Is this a good deal? Is anyone near it? Will I ever find a decent truck?

[Bowtie001]

I know ebay is far from the best place to look, but it's too darn convenient. I came across this the other day. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140093295645
and I don't know much about it other than the reserve is $2500. I asked a whole slew of other questions this morning that are unanswered as of yet. What does everyone think? I think I prefer fleetsides, but I don't know - it depends on what angle of the truck you're looking at.

Next question... assuming it is a good deal - is anyone near enough to it to check it out for me?

I need to get something soon. Taking down trees is fun, but loading up very small sections of the timber into your escort is not. (Well, it kinda is... but not in a good way)

Just innocent asking. Let me know your thoughts.

-Brian

[bobthecop]

Doesn't look too bad, however I would go see it and check it over real good, $2500.00 is not bad from what I can see.

[lpaine]

I'd say that truck should be worth $2,500. It looks like it's pretty decent.And it's a short box, so it'll always be desireable,easy to sell down the road if need be. But you said something about hauling wood? I wonder if a 3/4 ton might be a better truck for you.Best of luck.

[70cst]

If you can get this truck for $2500 it looks like a good deal...but...if you prefer the fleetside looks then I would wait until you find a fleetside. There are still good buys out there but patience is the key in finding the truck of your dreams. A good buy is only a good buy "if" you like what you just purchased. From your email it's almost like your trying to convince yourself that you like the look of the truck. Good Luck in your search.

[Bowtie001]

All good points. The 3/4 ton is an interesting idea. How does the rear suspension differ from 1/2 to 3/4 ton? I'd really rather have the coil spring rear end... is that only a particular model?
How about this one...? no reserve.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110100063234
-Brian

[WorkinLonghorn]

Bowtie001,I do lots of tree work among lots of other stuff and I've used 1/2 and 3/4 ton '69 pickups. You definitely want a long fleet, and a 3/4 would be preferable because sooner or later you are going to have a customer that needs sod,or has a big pile of broken concrete etc and with a 1/2 ton you will be way overloaded and could break down.For a work truck that looks OK and can be fixed up I'd say $1500 or less.(Get a longhorn if you can find one)-Brian

[Bowtie001]

Thanks for the suggestions. This truck will be used to haul everything from trees and lawn mowers to engines and furniture. I guess I always thought that 1/2 ton thing was way more than it was actually rated for.

What is the difference in rear suspensions?
Were all longhorns 3/4?

It should not be this hard to find an affordable truck.
Thanks to all!
-Brian

[dan42]

It looks like the guy has only sold/bought one thing... not much history to go off, that you can see.. Just a thought.

[Bowtie001]

OK, all of this combined and the encouraging words from 70cst make the stepside not worth it anymore. Now the problem is where to draw the line. Ideally it;s a 67 GMC LWB. The last link I posted is a 72 Longhorn, which is great but the 72 chevy grille is not my favorite. I could certainly live with it, but it's the least favorite of all three styles. How hard is the rust on the longhorn to fix by the pictures? I can't tell if it's an easy grind, weld, paint... or if it's total panel replacement.

My mother's recent suggestion: Why don't you just buy a nice new truck and make payments?

Sorry - had to throw that in there. Any ideas on the rear suspension differences between chevy/gmc/longhorn/ 1/2 ton/ 3/4 ton on leaf vs coil?

Thanks to all again
-Brian

[WorkinLonghorn]

Longhorns (8 1/2 foot bed) were 3/4 and 1 ton. The GMC ones weren't badged as longhorn but are the same. They are cool because you can fit 10' sections of sprinkler (or other types) pipe IN the bed diagonally. But just a long fleet will be fine and you will laugh hard about the Escort someday.We used to use an old Chevy station wagon for palm tree sections and fronds.
>>The "1/2 ton" trucks were good for about 1/2 ton actually back then,maybe up to 1600 if you pushed it. My 3/4 has heavy springs and is designed to take about 1 1/2 tons but for local runs I put a tad more and always have spring travel to spare. 3/4 is definitely the way to go.-Brian

[sleepyboy]

For a work truck, it is not superior. For a play truck, It is better than what I started with...Get IT