How much do you value “no rust” ever, on our square body trucks ?

[57NAPCO]

For myself, I value a no rust original sheet metal truck very high, if fact it’s my highest criteria when looking. I fortunately have a few “no rusters” in my small group of squares.

We all have different thoughts on what we like/value in these trucks of ours.

How bout you ?

[dieseldawg142]

living in the PNW, rain forest of the west coast, we highly value rust free sheet metal. very hard to find, and not a major selection to choose from where i live.
like you i rank it most important, any of the running gear for these trucks can be had anywhere, but rust free metal is at a premium.
and no, had enough probs dicking around with taiwan/china metal, so aftermarket fenders is not really a way i would go

[72c20customcamper]

It's the utmost on my list mechanicals interior are easy to fix. I've been lucky my trucks have minimal rust.

[78K20]

I’ve got 2 squares. One is a no rust ever all original sheetmetal Chevy Silverado, and the other one is a Chevy Silverado rust bucket that’s already been patched up by a po, & needs to be metal patched again.
I love them both.

[THI]

My 1978 C20 spent it's entire life in Michigan, but was stored for winters so it has very little rust. Cab corners are solid, only rust is the bottoms of the doors and a small patch behind the right rear wheel opening.

My 1978 K25 from Arizona had more rust than the one form Michigan! It seems that the desert dirt collected in the front wheel wells and both the inner and outer fenders rusted out from holding moisture. The bottom back corners of the doors also have some rust.

I value the original sheet metal over rust, but have had vehicles from both Arizona and California that had rust - it seem the older trucks from the desert will rust, but in different places than the ones that have been down salted roads. As you got into the 1980's with better rust prevention (still not the greatest) the southwest vehicles seemed to hold up better, here in Michigan it only slowed the process.

[Hart_Rod]

Was extremely important to me. Last 2 truck were no rust, OG paint and low miles. I'm over rust repair....

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by THI

My 1978 C20 spent it's entire life in Michigan, but was stored for winters so it has very little rust. Cab corners are solid, only rust is the bottoms of the doors and a small patch behind the right rear wheel opening.

My 1978 K25 from Arizona had more rust than the one form Michigan! It seems that the desert dirt collected in the front wheel wells and both the inner and outer fenders rusted out from holding moisture. The bottom back corners of the doors also have some rust.

I value the original sheet metal over rust, but have had vehicles from both Arizona and California that had rust - it seem the older trucks from the desert will rust, but in different places than the ones that have been down salted roads. As you got into the 1980's with better rust prevention (still not the greatest) the southwest vehicles seemed to hold up better, here in Michigan it only slowed the process.

The most rust free truck I bought came from Michigan dont think the original owner used it if it was going to rain let alone go out in the snow . Sold it because I like to drive them and knew it would go down hill if I did

[Wgesnerjr]

No rust is the only reason I saved my truck from the crusher. Otherwise I would have passed on it. Made the body shop invoice WAY less!

[dagnabbitt]

Where I live a rust free truck would seem to be a unicorn, especially since very few people parked these trucks during the winter. Usually the whole reason why you bought a truck was for our winters.

I tend to say "I don't care about paint" as a defense for why most of my trucks look so bad (Response: "So you focus on mechanicals?"; Answer "Uh no I don't do that either").

But when I found this one I was pretty blown away by the condition, it was the quintessential barn find, covered by a tarp for about 20 years. Although it had a respray, it was over top of the original paint - I can tell because the tarp was flapping in the wind and rubbed off the paint on the corners - and I believe the 100K on the odometer was original.

While fenders and tailgates are obtainable, I am much more cautious now about buying a truck with rocker and cab corner issues: to the novice it doesn't look like much to fix but I've learned that it is a real pain unless you have the talent to fix it yourself. And of course, it is only original once.

[72c20customcamper]

I'm going to look at this one later in the week said to be a 26k all original truck asking 14k for it. Not that interested in the dump

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I'm going to look at this one later in the week said to be a 26k all original truck asking 14k for it. Not that interested in the dump

Buy.it.

[craneboy72]

Being from New England a rust free truck is unheard of. I purchased this K5 last year from west Texas. It is 99% rust free. it so nice to remove the rugs and not see holes.

[57NAPCO]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Buy.it.

Should be sold by now .....Mark?

[franken]

Originally Posted by craneboy72

Being from New England a rust free truck is unheard of. I purchased this K5 last year from west Texas. It is 99% rust free. it so nice to remove the rugs and not see holes.

Wait... 99% isn't rust free
For the 99% rust free is a wish that will never be true.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

Should be sold by now .....Mark?

Life gets in the way . Haven't had the time I texted the owner might be able to go this weekend

[57NAPCO]

Not tryin’ to pressure ya

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

Life gets in the way . Haven't had the time I texted the owner might be able to go this weekend

[Tom]

Rust of any sort is a huge no. And the only reason it wouldn't be oem sheetmetal out here is an accident at some point.

[SCOTI]

Value is subjective. It depends on the truck, situation, & the individual really.

A low mile untouched truck that's on your 'bucket list' & you're looking for that last project? Sure I get that. But it's not worth paying an uber high price for a truck that's 'rust free' vs a steal of a deal for the same thing w/some rust if you have the time/resources to do the repair work. Patch panels, skill, effort, & some paint products can get you a similar truck @ a better price.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

Not tryin’ to pressure ya

Going Monday.