Too Much Rust???

[Bad Jackson]

Hey guys, I've been lurking here for a bit now & this is my first post. I have been looking for MY truck & I finally found it. By "My Truck" I mean the exact truck I want!!!!! But one reason it's affordable is that it has so much rust. Should I buy it anyways??? My perfect truck would be 71/72, 4x4, V8, 4 spd, LWB, A/C cab, panoramic back window, 2 tone (orange/white), steel bed floor. This truck is IT!!!! But I'm not wanting this for a project (yet), I need a truck I can drive. Some day I'll restore it, but for now, just need a truck. (I just sold my 96 Cummins)


(So, I'm having trouble uploading more than 1 pic.)
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[Bad Jackson]

It has rust in both kick panels, both cab corners, AND the drivers side floor board is RUSTED THROUGH!!! I can see daylight through it!

Thanks in advance!
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[leddzepp]

Rust never prevented anyone from driving a truck. If it is mechanically sound, priced in your budget, and you like the truck, get it, drive and enjoy it.

[Bad Jackson]

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a good rust free A/C cab while I'm driving this one...
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[Bad Jackson]

Here is the same side as the other pic...
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[PanelDeland]

Actually the rust you posted could be classified as stock.Every truck has it,unless it's been restored.Floorboards,cab corners almost always need replacement.Rockers are like your youth,don't last nearly long enough.

[67ctener]

Just a little on my experience. I bought a 67 project... I'm now into my 6th cab and its 'fair' IMO if your rust is kick panels down its worth fixing. If you have drip rail, roof, cowl rot etc that's a pretty big job but still fixable. Is see fair k20s around here go for 1000-2500
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[In The Ten Ring]

Ya, that's about where I am. My truck saw a fairly serious bondo job in the early 90's but the paint is coming up. I have cab corners that need help along with drip rail and that seem above the driver's side of the windshield......oh geeze!

Man, I really don't know much about these trucks but if that is the truck you want, starting saving up your money, learning as you are on here, and get ready to just fix it all at once. Keep your eye open for new cabs though.....Jeremiah King (a member here) has a junkyard out in CA and his outfit seems really good to deal with. I just bought a couple of parts from them and if need be, will try and get a cab from them in the future.

[lha1992]

If its only got rust in the inner and outer rockers, cab corners and lil in the kik panels go for it like everyone says. Its common for even clean low-mileage trucks to have rust there. Nature of the design of these trucks being the drain holes would get clogged up and what not.

Cowl repair is kinda a biggie but not near as bad in my opinion as drip rail and roof channel repair.

Originally Posted by 67ctener

Just a little on my experience. I bought a 67 project... I'm now into my 6th cab and its 'fair' IMO if your rust is kick panels down its worth fixing. If you have drip rail, roof, cowl rot etc that's a pretty big job but still fixable. Is see fair k20s around here go for 1000-2500
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Where are you finding these K20s in our area?? I'm down here in Everett not too far from you!

[Bad Jackson]

I looked for rust up high, and didn't see any. It all seams to be from the lower moulding down. The tailgate has some holes too, all at the bottom.
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[Bad Jackson]

So, as a newbie, what brands of replacement cab corners, rockers, kicks, & floor boards are the best? Obviously I'd prefer to NOT get anything made in CHINA.
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[67ctener]

Originally Posted by lha1992

If its only got rust in the inner and outer rockers, cab corners and lil in the kik panels go for it like everyone says. Its common for even clean low-mileage trucks to have rust there. Nature of the design of these trucks being the drain holes would get clogged up and what not.

Cowl repair is kinda a biggie but not near as bad in my opinion as drip rail and roof channel repair.



Where are you finding these K20s in our area?? I'm down here in Everett not too far from you!

Hello neighbor. Cl has become an addiction of mine and come across fairly priced k20s. I search all the way to Oregon and as far as Idaho. More times then not they seem local
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[leddzepp]

You are SOL unless you buy NOS.
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[lha1992]

Originally Posted by Bad Jackson

So, as a newbie, what brands of replacement cab corners, rockers, kicks, & floor boards are the best? Obviously I'd prefer to NOT get anything made in CHINA.
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Personally i would check out the vendors here on the site. Wes and Classic Heartbeat is a really nice guy and is south of me here in Washington in Olympia.

Originally Posted by 67ctener

Hello neighbor. Cl has become an addiction of mine and come across fairly priced k20s. I search all the way to Oregon and as far as Idaho. More times then not they seem local
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Haha CL has become a addiction of mine also! I've only searched the Seattle Cl only. I'll PM you.

[swamp rat]

If you get it or any truck, if you have any cracking at all in the rain gutter (drip rail) get all the sealant scrapped out, wire brush and spray the area down with some acid to kill the rust, then re seal it with a product made for drip rails get it at a body paint supply store.

Same for the area above and below the outside windshield on both sides, pull the cowl as the seam below the windshield extends underneath it, same treatment. Look at all the body panels under the cowl and make sure they are sealed too, i had a 1/8 gap at the widest point where 3 panels came together just below the windshield, came that way from factory, seal all the seams with seam sealer.

Pull the vent flapper doors and clean out the area just below, it fills up with all kinds of crap, make sure you find the drain hole and make sure its not plugged

[In The Ten Ring]

Oh boy.....from what I just read...I have a huge job ahead of me!

Pics to follow in its own thread.