Going to look at a '71 tomorrow

[Maximus71]

Ok, so i finally found a truck that fits my requirements (at least from what I can gather from the phone conversation I had with the current owner).

Requirements:

1971 - same year model as me!
not restored - I want to do that
driveable - I need to be able to use the truck now to haul the garbage to the dump etc.

Based on the picture, it has rust in the usual places - rockers and cab corners. Other than that, it looks ok, but I can only tell for sure by going to look. The current owner also told me it has a wood bed that is ready for replacement.

I have the obvious things covered, my question is other than checking the body for filler and looking at the underside to make sure there is no cancer in the frame, what would you guys suggest I look for?

Here is a pic of the truck


It is a 1971 C20, 400, 4-speed, owner said it was loaded with options.

[flashed]

I like it as it sits ,looks to be in pretty good shape .

[LilD]

When I was looking I learned from truck to truck to look for cobbled up wires, add on mis-matched components on the engine & make sure all the knobs on the dash control what theyre supposed to. I found that people really do some hokey stuff & the less you have to do as youre restoring it the better you will enjoy it.

[Maximus71]

It does look pretty good, I just want to be sure there are no items to look for that are specific to these truck that may cause major problems on down the road.

Restoration is really not the best word to describe what I plan on doing either. At least not in the purists interpretation of the word. I need a truck I can use now, but will be planning on doing body work as I go so I can repaint it. At some point in the future I'll also have to look at the frame and determine if I want to do a frame-off clean up, new frame upgrade or what. the tricky part is that I'll need to be able to keep driving the truck while I work on it.

As for the wood bed, I'm thinking I will either go back with a steel bed or maybe use some exotic wood that is denser/harder than oak. Aside from being pricey, these woods can also be naturally rot resistant.

[Shyguy]

Look at the trailing arms to make sure they are ok.

My son put a 454 in a short bed '70 one time and the first time he really got on it the trailing arms gave way.

[Maximus71]

Thanks, I'll be sure to check them out. I just hope I don't find that the truck is a rust bucket when I get there.

Do any of you guys know of a good on-line resource where I can get information about these trucks? What options were offered, paint options, trim levels etc? I found some stuff on-line, but nothing that explains them to the level of detail I'm looking for.

Thanks again.

[treveiger]

This is the best resource right here IMO. Ive looked around and found this is the best place. Just post questions and theyll be answered usually by several people.

[71veronica]

Is it leaf or trailing arms.Love it i really like that bambi basher.This is the best place for info .
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[Zoomin]

Be honest with yourself about what your skills are. If you have to fix stuff that's not in your skill set, that means more expense and downtime. Other than that, make sure you've checked out several trucks and get the best one you can at the outset.

[Maximus71]

Don't know yet, but I'm guessing trailing arms.

I haven't seen a bumper like that on one of these trucks but I'm not a huge fan. Too good a face to cover up IMHO.

As for the work I expect to do, there is definitely some stuff here that is outside of my current skill set, but the goal is to build the skills and be able to do the entire truck myself. I'm in no hurry to get the truck finished, it's just about getting a truck so i can get started.

[chipflyer]

Look at the glovebox option label (SPID), it will tell you what options the truck originally had and if its "loaded" they should be listed on the label. Make sure the VIN number on the label matches the VIN on the drivers door post and title. If the SPID says the truck originally had a 6 cylinder and blue paint and it now has a V-8 and is white, its had a lot done to it.

Jeff

[Maximus71]

Thanks, I'll definitely do that. Hopefully the truck is as good as the picture makes it look and I can get the guy to come down on the price a little.

[70cst]

Another rust area of concern: look at the top of the winshield where the frame meets the glass. These sometimes can be a real problems for rust. If looked for you will be able to determine if there are any issues. Check out the electrical to make sure evrything funstions properly. Looks like a solid truck.