is this too much rust

[sawyerrm]

Can this truck be restored to driver quality w/o breaking the bank?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151935881090...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Remember, this is CA where a cup of coffee is $4.00

[Nitis]

I was looking at that truck earlier today thinking it appears to be fairly solid. No visible cancer in any of the pictures hard to know what it looks like around the drip rail upper windshield area and I am sure the front right fender is rotted out 95% of them are from the battery tray

I almost emailed to ask the reserve but I am not in the market for one right now.

DO you have a budget in mind and how much work are you going to have to pay for? And what are you wanting in the end?

One more thing to think about is it is an original big block truck so if you aren't going to stay with that you may find a better deal elsewhere

[TheCougarine]

The ad doesn't seem to mention the inner rockers or cap corners be rotted out. I'd say overall it looks like a solid truck. Maybe not all but I'd bet a good amount of the rust on the paint could be removed with a CLR bath. It sounds like other than the exhaust leak its a good runner, I've DD a truck in worse shape than that.Can't really help to much on if its a good buy as I'm sure y'all have a lot more rust free trucks out there.

[leddzepp]

There are a lot less guesses on this truck as opposed to the last truck you posted. Do you want a LWB or a SWB? Do you care? The price is reasonable and I would consider this truck if I was in the market right now. It's not as "pretty", but it is original paint and that is paramount no matter what your plans are, you know what you are dealing with from the start,

[sawyerrm]

Originally Posted by Nitis

DO you have a budget in mind and how much work are you going to have to pay for? And what are you wanting in the end?

One more thing to think about is it is an original big block truck so if you aren't going to stay with that you may find a better deal elsewhere

My budget is $20K and I will have to pay for most of it, certainly the body work. I would like to media blast and then repaint to the original colors. The interior looks pretty good so not much there. Fix the AC. A daily driver, not a show truck. I drive my current truck about 2000 miles a year. I would stick with the big block b/c it only has 5000 miles on it.

Originally Posted by leddzepp

There are a lot less guesses on this truck as opposed to the last truck you posted. Do you want a LWB or a SWB? Do you care? The price is reasonable and I would consider this truck if I was in the market right now. It's not as "pretty", but it is original paint and that is paramount no matter what your plans are, you know what you are dealing with from the start,

Originally I limited my search to SWB b/c my garage is too short for a LWB. Then I realized that I've had my current truck for six years and it has never been in the garage. So I decided to expand my search to long beds b/c there are more of them and they they seem to be less customized. I was also told that they handle better at freeway speeds and of course they carry more.

[Nitis]

I say the only question is if you want to have a big block truck or not then it all boils down to the price

This is a solid rig for sure. It has been driven regurally you can see recent work has been done just by looking at the under the hood pic and the master cylinder is still shiny

Did you ask the reserve price?

[68bowtie]

doesn't look that rusty from the pictures. although the underside of the hood is a bit crusty.

[Nitis]

for $20k how bad do you want a project? Is that spread out over a few years or are you ready to drop it now? Because you can get a pretty nice rig for $20k and I wouldn't want to leave mine outside after it was finished fo course I don't know where you live either

You also already appear to be compromising on the sb/lb thing are you also on the big block? To you it may not be anything signifigant but some may pay or ask a premium for it.

[sawyerrm]

Originally Posted by Nitis

for $20k how bad do you want a project? Is that spread out over a few years or are you ready to drop it now? Because you can get a pretty nice rig for $20k and I wouldn't want to leave mine outside after it was finished fo course I don't know where you live either

You also already appear to be compromising on the sb/lb thing are you also on the big block? To you it may not be anything significant but some may pay or ask a premium for it.

Truth is I would be settling on the sb/lb and big block and I don't want to pay CA rates of $125/hour on a project. Nonetheless, I appreciate everyone's comments and learned a lot from this post, so thank you. I think I'm pushing too hard to just buy a truck when there is no reason to rush. Having said that, it's good to know that if I find something where the only problem is a little rust I can buy it. As you know the plus side of buying something already finished is you pay 50%, however you're not sure what shortcuts were taken. Buying something with original paint that you can restore the way you want is attractive.

Again thanks everyone, I appreciate you taking the time to respond and sharing your wisdom.

Rob

[Nitis]

this one caught my eye also again pictures can be deceiving abviously its not the original paint and we don't know the spid maybe a little high but if theres no or minimal rust. I am not saying by nay means to run buy this over the other as we don't even know the reserve on the ochre truck

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5383558365.html

Also I wouldn't get to hung up on a factory AC truck either even the truck my brother built had factory AC and he still went vintage air

[joeydurango]

I was looking at that one too. I think that truck looks pretty solid, especially if the reserve is anywhere near the current bid. I'd buff it, CLR it, wax it, and drive it the way it is. If it were a 4x4 I'd have talked to the seller already... I vote you see what the reserve is!

[special-K]

Is that too much rust? Ok, seriously... Yes, for a 2016!

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by special-K

Is that too much rust? Ok, seriously... Yes, for a 2016!

My thoughts exactly!!! Hahaha that thing don't got much if any real rust by looking at the pictures. Surface rust ain't nothing to get rid of!

[tcrist]

The ad does not say there is even a reserve. Normally there would be a note "reserve no met" if there was a reserve wouldn't there?

Nice truck, Looks more like surface to minimal rust. Unless there is some hidden.

You (the OP) is close enough, you might be able to go look at it in person.

[54belair]

I looked at the ad just now---- first impression is, If its a California truck, the rust issues sholdnt be too severe. If I wanted a driver, then prob. Yes. But knowing how the rust hides from you, and seeing that you have a $20k budget--it all depends on how high it goes.
For a street driver I don't think Id media blast it, Id pull some of it apart, sand it and shoot it. The cost in Ca. for body work and paint is pretty high compared to where Im from in the Midwest. If you encounter the hidden rust--its going to really push your budget.

good luck, enjoy the truck if you get it.

[REEDS 72]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

Can this truck be restored to driver quality w/o breaking the bank?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151935881090...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Remember, this is CA where a cup of coffee is $4.00

I see more rust on some of the new trucks then that one has.

[Coley]

That truck has a lot in its favour if you ask me.
It's a (California) black plate truck so it probably is very solid....great starting point.
I would give it a quick repaint, get the correct steering wheel, look into a new correct seat cover, then redo both bumpers a little of the missing brightwork at some point.
all the while tho'...I would be putting the miles on it and enjoying it which is the best part of picking a good 'driver' as a starter.
If you are having garage size problems it sounds like any major home shop rebuild/restore endeavor is not a great idea....so keep it simple so it fits your life and your home space.
All Good

[flashed]

What rust ?

[JBing21]

I don't see any rust compared to mine...

[special-K]

Yep, that's how I've bought them. Original paint is true to life. Maybe you can find one that's been gone through mechanically with body solid and untouched. After all, that's a popular trend these days.

[Already Gone]

Interesting thread. You live in truck rich California and looking at a map I see you are in Southern California where I think is Super Rich Truck Country. You mention a 20k budget and and it was asked already whether you were budgeting 20k over time or could write attack for 20k right away. I'd say if have the 20k ready to go keep looking for your SWB BB and if you don't and plan to spend the 20k over time, then this truck should work for you. Another option is buy this truck and get it turned into short wheel base professionally.

[73737373]

Yeah, what rust?