I need advice on buying a 67 4wd
 

Here's the story.....I found a 67 SWB 4wd (small back glass) for $3800. After calling about it, here are the details....partial vin CS147Bxxxxxx. Decodes as a 67 2wd with 6 cylinder. Currently has a 327, T350 (rebuilt), new fenders, new rockers, no rust, nice short fleet bed (has side markers), front disk brakes, power steering, power brakes, no a/c, 2 year old white paint. It's missing the glove box options sticker.

It seems to be several trucks combined....but is it worth the $$$$? Thanks for any advice.

:hmm:

WELL THE BED IS OBVIOUSLY NOT FROM A 1967, CAN YOU ACCESS THE
FRAME NEAR THE P/S PUMP, THERE SHOULD BE ALL OR PART OF THE VIN
STAMPED ON THE FRAME ALSO, KINDA HARD TO SEE, THIS WILL GIVE A
LITTLE MORE INFO, MAY HAVE HAD A FRAME / RUNNING GEAR SWAP, AS
FOR THE VALUE, I'D OFFER HIM 3K CASH AND SEE IF HE BITES, IF IT'S
AS NICE AS YOU SAY IT IS, A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS,
HOPEFULLY THIS HELPS YOU, IF IT'S WORTH $3800 TO U I SAY BUY IT.

What's the running gear under it? If it's an auto, it's probably not the original rockwell xfer case, probably an NP205 or some variety thereof. Front disks or drums? If it matters in your state does frame vin match cab and is it titled properly? It could very well be a 67 cab and clip on a later year frame. Originality may not matter to you, but if it were me I'd look it over carefully and low-ball it unless it's a well-done "mutt". I've found the more a vehicle is pieced together, the more likely it has some backyard engineering that'll bite you in the a$$ at some point. It would be worth more to me had it still had the I6, rockwell xfer case and original running gear. A true 67 SWB 4x4 is a rarity, a "mutt" is not. Without pics it's hard to say, maybe $2000-$2500?

I agree the frame vin would help. If it's a 2wd body on a 4x4 chassis I would say it's no problem, if it had a 4 speed it would even have the high hump, if not they may have did a body lift for clearance. If its a 2wd converted to a 4x4 then check to see if they did a good job mounting the front differential shackels, and if it has power steering check the frame at the sector. Also I would check the transfer case mounting especially the addapter between the trans and transfer case for cracks(very common with 350). Also it might be worth pulling the plug on the transfer case, if anything runs out when its cold then the seals in the addapter are shot ( another common problem) , not expensive if you do it yourself but alot of work. Hope this helps. Sounds like a good deal to me if they did quality work.

One other thing, PS was not an option in 67 for 4x4's IIRC. I know 2wd trucks did not have the dimpled frame to accomodate the PS box. I'm assuming 4x4's in 67 were the same design. If it's the original 67 frame, check out how the ps was engineered. If not done properly, the frame will be stressed and the geometry will be off. Another good reason to be suspicious. Not saying it's not worth the asking price, just enter the deal with skepticism when looking at a owner built, not GM built truck, especially a 4x4.

If I had a rusted out SWB 4X4, I'd definitely search out a donor body (o.k., not if, that's what I actually did but I waited for a '68 cab to keep it "original"). 67 swb beds are hard to come by so probably explains the side markers. If the body is clean and straight, that's worth some money right there. Seeing how it's obviously not original, value it by the some of its parts, i.e. swb bed in great shape- $600 to $800, rust free cab- $500 to $800, etc... I usually work this way with non-original trucks. Add it all up in your head and then take about 70 to 80 percent of that to see if it's worth it. The asking price doesn't seem too bad really. Best situation would be if it's a 71-72 swb frame with a '67 cab mounted on it. Be careful that it is not a cut frame. That would also be pretty common on a peiced together truck. Post some pics!

CPNE, I used to have an original '67 2wd. While it had manual steering, could have swore it had the correct frame configuration to bolt a PS box right up? I know the 4wds such as my '68 do not. I remember measuring off of the '67 frame to see how much I'd have to space out for my '68.

:agree:

My points are:

1. Look it over with skepticism, paying close attention to "owner engineered" components. Get the details of what the mix and match components are. This will pay off when buying parts for it.
2. Don't pay for a 67 SWB, if it's not.

Mudder67 has an awesome example of what one can do, when it's thought out and well-executed. His is a 67 body on 73-up running gear, probably worth more than an original and whatever he'd ask if he were to sell. Just don't get caught starry-eyed, look it over, then look it over again. A second opinion wouldn't hurt.

Good point. I've heard of 67 2wd's with that provision too. I was making generalities for the sake of brevity.

I'm going strickly by what the owner has told me over the phone, this is the way he bought the truck about 3 years ago. It appears to be a 67 cab & front clip on a 71/72 rolling chassis since it has power steering and front disc brakes. Not sure what the bed is off of, or if the frame has been cut. The vin number he gave me is off the title, so it doesn't match the truck as far as the 4wd part. I will ask him more questions. I have not seen any pics yet and he is about 3 hours away from me.

Finally got some pics from the guy....the frame has been cut, so never mind. I pass.

pix
 

Can you post the pix ? Maybe somebody here might be interested.