Worth it???

[Ripley Bryant]

I looked at a truck today. A '72 GMC K20 4wd short bed.

The biggest issue is rust. there are numerous rust-through holes along the side of the bed where the trim used to be. Rust through around the edges of the floor of the bed and wheel wells inside the bed. The cab corners have bubbles, the door sills are rusted through. There's bondo around the whole front top along the rain gutter. The front grill is rusty as well.

The Driver's side fender is banged up and interferes with the door opening and closing, but there's a good condition replacement fender that comes with the truck.

The Engine is a 350 and seemed to run well. The tranny was an automatic and had leaked all of it's fluid out and wouldn't engage at all. The owners said it drove when it was parked. Looking under the truck, the tranny was covered in tranny fluid. For some reason, they had removed the front driveshaft.

Heater is bypassed. Passenger door is missing the panel, glass, and handles for the latch and window regulator.

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the trouble. I'd like to get something I can use while I work on it and am not sure this is it.

Any opinions?

[casey]

Don't touch that truck, walk away from that peice of s#it, thats nothing but a money pit,keep looking you'll find something, if you spend alittle more to start with you'll get a good project truck

[68 Suburban]

I have learned the hard way. That rust is the first thing to take into consideration. I use to always get excited when I looked at vehicles back in the midwest and would tell myself that the rust was not a big issue, but it always ended up a very expensive issue. You would be much better off spending a little more now, or a LOT later.

[old Rusty C10]

that truck sounds likje the dog with no ear missing teeth blind in one eye lame and has fleas and oh yeah its name is lucky!!
unless youre looking for a complete and thorough frame off resto project thats gonna cost a ton forget it it may make a nice parts truck for the donot 350 tho

[1969 GMC]

First, I don't think they made swb 3/4 ton 4x4's.

Second, steer clear! Unless you can score it for cheap and it has some useable parts.

Just my $0.02

[Ripley Bryant]

Thanks for the opinions! You're right. I'll pass on it.

[Fred T]

So, how much was he asking for that $500 truck?

[Roberty]

Originally posted by 1969 GMC
First, I don't think they made swb 3/4 ton 4x4's.

Your right, 1969 GMC, about GM not making swb 3/4 ton 4x4 back then. I think (not 100% sure though) '99 was the first year GM made a swb 3/4 ton - 4x4 or otherwise. My uncle bought one new in '99 optioned this way.
Robert

[ZOOMY]

That's your typical parts truck. It's bought just because you need something from it for your good truck.........Zoomy

[Maximum Overdrive]

Yep its only a parts truck. Not even worth much from the condition you describe. Also you probably could forget about the tranny as who knows how many times they have started it and let it run without tranny fluid. Doesnt take long to burn one up running it without fluid. Save your money and look for something better.

[Ripley Bryant]

They had it posted in the local paper for $695. I almost offered $200, but thought better of it.