Whats it gonna cost?

[don t. - 72gmc]

For the most part, my 72 is a farm truck. Since 1998, I've put on maybe 15000 miles. I hadda replace the entire brake system and tires but otherwise its been reliable.

Unfortunatly, time and mother nature is turning it into a flintstone mobile. Then theres the tranny that needs a gallon of fluid each time I need to move it. While im there, I fill the leaky P.S.

I looked at new 3/4 ton P.U. Im thinkin the $ I spend there could be used to "fix" this one, which Id rather do. The only good thing about new is I can finance this for 3-5 years.

I know enuf about mechanics to know most of what needs to be done is above my head, especially body work. I could get a rebuild tranny and install but last time I did this the speedo never worked right(74 chevy impala).

I know cost is subjective, and labor rates related to the area, but for a ballpark, any idea on cost for:
Cab corner, floor, rocker panels
Area above the windshield rotted
The bed has more holes that swiss cheese - nothing 3/4" plywood wont fix(big grin)
Prime and paint.
rebuilt th400

Thanks for your time.
I do appreciate it.

Have fun.....don t. .....

[northerngmc]

Build a budget, then DOUBLE IT! You may be getting close to the cost.

I spent $6000 having my cab on my 59 GMC repaired with cab corners and rocker panels, and a few holes in the roof.

I am sure you can build a nice truck for about the cost of a new 3/4 ton.

[bigfredtn]

I just got a quote on getting both rocker panels, and the floor pans replaced. The cost is about $1,000.00. I do not know what part of the country you live in, but this is the cost in Memphis.

[junkyardjohn]

YA NEED TO BUY A ONE WAY PLANE TICKET OUT WEST & BUY A TRUCK THAT DOESN'T NEED SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN BODY WORK. YOU CAN STILL GET A DECENT TRUCK FOR $3000 OR $4000 & DRIVE IT HOME. IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE... YOU CAN PICK UP A RUSTFREE BIG BLOCK SHORT BED FOR ABOUT 10 GRAND. I HAVE OFTEN WONDERED WHY PEOPLE WILL SPEND THOUSANDS TRYING TO PATCH UP A RUST BUCKET, WHEN FOR THE SAME OR LESS MONEY THEY CAN HAVE A SOLID TRUCK INSTEAD OF A PATCHED UP TRUCK. NO MATTER HOW NICE A JOB YOU DO...... IT'S STILL A PATCHED UP TRUCK. IF THE BODY IS THAT RUSTY... WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SUSPENSION & ALL OF THE UNDERSIDE COMPONENTS LOOK LIKE?? JOHN

[bigfredtn]

Moving to Somset, KY you will be making a lot of trips out west.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by bigfredtn

Moving to Somset, KY you will be making a lot of trips out west.

I LIVED IN MICHIGAN FOR 35 YEARS. AFTER BUILDING A FEW TRUCKS FROM OUT HERE, THERE IS NO WAY I'D BUILD A RUSTBUCKET FROM BACK THERE. I'VE GOT A 72 SHORT FLEET PROJECT THAT I'M BUILDING, THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ON IT, & NEVER HAS. THERE NOT CHEAP. I DROVE DOWN TO SO. CAL TO GET THIS ONE & PAID ALOT FOR A PILE OF PARTS, BUT I'LL BET THAT IT'S STILL CHEAPER THAN PATCHING ONE UP. JOHN

[bigfredtn]

Its a lot easier going from Nevada to California, than it is from Tennessee to California.

[junkyardjohn]

Yep... It's 500 Miles Instead Of 2000, But They Have These Big Silver Things Now That Fly Thru The Air At Regular Intervels Called Airplanes. Fly In... Rent A Car...buy A Truck.. Drive Home. Or Line One Up On The Internet. Or Buy One Off The Internet & Have It Delivered. Or Just Buy A Bunch Of Patch Panels, & Start Welding , & Cobbling & Repairing A Rust Bucket. The Point I'm Trying To Make Is Your Not Limited To The Vehicals In Your Area Or Home Town Or Even Your State. There Is Not Anywhere In This Country That I Wouldn't Fly To For The Right Vehical. If You Ever Built A 35 Or 40 Year Old Vehical Without Having To Fight That Brown Cacerous Stuff... You'd Feel The Same Way. As An Example. A Friend Of Mine That Owns A Tranny Shop Has A 77 1/2 Ton 4wd Loaded One Owner Truck, With 92000 Miles On It With A Blown Motor. The Only Rust On It Is A Little Spot On The Corner Of One Door & A Very Little Bit Under The Trim Around The Front Wheels. Theres Not Even A Single Door Ding On It. Some Old Man Brought It To Him Cause He Thought The Tourqe Converter Was Making A Knocking Sound. It Turned Out To Be A Rod Knock. My Buddy Bought It For $500 & Put A 4/sale Sign In It For $1500. He Said If I Wanted It I Could Have It For $800 . I'm Temted To Buy It, (& I DON'T EVEN NEED IT)Put A New Motor In It, & Take It With Me To Ky. I Could Buy It.. Put A New Motor In It.. & For Less Than $2500 Have A Really Nice, Straight, Loaded 4wd 1/2 Ton Chevy. Decisions Decisions. John
(DISCLAIMER) THERE ARE PROBABLY LESS THAN 3 OR 4 DOZEN PEOPLE ON THIS CONTINENT THAT CAN REPAIR A RUSTY VEHICAL TO LIKE NEW CONDITION, & EFABMAN, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU ARE ONE OF THEM. JOHN

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by bigfredtn

Its a lot easier going from Nevada to California, than it is from Tennessee to California.

No way in hell I would go from here in TN to Cali, unless it was to pick-up a
67-72 classic, turn around, and then head straight back, sorry CA guys

[luisduran]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I LIVED IN MICHIGAN FOR 35 YEARS. AFTER BUILDING A FEW TRUCKS FROM OUT HERE, THERE IS NO WAY I'D BUILD A RUSTBUCKET FROM BACK THERE. I'VE GOT A 72 SHORT FLEET PROJECT THAT I'M BUILDING, THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ON IT, & NEVER HAS. THERE NOT CHEAP. I DROVE DOWN TO SO. CAL TO GET THIS ONE & PAID ALOT FOR A PILE OF PARTS, BUT I'LL BET THAT IT'S STILL CHEAPER THAN PATCHING ONE UP. JOHN

i learn all this the hard way,JUNKYARDJHON is giving you a very good advice i work on some illinois rustbuckets before and it is a nigthmare,take you time , look around, a rusty california truck around here may still better than an illinois truck that has been repaird...my opinion. Luis

[HeavyD]

Regarding the financing of a new truck, this can be done on a classic too via a bank line of credit. Go into bank, set up credit line, determine term of repayment over 2 years or so, go shopping. I have found this is much easier than asking for a vehicle loan..my bank always frowned when I told them it was for a 196_ or 197_

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by luis duran

i learn all this the hard way,JUNKYARDJHON is giving you a very good advice i work on some illinois rustbuckets before and it is a nigthmare,take you time , look around, a rusty california truck around here may still better than an illinois truck that has been repaird...my opinion. Luis

I BUILT A FEW TRUCKS WHEN I LIVED IN MICHIGAN, & BELIEVE ME... I LEARNED THE HARD WAY TOO. NEVER AGAIN THOUGH. JOHN

[northcountry67]

Not that far south of you, it is possible to find good solid trucks for a reasonable price. Here is one I found in NE OK.

[HeavyD]

Nice find

[luisduran]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I BUILT A FEW TRUCKS WHEN I LIVED IN MICHIGAN, & BELIEVE ME... I LEARNED THE HARD WAY TOO. NEVER AGAIN THOUGH. JOHN

this is what we "UP NORTH" call "usual rust" ebay #4622384901.

[northcountry67]

Originally Posted by HeavyD

Nice find

I didn't even buy this truck. The price on the windshield was $2500 and you could drive it home. This was in 2005, but I would bet this same guy has more.