Front clip price

[BigMike]

Hey guys, what is the going price for a decent 68 front clip - complete? I have a chance to pick one up, it may be a bit rough but nothing unfixable for $500. I have a nice 69 front end with a near perfect original grille, but I REALLY like the 67/68 front ends (I prefer the 68 due to I am keeping the marker lights).

It seems finding a local 69-72 used fender has been tougher than I thought. That is why I have been tossing the 68 front end around, that is how I came upon the clip for sale.

Mike

[spencra]

That sounds about right. I've seen them for less, and I've seen them for more. It all depends on the condition, and how desireable it is to you. I would think that in Cali, parts for these trucks would be much easier to find. In the Northeast, you could probably easily fetch $500 for a complete front clip in very good condition.

[qksilver]

I just came back from Texas, 2400 miles round trip, to get a set of 67 fenders, doors and swb fleet. Price was good, 500 isn't bad if it is complete AND the core support is in good shape. I tried using an aftermarket core support, never again, the after market fenders were close and at 85 a piece might be a good option.

[BigMike]

Nope, nope...No more aftermarket repro stuff for me. I have seen too many crap pieces at premium prices to go that way. I want decent used stuff, it does not need to be perfect except for the fit.

Mike

[qksilver]

I agree completely

[BigMike]

Originally Posted by qksilver

I agree completely

I was going into a lengthy write-up about what I have seen out there (I have been to several of the stores being that I am pretty close to them) but I thought I was being too negative and I'm sure it has already been beat to death.

I just found the local guy that has the 68 front clip recently...He says he has 15 of these trucks and 7 of them are shortbeds. He also says he has 2wd blazers and burbs, all for sale/parting/complete, city says they have to go. I may stop by his place this weekend to either check out the clip or pick up a 69-72 passenger fender ($75)

Edit: Anyone want to give me $500 for a nice 69 clip (minus inner fenders) I will pick up a nice pass fender to make it complete (current one has mud in it). Has a nearly perfect 69 original grille, a smoothed out core support (no humps or extra holes).

Mike

[paintpyro]

Big Mike, not to hijack, but let me know how the 69-72 passenger fender works out. I live in Santa Fe Springs, and work in Irvine. I'm looking for a passenger fender myself

[Ronellison]

i live in cypress ca... looking for suburban parts. what did he have and if you dont mind where is he located? thanks ron

[BigMike]

Ron,

I am going out there tomorrow to check it out, He is in Santa Ana.

I will bring my camera and hopefully he will let me take some pictures to share with you guys.

Mike

[paintpyro]

Sounds good Mike.

[FleetsidePaul]

Last Pomona swap meet a guy had a real nice 68 clip for $350. You may want to look there since it's this Sunday before you commit to the $500 one.

[BigMike]

Really, I didn't see that one. I saw a couple junk passenger 69-72 fenders but not the clip. I thought that $500 was a bit high, BUT, I talked to him again today and he said he would work out a deal if I want, I'll see him tomorrow morning (he said I can take a few pics).

Mike

[Longhorn Man]

IMO, esp in so-cal, those better be virgin fenders for that kind of money.

[greenhorn male]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

IMO, esp in so-cal, those better be virgin fenders for that kind of money.

They are getting harder to find out here as well. Wrecking yards are scrapping them much quicker than before because of the weight and cost of steel. Just like anywhere else there are owners out here who don't clean the dirt out of the fender pockets, let battery acid drip, leaves collect under the cowl, doors and bed. Nighborhoods near the ocean get salt corrosion problems as well. That reminds me, I need to make sure rain water drained out of the bed of my new project

Oh, and by the way, when I parted the '72 highlander I posted a while back, I sold the front clip for $400 (very straight fenders and grill). The passenger side inner had a little rust but I included the good bumper with brackets and everything attached to the support, including battery box and AC stuff. The guy that bought it pulled it himself but left the straight hood and hinges (he didn't want it) which I sold for $40 to someone else.

QUESTION: When you say "front clip", which pieces are we talking about? Is the bumper and hood included as part of the clip?

[4tiresngas]

I'd say look around some more. I found a LH fender and two inner fenders in Barstow at Y2K salvage for $75 for a 69. I bought a cab from him for $100. I know he has a 68 complete front clip...you might want to check it out.

[BigMike]

Okay, so I go to the guys house to pick up a front 69-72 pass fender. What a dillweed. We stood around looking for a good fender for the better part of an hour (in the pouring down rain) while he told some stories I thought we hard to believe. I never did get the fender and I doubt I will from him. - while we're looking for a fender, he looks at a 68 fender and says "Oh, that's a good clean one, I need to throw it on Ebay - easy $300" I thought to myself, ya, in your dreams.

He said he parted out a 71 shortbed. said he sold the bed for $2100, the cab for $1000, the engine and tranny for $1300 and the front clip for another $1000. Then he said he had sold a running, primered 72 blazer with tore up interior for $12,000.

He did have a lot of stuff, but he thinks he is sitting on a gold mine and he will be filthy rich when he sells it. And he won't hesitate to tell you so. I saw about 5 trucks, a burb, a 2wd blazer, a blazer bed, several fenders, grilles, cowls. But he wants too much for it. He said that people always try to talk him down but he says he is firm. He said they leave, but wind up coming back later and giving him what he wanted to begin with.

All in all I am a bit frazzled that I wasted my morning going out to freakin COMPTON and had to deal with an over eccentric airhead (just an observation of coarse)

I had big plans today of having a good passenger fender to work on...

Mike

[FleetsidePaul]

It's 3:00 a.m. and I'm getting set to go to Pomona, if I see a nice clip I'll get the guys number for you.

Is this guy in Compton the same guy that's always running ads in the Recycler for truck parts?

[3qtrtontarrer]

man your going to a swap meet today ? that sucks ive been plowing snow since 4;30 this morning. I HATE NEW ENGLAND WELL JUST THE SNOOOOOW

[spencra]

Originally Posted by 3qtrtontarrer

man your going to a swap meet today ? that sucks ive been plowing snow since 4;30 this morning. I HATE NEW ENGLAND WELL JUST THE SNOOOOOW

Ditto! and you've gotta love the ice that came with it that is nicely hidden beneath the snow.

[BigMike]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

It's 3:00 a.m. and I'm getting set to go to Pomona, if I see a nice clip I'll get the guys number for you.

Is this guy in Compton the same guy that's always running ads in the Recycler for truck parts?

Yep...He is quite the talker. It was very hard to get a time when we could meet. He initially wanted to meet at 7:00 (a little to dark to be out in Compton for me). I guess I might have been a bit harsh in my tone in the above comments. I just do not get out and around much since hurting my back, and to have my time wasted by going out to his place for nothing kind of made me sour. I'm sure he is a nice guy, and maybe it was just the timing of the whole thing, who knows. Give him a call, maybe you can make out better than I did.

Mike

[FleetsidePaul]

Well you didn't miss anything in Pomona. It was D.E.A.D. I've never seen it so empty, and slim pickin's.
I saw one front clip off a 71/72 ...solid but had a dented hood, and a $700 price tag.

1 passenger fender but it was off a GMC. it wasn't bad for $40 and that was about it.