Should I go here....

[02indigoblue]

New to forums. I have very little (actually no) experience restoring or customizing but have always wanted to get involved. Not too bad of a wrench turner with the right guidance, but no expert by any means. Anyhoo, had an eye on this little piece of candy the past couple of weeks. Looks to be a '72 long bed c20 with a 350 & turbo 400 tranny. Some surface rust on the bed, some replacement body parts but generally straight. Price is cheap, probably because it's a C20 which I'm guessing isn't as desirable (?)

What should I be looking for in a first project vehicle? Any words of advice from you folks with more experience?

Here are a couple of photos I snapped on the way home tonight.






Is this something worth getting involved with or am I better off looking for a C10? What I don't want to get involved with is a complete money pit needing skills and resources that I don't have or have access to. I know this is a tough hobby and I'm betting that the best first project is one that is quick and easy, right?

Thanks in advance,and I look forward to all of your help.

[powell72]

I usually won't buy anything in primer, who knows what's under it. I'd rather have a untouched faded paint job with all rust issues standing out. BTW, welcome.

[68GMC454]

if the price it right i would buy it..but that me..check the body really good,,make an offer,,bring it home.

[krue]

But I'm a sucker for these trucks.

[1969k10stepside]

First off,Welcome to the site.Second,I have to agree with the above said because you really dont know what is under that primer till you take it off and find out.Too answer your question about the C20..it depends on what the plans are for the truck.Most people go with C10s when it comes to lowering the trucks and dropping in a big motor.If you plan to just drive it,use it as a truck, a 3/4 ton will be good.But of you plan on disc brake conversions,lowering it,etc,etc it really wont be a 3/4 ton just a half ton with a c/20 emblem on it so it doesnt really matter.To some people a 3/4 ton might seem less appealing and the price will be lower but the 1/2 and 3/4 ton are just about the same.

[Rick Mills]

Welcome to the forum
I'd try and get a truck with as little rust and body damage as possible. A little mechanical stuff can be learned from friends or guys on this forum - body work is just to tuff to explain over the internet.

[action]

I don't buy trucks in primer myself but if the truck looks good and the price is right I am sure I would be looking. If you are worried about bondo carry a small maginet when you go look at it. That will show any bad spots.
Jack

[Bob Moore]

What do you want in a finished truck? A work truck for a business - construction, landscaping, etc or a crusier for weekends to the drive-in restaurants? How plentiful are the older trucks in your area? Out here they are very plentiful - not counting mine I can take a 10 minute drive and go past 8 or 9(1/2T - 3/4T - 2 blazers - mostly SBC but 4 BBC).

End use and availability should be 2 considerations.

Good luck and have fun - Bob

[bowtiehotrodder]

I am sure I would be looking at partly finished trucks. some time you can get a project truck. and all the drivetrain be redone and only need painting. I'd try and get a truck with as little rust as possible. I buy truck in primer myself.

[BarryB]

First welcome from Northeast Tn. I would check it over good, Make sure there isn't any or very little bondo in this truck. Being a C20 I would probablly still buy it if the price is right. Then If you find a c10 later, you'll have a truck capable of towing a trailer to go get it.

[centsless]

02indigoblue Welcome to the board!! Where is that truck at? What part of Baltimore are you from? I am about 30 miles north of Baltimore around Bel Air. How much are they asking for that truck?

[Green Machine]

C20's can be pretty nice trucks too. Check the cab over top to bottom, firewall under hood, windsheild area etc. The cab is the most expensive to repair, but rockers and cab corners are common to replace on these. We picked one up last summer pretty reasonable price, needs some work, but it has an exceptionally solid cab (for Iowa).

Check the links in my post here, they all did not look so hot when we started, but with some work and money they can be nice. Heres a recent pic of our C20.

[02indigoblue]

Centsless, you've got mail.

Bob, I'm not really sure what the plan is. Probably just a weekend cruiser, maybe some sharp paint, dropped a little (not 'bagged) just to give it an agressive stance, nice exhaust. Definitely not a work truck by any means.

Green, thanks for sharing the photos, you're trucks look great. But I do have to wonder, is this a hobby or an addiction?

J.

[Already Gone]

Hi and welcome to the board. You have received excellent comments and opinions from the board members already. One thing I noticed that no one has mentioned is that a 3/4 ton will ride rougher than 1/2 ton so I guess it comes down to what you wanna do with the truck. Depending on your budget and if you are a little patient you should be able to pick up a long wheelbase C10 in decent shape for 5,to 7000.00. If you spend that much money on a truck it will be in very decent shape and you can drive and enjoy it while you decide how to personalize it the way you want it. I'm attaching a pic of my truck. After looking for 4 or 5 years I bought it in Sept 2001 and paid 8000.00 then. Its a C10 Custom Deluxe with a 396/350 horse and TH400.. The truck was redone about 5 or 6 years before I bought it and after redoing a 70 Charger R/T I realized I could never buy a truck for 1500 or 2000. ( which beaters always sell for around here ) and get it to that level ( especailly with the big block) for that kind of money. Yes this starts as a hobby and quickly turns into an addiction. The first pic is from 2002 when I first had the truck. If you notice it had rallys with spinners and whitewalls which I've since changed to the Chevy "Bud" wheels with blackwalls and put in the clear front signal lights instead of those ugly orange ones which shows in the second pic taken last April.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

All it takes is a magnet to figgure out what's under the primer. Passing on one in primer is bad advice.

[Palf70Step]

Welcome to the board, again checking it with a magnet helps alot. Trucvk looks pretty decent if it is NOT all bondo under that primer. Noting wrong at all with a 3/4 ton Longbed for a project.