Rust how much is too much?

[Seabee6768]

Looking to buy a 1972 GMC stepside short bed, that has small bubbles surfacing through the paint. It's located on the bottom of door and rear quarter panel.
Small amount of what appears surface rust where the carpet ends by the rocker panel where the chrome piece is located.

Any idea if this is minor surface rust or major issue?
How difficult is it to repair.
I'm mechanically capable, but its been years since iv'e got my hands in automotive.

Looking to restore the truck, and pass it on to my grandson in a couple of years.

The truck appears to be in fairly good conditions, with leaf springs, 396, with aluminum Edelbrock manifold and what appears as a carter AFB carb. It has a turbo 400 tranny and a 12 bolt rear end. Can't find out what gear ratio yet.
I have not purchased the truck yet and will have to travel about 300 miles to go see it. It runs and it's quick. I have many pictures, paint is a little faded, but no dents or dings from what I can see.
I have many questions regarding other stuff I want to do, but I'll save it for later on.

Thank you.
Fabio
U.S.Navy Seabee

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Seabee6768

Looking to buy a 1972 GMC stepside short bed, that has small bubbles surfacing through the paint. It's located on the bottom of door and rear quarter panel.
Small amount of what appears surface rust where the carpet ends by the rocker panel where the chrome piece is located.

Any idea if this is minor surface rust or major issue?
How difficult is it to repair.
I'm mechanically capable, but its been years since iv'e got my hands in automotive.

Looking to restore the truck, and pass it on to my grandson in a couple of years.

The truck appears to be in fairly good conditions, with leaf springs, 396, with aluminum Edelbrock manifold and what appears as a carter AFB carb. It has a turbo 400 tranny and a 12 bolt rear end. Can't find out what gear ratio yet.
I have not purchased the truck yet and will have to travel about 300 miles to go see it. It runs and it's quick. I have many pictures, paint is a little faded, but no dents or dings from what I can see.
I have many questions regarding other stuff I want to do, but I'll save it for later on.

Thank you.
Fabio
U.S.Navy Seabee

Kind of hard to tell without pictures, but it sure sounds like typical rocker and quarter panel rust that's very common. You can buy replacement panels for almost nothing. I bought mine a while back, and need to get them on.

Sounds like a pretty nice truck
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[FleetsidePaul]

Bubbling does not sound like surface rust...sounds like rust. It's not like you can sand that off, it will need to be patched. Pictures would help to see what you are dealing with.

[dan42]

Welcome from your northern neighbor! I strongly recommend that you post detailed pictures and we can help you gauge the difficulty of the repair. You want to avoid a truck with rust above the windshield, and in the support columns, but there are a lot of things that are easy to replace. Lots of relatively rust free trucks out here, no need to buy a basket case.

[ChevLoRay]

How much is too much? Depends on where it is. If there are patch panels that you can use to replace the rusty sections, that's good. Most of these trucks are blessed with some rust in normal places, but you can count on rust finding its way into the most unreachable places possible.

For one of you So Cal boys to be questioning some "bubbles"...may seem a bit funny to one of the East Coast boys who may sound like worrying over nothing. In Rhode Island, a 10-year old vehicle doesn't even warrant much consideration, per my son-in-law. When they moved to Arkansas, is truck was 9 years old. He was having trouble locating his title to license it here and said getting a replacement title to 10-year old vehicle in R.I. was a no-go. It's as if any vehicle that makes it 10 years there, is rare and unusual. Based on the chassis rust he had, I can see why. I know that there are some folks on here from The Ocean State who will say yea, or nay.

I replaced my cab because of firewall rust, courtesy of some non-automotive RTV that made swiss cheese of it. After doing that, I found that I could have gotten a new firewall piece for it.....live and learn.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by dan42

Lots of relatively rust free trucks out here, no need to buy a basket case.

This. I see a lot of rust free trucks in the junkyard, make it easy on yourself.
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[mmiddle]

In North Texas it is common to see rocker, and fender pocket rust. My 69 had cowl and kick panel rust from leaves packed down in there.

It is all in how much time and money you are willing to throw into it. If it is a good price.... I'd say go for it. Especially if it is a factory fat block truck.

[CC69Rat]

You West Coast guys kill me ..

I wouldn't worry about it. It doesn't sound too bad. I'm really just kidding, but here in the good ole rust belt that would be one to jump on in a minute. We're used to replacing cab corners, rockers, kick panels, fender cup, and usually some work behind the rear tires. That's just the normal truck find around here. I have seen them completely gone all the way up to the belt line trim. The roof line and top of the windshield is another place really bad for bubbles.

In all seriousness, Thank you for your service and welcome to the board! Post up some pictures and we can help a bit more.

[swamp rat]

I wouldn't be concerned until the window frame and roof are rotting out, altho i believe there are panels to redo this too plan on paying an arm and a leg for getting the work done if your not a body specialist.

[Saclandman]

Just for a comparison, this one might be too much rust. But it's mine.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=584215