How Can You Tell - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**DREW67** · 10-19-2006, 12:22 PM

I have been looking at a 71 with 35k original miles, it looks to be in excellent shape but how can you really tell with no documentation. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

krue · 10-19-2006, 12:31 PM

Are you buying it from the original owner? If not the title (in MS anyways) has a spot for odometer reading. The pics you posted are too little to tell anything. I would look for signs of repaint (like the numbers in chalk on the firewall being painted over, or overspray). It's probably gonna be hard to tell, 'cuz even if it's only got 35k on it, it still has 35 yrs on it.

Ole Blue 68 · 10-19-2006, 02:34 PM

Its gonna be tough like Krue said and when it's all said and done you won't ever really know.

If it's really 35k miles then I would expect it to be pretty clean but not too clean, if that makes any sense. For example, check out the interior. Are the carpets and upholstery original? If so, they may show signs of fading/fraying/cracking but should not be overly worn like carpet wear around the pedals or a divot in the driver's side cushion.

toms68cst · 10-19-2006, 05:48 PM

Post some better pictures!

john@thepier · 10-19-2006, 06:53 PM

I have 4 trucks with less than 40,000 on them. The truck your looking at should drive like a truck with only 35,000 on it nice and tight with no rattles, no smoke from the engine. and have that new smell to the interior(well maybe)jk JOHN

alblogg · 10-19-2006, 09:10 PM

Check the door jams and the bottom of the doors and fenders. These are places most people forget to clean real good after a paint job or body work for over spray also ask if he minds if you take off the sill plate and check and see if it has had rockers replaced because we know how the rockers like to rust.

qksilver · 10-19-2006, 10:06 PM

Put it up on a lift, will make checking it out a lot easier

**clay68c10** · 10-19-2006, 11:17 PM

A good place to look is the pedal pads. They should be in great shape, no edges worn down. Also high oil pressure and minimal slop in the steering linkage and ball joints.

Longhorn Man · 10-20-2006, 09:19 PM

upper ball joints should be rivited tot eh frame, not bolted, spiral shocks should be expected (original) look for 'clean dirt' on the engine, underneath should be pretty nice..maybe another coat of 'clean dirt'.

ThatOneBlue67 · 10-22-2006, 12:56 AM

I'd just like to point out that I had no trouble rolling back the odometer on my truck via power drill.

**clay68c10** · 10-22-2006, 09:55 AM

True... Set one to zero on a Willys project a while back. I didn't feel bad because it was a build one from three junkers thing.

RSRXION · 10-22-2006, 10:11 AM

Some states allow you to do a title search on any vehicle for less than 100.00 . This will often document the vehicles milage each time it was registered, usually on an annual basis. It will also allow you the ability to track the trucks' previous owners and a web search on their names and cities will turn up phone numbers. Call them and ask them what they remember about the truck .

One other idea... Ask the owner to sign an odometer statement. If the miles are right he shouldn't have any hesitation to do so. BUT, if they are busted back he could spend some time in a private room with his new boyfriend. That's an outstanding deterrent for most would be crooks/thieves/scam artists etc ...

JMHO, Dean

Longhorn Man · 10-22-2006, 01:11 PM

Now privacy laws prohibit the release of previouse owners name and info in many states, and also to my knowledge, mose states don't require reporting your anual odomerer reading.

**DREW67** · 10-24-2006, 02:11 PM

More pictures thanks for your responses. It may be 35k but its been sitting a little while.

**DREW67** · 10-24-2006, 02:13 PM

more pictures

**DREW67** · 10-24-2006, 02:15 PM

more

alblogg · 10-24-2006, 04:21 PM

By golly I think you may have what the guy is telling you there. The rockers looked like they would if the truck had been driven and sit up awhile not fixed and repaired trying to slick one over on you making out the truck is more than it is.

RSRXION · 10-24-2006, 04:33 PM

I dunno ... that's an awful lot of built up grease etc on the engine to be 35,000 miles. Ask him to sign the odometer statement. That's the ultimate testimony. Just my humble opinion, Dean

zeeklu · 10-24-2006, 04:39 PM

The engine compartment looks awful grimey for 35k . Chris

**DREW67** · 10-24-2006, 04:40 PM

I'm still waiting for pictures under the doors and for him to pull the mat up looks like there is moisture build up or something could be rust. If they are clean I will do it. He want 3k for it don't know if it 's worth that much $2500.00 I might drive it home.

Werewolf · 10-24-2006, 04:43 PM

Yeah, pull the mats up, because that moisture most definitely got under them. And yeah, there's a lot of paint chips on the rockers and door bottoms for 35k. But not for 135k. Keep in mind 135k is still *really* low mileage for a truck that old.

Longhorn Man · 10-24-2006, 05:15 PM

simply looks liike a very nice 100,000 + mile truck to me.

Quote:

Ask him to sign the odometer statement. That's the ultimate testimony

Sorry, but personally, that wouldn't mean jack to me. The fact that you are wondering if it is 35 or 135 after being told it was 35... already shows your (understandable) distrust.
Put a timing light on it and look at the mark on the ballancer, if it moves around, then it's a sloppy timing chain.... and over 35k

jacobs · 10-24-2006, 06:29 PM

My 1970 looked better that that at 235,000 miles and it has seen a lot of salt. I'm sure that odometer has rolled over a few times.

**PICKMUP** · 10-24-2006, 06:57 PM

When you get down to the bottom line, the mileage is not as important as the condition. I would always prefer a nice high mileage truck over a rough low mileage truck...you are going to have to paint it anyway.
Low mileage is only a bonus when the truck is really nice & clean , inside & out. Low mileage rust is not as valuable as original high mileage paint!

Longhorn Man · 10-24-2006, 07:13 PM

VERY good point... and the price is low enough on that one too IMO.

10-19-2006, 12:22 PM	#1
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,031	How Can You Tell I have been looking at a 71 with 35k original miles, it looks to be in excellent shape but how can you really tell with no documentation. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Attached Images __________________ DREW67

10-19-2006, 12:31 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: How Can You Tell Are you buying it from the original owner? If not the title (in MS anyways) has a spot for odometer reading. The pics you posted are too little to tell anything. I would look for signs of repaint (like the numbers in chalk on the firewall being painted over, or overspray). It's probably gonna be hard to tell, 'cuz even if it's only got 35k on it, it still has 35 yrs on it. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-19-2006, 02:34 PM	#3
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: How Can You Tell Its gonna be tough like Krue said and when it's all said and done you won't ever really know. If it's really 35k miles then I would expect it to be pretty clean but not too clean, if that makes any sense. For example, check out the interior. Are the carpets and upholstery original? If so, they may show signs of fading/fraying/cracking but should not be overly worn like carpet wear around the pedals or a divot in the driver's side cushion.

10-19-2006, 05:48 PM	#4
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,297	Re: How Can You Tell Post some better pictures! __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

10-19-2006, 06:53 PM	#5
john@thepier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Posts: 970	Re: How Can You Tell I have 4 trucks with less than 40,000 on them. The truck your looking at should drive like a truck with only 35,000 on it nice and tight with no rattles, no smoke from the engine. and have that new smell to the interior(well maybe)jk JOHN

10-19-2006, 09:10 PM	#6
alblogg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NC Posts: 62	Re: How Can You Tell Check the door jams and the bottom of the doors and fenders. These are places most people forget to clean real good after a paint job or body work for over spray also ask if he minds if you take off the sill plate and check and see if it has had rockers replaced because we know how the rockers like to rust. __________________ '07 G6 Wife's car '00 Malibu stock, just a parts getter. '99 Blazer LT Loaded, K&N Filter, Pioneer Super Tuner,Viper '88 K1500 Cheyenne, 5.0, stock, bought new '86 Nissan 720 Trash Truck '69 C/10 step side, 307, all original, second owner, in process of restore. The person who says it cannot be done should not interrurt the person doing it. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. Allen- Paintman Wrenchtwister Broompusher

10-19-2006, 10:06 PM	#7
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: How Can You Tell Put it up on a lift, will make checking it out a lot easier

10-19-2006, 11:17 PM	#8
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: How Can You Tell A good place to look is the pedal pads. They should be in great shape, no edges worn down. Also high oil pressure and minimal slop in the steering linkage and ball joints. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ Last edited by clay68c10; 10-19-2006 at 11:17 PM.

10-20-2006, 09:19 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: How Can You Tell upper ball joints should be rivited tot eh frame, not bolted, spiral shocks should be expected (original) look for 'clean dirt' on the engine, underneath should be pretty nice..maybe another coat of 'clean dirt'.

10-22-2006, 12:56 AM	#10
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: How Can You Tell I'd just like to point out that I had no trouble rolling back the odometer on my truck via power drill. __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

10-22-2006, 09:55 AM	#11
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: How Can You Tell True... Set one to zero on a Willys project a while back. I didn't feel bad because it was a build one from three junkers thing. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

10-22-2006, 10:11 AM	#12
RSRXION Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 227	Re: How Can You Tell Some states allow you to do a title search on any vehicle for less than 100.00 . This will often document the vehicles milage each time it was registered, usually on an annual basis. It will also allow you the ability to track the trucks' previous owners and a web search on their names and cities will turn up phone numbers. Call them and ask them what they remember about the truck . One other idea... Ask the owner to sign an odometer statement. If the miles are right he shouldn't have any hesitation to do so. BUT, if they are busted back he could spend some time in a private room with his new boyfriend. That's an outstanding deterrent for most would be crooks/thieves/scam artists etc ... JMHO, Dean __________________ "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin

10-22-2006, 01:11 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: How Can You Tell Now privacy laws prohibit the release of previouse owners name and info in many states, and also to my knowledge, mose states don't require reporting your anual odomerer reading.

10-24-2006, 02:11 PM	#14
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,031	Re: How Can You Tell More pictures thanks for your responses. It may be 35k but its been sitting a little while. Attached Images __________________ DREW67

10-24-2006, 02:13 PM	#15
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,031	Re: How Can You Tell more pictures Attached Images __________________ DREW67



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10-24-2006, 02:15 PM	#16
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,031	Re: How Can You Tell more Attached Images __________________ DREW67

10-24-2006, 04:21 PM	#17
alblogg Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NC Posts: 62	Re: How Can You Tell By golly I think you may have what the guy is telling you there. The rockers looked like they would if the truck had been driven and sit up awhile not fixed and repaired trying to slick one over on you making out the truck is more than it is. __________________ '07 G6 Wife's car '00 Malibu stock, just a parts getter. '99 Blazer LT Loaded, K&N Filter, Pioneer Super Tuner,Viper '88 K1500 Cheyenne, 5.0, stock, bought new '86 Nissan 720 Trash Truck '69 C/10 step side, 307, all original, second owner, in process of restore. The person who says it cannot be done should not interrurt the person doing it. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. Allen- Paintman Wrenchtwister Broompusher Last edited by alblogg; 10-24-2006 at 04:24 PM.

10-24-2006, 04:33 PM	#18
RSRXION Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 227	Re: How Can You Tell I dunno ... that's an awful lot of built up grease etc on the engine to be 35,000 miles. Ask him to sign the odometer statement. That's the ultimate testimony. Just my humble opinion, Dean __________________ "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin

10-24-2006, 04:39 PM	#19
zeeklu Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 746	Re: How Can You Tell The engine compartment looks awful grimey for 35k . Chris

10-24-2006, 04:40 PM	#20
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,031	Re: How Can You Tell I'm still waiting for pictures under the doors and for him to pull the mat up looks like there is moisture build up or something could be rust. If they are clean I will do it. He want 3k for it don't know if it 's worth that much $2500.00 I might drive it home. __________________ DREW67

10-24-2006, 04:43 PM	#21
Werewolf Woof? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 276	Re: How Can You Tell Yeah, pull the mats up, because that moisture most definitely got under them. And yeah, there's a lot of paint chips on the rockers and door bottoms for 35k. But not for 135k. Keep in mind 135k is still really low mileage for a truck that old. __________________ 1968 LWB CST BB 2004 Avalanche Z71 LT3. 2003 S-10 ZR2 (hers). 1997 Astro 1992 Caprice wagon, 500k stock miles. Nursing wounds after a bad wreck. 1997 Saturn - need gas mileage from something!

10-24-2006, 06:29 PM	#23
jacobs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 9000' Mountain Man Posts: 326	Re: How Can You Tell My 1970 looked better that that at 235,000 miles and it has seen a lot of salt. I'm sure that odometer has rolled over a few times.

10-24-2006, 06:57 PM	#24
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Re: How Can You Tell When you get down to the bottom line, the mileage is not as important as the condition. I would always prefer a nice high mileage truck over a rough low mileage truck...you are going to have to paint it anyway. Low mileage is only a bonus when the truck is really nice & clean , inside & out. Low mileage rust is not as valuable as original high mileage paint!

10-24-2006, 07:13 PM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: How Can You Tell VERY good point... and the price is low enough on that one too IMO.

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