Going To Look at My First Truck (maybe)

[chazmonro]

Hey I'm a noobie on this forum, I have been thinking about getting my hands on an old 67 - 72 pickup for some time, and I'm actually going to look at one this weekend... the guy tells me its a 71... I've already seen it once, and it looks amazingly clean, so I am wondering what I should look for or keep an eye out for. One thing I've already noticed and I have seen this on other trucks is a silver door on the side of the bed, I think its for an auxilary fuel tank of some sort, but I have no idea... any advice on what I should look for? Its been painted, so I want to check for bondo or body damage, where are the most likely locations for trouble?

I'll post some pics of the truck tomorrow after I get back from looking at it, so you guys can tell me what you think. I'm looking for a driver that I can have some fun with.

Other than getting the fuel tank out of the cab, what is the number 1 modification you guys typically do to these trucks?

Chuck

[Longhorn Man]

Welcome to the board.
Being you are in Illinois, the common rust areas of these trucks is from the frame to roof, and front to back.
No, not much of an exaduration. Look everywhere, the whole lower portion of the cab, the upper cab over the windshield on the inside, the fenders, the whole bed side esp over the wheel openings... I don't know WHAT illinois does to make there stuff rust so bad, but it is one of... if not THE, worst state for this IMO.
In all reality, depending on your price range, you might wanna look out of state for a truck.

[chazmonro]

Its the salt... we salt the roads with a really nasty salt in the winter time. And they salt the instant it gets cold enough to freeze.

As for this truck, I was thinking of bringing a magnet and see if there are any spots where the it won't stick to the truck, the roof looks good, and so did the bed, I'm thinking this has to be a truck from out of state, because its... well its in one piece, so that must mean its from out of state.

I'm sure the floors are the most telling, for most vehicles of that era, the floors seemed to rust away.

The guy wants 5000 for it, I'm hoping to talk him down... but I don't think he'll come down very far seeing the sticker on the window says 6500. This alone may be a problem because thats far beyond my budget, but we'll see.

Chuck

[420am]

Originally Posted by chazmonro

Its the salt... we salt the roads with a really nasty salt in the winter time. And they salt the instant it gets cold enough to freeze.

As for this truck, I was thinking of bringing a magnet and see if there are any spots where the it won't stick to the truck, the roof looks good, and so did the bed, I'm thinking this has to be a truck from out of state, because its... well its in one piece, so that must mean its from out of state.

I'm sure the floors are the most telling, for most vehicles of that era, the floors seemed to rust away.

The guy wants 5000 for it, I'm hoping to talk him down... but I don't think he'll come down very far seeing the sticker on the window says 6500. This alone may be a problem because thats far beyond my budget, but we'll see.

Chuck

I'd do some more research and ask a few more questions before I'd drop much that on a truck. Seems like a big gamble right now especially if it's against your budget already. I'd almost bet for that much you can find a truck with solid cab corners, rockers and floor.

[72BlckButy]

Be sure to check the trucks for sale part of the board. There are quite a few slick trucks for sale.

Also, welcome to the board from Mid-MO!!!

[Longhorn Man]

they throw the salt and brine (way worse than salt) here too... but the vehicles from Illinois always seem worse.
It sounds like you have an idea what to look for.. .the bottoms of the doors are known for rotting out too. Look in the bottom corner where they sheet metal is wrapped around the frame, look to see if it looks like bondo, or painted rust, or real metal... I normally find that as a good place to look to see what kind of condition its in/what kind of body work has been done.
The fire wall is another place that rots out, and the kick panels inside the cab. If it has coil springs in the back, crawl under and take a real good look at the long trailing arms. Those are very hard to find in good shape in our part of the country, and would be a pretty good indication if it is from another part of the country.
If you can get pics of it from inside, underneath, under hood, and close ups of questionable body parts, we can help look it over on here.

[chazmonro]

I did look it over last week, not super close, but close enough that I didn't notice any of the tell tale signs, for example, I didn't look at the doors, thats a good tip, I probably would have thought of it, but thats why I ask.

I'll take lots of pics. But just by the condition of the majority of the truck, I'm thinking its not an illinois vehicle. But I could be wrong. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks for the welcome... These trucks are cool man, I've always dug them, though I don't understand the 3 door suburban, its cool and all, but why only 3 doors? I guess its like the old minivans, only a door on the passanger side...

That taho project in the suburban forum is awesome! I love the suburbans too.

Chuck

[Longhorn Man]

that's just the way they did it. 67 was the first year for the 3 door, before that, they were all 2 door burbs.