area look bent inward. Is this normal?? both supports were there and functioned. I will consider myself lucky with that. My biggest question at this point is the engine. It is a V8 with what looks to be a 2 barrel carb and a rats nest w/ wheel for added power. What engine do you guys think this is. I do need to find an alterantor/generator for the engine? I have a VIN if that helps. C146 67160885 on the title the VIN is like this C146Z67160885. Is the Z just a place holder for the space on the title. I want to make sure this isn't going to be an issue when I go get it titled.

[65chevysub]

Concerning the upper door supports. They havent been made since 1971. I contacted the original manufacturer back in 1994 I believe, who is Atwood Company, and thats what they told me. Yours are in working order so just keep them clean and oiled/lubed and you should be good to go.
Good luck with your Sub. Once you own it, you will probably get lots of people who will want to buy it and tons of stories from people who used to use one in their past jobs. I love it when they tell me about it at car shows and they are looking at mine.

[notsolo]

Motor is Probably 283 or 327, no telling whats been done over 50 years. Get some bee spray ( maybe your lucky and don't have bee's nesting in old trucks ) and a shop-vac and try and find numbers stamped on the block....this thread had some insight.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3005831

[Glenns66]

Great find! My 2 cents. I always study the back half of a suburban because you can always find aftermarket parts for the front. It has alot of the same parts as the c10 pickup. So it looks the your tailgate is in good shape. I'm guessing that all the latches and hinges are operational.

For that price you scored.

[Glenns66]

Back seat is going for around $900 alone.

[sk8er32283]

The engine was a 305 with a 350 tranny. Motor was rusted and gunked up in two cylinders. So I decide to pick up a 400 sbc and work from there. There is very little rust. I just picked up a fender and two doors while I am visiting family in denver. Got that and a few other things for 100 bucks. I just need to get home and start getting this burb daily driver ready.
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[KIC]

Just remember... everything is doable. Good luck on your new adventure.

Keep us informed as you go along but remember one thing as you go along......





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[CG]

I don't usually check out this part of the forum, but that seems like a pretty good deal you got there. I have sworn off buying anymore cars or trucks (I even sold my car trailer so I couldn't drag any more stuff home lol), but that would have been a pretty hard deal to pass up.

[sk8er32283]

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[sk8er32283]

It seems like I keep buying parts and make no progress around here. I bought a running 350 tbi, set of vortec heads, plus a spare, and exhaust system from a guy for 230 bucks today. The 350 block has the serp belt set up which is what I was after there but the 350 block is my back up plan if the 400 block is trash. A beer and good shoot the sh1t was included at no extra cost to me. Great times.

I did break down the 400 block top end and pulled the oil pan. Next is to Dis assemble the crank, pistons and rods then get them off to the machine shop to be inpected, diagnosed and machine work.
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