My 4WD SWB started out life as a 2WD LWB... it was a pleasent suprise today.

[Bleach]

So I am taking apart my truck a little at a time so I can start really working on it and killing the rust....I got under it to take out some bolts and I started checking out my frame. When I bought this truck I didn't really know what I was looking at (thanks to the board I know much more).....You guys remember how my 69 had the bed from a 67 (as it has no rear sidemarkers)..well, my frame was CUT once upon a time. I don't think it was done so well either! It is welded in and around the cut, but also there are two pieces of metal that they welded to the front and back pieces of the frame......I was mildly upset..


To make things better......I pulled up the carpet.....there is a hole that was cut out of the floor with snips to let the transfer case handle up through the floor....it is ugly......the dang truck was a 2WD, and someone changed it to a 4WD....

So, lets recap....it was a 69 2WD LWB..and someone made it into a 4WD SWB...other than what I have mentioned, what else can I look forward too? I paid 4K for this thing, and I thought it was worth it at first because of the restoration value....so what does this do the value now? Did I pay too much? If it is worthless, I will go talk to the guy I bought it from (whom I think is completely unaware of what has happened, he is about the 5th owner in 6 years.....long story but it was never driven).

I'm going back to drink some more delecious beer. I'll check you guys out later.

Thanks.

[Hutch]

Bleach
The original 2-wheel drive frame and the four-wheel drive frames are completely different.
I had one of each at one time side-by-side and there are a lot of differences.
They do appear to be similar.
It did not take long with a tape measure to see the differences.
The first item I usually check on this sort of purchase is the VIN on the title and then the body and frame, it should have a K instead of a C for the model number.
Also the 4x4 would have had the high hump (removable)
Some of the conversions still have the coil suspension on the rear.


There is a lot of them around and all degrees of craftsmanship, some will bring as much as an original and perform even better.

This sale does not sound as if you were deceived just not what you were expecting

[69ride]

a truck is never useless, it's what you make it out to be. If it requires inspection before being put on the road then it might not be worth it. I bought my truck thinking i was getting a good deal but now a 67 cab sits behind a 69 grill, not all original but but its still a cool old truck.

[Bleach]

yeah it requires inspection in VA, but it runs decent. I've been working on it to try and make it better. This is going to be a long time coming I know. Just a little at a time.

So hutch, I understand what you wrote, but I don't understand what you're telling me. My frame has obviously been cut in half and welded together at one time. As for the VIN, the first charachter is a "C".

I'm telling ya man, it's a rig job and I had no clue. Yeah it can still be a cool old truck and my plans haven't changed, just a little miffed is all. What does a welded on tail piece mean? Do I have any new worries?

[Harold Shepard]

If yu check the welds at the joints and they are solid then the plates should only be reinforcements. If it was done right, the frame should not break ever at that section. If you have a good K vin title and plate and could find a good short frame and a high hump for the cab you can still have a 4x4. I would check it out and if everything is ok drive the crap out of it... heck if you have a 4x4, you have more than I have got at the moment, unless vtblazer is ready for his sb 4x4 to come south for a visit???? .

[72 CustomCamper]

Hey Bleach, depending on how often you plan on driving the truck, it doesn't always have to have the anual inspection. You can get a set of the same year tags( like if the truck is a 69 get a set of 69 Va plates and register it as a classic). My 72 has a set of 72 Va truck plates and I don't have tp get an inspection or county decal, or have to pay taxes on it...

Chuck

[Bleach]

I drove the thing about 150 miles when I got it to bring it home, so it drives OK. To pass state inspection, are they going to check out the welds and match the Cs and Ks in the title? My other cars were inspected and they didn't do much at all.

Yeah I checked about having it registered as an antique, and they said you could only do that if it wasn't going to be a daily driver and you only drove it to shows or parades or some crap like that. I wouldn't mind doing it anyway but I know some commie cop in VA would pull me over and ask me where the parade was.

I intend on making this a daily driver. Yes, lots of work ahead.

[PICKMUP]

If you are going to put good money into it and make a nice truck out of it, find a good correct 4X4 frame/chassis and make it right. I think the seller has some responsibility for selling a "heavily modified/altered" vehicle, without telling you. The value is really reduced to basically the value of the parts.
We have a case near here, where a cut down 2wd was sold for market value, and when the new owner discovered it, she was furious...lawyers involved...it's getting ugly!
Unless you just want to build a "beater", you will never be satisfied with that truck unless you fix it right. IMHO ...and what if you ever want to sell it?

[robertwb]

Originally Posted by Hutch

The first item I usually check on this sort of purchase is the VIN on the title and then the body and frame, it should have a K instead of a C for the model number.

where is the VIN on the frame located?

[landon4421]

Driver side frame rail. One is located in the engine compartment, the other under the cab, same rail. someone will pop in here with pics I bet !

[Bleach]

Yeah, I intend to talk to the guy that sold it to me tommorow night. I still don't even have the title, just a bill of sale. The title is in the works, maybe even in the mail right now. But what the hell do you say to this guy that sold it to me. I honestly believe he has no idea what this thing used to be.