Possible 1st C10?

[Alex_NC]

I've been on the site for a while now and have been looking at all the different builds, mods, and info I Its finally time to buy a c10, but its not going to be anything crazy. Itll be a reliable daily driver that just happens to be bad ass as well. Here is the one I am looking at picking up-

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/4147047879.html

The price doesn't seem bad as long as everything is straight. I know to look for rust in the cab corners, fenders, and along the under body. But what else do I need to look for?!

End Goal is to do a two tone plasti dip paint job to help save cost, clean up the interior, and have a fun first truck.

[ksshane]

Doesnt look bad. Vehicles in primer always worry me (learning alot due to my latest purchase). Check for bondo in all those areas that normally have rust.
Wear something you dont mind getting durty and look under the truck at the cab mounts to see if they are rusted out.

It says lowered. Ask how they lowered it. If he says they heated the springs it probably wont kill the deal but its something you might want to replace.

Ask to test drive it obviously... Check to make sure all the gauges work and smell for gas inside the cab. If it has a full tank or close to when you return with the vehicle look around the fuel cap and behind it on the bed of the truck for signs of fuel leaking out of the gas cap (pretty common and cheap fix).

Look really closely at that passenger door. In the picture it looks like there is a dent and maybe even the door handle is missing. make sure the doors open and close good.

These are just the things I can think of. Much more experianced people here that Im sure will speak up.

[Carl Spangler]

Originally Posted by Alex_NC

I've been on the site for a while now and have been looking at all the different builds, mods, and info I Its finally time to buy a c10, but its not going to be anything crazy. Itll be a reliable daily driver that just happens to be bad ass as well. Here is the one I am looking at picking up-

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/4147047879.html

The price doesn't seem bad as long as everything is straight. I know to look for rust in the cab corners, fenders, and along the under body. But what else do I need to look for?!

End Goal is to do a two tone plasti dip paint job to help save cost, clean up the interior, and have a fun first truck.

I would take a look and even test drive it but keep an open mind about looking further! JMO, that primered vehicles give me the willies.

cheers
JohnG

[Alex_NC]

Ksshane-
I forgot to say I was worried about how it was lowered. I know several people that have had issues with this when buying a vehicle. I noticed the door handle missing, but I wasnt too concerned about the dent. I think it still may be a good deal if the interior isnt too torn apart.

[70chevyC-Ten]

Look under the battery on the radiator support and the inner fender wells and the door bottoms near the front for rust too. Price seems very reasonable if it runs and stops.

[hugger6933]

I would be more concerned that it appears to be a 72 instead of a 71 and the guy may not quite know what he has or there has been cab swapping, witch is ok if done right. The others are right primer can be used to hide a lot of flaws in the body, that is why we use guide coats ans stuff like that on the primed surfaces.Good luck if you need more help, holler. Jim

[In The Ten Ring]

Is there anyone on here willing to give the guy a phone number to call to ask advice when he is actually looking at it?

I'm not educated enough or I'd volunteer to do that myself.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Alex_NC

I've been on the site for a while now and have been looking at all the different builds, mods, and info I Its finally time to buy a c10, but its not going to be anything crazy. Itll be a reliable daily driver that just happens to be bad ass as well. Here is the one I am looking at picking up-

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/4147047879.html

The price doesn't seem bad as long as everything is straight. I know to look for rust in the cab corners, fenders, and along the under body. But what else do I need to look for?!

End Goal is to do a two tone plasti dip paint job to help save cost, clean up the interior, and have a fun first truck.

When I was hunting mine I wouldn't even look at anything in primer or real fresh so-so paint. There is absolutely no telling what is underneath it. I held out for an original paint truck so at least I knew what I was getting.

I'd go take a look but don't be afraid to keep looking. There are lots of them out there and you might do a lot better for not much more money. Missing parts or panels/parts that need to be replaced are going to add up very fast so find something as damage free and as complete as you can afford.

[Hilljack51]

You shouldn't worry too much about it being lowered unless they did it really cheap and just cut or heated up the springs. Another easy way to see what you're in for is to look at the way the front tires are worn. Usually if you cheap out on lowering it, you'll get some negative camber, so the inside of the tread will be worn more than the rest.

Other than that, won't hurt to look!

[leddzepp]

What is your budget?

[Alex_NC]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

What is your budget?

The cheaper the better! Without getting too far into specifics, Im on a college kid budget. Looks arent the most important as long as its a solid body and able to be a daily driver.

[Alex_NC]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Is there anyone on here willing to give the guy a phone number to call to ask advice when he is actually looking at it?

I'm not educated enough or I'd volunteer to do that myself.

This would be awesome, but I wouldnt expect this of anyone. Im still new here. Ha

[bigmac73]

any truck that is 40 years old will be a project in the long run, if it has a solid body and runs good, i say go for it , we can help you out along the way if you want to fix her up,
make sure to look under the carpet and take a magnet with you to check body for bondo, and run your hand under oil pan and on top of cross member to check for active leaks,
ask him if he adds oil , how much and when to see if it is burning it off,

[GearsFC3S]

Subscribed since I'm looking to pick up my first c-10 as well. Some good info here.

[Tinkermc]

Welcome to the Forum, look at everything if you go wrong it could get expensive,

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

Welcome to the Forum, look at everything if you go wrong it could get expensive,

I'd say its gonna be expensive regardless!

[In The Ten Ring]

There is a fleetside for sale locally: it lacks trim but the holes are all there both upper and lower, it is a V8, automatic, C20 I think....1969-70 grill with a 71 to 72 hood. The seat is not original but looks comfy. It is missing tail light lenses. It's at a small car lot.

If you are interested, I'll get you the price and take some pics. I'd be happy to go over it for you with a small magnet.

PM me.

[cool68]

for the price it looks OK. but, no matter how low your budget is buying cheap does not make it a good deal. everything needs to be looked at, even under dash to check wiring.
any signs of new parts showing that the guy has given it some TLC?

[Drewski23]

It will just be a daily driver cool truck..thats what i said. Now i have the entire front end apart replacing everything lol.


I just bought my first truck a few months ago...it was lowered and looked great but it had a really springy ride..

they had cut the shocks to the equivalent of about 6-7 inches ride height and in doing so without using shorter shocks and a relocation kit in the rear, they had blown them and screwed up the spring rates in the process. So if they cut them plan on replacing both shocks and springs with a shock relocation kit in the rear and possibly a track bar. If they arent using drop spindles your going to want those for suspension geometry as well..Early classic sells the rear kit with everything you need for like 350...then the front springs and shocks are going to be about another 200..plus if you want to do it right about another 200 for spindles.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by carl spangler

jmo, that primered vehicles give me the willies.

Cheers
johng

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