Buying first truck

[Octopi73]

Hi I'm new to the website and seeking advise. I found a 1969 c20 for sale and the guy is asking $1500.
Link--> https://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/5676994183.html
I went to see it today and take it for a drive. The guy said something about the hose on the engine being from something else on the right front. The rocker panels are pretty rusted and you can see through the corner of the floor on both sides. He also said sometimes in the heat acts flooded and you have to just hold the gas pedal down and crank until it starts. So I took it for a drive and it was a blast. Pulled over and was checking things out on it and it ends up dying. Before I left he messed with the screws on the carb so I thought that it might just be not enough gas being let through. So I started it back up and proceeded to drive it back to his house when it starts dying when I slow down to a stop. Finally got it back and he took a look at it and said the thermostat blew. It was pretty hot out and there was fluid then leaking from the, I believe, master cylinder. He said he would fix it as he is a mechanic. It has a 350 which I've heard is good, but I'm worried as to how often this would occur, along with the rusted floor and rockers. My mom is also worried about if I drive this 2 hours to college how reliable it will be. Just asking for opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

[mooseboy84]

It looks to be in halfway decent shape. Has power brakes, which is nice even if you have drums.

You have to consider any old vehicle you purchase will require you to spend money. It becomes how much money are you willing to spend... and what is your mechanical knowledge? The great part is, if you dont have a huge amount of mechanical knowledge, these old trucks are about as gentle an introduction as you can have to learning how to repair/work on cars.

$1500 for a truck in decent condition that at least runs seems a fair price, especially if the tires are relatively new or less than a year old. You can always negotiate a lower price, just make sure the person IS the owner and has all registered paper work, or it may become a bigger hastle than its worth.

If your purchasing with the intent on it being your daily driver, the first thing you would need to do is rebuild the carburetor. It looks like an edelbrock on there. Its simple to "rebuild," all you do is take it part, spray tons of carb cleaner in it, then put it back together. Change the fuel filter+ oil and filter, put a new Tstat, radiator cap and coolant... all that is $50-70 and just a start to get it running halfway decent. If it has old distributor, you would need a new cap and points, but you would think of upgrading to HEI which will make it start and run a lot better.

Rocker panels will have to be welded, but that can come at a much later date. You just want to make sure it starts and stops and is safe. I would buy it, and im sure everyone on this site would say buy it at that price. Just dont plan on making it your daily driver until all kinks are worked out and its safe to drive, unless you have roadside insurance...

[Grumpy old man]

You better run and buy it .it looks like the owners done some work .one of the more expensive pieces ( the grille ) looks good ,it won't last long at that price .

Granted it's cool to drive an old truck but. Going off to college you maybe better suited with a low cost old Honda . These old trucks require maintenance and aren't known for being fuel efficient .and there are fewer mechanics who know how to fix a non computerized truck .

[BILT4ME]

Thermostats don't "blow". If the thermostat fails, it typically fails OPEN, and the engine does not heat up enough. If it fails closed, it overheats and it blows a head gasket.

If it overheats, it will NOT blow fluid out of the master cylinder. The master cylinder is for the brakes. If you do not know the difference between the radiator and the master cylinder, you should not buy this truck. I' not trying to be a dick, just saying it like it is. I DON'T know your specific situation, but you came to the forum for advice.

You test drove it and it died twice during the test drive. Either this guy has cobbled stuff together to make it run just enough for some poor, unsuspecting person, or it has a lot more serious issues.

I see the spark plug wires are laying on the exhaust manifolds. Even new wires will burn through in under 10 miles. If he's a mechanic, he knows better and did it anyway.

If you don't have much mechanical experience, this WILL be a learning experience, and your mother will be frustrated to know what you are getting into. This will also NOT be as cheap as it appears. Don't fool yourself into the part of "I HAVE to have this truck!" Your mother is rightfully concerned and she doesn't want you to commit to something you know nothing about and end up WAY over your head, and then without enough money to support the habit. If you are planning on a daily driver and driving it to college, you BETTER know how to work on it. If you have a mentor (Father, Uncle, Neighbor) that can teach you mechanics and stick with you, then you have a support team. If you are just planning of figuring it out as you go, you will spend a lot for your education.

I have a 16 YO son I am teaching this to right now. I am allowing him to fail. I FULLY know what we jumped into and I can give him the bump in the right direction when he needs, and I have a back-up plan if it all goes to hell.

Good Luck! Keep your eyes wide open!

[cypressbog]

I think you're getting a lot of truck for $1,500. You might want to spend some money on getting the carb tuned correctly and by all means, make sure the brakes are safe.

[In The Ten Ring]

I also think this is a good truck, I notice it used to be blue, which I think is a pretty color. The instrument panel looks very nice, way better than mine. It's a lwb too and has a spotlight.........two things I wish my truck also had. Looks like it as a tool box also, I am going to build myself one but you will be getting one. Finally, it appears to be a 3/4 ton, which will allow you to haul a lot more weight.

Careful, people on here might try and buy it out from under you, it's at least possible. The dying issue might be an easy carb or timing adjustment fix. You could run it by a garage on your way home and see.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Buy it. If you regret it, resell it with more pictures in the ad for the same or more cash.

[Ken B]

I'm not too sure its the right vehicle for you but it is a real good deal for someone...

[cypressbog]

I was thinking about when I was in my late teens with very little cash flow. If Octopi73 spends the same $1,500 on a used car, what would he get? A 250,000 mile Honda accord that probably needs everything. A truck like this could be a good and reliable runner for him.

[del4fun]

That is a deal baby
I paid 4400 for a rust bucket

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by BILT4ME

Thermostats don't "blow". If the thermostat fails, it typically fails OPEN, and the engine does not heat up enough. If it fails closed, it overheats and it blows a head gasket.

If it overheats, it will NOT blow fluid out of the master cylinder. The master cylinder is for the brakes. If you do not know the difference between the radiator and the master cylinder, you should not buy this truck. I' not trying to be a dick, just saying it like it is. I DON'T know your specific situation, but you came to the forum for advice.

You test drove it and it died twice during the test drive. Either this guy has cobbled stuff together to make it run just enough for some poor, unsuspecting person, or it has a lot more serious issues.

I see the spark plug wires are laying on the exhaust manifolds. Even new wires will burn through in under 10 miles. If he's a mechanic, he knows better and did it anyway.

If you don't have much mechanical experience, this WILL be a learning experience, and your mother will be frustrated to know what you are getting into. This will also NOT be as cheap as it appears. Don't fool yourself into the part of "I HAVE to have this truck!" Your mother is rightfully concerned and she doesn't want you to commit to something you know nothing about and end up WAY over your head, and then without enough money to support the habit. If you are planning on a daily driver and driving it to college, you BETTER know how to work on it. If you have a mentor (Father, Uncle, Neighbor) that can teach you mechanics and stick with you, then you have a support team. If you are just planning of figuring it out as you go, you will spend a lot for your education.

I have a 16 YO son I am teaching this to right now. I am allowing him to fail. I FULLY know what we jumped into and I can give him the bump in the right direction when he needs, and I have a back-up plan if it all goes to hell.

Good Luck! Keep your eyes wide open!

Originally Posted by Ken B

I'm not too sure its the right vehicle for you but it is a real good deal for someone...

Great advise....