Looking to buy a truck ............

[tucsonjwt]

Looks like a nice truck. Just a few words of caution.
If you have been lurking here you have read about all kinds of problems with squares. These are old trucks which can and do have their share of problems. So, be prepared to spend money on repairs/"improvements" on any old truck. Even if it has been well cared for, things just wear out and break on any vehicle after a period of time. Normal wear parts (starters, alternators, shocks,etc.) are plentiful and relatively cheap, but some parts are hard to find new and are expensive (HVAC controls, some switches/harnesses, etc.). Many parts for a 3/4 ton truck (like this one) are more expensive than a 1/2 ton truck.
Have you considered a 6.2 diesel crew cab? If this truck has been towing it will likely have a 4.11 or maybe 4.56 rear axle, so with a 454 you might get in the 8 mpg range. Guys with 6.2s claim to get in the 20 mpg range.
If I were you I would be looking for a lower priced rust free diesel 3+3 in S W US for about $3K and put the other $3500 in transportation to your location and repairs. If you want a show truck, then that is a different story. If you want to drive the truck daily I think there are better options. Just sayin'

[jimbonice]

Thank for the advice. My understanding is that the truck is rust free now, but I'll know when I see it. Just planning on using it for spring and summer to pack the camper and boat around (my Hemi Ram 1500 is too short and light to do it) so not to worried about tinkering.

My daily driver is a Buick Park Avenue Ultra, my better half has her owm Malibu Maxx and my kids have their share of oil leakers parked in my driveway, so no shortage of wheels to get around with. I appreciate the economy 6.2's and 6.5's get, but I'm a gasaholic so big blocks turn my crank. I drove truck for many years and know first hand that diesels for a weekend warrior can be expensive economy. It takes miles to make 'em pay and I won't put on 2000 a year. I've owned in the past a 1947 Merc truck, 1970 AMX, 454 Chevelle, 401 Hornet, 427 CJ-5 Jeep, V-10 8.0 Dodge Ram, V-10 Excursion, just sold a Magnum hemi R\T, so no stranger to the pumps.

I've got a dual plane for a 454 sitting in my garage and with a set of headers and a recurved distributor the dually should sing for the short season I'll use it. The 700r4 should drop the rpm's from the 4.11 diff into a respectable range.

But ...... I got to buy the thing first.

Cheers,