Opinions!!

[JDelSo14]

Hey everyone, I am looking into buying this truck. It's a 72 c10. Engine and transmission seem fine, just needs a lot of body work. The guy is asking 3k. It should be a good fixer upper, but I'm not all that mechanically handy. Is 3k a good deal or would I be getting ripped off? Need opinions asap becuase it won't last long...

[71K20chevy]

Rust is usually about the main determining factor when it comes to pricing. How bad is it? If the body is in the same shape all the way around as it is in the picture, 3k might not be a horrible deal.

[JDelSo14]

The bed is going to need to be replaced, it's pretty rusted. The outside of the body isn't bad. Fenders need it. Frame is good.

[sKnNyPpY]

If it has working A/C and power steering I would offer $2500 and fall somewhere in the middle hopefully....that's what I did for my '71. Added bonus if it already has HEI and internally regulated alternator.

[LSUMurse]

Originally Posted by sKnNyPpY

If it has working A/C and power steering I would offer $2500 and fall somewhere in the middle hopefully....that's what I did for my '71. Added bonus if it already has HEI and internally regulated alternator.

I second this.

Rust is always going to have to be dealt with unless you buy one already restored. Check the roof rail and along the windshield at the top. Pull the windshield gasket back a little and look for rust. Some of the harder to fix rust is from the roof.

Also, a lot will be determined on if you want to become mechanically inclined. It involves a lot of work to restore one of these, but you can learn as you go.

[Grumpy old man]

Your in Mass ,Their all going to be high priced and rusty .Is it rusted thru or just rusty ? Can you drive it home ? auto or manual ? has it be messed with or is it stock ? long bed ?

[CUSTOM/10]

Here's another one you could check out, and it's in Mass. Same money too.

Gary

http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/4567540669.html

[JDelSo14]

The AC works and has power steering. It drives, starts on the first turn. Automatic. I could drive it home.
The frame is good. Nothing is totally rusted through except the bed. The bed corner panel frame is fine, it's the actual bed/mounting that is rusted the worse. It's a long bed. The previous owner put 4k in it to make sure it passed inspection.

[LSUMurse]

Originally Posted by JDelSo14

The AC works and has power steering. It drives, starts on the first turn. Automatic. I could drive it home.
The frame is good. Nothing is totally rusted through except the bed. The bed corner panel frame is fine, it's the actual bed/mounting that is rusted the worse. It's a long bed. The previous owner put 4k in it to make sure it passed inspection.

If the cab is rust free, the drivetrain is reliable, and the truck is safe, I think $3000 is fairly reasonable especially as these trucks are going up in price every day. I would still offer $2300-2500 and see if you can't get it for a little cheaper. It never hurts to haggle a little.

I paid just under $2000 for mine two years ago and I have some significant rust to deal with and no a/c, p/s, or p/b.

[michael bustamante]

Go 2500 cash. Cash is hard to say no to. A good longbed shouldnt be hard to find but youll probably have to go out of state to get it. Hows the tailgate?

[JDelSo14]

Thanks for all the input guys. Tailgate is decent, some rust.
And theres no way I'd pay 3k, like I said I'm not mechanically inclined, but I can haggle with the best of them.
I'll let everyone know how it goes.

[Rochlow]

If that truck has been in New England all it's life and you have limited skills, walk away.

There is no way that truck has no rust or little. Run you hand under the front of the lower passenger fender, rockers and cab corners. I sure they all have some rust repair needed. Then crawl under the passenger side bumper and see if the inner fender and radiator support have rotted through.

I would also lift the carpet and check the firewall/cab seam along with the bottoms of kick panels. The seam between the firewall and lower cowl seem to have issues too.

These are all problems I had with my "rust free" truck that had been in New England all it's life (I have the protecto plate showing it was bought new in New Hampshire).