Advice needed

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by GMCRepair

Had some time to go look at the trucks today. They are in more solid shape than I anticipated, they are not perfect or showroom by any means, but the normal areas have rust.

Here are some photos of the 71 GMC.

Unless there is some kind of emotional attachment involved with this truck, I would run. Run fast and far away.

[GMCRepair]

Here are some of the 67.

[GMCRepair]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Unless there is some kind of emotional attachment involved with this truck, I would run. Run fast and far away.

What makes you say that?

I have seen worse..................

[GMCRepair]

Engine bay for the 67.

[CKfan]

Funny, 1st thing that popped into my head was "run" also as soon as I saw the pictures. However, I never do and sometimes win...... sometimes loose.

As they say, you do you. My only solid "free" advice is that I have learned to avoid doing deals with "family" as someone always seems to get butt hurt. But then again, most of my family and in-laws are nuts!!!!

Good luck on whatever you choose, these trucks are just plain cool.

[GMCRepair]

Originally Posted by CKfan

Funny, 1st thing that popped into my head was "run" also as soon as I saw the pictures. However, I never do and sometimes win...... sometimes loose.

As they say, you do you. My only solid "free" advice is that I have learned to avoid doing deals with "family" as someone always seems to get butt hurt. But then again, most of my family and in-laws are nuts!!!!

Good luck on whatever you choose, these trucks are just plain cool.

Well I am essentially trading a 2001 Tahoe 1ith 163k miles for two basket cases that will become drivers at some point in the future.

[Sicklajoie]

Originally Posted by GMCRepair

What makes you say that?

I have seen worse..................

Well, you did ask for advice.
You're from an area where there's a ton of our trucks in pretty decent shape. Hell I got mine from Oregon, had it shipped to Connecticut and still feel I got a great deal.
If you've got the time, patience and ambition to make either of these two roadworthy, have at it.
I'm just saying there's a lot out your way that you can just jump in and go for a lot less aggravation.

[dmjlambert]

OMG, beautiful trucks! Don't even wash them, just clean the windows and get them going mechanically, fix up the upholstery and comfort items in the cab, and drive. You will get complements and thumbs up. Seriously. I like the 67 the best. The tailgate from the 71 can go back onto the 67.

[GMCRepair]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Well, you did ask for advice.
You're from an area where there's a ton of our trucks in pretty decent shape. Hell I got mine from Oregon, had it shipped to Connecticut and still feel I got a great deal.
If you've got the time, patience and ambition to make either of these two roadworthy, have at it.
I'm just saying there's a lot out your way that you can just jump in and go for a lot less aggravation.

Yes, I was and am looking for advice, so I can see your point, I like to wrench on things.

I also have the mind set that it’s not what you buy, but what you build.

I previously had 2 Dodge Ramchargers, an 85 and an 88. The only slice of parts for them were junk yards.

These truck have catalogs of replacement parts to the point you could rebuild one from them.

[GMCRepair]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

OMG, beautiful trucks! Don't even wash them, just clean the windows and get them going mechanically, fix up the upholstery and comfort items in the cab, and drive. You will get complements and thumbs up. Seriously. I like the 67 the best. The tailgate from the 71 can go back onto the 67.

Well. While the moss adds some character, not sure it would take the clear coat.

😂

[1970cstblazer]

They honestly don't look THAT bad, especially with a few hours with a pressure washer.

[dmb]

I like the 67 , My 65 had set for 19 years, engine was locked up but a can of Kroil in the plug holes and it broke free and runs well. You will spend $2,000 in parts for the brakes and fuel system if you replace everything. But it is worth it .
David

[Carl Spangler]

Originally Posted by GMCRepair

Well I am essentially trading a 2001 Tahoe 1ith 163k miles for two basket cases that will become drivers at some point in the future.

Keep in mind the hidden rust will likely be much worse than the visible rust and they both look pretty rusty in those pics.

Unless there is an emotional attachment to these trucks I would caution against trading away a good driver for them.

[MidLifer]

Seems you're hearing a range of opinions here from those who prefer to buy things that are already done to those who like to build things. I fall into the latter category and get joy out of the process itself. I'm thinking you are cut from that same cloth.

So long as the frames are not rusted and the structural parts of the cabs and beds are solid, these look like they are far from basket cases. Could you buy one that is all done for less than you will probably spend restoring one of these? Yep, probably, but what fun would that be? What would you do with all your free time, play golf or work on your honey-do list?

My advice - take it for what it's worth - drag one of these out onto a paved surface, power wash it really well, then crawl underneath and have a look at what you can't see from above. If everything is solid, whatever money you put into fixing it up isn't good money after bad.

Oh, and start a build thread here!

[68Gold/white]

Keep in mind that the 71 has factory disc brakes. A significant good thing.

It looks like you will need to get them each on a trailer, then to the car wash, THEN you will know more (of course unleading all the crap in them. I noticed that the 67 HAD a wood. The 71 looks like the bed floor has been modified.
When you are at the car wash, clean the frames, if possible.

I see 2 good fixer uppers. If you had to make one out of the two, that would work, also. All the disc brake stuff could be transplanted onto the 67 IF needed.

I have a 67 and a 68, both will get front disc brakes, before they are ever driven. I'm using all factory parts (salvage yard).

Have fun!!! Can't wait till you get them!!!

More pictures!!!

[raggedjim]

So basically for $750 each, I like both of them. I would add them to my growing collection of cars everyone says I will never build. I wonder where the guys who buy trucks already done think they come from?

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

I have a 67 and a 68, both will get front disc brakes, before they are ever driven. I'm using all factory parts (salvage yard).

I haven't been able to find any 67-72 parts at salvage yards in 20 years! And any trucks still in the yard have been picked clean. Sad, because that's where I found all kinds of things back in the 90s, such as a power steering box, pump, brackets, and Pitman arm. Also a stabilizer bar, and even an instrument panel and gauges. Of course, that's when our trucks weren't anything special.

[3drburb]

I was waiting to see what these looked like. 30 Second cleaner and a pressure washer and give them a good look over after that along with more pictures for us.

I think the trade was pretty fair.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I haven't been able to find any 67-72 parts at salvage yards in 20 years! And any trucks still in the yard have been picked clean. Sad, because that's where I found all kinds of things back in the 90s, such as a power steering box, pump, brackets, and Pitman arm. Also a stabilizer bar, and even an instrument panel and gauges. Of course, that's when our trucks weren't anything special.

I think he is using 73-87 parts. I still find the squarebodies from time to time.

[GMCRepair]

Thanks to those who weighed in on this. I realize everyone has their own level of what is acceptable and wht is not when it comes to evaluating rigs of this nature.

These trucks are well over 50 years old at his point, I have been associated with them for goin on 21 years now, so I know a little of the history of them.

They are very special to my father in law, even in the condition they are currently in, so i am a bit humbled that he made the offer in the first place, as it is a vote of confidence from him that I possibly can get one of them roadworthy, and my focus will most likely be the 71, given that i could get it running with a battery, fresh gas and a bit of ether ( though there is no way i would drive it). Plus I have driven the 71 before.

Things I found during my inspection were rust in the normal spots along bottom of cab on the drivers side, the drivers door is rusted through in two spots on the bottom, front and back. The seat is destroyed on the drivers side. I am pretty sure the gas tank is shot as well, but i think i have a line on on one.


The 67 is a 4 speed truck, with what i am told had a new clutch installed a few month after it was parked, as to why it got park I am unsure.

I am not going into this lightly, my father in law can no longer do what he would like with them, so now its my turn, full disclosure, I brought up the idea of buying them almost 10 years ago, but he wasn't ready to part with them yet.

The lat time the 67 was on the road was 95 according to the tab on the plate, and the last time the 71 was driven was in 2011, and I know it was driven quite a bit up to that point.

Again thanks for the responses, much appreciated. This is going to be an interesting ride.