Sound like a good deal?

[Layedoutsonoma91]

Hey guys, I am a new member, but have been a lurker for a while. I have always wanted a 47-54 Chevy truck, and recently found one for sale locally. I was wondering what you guys think of the price, for what it is. My plans are to s10 frame it, bag it, and just restore it to drive around. Heres the scoop on the truck. Its a 1954 comes with 2 54 grilles, 2 47-53 grilles. Comes with 2 sets of running boards bed is in good shape, but missing the passenger side fender. Has surface rust on most parts but only rot on cab corners. All glass is intact. Has a 327 and trans in it but they are not working. interior is a wreck. ill throw up some crappy cell pics. He wants 800 bux cash. I see it as a good deal but i want other opinions. I am having tunnel vision cause i want one so bad. haha Thanks





I think it has a fullsize frame under it, according to him. Not sure but it has been front clipped i think the rear of the frame is stock

[onedayjake]

Looks like a lot of work and I'm not big on the long box. Looks like a full size frame to me. I'm sure it's worth it in parts though.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

Thats the fun right? I know it looks bad, but in the southeast with the humidity. Thats the best i can find. But you do think it is worth that in parts?

[onedayjake]

I'm in no way saying I'd walk away from it. Since your planning an S10 frame swap I think you'll be fine. You might need different bed sides or shorten those to correct the wheel base for the S10 frame.

[sweet70beast]

I think it's a good deal. With that many extra parts you could sell what you don't use and most likely make back your $800. Besides the truck itself looks like a short box because the running boards don't look like a long box.

[itstheshu]

has it been clipped? It has five lugs all the way around.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

Im not 100 percent sure, the lug pattern is the same as a fullsize. So 5x5 lug pattern. i couldnt tell if it had been clipped on not or if its an entire different frame. I am gonna throw an s10 frame under it anyway if i get it. Im actually really excited about this.

[WIDESIDE72]

If the cab and bed are in decent shape rust wise, AND THERE IS A CLEAR TITLE I would say it is worth $800.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

eww, he says it dosn't have a title, but he says it not hard to get a title for something this old in Alabama. I dunno if thats true or not. Or if it is different for other states

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Layedoutsonoma91

eww, he says it dosn't have a title, but he says it not hard to get a title for something this old in Alabama. I dunno if thats true or not. Or if it is different for other states

Any time someone tells me "it's not that hard to...." fill in the blanks, I reply "OK, then you do it and give me a call when it is done and we can deal from there."

[OrrieG]

Ad only came with 6 or 8 lug hubs, so it has at the minimum had the hubs replaced or redrilled. If it was clipped and done right is a good starting point. No title is a problem, I'd check with AL DMV to see how hard it is to get a title. Until then its a parts truck, especially if the original front clip has been replaced. Take a close look, or better yet post pics of how it was done, you will get lots of good feedback. If its trash, then you need to decide if the body alone is worth $800.

I briefly looked up ALK and before 1975 no titles are required. To apply for title you will need to " the applicant must surrender the outstanding registration documents which substantiate ownership of the vehicle". Sounds like a bill of sale might work, but it goes on to say more documentation, like a chain of title going back to the last valid REGISTRATION, can be asked for. If the current owner had it registered at some time in his name you are ok. If he has a PO that had it registered and you can contact him and get documentation that he has no interest in the truck then you are good. If a PO with registration senses he can maybe get the truck back you have a problem.

I had one experience in my life with a car I sold that went through 5 people after me without the title being transfered properly. I found out 3 years later when the Federal Drug guys showed up at my door wanting information on "my" car that was being used for the wrong purposes. Also got to spend quality time at the sherrifs office for unpaid tickets, impound fees, etc. Luckily I had my bill of sale to the person who bought it and had notified the State DMV when I sold it.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

The guy that owns it has had it for 20 plus years. So i would imagine he has something. I don't want to buy it, build it, and not be able to title it and drive it for sure.

[Dan Bowles]

Get the CarFax!!! Or at least the paperwork.

Still, it's worth at least $500 in parts. Make sure the windshield is good because they are not cheap and shipping on them is as much as the glass.

The bed is not a '54. They have flat tops. The frame looks like it has a '73-87 front end under it based on the width of the track and the 5 on 5". You can run that or you can swap to S10. It isn't so bad, I've got a '54 on S10. My build thread is on the HAMB under Danimal.

But again, get the paperwork sorted before you rush into anything. In Michigan it is easy to do if you know what to do. It took me 2 years to figure it out the first time, though.

[rjs53]

just went through title thing myself here in Nevada, a long process I thought it would be easy here seems we have 24hr drinking and Brothels haha. To get the title it cost 3 months of time and $250 plus the title transfer to my name as the new title was issued to the salvage yard that got the title for me, and as it took me a week to get the truck after they called me to tell me they had the title (the salvage yard) they were about to come and take the truck it was legally theirs according to the title. I'm not sure how it is where you live but I'll bet it's more work then just going to the DMV for an hour and filling out papers. I would keep looking

[Layedoutsonoma91]

well he claims to know the person that legally owns it and can get a bill of sale. Dunno what else. He says he has done this before in Alabama with classic cars. But who knows. If i do get it i am putting an s10 frame under it. im gonna shorten the bed, i like the older bed, but i like how the 54 has a solid glass. I can weld just fine, so it should be fun. Here is my sonoma i built, so putting an s-10 frame under it would be ideal.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

One more question, what type of s10 frame would i need to get for a 47-54 swb short bed.

[sweet70beast]

Any year S10 regular cab long box will work. My 54 Suburban is sitting on an 89 4x4 reg\long box.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Layedoutsonoma91]

thats a bit longer than a short box truck, would i still need a a long wheel base s10 frame for those? I could always shorten the frame if i had to but i would rather not cut it

[WIDESIDE72]

You will need a LWB S10 frame for a swb 47-55 1st series. The wheelbase is about 2" to long, but you can correct that. The kit I used from EZ Chassis swaps had plates to relocate the rear axle forward 2" to center the wheel in the fenderwell. There are a lot of threads on here where guys are doing it or have done it. Here is mine:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=422521

[Dan Bowles]

Originally Posted by Layedoutsonoma91

thats a bit longer than a short box truck, would i still need a a long wheel base s10 frame for those? I could always shorten the frame if i had to but i would rather not cut it

Nope, that is the same wheel base on a Suburban or a SWB 3100. Actually it is the same stock frame.

Anyway, I started with an X cab S10, split the weld under the door area and shortened it 5" for ours. I've also got one on a stock LWB S10 frame and since you are shortening a bed, it isn't a big deal.

Get the title stuff sorted out first.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Dan Bowles

Get the title stuff sorted out first.

x2. Been there done that

[WIDESIDE72]

[QUOTE=Layedoutsonoma91;4559961]well he claims to know the person that legally owns it and can get a bill of sale. Dunno what else. He says he has done this before in Alabama with classic cars. But who knows.QUOTE]

I would tell him that you will buy it, dependent on HIM getting the title straight first. Believe me, the "anxiety" of feeling likeyou missed out on a good deal is nothing compared to the anxiety of having to deal with a bunch of bureacracy and wasted time/money in getting a title.

[ratrodmiller]

looks like a good deal to me . Alot of good parts too

[Layedoutsonoma91]

well i am still looking around at other potential trucks. I told him to work all the title stuff out and i would work with it. well see what he does.

[Layedoutsonoma91]

Well i was told at the DMV you don't need a title in AL 74 and older, just a bill of sale. On the other hand I found a lot better truck, but its a little high priced. It is all original, no rust at all. not even surface rust. Interior looks brand new. Been garage kept since it was new in 1950. It needs to have the carb rebuilt but he said it runs. He wants 4k. Do you guys think its worth it?

here are some pics.