Found a better one - opinions welcome

[lks dcvn]

Sooo I found another Blazer to scope out -

1972 Chevy Blazer
4x4
12k on replacement crate motor - 350
newer tires
no leaks to speak of - runs/drives well
appears to have engine block heater (I won't be driving this in the winter anyway)
top is in good condition
no immediate problems/concerns to speak of
body a bit dinged up (front fender, bumpers) - see pix

This is also in my price range - $2500-4000 - I would like to stay in the $3k area though. Is that a feasible amount for this rig? Any specifics that I should inquire about?

minimal rust...appears to be right behind passenger side door. I am waiting to hear back from the seller - and have requested more pix of the rusty area and of the driver's side.

Opinions and advice is/are welcome. It already looks 500% better than the last one I was looking at (thanks for steering me clear of that one guys). I look forward to hearing what you think about this one.

Thanks everybody!

pix





Tom
Toledo, Ohio

[bouncytruck]

I'd look long and hard for signs of bondo. From the pics, the paint looks to have a lot of orange-peel which says to me that it was home/cheap paint. Cheap paint often is used to cover bondo or bad body work.

Definately better than the other. If the rust/bondo is minimal, I'd guess the $2,500-$3,000 range would be a good deal.

A few thinks I see - the top will have holes in it for that rack. Check for h20 leaks at the mounting points. The mirrors are after market. Someone was smokin' somethin' when they put that emblem on the hood.

• Find out who installed the motor and ask for documentation of the miles.
•*Pop the top and look for rust where it meets the windshielf frame.
•*Check the horns on the frame to make sure they are straight.

[lks dcvn]

Thanks for the reply-

The problem I see with this process is that I live in the MidWest and I am looking out in the North West and South West for trucks (that are rust free and in my price range).

I have to rely on interpreting the seller's ad and 'trusting' that they are trying to sell a vehicle as they state. I have always tried to be honest in my selling of things - so there is no confusion or 'let down' once the buyer gets their item...but not everybody shares in this philosophy.

I have always had a first hand look at vehicles prior to buying them - so this searching in other parts of the country has a few drawbacks (from a buyer's perspective).

I realize that this is part of the process, but I don't want to get burned...

I have no set time line for this purchase, and I don't really see any solid trucks in my area (from the searching that I have done)...I am sure that if I wait until the end of the summer or later in the year that I will find something that meets my expectations (and price).

I am just amazed that guys out in the North West and South West can drive around and look at a couple of these over a weekend - I rarely see them - and even more rarely are they for sale. Guess there are some perks to not living in the 'Rust Belt'.

I appreciate any and all help that you all provide - I really enjoy this board and look forward to finding something to work on (when the opportunity arises).

[bouncytruck]

Utilize the power of the board. Ask members if they would mind going to look at the trucks for you. If it is close to my house, I wouldn't mind taking a look for you.

Pictures are important. Ask the seller to take a lot of pictures. Be specific and tell them what areas you want to see. If they don't do it, it's not the right truck for you.

It is true that these trucks are more readily available on the west coast. They just haven't met their demise due to rust. I know of several just sitting in yards within 5 miles of my house. I'll certainly keep an eye out for you.

Here's one that is a "project" in Spokane. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/304006789.html

[lks dcvn]

I saw this 'project' near me (ebay link), but that is way more work than I want to get involved in (basket case) - I emailed the guy and he wanted $5000 for the whole thing.

I guess it just takes a keen eye, some luck, and great timing to find a decent one out there. At least I have this group for the keen eye - since I am still learning what to look for.

So - the key areas to get pix of include the following (on these trucks) for rust:

Windshield Frame (where it meets the top)
Rockers (both sides) with the door open and from the underneath
Floor pans (where they meet the rockers and where they meet the firewall)
Bottom of doors - exterior and the interior with the door opened
Wheel well sheet metal - exterior on front and rear
Wheel well upper sheet metal (in tub) along edges of rear quarter panel
Cowl - no leaks
Rear floor (where it meets the tailgate)
Tailgate (and top of bed rails) under removal top.

Any other sites that I should inquire about. Having this information handy when looking can really make it a lot easier to find one that is not rusting apart.

[bouncytruck]

Check the frame around the steering box too. If they have been wheeled hard, you may see stress cracks there. I doubt that blue one has been wheeled hard given the minimal lift and fairly tame tires.

[lks dcvn]

Well - it looks like they sold it -

I guess you have to move very fast to get these trucks - I emailed them - they had it - so I responded that day - then I heard nothing back so I sent a follow up-

Then they tell me somebody is coming to buy it??? I am sure that is 'fate' telling me that the truck was a waste of money, but this process is a bit grueling...

How can I hold these while I ask questions - being out of state/region really screws you it seems - since I can't 'drop by and have a look' like people ask me to do.

Oh well...

[LUV2XCLR8]

Anything worth anything under $5K will go fast on these baby's

[bouncytruck]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/car/305428367.html

[72armyswbtruck]

They are everywhere in the Northwest aren't they?

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

Utilize the power of the board. Ask members if they would mind going to look at the trucks for you. If it is close to my house, I wouldn't mind taking a look for you.

I know of several just sitting in yards within 5 miles of my house. I'll certainly keep an eye out for you.http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/304006789.html

Hang in there iks, maybe you should take Bouncy, or others, up on the offers to check some of these out for you. Just a thought.

[special-K]

I would wait for a better,non-painted Blazer if I was traveling to purchase,anyway.

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by 72armyswbtruck

They are everywhere in the Northwest aren't they?

It is almost unbelievable for someone who has to hunt for weeks just to find a Blazer for sale, much less find a decent one.
You guys out there are sooo lucky!

[ABLAZN]

Originally Posted by Chevyman63

It is almost unbelievable for someone who has to hunt for weeks just to find a Blazer for sale, much less find a decent one.
You guys out there are sooo lucky!

Yes there are quite a few Blazers out here, BUT these is a ton that are junk too. Many are hunting /4 wheeled rigs that people have let go. Here is my price scale for what you get for the money up here. $3000 or less= rust bucket, $3000-$4500= fixable rust or needs work, but not a bad rig, $4500-$5500= had a lot of work or is fairly nice original truck that needs a few things, $5500 and up= nicer original truck to total restoration. There are always those steals out there, but most people with the age of the internet are wise to the value of things these days.

Here is a nice project listed that someone is going to pick up soon I would think.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/303992857.html

[dell]

i feel your pain i'm also looking for a 72 or older for my kid. alot on ebay the last 3 weeks but all seem to be on west coast or az. anyone like to check some out for me if i found one would be much appreciated.Thanks in advance.

[bouncytruck]

Dell, there are a lot in TX. You shouldn't have to travel far to find something decent.

[RED72blazer]

Couple more blazers in the northwest. I've had me eye on the bottom one. Arizona has alot of blazer's imo. I'd look there if I was thinking of importing one to my area. I also offer to go look blazers for you in my area. I'm not really that far from Bouncytruck though, Good luck in your search.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/car/305813596.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/pts/305703202.html

[bouncytruck]

I emailed the guy about the $1000 one and asked him for more pictures. His email back was almost illegable. He said (I think) he isn't very tech capable but he'll get more pics this weekend.

I have his phone number if anyone is serious about it. Send me a PM.

[badass72]

dont look in so cal. for a cheap one..... its like if they come gold plated or something

[lks dcvn]

I can reply about the top one (in Covington, WA) - since I have contacted the ones in my range on the net (in the past week or so).

here is the reply that I got - it seemed so much nicer in the ad...

"Hi,

I've done most the mechanical work,but none to the body. This could be a daily driver itsd been sitting. I did drive it alot some years back, but too many toys. Best to describe this as a project with typical rust if you know these vehicles. Rockers are gone and rust has started on floorboards up front, some rust thru behind drivers door and around wheel tubs. I guess i should call this a running driving project. Thx"

There was one I saw in Houston (Craigs list) yesterday - link to ad - it is probably gone by now...

Tom

[dell]

i called the houston one. sounds like you would have to rebuild it to get rid of rust. he said he would call it a hunting truck. plus it's a 4 speed. i am going to try to look at 2 this weekend out of town if they can meet me. the one for 1000 in the pics above ( multi colored ) is way too much work for me.I need one with alot less body work. I was hoping to find one for 7000.00 or less that ran good and did not need body work. maybe i was clueless? There were some in az and vegas and a nice one in oregan in that price range.If i find one west i would fly out and drive it back

[bouncytruck]

CL in TX -

http://austin.craigslist.org/car/303817285.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/car/302457114.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/297895830.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/car/284299672.html <<<< 2wd!
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/287198874.html <<<< 2wd!
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/281365157.html

[NTR72GMC]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list


Here are some in my area.

[ABLAZN]

Here is one that might fit your needs

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/304942037.html


There are a couple more in the $10,000 + range listed also.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by ABLAZN

There are a couple in the $10,000 + range.

Yeppers, like mine