Need info for first truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Matt67 · 10-19-2003, 06:13 PM

Hello,
I am looking to buy my first 67-72 chevy truck. I have always liked the way these trucks looked, and think the coil-spring rear-suspension is a cool design. I know I want a 71-72 because of the factory disc's, 5-lug wheels, and cool grill. I need to know what comon problems should I look for? Where are these trucks prone to rust? Please tell me anything you think I should know before purchasing my first truck.

All replies appreciated, Matt

1971 Cheyenne · 10-19-2003, 06:33 PM

Ok,

You are off to a good start! The 71-72's are great years for exactly the reasons you mentioned.

Places that these trucks are very prone to rust:

Cab corners. Rear corners of the cab both left and right sides.
Cab supports. Underneath the cab there are these supports that come out from the middle of the cab, to the edges. These are very rust prone. (mine are basically gone)

Rocker panels. the body panel right under the doors.
The floors are also very prone to rust, so it would be in yout best interest to lift up the carpet, and check the floor panels.

the bottom lips of the doors are also very prone. This rust is also hard to fix, so make sure and check for this.

Under the battery, the radiator support, innder fender, and outer fender are very prone to rust.

there are more, but these just come off the top of my head

Good Luck!

Poodude

72shadetree · 10-19-2003, 06:44 PM

check the firewall and inside of cab at the top of windsheild and the rain gutter on outside of cab.and the kick panels also.

since you like the coil setup pay attention to that because you could get them with leaf spring rears

chevy_fatman · 10-19-2003, 07:06 PM

Since you want a coil spring truck, check the trailing arms, they tend to rust in between and split, they might not do that down in Texas, but here in the rust belt rusted through trailing arms is very common.

BTW, Welcome to the board.

lukecp · 10-19-2003, 07:27 PM

Also....check above the windshield for rust. It can be very difficult to repair....i would suggest staying away from a truck with windshield rot unless you plan to use it as a beater (mine has it...i will proalby end up swapping cabs

)

krue · 10-19-2003, 08:20 PM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

CPNEJR · 10-19-2003, 08:48 PM

If I remember correctly they can rot at the front lip of tha fender and just under the lip of the hood.

btw welcome frome upstate NH

casey · 10-19-2003, 10:26 PM

mine had some around the bottom of the back stake holes, welcome to the board

dinnut · 10-19-2003, 10:44 PM

welcome from another houston, tx member. i got a truck with the rust in all the normal areas, plus more. its for sale too. where you at in houston?

1969 GMC · 10-20-2003, 01:21 AM

i agree with everything that's been said so far. Also, watch on the outer lip of the rear wheelwells, on down to where it meets the bottom of the bed. My truck has a small rust thru hole there.

O'l Buck · 10-20-2003, 01:50 AM

ummmmm..........(thinking about my trucks)..........the whole frickin' truck!!!!!!.......hehe.....floor boards, kick panels, above the windshield, in front and behind the front wheel wells, battery box, bedsides, tailgates, rear bumpers, cab corners, rocker panels (inner and outer), and that's just the stuff my trucks need!!

**Palf70Step** · 10-20-2003, 06:45 AM

Welcome again from South Mississippi.

griesel72 · 10-20-2003, 08:45 AM

Welcome to the board

These guys above have pretty much covered all of the areas to look out for. In Texas, you should be able to avoid most of the common rust areas due to your location.

David

Matt67 · 10-20-2003, 02:08 PM

Thanks for all the info ya'll, and thanks for the heads-up about the trailing arm rust. The cars do rust pretty bad down here near the Gulf of Mexico, so I've got my work cut out for me. I almost bought a '72 that had minimal rust for $4000, but looked underneath and found leafs. I found a '71 shortbed stepside with a/c the gauges and rust around the bottom of the doors and cab. They want $4,650 but I might be able to talk them down to $4000 It has a cheep paint job on it, so I'm thinking of passing it up because of the possibility of hidden bondo. Whats the average price for these trucks in decent condition? I've got about $5,000 saved up to either buy a fixed up truck or get a junker with a decent body and do it myself. I've got a '67 Ford truck That I modified with disc brakes, relocated gastank...ect, so I have some experience with classic trucks, but I'm gonna sell that Duck-nosed looking thing as soon as I get my Chevy.

Hugger · 10-20-2003, 04:10 PM

I paid $4000 for mine, with the least amount of rust I've ever seen...but I then replaced the cab corners, rockers and 2 cab supports, because they were just starting to rust through.
So what did I gain by buying a minimal rust truck??
I guess just knowing that there was only that little bit makes you more confident on the didden areas????
Next time I'll either find one with no rust, or not worry about rust and just fix it.

TsgtE662 · 10-21-2003, 12:03 PM

Also, look at the bed cross sills. And frame crossmembers, shock mount brackets.

Hooter · 10-21-2003, 05:05 PM

check for cracking around the steering box on the frame, even on 2wd i have seen cracks

dinnut · 10-21-2003, 08:59 PM

gulf of mexico is salt-lands. lol. rust blows down there i heard.

Matt67 · 10-22-2003, 01:35 PM

Hooter, thanks for the heads-up on the steering-box mount cracks, never would have thought to look there on a 2wd before.

Dinnut, I didn't completely understand your post, you live in Houston too, so you should be well aware of our rust problem?......Oh well.....I really live closer to Galveston/Texas City than Houston, but I give Houston as my location cause people recognize the Name better than the others.

10-19-2003, 06:13 PM	#1
Matt67 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 9	Need info for first truck Hello, I am looking to buy my first 67-72 chevy truck. I have always liked the way these trucks looked, and think the coil-spring rear-suspension is a cool design. I know I want a 71-72 because of the factory disc's, 5-lug wheels, and cool grill. I need to know what comon problems should I look for? Where are these trucks prone to rust? Please tell me anything you think I should know before purchasing my first truck. All replies appreciated, Matt __________________ Everything looks better with flames...Oh I didn't mean the engine, but whad ya expect from a Ford

10-19-2003, 06:33 PM	#2
1971 Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,480	Ok, You are off to a good start! The 71-72's are great years for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Places that these trucks are very prone to rust: Cab corners. Rear corners of the cab both left and right sides. Cab supports. Underneath the cab there are these supports that come out from the middle of the cab, to the edges. These are very rust prone. (mine are basically gone) Rocker panels. the body panel right under the doors. The floors are also very prone to rust, so it would be in yout best interest to lift up the carpet, and check the floor panels. the bottom lips of the doors are also very prone. This rust is also hard to fix, so make sure and check for this. Under the battery, the radiator support, innder fender, and outer fender are very prone to rust. there are more, but these just come off the top of my head Good Luck! Poodude __________________ Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed

10-19-2003, 06:44 PM	#3
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	check the firewall and inside of cab at the top of windsheild and the rain gutter on outside of cab.and the kick panels also. since you like the coil setup pay attention to that because you could get them with leaf spring rears __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

10-19-2003, 07:27 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Also....check above the windshield for rust. It can be very difficult to repair....i would suggest staying away from a truck with windshield rot unless you plan to use it as a beater (mine has it...i will proalby end up swapping cabs ) __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

10-19-2003, 08:20 PM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-19-2003, 07:06 PM	#4
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	Since you want a coil spring truck, check the trailing arms, they tend to rust in between and split, they might not do that down in Texas, but here in the rust belt rusted through trailing arms is very common. BTW, Welcome to the board.

10-19-2003, 08:48 PM	#7
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	If I remember correctly they can rot at the front lip of tha fender and just under the lip of the hood. btw welcome frome upstate NH __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

10-19-2003, 10:26 PM	#8
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	mine had some around the bottom of the back stake holes, welcome to the board

10-19-2003, 10:44 PM	#9
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	welcome from another houston, tx member. i got a truck with the rust in all the normal areas, plus more. its for sale too. where you at in houston? Attached Images __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-20-2003, 01:21 AM	#10
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	i agree with everything that's been said so far. Also, watch on the outer lip of the rear wheelwells, on down to where it meets the bottom of the bed. My truck has a small rust thru hole there. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

10-20-2003, 01:50 AM	#11
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	ummmmm..........(thinking about my trucks)..........the whole frickin' truck!!!!!!.......hehe.....floor boards, kick panels, above the windshield, in front and behind the front wheel wells, battery box, bedsides, tailgates, rear bumpers, cab corners, rocker panels (inner and outer), and that's just the stuff my trucks need!! __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

10-20-2003, 06:45 AM	#12
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,761	Welcome again from South Mississippi. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

10-20-2003, 08:45 AM	#13
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	Welcome to the board These guys above have pretty much covered all of the areas to look out for. In Texas, you should be able to avoid most of the common rust areas due to your location. David __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

10-20-2003, 02:08 PM	#14
Matt67 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 9	Thanks for all the info ya'll, and thanks for the heads-up about the trailing arm rust. The cars do rust pretty bad down here near the Gulf of Mexico, so I've got my work cut out for me. I almost bought a '72 that had minimal rust for $4000, but looked underneath and found leafs. I found a '71 shortbed stepside with a/c the gauges and rust around the bottom of the doors and cab. They want $4,650 but I might be able to talk them down to $4000 It has a cheep paint job on it, so I'm thinking of passing it up because of the possibility of hidden bondo. Whats the average price for these trucks in decent condition? I've got about $5,000 saved up to either buy a fixed up truck or get a junker with a decent body and do it myself. I've got a '67 Ford truck That I modified with disc brakes, relocated gastank...ect, so I have some experience with classic trucks, but I'm gonna sell that Duck-nosed looking thing as soon as I get my Chevy. __________________ Everything looks better with flames...Oh I didn't mean the engine, but whad ya expect from a Ford

10-20-2003, 04:10 PM	#15
Hugger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 137	I paid $4000 for mine, with the least amount of rust I've ever seen...but I then replaced the cab corners, rockers and 2 cab supports, because they were just starting to rust through. So what did I gain by buying a minimal rust truck?? I guess just knowing that there was only that little bit makes you more confident on the didden areas???? Next time I'll either find one with no rust, or not worry about rust and just fix it. __________________ 72 LWB - Hugger Orange 350/350 3.73 Next; 335hp GM Crate



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10-21-2003, 12:03 PM	#16
TsgtE662 2A674 Tank Rat Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Maryland Heights, Mo. Posts: 626	Also, look at the bed cross sills. And frame crossmembers, shock mount brackets. __________________ '92 GMC Sierra, Sportside, 2wd, 350, Black '92 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab 4 x 4, Blue USAFR = 2A674 = Aircraft Fuel Systems Maintenance i.e. Tank Rat

10-21-2003, 05:05 PM	#17
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	check for cracking around the steering box on the frame, even on 2wd i have seen cracks __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

10-21-2003, 08:59 PM	#18
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	gulf of mexico is salt-lands. lol. rust blows down there i heard. __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-22-2003, 01:35 PM	#19
Matt67 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 9	Hooter, thanks for the heads-up on the steering-box mount cracks, never would have thought to look there on a 2wd before. Dinnut, I didn't completely understand your post, you live in Houston too, so you should be well aware of our rust problem?......Oh well.....I really live closer to Galveston/Texas City than Houston, but I give Houston as my location cause people recognize the Name better than the others. __________________ Everything looks better with flames...Oh I didn't mean the engine, but whad ya expect from a Ford

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