Truck ideas/suggestions

[Mayhem.Evol]

Well, im 16 now and of course i really want an older chevy. Who doesn't.

So, for now im planning to try to get a job for the summer(may have one lined up but its not a go yet).. and i wanted to use the money from it to buy a truck. I will be getting a truck from my dad at the end of the summer, so its not that i need a truck to drive really, i just want to buy my own c10 ya know. But I really like both 67-72s and 73-87s..

Now, i have zero mechanical experience or knowledge.. or really anything to use to work on a vehicle, which presents another problem. Also there is no auto type class at my school to take, so next year im taking welding. also one of my closest friends dad used to race cars so he knows alot about engines, so thats not so much of a problem.

Now i know i won't be making much money in just one summer, but i also want to buy something i'll be able to drive some while working on it. So i was wondering what year range some of you guys would suggest for a person with the above conditions.. would i be able to get a better start if i went with an 81-87 or something? I hope i got across what i ment

Sorry if there's anything wrong with my post. Appreciate your time!

[Ceeten]

A square body will be a good first truck. My personal favorites are the 83-87 short beds. Dead simple to work on and can be bought pretty cheap.

[kenm78]

Originally Posted by Ceeten

A square body will be a good first truck. My personal favorites are the 83-87 short beds. Dead simple to work on and can be bought pretty cheap.

I second that. Body parts are a lot more plentiful then the 67-72 and that means cheaper as well. Living in TX you will want to try to find a A/C truck but if you don't mind there's always 2x60

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by kenm78

I second that. Body parts are a lot more plentiful then the 67-72 and that means cheaper as well. Living in TX you will want to try to find a A/C truck but if you don't mind there's always 2x60

I agree with the above but if you aren't sure what a 2x60 is...... it's 2 windows @ 60 mph..

One of the first things I bought when I bought my truck.... was a tool set. It was the $100 Craftsman set from Sears (plus a tool box) and it has served me well for the past 11 years and has had pretty much every tool I have needed to work on a variety of vehicles. You can learn how to do the repairs... but you need to have the tools first.

[3r!c84]

get a 81-86 thats a good running project.thats what i did.i just turned 17 when i got my truck.

[kenm78]

You can also buy a haynes manual for the year truck you get its less than 25 bucks and just read it. You will be amazed how much you will learn. That's what I did 15 years ago.

[Sooner84]

I agree go with an 81-87 in decent condition. I got my 84 when i turned 16.

[Mayhem.Evol]

Thanks for the suggestions, i really do like the square bodies so it doesn't really matter what year of them. Ive liked them ever since i rode in one w/ a 454 lol. it was pretty sick.

Just wondering though, about how much will a decent truck be that i can work on but not have to redo everything because i really wont have the resources. This won't be a truck i'll need to drive to school because i will most likely be getting an 04 canyon(only 44k miles, was my dads) or he said he'd sell it and buy me something used.. so I pretty much just want to buy a c10 to hotrod in some and eventually be able to drive it daily

[N2TRUX]

Mayhem.Evol welcome to the forum. Take a look at Craigslist to get an idea of going prices in your area. I suggest finding a truck with the nicest body you can afford. It's not to hard to fix minor mechanical problems, but doing body work or rust repairs are much tougher.

Here's a good example- LINK

[Mayhem.Evol]

I look on craigslist daily, just to see ya know...

The only thing I am a bit worried about is the actual buying of one when i have the money, just because honestly i have no idea what is bad or good.

btw, my stepdad(ish) lives in tomball, if im not mistaken thats not too far from Cyrpess is it? and you have one of the sweetest trucks ever.. i really like that bodystyle

[Driveway Dreams]

You mentioned that you have a friend who's Dad knows engines. He probably knows the rest of a vehicle pretty well. I would ask him to come look at a truck with you before you buy. If taking someone else with you is not an option. Find a local shop that you can trust and take the truck and have it checked out. This will cost you a little but will at least have someone check out the truck for you.

[spinem]

wrong. a texas truck thats 30+ years old will be needing alot of money thrown into...

will it be a good learner? yes. should u get a 80's?... no. no no no no helllll no. get a 70's.o power anything, never to smog.. i love my square 74... but ull like a 71 ish more. i was 16 when i got my 71... it was my first car.....idk wat parta teaxas ur from, but i was in dallas, and it was rainnnn!!! raiinn=rust!+30+years... uuggghhhh.

[GMC Guy]

biggest thing...is RESEARCH!!!
shop around for a truck and don't be afraid to go look at a couple.
just by reading this forum daily you'll learn a TON!!
i bought my truck at 16 not knowing a whole lot, other than i knew they looked cool fixed up. but after getting my hands dirty and using the internet and also picking the brains of guys with more knowledge, it's amazing how much information i learned.

[big10ratrod77]

Originally Posted by spinem

wrong. A texas truck thats 30+ years old will be needing alot of money thrown into...

Will it be a good learner? Yes. Should u get a 80's?... No. No no no no helllll no. Get a 70's.o power anything, never to smog.. I love my square 74... But ull like a 71 ish more. I was 16 when i got my 71... It was my first car.....idk wat parta teaxas ur from, but i was in dallas, and it was rainnnn!!! Raiinn=rust!+30+years... Uuggghhhh.

^^^im agreeing with him bc with no power stearing and no power breaks and no sway bars it will do one of 2 things teach you how to really drive, and there alot easyer to work on becouse of the lack of smog and all that

[cor86]

As for the body style, you are asking somewhat biased people. The best thing to do is look at the different years (research) and find one that you really like (and can afford). A 73-87 will cost less overall, to buy and build, depending on how far you want to take it. Go to car shows, look on CL, ebay, member's rides, etc. Look at prices when they are available, so you have an idea of what a "good" price is. When you are ready to buy one, you will have an idea of what you want and how much it should cost. With any body style, the rockers are usually the first to rust. Most of the time, a guy will replace the outer rocker panel, but not the inner, so make sure to look under the truck. The cab corners, and wheel wells are also good places to check. Stick a magnet on them, to make sure there isn't a bunch of bondo. Take it for a drive and listen for noises, and make sure everything works right. Any imperfections can be used in your favor when negotiating. Try to find one that has a really nice body, or drivetrain, unless you can afford both. I agree that a lack of power options will be more dependable/reliable, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss power brakes/steering. When shopping, try to bring someone who is experienced in the truck you are looking at, or make sure you know what to look for. Never buy it that day, unless you are getting the deal of a lifetime. After purchasing the truck, you need to buy a Hayne's or Chilton's manual. This will help with the basics. A decent tool set is a must, and you have a nice forum to browse and search. Good luck and have fun.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by spinem

wrong. a texas truck thats 30+ years old will be needing alot of money thrown into...

will it be a good learner? yes. should u get a 80's?... no. no no no no helllll no. get a 70's.o power anything, never to smog.. i love my square 74... but ull like a 71 ish more. i was 16 when i got my 71... it was my first car.....idk wat parta teaxas ur from, but i was in dallas, and it was rainnnn!!! raiinn=rust!+30+years... uuggghhhh.

What are you talking about? You state a texas truck thats 30+ years old will be needing alot of money thrown into..." and in the next line your suggesting buy an "older" truck because it's going to be cheaper. Please explain how that works.


The deal is he has limited funds, and limited knowledge. There nothing wrong with that, we have all been there at one time or another. Based on that information, buying a mid 80s truck will be a good way to get started.

If I thought his budget would allow, I would recommend an 88-98 truck, but I don't think it does. As much as I love the 67-72 generation, finding a clean driver is not going to happen on the funds he has.

I research these trucks in this area on a daily basis. I have little doubt that a fairly solid and reliable mid 80's truck can be bought with the funds he has to spend.


Here's a good example-
1984 Chevy C-10 - $2550-LINK
1983 Chevy SWB C10 Truck $2800 LINK
1985 SWB C-10 Chevrolet - $2800 LINK

[HotRod73]

Get a 73-80 =)

[Mayhem.Evol]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

You mentioned that you have a friend who's Dad knows engines. He probably knows the rest of a vehicle pretty well. I would ask him to come look at a truck with you before you buy. If taking someone else with you is not an option. Find a local shop that you can trust and take the truck and have it checked out. This will cost you a little but will at least have someone check out the truck for you.

yeah, he had a late 70s model once, and his nephew had the 84 that i rode in.. and he was going to buy it for his son but he wanted too much in his opinion.. AND he knows all the shops around and where to find deals, etc..

EDIT: and yeah these forums really are packed with info, ive been reading all the build threads and stuff for the past year or more... just never made an account to post