I think I found a truck for me, please give your opinions.(PICS)

[trevor73402]

Hey all,

A few days ago I posted about how I was looking for my first 67-72 style truck to add to my collection. I was going to settle for a 2wd SWB, but I really wanted a 4wd SWB. They seem to be alot harder to find and when you do find them they are alot higher. Well I found one a couple hundred miles from me so I called on it to get the info. It is a '68 SWB that has been set on a frame and running gear from a '76 SWB. The '68 was a 2wd truck originally and the entire truck was pulled off and placed the frame of a '76 SWB 4wd truck. The '68 had already had body work and a new paint job before it was pulled off and placed on the '76 frame. It has a 350/350 setup and the trans has been rebuilt at one time, but the motor has not. My question to you all is there anything I should be looking for when I go look at it? The owner said that the frame was not cut on the '76, it was a true SWB. He said it does have some bondo in it. This is going to be a truck that I tear down completly to the frame and start over with. Ill put a different motor in it and hopefully a 700R4 tranny. Also, does this take away from the value/orginalality very much since its not a true '68 frame? I mean Im not doing this to try to make a bunch of money on re-sale, its a truck I'll probably keep, but how much does it take away from it? My last question is by looking at the pics what is a "fair" price for this truck? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
THanks,
Trevor

[usmcchevy]

It depends on what is important to you. Is having a different frame going to bother you? If it dosent I say go for it.
Some observations on the truck though
1, Has a 69-70 front clip. What year is on the title?
2, Looks like they used a body lift to fit the body to the frame.
3, Aftermarket tailgate.
4, Mirrors are at a angle.

[1LoC10]

Looks alright to me, depends on the price.... If it runs good, I would just bedliner the inside of the bed and paint everything under the truck black, and drive it

[trusty72]

2500 if it runs good

[msgross]

I'd look very closely at the cab mounts and the frame... It's not an original but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. I wouldn't tear a truck like this down but i'd freshen it up and have fun with it. Ditto on the bed liner and maybe a new floor and seat cover...

good news is front disk brakes and sway bar, that angle on the steering column looks pinched though... engine isn't original though, i'd say it came with the frame.

I'd go $2500ish for a truck if it ran nice and had a decent cab... What's he asking?

[Lee H]

What's the title say, Also make sure and compare the title to the vin tag. Who knows where or what this truck has been.

[trevor73402]

No, it does not matter to me what frame it has.
The comment on using the body lift to fit the body to the frame? I don't understand what you mean by this.
Good eye on the tailgate. I hadn't noticed that. Again I'm not familiar with the 67-72 trucks. I'm a '80s chevy guy.
What does it mean with the mirrors being angled?

[rsavage]

It depends on what you want to end up with. If you want to end up with a stock restored 68 4X4 ( worth the most in resale value) it is definitely the wrong truck because it is a hodgepodge of parts ( wrong engine, clip, accessory locations etc. etc. If you want a driver that you won't end up sticking too much money in then go for it. I have no idea what it might be worth.

[trevor73402]

He's "asking" $4000, but i wasn't going to give more than $3000-$3200. A couple of you have said its only worth $2500 maybe, well where can I find a SWB 4x4 for $2500? I'm not being a smart ass, I'm really asking. He said he cut the cab mounts off the '68 and welded them to the '76 frame?

[treveiger]

2500 would be my highest offer sense you want to completely tear it down. as for the bed i wouldnt just cover up the rust i would remove it prime the bed an then put bedliner on it, no sense in fixing it later if it worsens.

[msgross]

you aren't going to find a nice SWB 4x4 for $2500, that's the point... I say $2500 because it's a $500 chassis under a couple thousand dollars of 67-72 parts. If the work on the frame was done safely and you trust all of the work then it's a good driver truck as it is. If your plan on sinking another $5000-$10,000 to make it more like a show truck then you can. Really up to what you want. I have seen a lot of original SWB 4x4's for around $$4,000-5,000 though. I paid $1600 for mine and it needed a full resto...

If the body is nice and the engine is stout then $3500 plus or minus isn't a bad price. How nice are the welds?

They only made 1400 or so 68 SWB fleet trucks, so yes they are a little more rare.

[Davetopay]

That motor doesn't look too mid 70's to me.....at least not the O2 sensor in that driver side manifold.

If I were you, I'd check to see if the Arkansas DMV can do a VIN search for you. Carfax won't as the old style VIN doesn't have enough digits. Run both the cab number from the door plate and the number on the frame....if it is there. Don't want to buy a chop shop pile.

Check behind the steering box for cracks in the frame. Check for rust at the rear cross member rivets and around the rear shackle mounts, salt gets trapped there easily. Look for tweaks on the front frame horns, and anything that looks odd around the core support. Run a fridge magnet over ALL of the truck. You don't want to chase bad bondo in some places...like the roof. It is missing bump stops on some corners on the suspension. Check to see what transfer case is actually in it. That shifter is wonky. Make sure the body lift on it is legit and not cobbled together with homemade parts and low grade bolts. Check the front springs and bushings....looks like the front is leaning to the driver's side, but that could just be the ground it is on.

I'd go 2850-3000 TOPS....assuming it will pass inspection and be drivable. Otherwise, I'd pass.

[trevor73402]

I appreciate all the comments guys, this is exactly why I posted this up here. Im not a "gear head" and I just started messing with older trucks in the last year or so. THere is alot of stuff that I dont know and that I'd never even think to look for. Im very knowledgable on lifts, 4x4 stuff, transfer cases, and what not because Ive always been a 4x4 truck guy, Ive never owned a 2wd truck in my life. As for being able to spot all the little stuff thats year model specific, im not quite there yet. The only reason this truck seemed attractive is because alot of the body work had already been done to it. Body work and paint is the one thing I cant do and will have to pay to have done. Im not looking to make a true "show truck/Garage queen". I want a truck I can drive, but also a truck thats very nice. I wouldnt buy that truck and just drive it as-is. I would have to tear it down, blast the frame, rebuild the motor, and totally restore the interior.

Thanks again for all the help guys, I'll keep looking.

[msgross]

that's what make's this a great place for information... If they cut corners on the lift then what did they do with the body? you might open up a can of worms in the end if you have big plans... I'd rather spend $6,000 on the right truck then $4,000 on the wrong one.

[Bill72]

72 SWB 4x4 Clovis, NM craigslist. Was 2wd now 4wd. Been for sale for months for $1800. Don't know what shape its in.

[usmcchevy]

The comment on using the body lift to fit the body to the frame? I don't understand what you mean by this. If you look at the grill to bumper gap, they are suppose to overlap not sit on top of each other. Then look at the rear of the truck, the bumper is where it should be. This means instead of modifying the frame mounts for the body they mounted the bed to the frame and then spaced up the cab and front end to match.
What does it mean with the mirrors being angled? To me they just don't look quite right. These were just observations that maybe you didn't notice, not trying to bash the truck at all

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

The comment on using the body lift to fit the body to the frame? I don't understand what you mean by this.

Take a look at the gap between the inner fenders and the frame.



I would pass on it too. One thing to keep in mind is resale. Always assume you will need to sell the vehicle someday. IMO the 68 truck on the 78 frame makes it worth a lot less than a 68 on a 68 4x4 frame. It would be an OK truck to buy for cheap, and then bomb around in. Not a good truck to buy for cheap and then stick a ton of money into.

[trevor73402]

Originally Posted by Bill72

72 SWB 4x4 Clovis, NM craigslist. Was 2wd now 4wd. Been for sale for months for $1800. Don't know what shape its in.

Ive called about this truck already. It was originally a '72 2wd lowered truck. The '72 front, cab, and bed were taken off and placed on the frame of a '76 K5 blazer. Its actually a stepside bed, not a SWB. The motor and tranny are a 350/350 combo out of a '83 suburban. The motor and tranny have never been bolted down or wired up, its just sitting in there. It sounds about like what Ive already found, but I do appreciate you posting it up for me.

[71swb4x4]

This one could be a good deal. Already has your 700r4 too.
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1811201846.html

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by trevor73402

The comment on using the body lift to fit the body to the frame? I don't understand what you mean by this.

What they mean is that you can't put 67-72 sheet metal on a later frame without some modifications to the frame or body mounts. I would be very careful on this truck and have someone look at it that is familiar with the 67-72's to make sure everything is up to snuff on it. Personally I would walk away from it but that's your call....

LockDoc

[jorgensensc]

Trevor,
Not being an a$$. SWB means short wheel base, not short wide bed. So SWB applies to stepsides too. Just giving you some info. Is a very common mistake.

I would definitely pass on a cobbled together truck. What little more you spend on a somewhat together truck you will be much happier with in the long run.

Hope this helps some.
Shawn

[truck4man]

I think I would pass on this truck too. Just seems like there's too much going on with it. It took me three years to find and get the money to buy the right truck but it was definitely worth the wait.

[trevor73402]

Thanks guys for the help.

[trevor73402]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

This one could be a good deal. Already has your 700r4 too.
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1811201846.html

Thats a sweet looking truck for sure. That one doesnt look like it needs much done to it. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks,

[VA72C10]

my thought is if you are planning to tear it down anyways, find good sheetmetal and a good 4wd frame and make a truck from scratch. Maybe find a roller SWB for cheap and then the frame...there was a 4wd frame on craigslist here with new PS gearbox and pump and nice front and rear axles fully rebuilt for 600. if I had the room I would have bought it.

And the truck being in a flat color/primer usually means they are hiding bondo. If you go to look at the truck take a magnet and also tap all around especially the lower portions at the rockers, cab corners, wheel arches, front cups, etc....

if that's all good then it might be worth it to buy this one for the running gear and sheetmetal and then go out and find the correct 4x4 frame to put it on.....