Need your help please!!!! Truck crisis!!! lol - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RainDog · 03-25-2002, 03:11 AM

Hey guys, I'll apologize in advance for the really long post, but I REALLY need your help with a decision.....
I have a chance to buy back a 1972 C20 custom camper that was the very first vehicle I ever bought, so of course I had a strong emotional attachment to it. I wasn't looking for a 67-72, I just wanted an old cheap pickup, and it was that truck that introduced me to this obsession

When the previous owner was telling me about the truck ("California truck its whole life, not ONE bit of rust ANYWHERE," "COMPLETELY stock and original under the hood, down to the air filter and alternator," "103,000 original miles," etc.), I didn't understand just how valuable a find that was with these trucks.
So, I sold it a few months later. Well, it was AFTER I sold it that I really started getting into the hobby, but decided I'd have to put off owning another truck until I was finished with college. But now I have a chance to buy it back for $100, complete and running, and I have my dad's okay to park it in the driveway and use the garage for storage if I want to restore it.
So...I need some realistic advice on undertaking this project. It would be a dream come true, but I can't afford to get in way over my head. It would become a real sore spot between my dad and I really quick. I would do all the sanding by hand, a friend of mine will do the engine rebuild and the painting, so cost would be all parts. All body pieces (except cab, hood, doors, and bedsides) would have to be replaced. I'm not planning on anywhere near show-quality restoration, and will be working by myself. It seems straightforward enough, but I've never done ANY kind of restoration work before. So I'd like some advice from you guys, what can I expect? Should I take the plunge?

Again, sorry about the length of the post, and thanks,

RainDog

PS: Any good books on the subject a beginner could use???

O'l Buck · 03-25-2002, 04:14 AM

there's a book called how to paint your car, or something like that,(its out in the shop), very useful with techniques and sanding. Bodywork isn't really all that hard to do, at least for me, you just have to be very picky and not be satisfied with your own work, ever. Always try to get it better and it will look nice under paint, I patched a hole in a fender off a 55 Buick i once owned and it took me about 6 hours to get it where it needed to be(only a 5" hole). Bodywork is very time consuming, but relatively inexpensive to do and worth the time you put into it. As far as engine kits go, you can buy a master kit from Northern Auto Parts of Souix City,NE(they have a website). The kits are made up of high quality parts with pistons, cam and all, price of a 350 kit is $159. I also appologize for the long post and would definitely buy that truck back for $100. That's pretty cheap if there's anything left of it at all.

------------------
'72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

Relay · 03-25-2002, 05:57 AM

I say go for it! Take your time even if it takes you a few years, it'll be worth it! Just be sure and get a prenuptual so any future wife can't get it! LOL!!!!

**70cst** · 03-25-2002, 08:14 AM

RainDog...For a $100 I say go for it. It's worth more than that the way it sits plus it's worth more than that in parts. I sold my first truck my Dad gave me way back when...It was a 54 Chevy 1/2 ton and I sold it for $125. To this day I regret that decision but I was to young to realize what I had done. I was looking for a 48-54 Chevy about a year ago when I found the 70cst in Tn. and knew this was the one. It was the year I graduated from High School and this truck had a 402BB, buckets, A/C/, 400 auto., etc. If this was your first truck, you liked it, and you can get it back for a $100 go for it. Plus you have your Dad's blessings. The the most important thing that you had stated. What more can you ask for. The67-72 have been classified in popularity with the Tri five's. (See note on Hottest Truck on GMCPauls Board). Just my .0001 cents worth.
Good luck on your decision.
Regards,
Dewayne 70cst

Tynee · 03-25-2002, 10:28 AM

For a hundred bucks, if you don't buy it, tell us where it is. I gaurantee someone will snatch it up.

------------------
'71 Custom10 Given to me for Christmas 2001.
'94 GMC Shortbed Ext. Cab. Sweet truck. (For Sale)
'92 Buick Regal. The wife has to drive somethin'.
Lexington, KY Home of fast women and Beautiful horses.

**StingRay** · 03-25-2002, 10:57 AM

Buy it. It's worth a hundred bucks as scrap metal alone. Start by scrounging most of the big parts you need first because once it comes apart it's gonna be that way for a while. Then ask lots of questions here on the board. We'll all talk you through it.

barn9 · 03-25-2002, 11:20 AM

You only have one alternative. BUY IT!!!

------------------[*]'71 Cheyenne, 402BB[*]Winfield, KS[*] http://barn9.freeservers.com[*] steer50@hotmail.com

03-25-2002, 03:11 AM	#1
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Need your help please!!!! Truck crisis!!! lol Hey guys, I'll apologize in advance for the really long post, but I REALLY need your help with a decision..... I have a chance to buy back a 1972 C20 custom camper that was the very first vehicle I ever bought, so of course I had a strong emotional attachment to it. I wasn't looking for a 67-72, I just wanted an old cheap pickup, and it was that truck that introduced me to this obsession When the previous owner was telling me about the truck ("California truck its whole life, not ONE bit of rust ANYWHERE," "COMPLETELY stock and original under the hood, down to the air filter and alternator," "103,000 original miles," etc.), I didn't understand just how valuable a find that was with these trucks. So, I sold it a few months later. Well, it was AFTER I sold it that I really started getting into the hobby, but decided I'd have to put off owning another truck until I was finished with college. But now I have a chance to buy it back for $100, complete and running, and I have my dad's okay to park it in the driveway and use the garage for storage if I want to restore it. So...I need some realistic advice on undertaking this project. It would be a dream come true, but I can't afford to get in way over my head. It would become a real sore spot between my dad and I really quick. I would do all the sanding by hand, a friend of mine will do the engine rebuild and the painting, so cost would be all parts. All body pieces (except cab, hood, doors, and bedsides) would have to be replaced. I'm not planning on anywhere near show-quality restoration, and will be working by myself. It seems straightforward enough, but I've never done ANY kind of restoration work before. So I'd like some advice from you guys, what can I expect? Should I take the plunge? Again, sorry about the length of the post, and thanks, RainDog PS: Any good books on the subject a beginner could use??? __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

03-25-2002, 04:14 AM	#2
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	there's a book called how to paint your car, or something like that,(its out in the shop), very useful with techniques and sanding. Bodywork isn't really all that hard to do, at least for me, you just have to be very picky and not be satisfied with your own work, ever. Always try to get it better and it will look nice under paint, I patched a hole in a fender off a 55 Buick i once owned and it took me about 6 hours to get it where it needed to be(only a 5" hole). Bodywork is very time consuming, but relatively inexpensive to do and worth the time you put into it. As far as engine kits go, you can buy a master kit from Northern Auto Parts of Souix City,NE(they have a website). The kits are made up of high quality parts with pistons, cam and all, price of a 350 kit is $159. I also appologize for the long post and would definitely buy that truck back for $100. That's pretty cheap if there's anything left of it at all. ------------------ '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84 ralleys and 31/10.5s 67 Cutlass convertible 330, 3spd stick 90 GMC Jimmy 350/auto Chad Stephens Orleans,NE __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

03-25-2002, 05:57 AM	#3
Relay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Ulm, MN USA Posts: 71	I say go for it! Take your time even if it takes you a few years, it'll be worth it! Just be sure and get a prenuptual so any future wife can't get it! LOL!!!! __________________ 71 GMC 1/2 frame up restore in progress!

03-25-2002, 08:14 AM	#4
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,373	RainDog...For a $100 I say go for it. It's worth more than that the way it sits plus it's worth more than that in parts. I sold my first truck my Dad gave me way back when...It was a 54 Chevy 1/2 ton and I sold it for $125. To this day I regret that decision but I was to young to realize what I had done. I was looking for a 48-54 Chevy about a year ago when I found the 70cst in Tn. and knew this was the one. It was the year I graduated from High School and this truck had a 402BB, buckets, A/C/, 400 auto., etc. If this was your first truck, you liked it, and you can get it back for a $100 go for it. Plus you have your Dad's blessings. The the most important thing that you had stated. What more can you ask for. The67-72 have been classified in popularity with the Tri five's. (See note on Hottest Truck on GMCPauls Board). Just my .0001 cents worth. Good luck on your decision. Regards, Dewayne 70cst __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

03-25-2002, 10:28 AM	#5
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	For a hundred bucks, if you don't buy it, tell us where it is. I gaurantee someone will snatch it up. ------------------ '71 Custom10 Given to me for Christmas 2001. '94 GMC Shortbed Ext. Cab. Sweet truck. (For Sale) '92 Buick Regal. The wife has to drive somethin'. Lexington, KY Home of fast women and Beautiful horses. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

03-25-2002, 10:57 AM	#6
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	Buy it. It's worth a hundred bucks as scrap metal alone. Start by scrounging most of the big parts you need first because once it comes apart it's gonna be that way for a while. Then ask lots of questions here on the board. We'll all talk you through it. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

03-25-2002, 11:20 AM	#7
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	You only have one alternative. BUY IT!!! ------------------[]'71 Cheyenne, 402BB[]Winfield, KS[] http://barn9.freeservers.com[] steer50@hotmail.com __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

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