Advise on buying a truck.

[CTENTA1]

Im thinking about buying this truck. Would you pay 9,000? I dont know much of the value on 73-87's. Does this seem like a good deal? The truck looks clean but im not sure if I should pull the trigger.
1976 Chevrolet Silverado
400/350 Trans
4x4
A/c
57K original miles.
2nd owner
Any info is appreciated.

[77ChevySharkBite]

It looks like a sharp looking truck! Has it stayed in Cali it's whole life?

The one thing that I'm not sure if it was added but the rear bumper I don't believe was a stock item. It seems to be rust free, how does it run? How's the interior? Does the heater work? The reason I'm asking about the heater is because mine leaked and it cause my passenger and driver side floor panels to rust.

For me I would probably offer him 7k highest I would go would be 8k. 9k seems to be pushing it.

Have you checked the vin?

Hope all the info I gave you helps you out!

[manimal]

9g's!? NO WAY! You an buy some pretty NICE trucks for 9g's..not saying that it is not a nice truck, you have to smog it,it's ONLY a half ton...Why not go 3/4t or even 1t for that kind of money and still have money left over!? It has the DREADED fuel filler neck...SLOW and splashes out at you every 7 seconds(ask me how I know),have to turn the pump nozzle upside down and pump VERY SLOWLY!
Maybe 1/2 that money,but not 9g's.....no insults intended for the owner. Just "MY" opinion.

[chevyman95]

Personally no I would not pay $9k but it may be worth that to someone. Does he have a title with the mileage or anything on it? I just bought a truck with "93k original miles" and had a friend run the vin after the fact and found out that's at least 193k miles. In my case it didn't matter because I would have bought it even with 293k miles but if I was paying $9k I'd want to be sure...

[CTENTA1]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

It looks like a sharp looking truck! Has it stayed in Cali it's whole life?

Im not sure of that yet. But I will ask.
The one thing that I'm not sure if it was added but the rear bumper I don't believe was a stock item. It seems to be rust free, how does it run? How's the interior? Does the heater work? The reason I'm asking about the heater is because mine leaked and it cause my passenger and driver side floor panels to rust.

I dont mind the bumper, I like it. I will test drive it for sure if I decide I want it. The interior is clean and im not sure if the heater works either but I will check for any leaks.
For me I would probably offer him 7k highest I would go would be 8k. 9k seems to be pushing it.

Have you checked the vin?

I will definitly check the vin.
Hope all the info I gave you helps you out!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by manimal

9g's!? NO WAY! You an buy some pretty NICE trucks for 9g's..not saying that it is not a nice truck, you have to smog it,it's ONLY a half ton...Why not go 3/4t or even 1t for that kind of money and still have money left over!? It has the DREADED fuel filler neck...SLOW and splashes out at you every 7 seconds(ask me how I know),have to turn the pump nozzle upside down and pump VERY SLOWLY!
Maybe 1/2 that money,but not 9g's.....no insults intended for the owner. Just "MY" opinion.

Yup smog suck! Ive always wanted a 1/2. I dont have a need for bigger. Good pointers about the filler. Did not Know about that.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by chevyman95

Personally no I would not pay $9k but it may be worth that to someone. Does he have a title with the mileage or anything on it? I just bought a truck with "93k original miles" and had a friend run the vin after the fact and found out that's at least 193k miles. In my case it didn't matter because I would have bought it even with 293k miles but if I was paying $9k I'd want to be sure...

I can check on the milage also, Thanks.

[nheller76]

I love the truck but 9 grand is a lot, why is it so high

[manimal]

also, look at the body lines, they dont line up between cab and bed. It needs cab bushings at a very minimum.

[tucsonjwt]

Even a pristine old truck will need a lot of parts - brakes, shocks, tires, A/C repairs/upgrade, radiator, etc. Old things just wear out (like people). So, $9K will not be the end of your expenditures unless all of the above mentioned have just been replaced.

If you have the energy and interest, I think you are better off rebuilding a truck - frame off from scratch. Then you know you have a good engine/transmission/brakes/suspension/AC, etc. You might get back up to $9K but it will be a virtually new truck. Just my $.02.

[74 stepside]

Just going by the pics, which we all know things can look better in pics than in person, Id say $6500 is a better price.

[manimal]

do you need a 4wd?

[CTENTA1]

Originally Posted by nheller76

I love the truck but 9 grand is a lot, why is it so high

Im not sure.

Originally Posted by manimal

do you need a 4wd?

Yes 4WD is a must for any of my trucks.
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[CTENTA1]

I like the truck. I just have to see it in person and test drive it. Not to concernd of old parts wearing out. He said its a daily reliable truck and thats what im looking for. I dont want a car payment and i love old trucks. Newer truck is out of the question for now. I got him down to 7500 but i told him 7000 is the most ill offer. All the other trucks like this around here seem pretty beat up and they are all listed for 2800-5500. Any more input? Was this a good year bad year? popular or non? I know alot about 67-72 just not 73-87. What should i look for?
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[manimal]

Why not buy one of those 2800 trucks and fix it up the way YOU want it. and have money to boot?

[80SPORT]

Clean original trucks are hard to find...

You are always farther ahead buying a good truck and paying a bit more.

The cost of paint and body work is high today...and you can never really get rid of rust that has started.

The sport bumper was a factory RPO...you could check the SPID and see if it is listed.

The only thing that did not look right was the mirrors....those are not correct for 1976.

So has it got late model doors?

Which might mean it was rusted.

The 400 engine had some issues also...check it carefully.

[andrewmp6]

If the rest of the truck is as clean you know interior under hood and frame,I would pay around 6kish for it.

[CTENTA1]

Good looking out guys. I will ask about the mirrors see what is mentioned. Trying to see it tomorrow.
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[motornut]

looks good but 9000 is too much,I think even up here

what years did the hood get the fat hood lip
my 78 dosn't, both 79s do

[manimal]

all the '76s I have owned had the tripod mirrors...like these,NOT the dumbo mirrors. I dont think that truck is original.

[manimal]

and my hood does not have the raised lip on the front either(mine is also a '76)

[shkj2004]

Its around 1800$ only
Rear Slide window was change
And the mirror changed
And tailgate trim not coming in this model 1976
And the color first time i saw like
And rear light not original
And need to change cap mount.
Need work for it
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[manimal]

if you are referring to the rear cab light,it is original to these trucks. I have one on my '76.
But no, that truck is not original.

[N2TRUX]

And now for a different perspective....

Buy as much truck as you can afford. If its truly 57k the truck should still be pretty tight and not need much replaced. You will NEVER be able to build one from the ground up and come out ahead. If that is the original paint and its in as good of condition as the pictures make it look, you will not duplicate that for less than 4500+ in paint and materials. That doesn't include the several weeks or even months it might sit in a shop waiting for paint.

Do I think its worth 9k? Probably not! Do I think its valued as low as some have stated? Absolutely not.

[AntiGov]

look around and see if any in the $ 8,000-$10,000 range have been rebuilt or restored properly....sometimes a fanatic will pour money into one of these to your advantage....to me low miles does not trump aged parts , and you will find yourself replacing parts anyways.....something to think about ..

[CTENTA1]

Is the vin# to the frame located on the driver side top of chassis by the gear box area?

Thanks for all the support. Now I know more than I did to start with.

[manimal]

I would be ok with paying 4g's for that truck. but that's IT.