Looking for opinions, help decide the fate of a truck...

[79 silverado]

So, its somewhat of a sad story, but looking for outside opinions on what this truck really is good for anymore (or not)... Here's the story:

Bought it years ago, back when I was in college. It had been completely redone by an older guy who ran a junkyard and passed away, his nephew inherited it, and thus it found its way onto me. I drove it for a few years, then one weekend I loaned it out to be used to move my parents stuff out of the house since they were retiring... that was the last time it ran. Broke down on the interstate, something engine related from the sounds of things. Since I wasn't driving it anymore at that point, I put it into storage as a someday project to re-do.

Recently the storage place resurfaced their yard. They asked if they could move the truck to pave under it, to which I replied sure, so long as you are careful... the guy who asked me said don't worry, they have a flatbed to use for that. Well... they weren't so careful. Even though I threw a new set of front tires on the truck since the old ones would lose air every few days, and left the key in the ignition so the wheels could be steered, they used a combination of *something* that broke, snapped back and hit the windshield, also bending the antenna and denting the door mirror in the process. Not content yet, they must have opened the hood and forced it shut, with the springs stiff from sitting, because that was slightly kinked. Still not finished, they put a scrape in the door, dent in the front fender, and then used a combination of pushing the truck sideways with a tire to turn it breaking the bead on the new tires, then pushed on the back bumper putting some small dings in that to shove the truck where they wanted it. We wont even go into what my reactions to all of this are/were.

So I'm not sure what else might have been affected by all that, but, this is what the truck was, and I'll throw in pictures of how it *is* as well. Its a 1979 LWB c10. Was originally diesel, correctly converted over to a fall date coded 1969 327, with the 3932386 cast block, the one common to the 302, 327, and 350 engines. This particular one is an FB code base 327 from a passanger car with powerglide originally, based on back when I ran its numbers. Automatic transmission, 12 bolt peg leg rear end, normal spring packs. It has dual tanks which worked well, a/c, hydroboost brakes, all the goodies. Back when parked, the cab corners had started rusting, but the rockers were still sound and hadn't any rust on them. Also, the passenger floor was good, but the drivers floor had rust on the toeboard area in a triangle shape, something that had originated where the cab mount ended inboard to the truck and was working out towards the kick panel and where the body mount was. The bedfloor had previously been patched, and is getting some rust again under the large rubber mat that is in the bed from rainwater being trapped underneath.

Back in its day, the truck ran strong, shifted smooth, steered like a brand new truck no doubt from the old-timer who had rebuilt/restored it. Everything worked and it never let me down once, until I loaned it to the parents for the move and they had something in the engine let go.

I know given enough time, money, dedication, anything is fixable. But what are opinions on whether this truck is even worth it? After all that recent body damage and what not, I almost feel as though I'm better finding another from the southwest eventually and going that route, when I am ready... which begs the question.

Is this something that is likely to sell from sitting parked in Massachusetts as it sits? Is this such a big project at this point that nobody is likely to even want it? Is it a case where I am better off pulling some select parts and the low-mile stuff off the truck and just scrapping the shell?

Throw out what you all would do if it was yours... pictures to follow...

[79 silverado]

Some more pictures... such as they are...

[truckfan]

that rust is tough. i dont know. i just upgraded since it was cheaper than fixing my '80 w/ some severe rust

[78 Chevyrado]

If it was in the south, I'd probably part it, but since it's up north I'd probably keep it. I've seen trucks WAAAAAAAY worse brought back up north, but I've seen rust free trucks get crushed down in the south. Not much help huh? lol

[ElGracho]

It all depends on how much you want the truck finished. If you are excited to have a really nice LWB 2wd, then rebuild it. If you really want a nice SWB or a 4x4 or something else, get the good parts and let the rest go.

Here in Washington, we wouldn't touch a body like that with a 10 foot pole. It would be junked for sure. The engine, trans, interior parts and definately that seat would be saved for the next truck. (one shall die, so others may live...)

[84 400]

seeing as I live local and all and am going threw a similar situation right now I will chime in.

In its current state you would be lucky to get 500 for that truck in MA. Most would offfer you 300 or so. If it was running more of course but its not and with a potential bad motor.
Threw creglist I have bought all the bpody parts to repair my truck for 600. Most of them are rust free orginals or aftermarket but I bought them all local.
This is all on my 77 stepside which I replaced the hood, rad support both front fenders, both doors, the bed, both bumpers and the grill. this cost me $600 in pats and I still need to do the cab corners and the drivers floor.
Most important is the FRAME. IF the frame is good and solid and the cab is rebuild able that is more then half the battle. If you like the truck and want to put in the time it is worth saveing if not don't expect to make a whole lot off the parts and you sure as heel won't get squat for it whole. If it is more then you can or want to handle the by all means part it which in itself is a big job.

I used to have an 85 LWB before getting my 84 LWB from texas. Trust me it is so much nice to start with rust free stuff then bring back a bucket. and you save so much in time. the only reason I took on the stepper is because I wanted a truck to offroad and daily drive and because I traded a lawn tractor for it!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...0/P1000006.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...2-13-09028.jpg


So if you not really attached to it then junk/sell/part it and move on. It is by all means salvageable judging from the pics and a pass fender and bed would do wonders for it. IF the motor was fine then I would say definalty save it but its got both the body and motor working against you.

[78 Big10 454]

Some very valid points have been made by the above members. As much as I hate to see vintage iron crushed and come back reincarnated as a Toyota, you've got a real uphill battle to fight. The combination of a blown engine and significant body cancer would make me think twice, unless there is a strong sentimental attachment to your truck.

[88 Dippy]

better body then my POS but mine runs-ish

[strick9c10]

I live in northern New England as well and a good number of trucks look like this or worse... sometimes much worse! I also know a number of people who live in this area would tackle something like this & fix it because it's what we're used to. People in other parts of the country wouldn't think twice about junking it.

Granted, in the end, what you do with the truck is between you & your wallet. I would part out as much as possible & junk the rest. I would start with a better body, even if it was going to be a driver.

I've restored enough vehicles that started in this condition to know you'll be way ahead in time, frustration & $$$ if you spend more initially on a quality body... even if you have to travel farther to find it.

Case in point; my truck. It was rust free, had most of the drivetrain rebuilt & overall was in great shape. Spent $950 in Georgia... and drove it home.

[Fraser Beatty]

I wouldn't junk it. Try and sell it whole first, you'd be surprised at the people out there looking for the next big project. Was goin to scrap my 79 1 ton after I sold the engine and tranny out of it, thought what the heck and advertised it for sale, sold the next day.

[79 silverado]

Thanks for all the responses so far guys. When I look at it, I think... well most projects get the bed and front clip changed anyways. the firewall was rust free, as is the roof, and the rockers are sound... which from what I saw in all my time in new england says a little although not much.

Me, I'm actually headed down to Atlanta shortly. I'm mothballing my 87 suburban and two regals, selling the fiero, and then I was left with this thing. I'm taking the 76 c20 with me, and also going to have the 85 firebird along.

I just feel bad about junking something when they aren't making more of them, and, so many trucks I see get that rust in the pinchweld on the firewall... this one doesn't. Just trying to decide whether I think more of the truck than it really is though. Either way, its not something I'd be using as a builder myself, just something that I need to see move along one way or another early next month...

[flamingbig10]

I would just treat the rust and make it into a rat rod

[84 400]

seeing that you already have your fair share of projects going I would throw it up on creglist. with any luck you could sell it or maybe get offered a good trade.

[884x4Sub]

find a good southern truck........!!

[tylerg.]

you should sue the mother f****** at the storage place for all you can get, then scrap it

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Wow damn I would be mad as all get out at the storage place. Thats a very hard choice to say the least. I would take a look around at some other trucks and see the shape they are in and how much money and time you want to throw at the truck. If I were to find another really nice truck that could use some of the parts off what I had I would take the good parts and scrap that truck if not I would keep it and fix it. But there defiantly is a lot of rust on that thing!