Have to sell. Is it rare?

[WorkinLonghorn]

Hi there. After owning this truck since 1996, purchased from the estate of the original owner, I need to sell it (knee issues). I'm working on what to say in the listing and don't want to overstate what it is. Is a New Process close ratio 4spd. considered "rare"? I sure don't see or hear about them ever. Is a "Longhorn" (8 1/2 Ft. bed) considered "rare" or just very uncommon.
I'm not sure if I'm up-to-date on my dues here so not sure if I can ask a "what's it worth" question without being shot but I really have no clue at all. It has a new high quality clutch and a GM crate 350 Ci. with about 5K on it.
Anyway long story short, can I say "rare NP 435 transmission" and "rare longhorn-style bed"? How about "rare factory tach dash"?
It's worth a lot more to me than the market will bear I'm sure, but I still don't know where to start or how to list it. Thanks, Brian

[Steeveedee]

Your name is bold and blue, so you are paid up. Someone will chime in with the numbers, but I don't think that Longhorns are particularly rare. Trans and tach, I can't help with those, for rarity considerations.

[57taskforce]

The 435 was more common in the fords than the GM stuff from my experience. I would say that’s probably the most rare thing you’ve posted so far. How rare though I’m truthfully not sure. And I don’t think it’s gonna affect the price a ton either way honestly. I wouldn’t consider a tach or longhorn truck rare by any means but definitely less common. I would say post some pictures up and give us a better idea what we are dealing with to get some better $numbers.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

The 435 was more common in the fords than the GM stuff from my experience. I would say that’s probably the most rare thing you’ve posted so far. How rare though I’m truthfully not sure. And I don’t think it’s gonna affect the price a ton either way honestly. I wouldn’t consider a tach or longhorn truck rare by any means but definitely less common. I would say post some pictures up and give us a better idea what we are dealing with to get some better $numbers.

Well, she's a little camera-shy at the moment. Maybe after I get all my stuff out of it and get her cleaned up a bit.
The Ford NP 435 was not the same as the GM "close ratio" one. Mine has a 4.56 1st gear. The Fords and Dodge versions all had the deep "granny" low designed for getting a heavy trailer going. The CR one was ordered for those planning to carry only a camper in the bed. With highway gears and/or tall tires, this one can be used like an ordinary 4spd. -Brian

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Well, she's a little camera-shy at the moment. Maybe after I get all my stuff out of it and get her cleaned up a bit.
The Ford NP 435 was not the same as the GM "close ratio" one. Mine has a 4.56 1st gear. The Fords and Dodge versions all had the deep "granny" low designed for getting a heavy trailer going. The CR one was ordered for those planning to carry only a camper in the bed. With highway gears and/or tall tires, this one can be used like an ordinary 4spd. -Brian

That is coreect the GM units being close ratio have different gearing, but I was more referring to the 435 transmission as a whole. Sorry I was a little vague there. GM obviously had their own granny low 420 and 465 transmissions in the 67-72 years.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

That is coreect the GM units being close ratio have different gearing, but I was more referring to the 435 transmission as a whole. Sorry I was a little vague there. GM obviously had their own granny low 420 and 465 transmissions in the 67-72 years.

I'll get 'er cleaned up and post some pictures. I've been on this site for 18 years and never heard of another member with this transmission so I might list it as rare.

Also, there used to be an old spedo-repair shop on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood
and when I took this truck in there in the '90s, the guy working there said it was the first 67-72 he had seen with this option. I know there are retrofit kits that many guys upgrade with nowadays so maybe I'll post fac-tach but omit "rare" wording. Ok, thanks, Back later with the ugly pictures.

[HO455]

In my opinion I don't believe any of those items listed are going to affect the price the way that a solid rust free body will. We all know that rust repairs generally run in the 10's of thousands of dollars

The sad facts are a tach is an easily available addition. The obsession over short beds in most folks mind mean a Longhorn is just 6 inches more scrap metal, and the transmission is just another 3 speed with a granny that needs to be replaced with a 5 speed behind an LS .

I'm not trying to be rude just pointing out what most buyers see these days. I feel bad for you that you can no longer enjoy your truck and I sincerely hope you find a buyer who shares your love of the truck and is willing to pay your price.

The big multiplier for our trucks is obviously, is it a Cheyenne, CST or a Super?

[Sheepdip]

HO455 speaks the truth/facts.

[Lokin4AReason]

rare doesnt alway mean valuable is some things

its just supply n demand

[Ironhorse]

Lot of good replies here regarding the transmission and the Longhorn bed options. While I would also not consider either ''rare'' they both are un-common and not seen every day.

I understand your knee issues totally. Was in the same situation with my '71 K10 4x4. After totally restoring the truck I started having the knee situation also and driving the truck with the granny 4 speed was no longer enjoyable. Rather than sell the truck and move on I opted to swap the 4 speed for a 350TH auto transmission. Was somewhat costly yes but I still have my K10 to enjoy. Just an option perhaps you had not thought about. Good luck with the knees, your decision and the sale if it comes to that.

[54blackhornet]

Get your knee fixed ! Life is short don’t live in pain.

[kwmech]

Have a 68 longhorn that originally had the 435 trans in it along with a 396. I still have that transmission sitting in the shed. I converted it over to a th400. Rare? really don't know about that. Mine also HAD a dana 60 with 3.54s and a power-loc diff. It now has a 14bolt with 3.42s and a detroit locker. So if you have to sell try to get what the market will bear, lot of factors involved. Pics will help.

[jocko]

As stated above, I'd not necessarily consider the options or the 133" wb rare, per se; and given that every shmo listing anything they have for sale nowadays as "rare" - I'd avoid the phrase altogether. I'd list the truck for what it is - exactly as you have it listed in your signature (and add the trim level into that description), and post the SPID with the pics when you list it - the truck will sell itself. 133" wb trucks are desirable trucks among the 3/4 and 1 ton crowd. Only Chevs used the Longhorn term, GMCs were just 133" wb with 8.5' bed (like you have in your signature). It sounds like a very nice truck - and there are enough knowledgeable people out there that will know what it is and what it's worth when you list it. Hope the knee gets better, sorry to hear about that.

[factorystock]

Boils down to present day market place desirability. In general, the shortbeds and 4x4's will do better, but condition sometimes trumps other factors. There is a smaller group that prefers a heavy duty pickup, but, it will take longer to find those fewer buyers.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Great info here. Thanks.

Ironhorse, I thought about going with a TH350 conversion, in fact I bought a cross member and was shopping for a steering column maybe 8 years ago but came to realize that it would cost me a fortune. Now I'm working out of my car mainly (21cu ft. trunk) and I could rent a truck for the jobs that require one. Registration here is $150 plus Liability Ins. is over $500.

54Blackhornet; It's not to that point yet, to require surgery. I'm trying to save what I have.

OK HO455. I'll just have to lower my expectations and bite the bullet on this one. I can see that my love of this ultimate work truck will not likely translate into a decent price. Unless I run across the right guy with the right money that is. When I'm at the county dump, I've had guys sidle up to it, all in awe and ask what year is it? You can see it in their eyes that they dream of such a truck. There's no rush, maybe I'll post it up and just wait.
Thanks, -BA

[Accelo]

"the way that a solid rust free body will"

The fact the truck had two owners and depending on the rust, or lack of it, is what will bring the value.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Accelo

"the way that a solid rust free body will"

The fact the truck had two owners and depending on the rust, or lack of it, is what will bring the value.

This truck was in L.A, Calif. it's whole life. Virtually no rust anywhere except at the very bottom of the doors.

[Bob B.]

The 'close ratio' NP435GA was primarily offered for the 305 and 351 GMC V-6's, those engines had an abundance of low r.p.m. torque that made a deep 'granny' low unnecessary. The gear ratios were also well suited for RV use with V-8's, which is why you see these transmissions in Longhorns too. Sounds like a nice truck, I agree with the others in saying I think it's value is more in its condition rather than options.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

The 'close ratio' NP435GA was primarily offered for the 305 and 351 GMC V-6's, those engines had an abundance of low r.p.m. torque

Agreed, first introduced in '66 GMC's trucks. Was a good match to the 292 also.

[GASoline71]

Overheard at a swap meet eons ago...

"...but it is a very rare and desirable car."

"Yeah, well, rarely do I crap my pants. But when I do, it's never desirable."



I've always thought that was funny as hell.

Gary

[Killer Bee]

longhorns rare? no
less common? yes

production numbers are in here somewhere, I seem to recall something like 10-12k per year but don't quote me

factory tach, np435 trans, etc. also less common and noteworthy but not necessarily rare

besides, unless it's a spid correct resto, most options can be added or deleted fairly easily to owners taste

mine have some cool factory options, one has 4spd, locker, tach, cab light, etc., other has a/c, auto, bed light, etc.

all cool stuff - but I really like my longhorns for the simple reason they offer 6" more of what a truck was made for, and I like wood beds which they all have

polar opposite of lowered, short bed, LS crowd

sorry you're selling but good luck! hope you get what you're expecting out of it

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

longhorns rare? no
less common? yes

production numbers are in here somewhere, I seem to recall something like 10-12k per year but don't quote me

factory tach, np435 trans, etc. also less common and noteworthy but not necessarily rare

besides, unless it's a spid correct resto, most options can be added or deleted fairly easily to owners taste

mine have some cool factory options, one has 4spd, locker, tach, cab light, etc., other has a/c, auto, bed light, etc.

all cool stuff - but I really like my longhorns for the simple reason they offer 6" more of what a truck was made for, and I like wood beds which they all have

polar opposite of lowered, short bed, LS crowd

sorry you're selling but good luck! hope you get what you're expecting out of it

Right? I'm loving mine as-is, since it was made for how it gets used.

[jumpsoffrock]

I'll add something to HO455's initial posts about your truck not being worth a ton:
The buyers who actually value your truck for the way it was born are people who want a working truck; typically those folks aren't playing with a lot of money.

The buyers who actually have a generous amount of money to make you happy are also the kind of people who are in it for a "fad", or they are market speculators. These folks tend to enjoy extreme customization: they intend to do LS swaps, Slam it and bag it, chop the frame, and clear coat the rust.


My point is if you wanna sell your truck to someone who will love and respect(and use) it as intended, expect less money going into your pocket.
If you want to grab as much cash as possible, expect it to go into the hands of a person who is going to change the truck.


Totally unrelated: IMO, I would rather an SM465 over an NP435; and your rear gearing is gonna make your truck tough to drive in the modern world and a tougher sell.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

This truck was in L.A, Calif. it's whole life. Virtually no rust anywhere except at the very bottom of the doors.

That's good news you've got a leg up on most of the competition in the market now.