To buy or not to buy.....that is the question

[kanuck]

I picked up a 1980 shortbox stepside in late November for $400 that came with registration but was fairly rough. The good was two new front inner and outer fenders, rusty but straight tube type grille with a clean factory suround, 4 clean rallys with OK trim and usable tires, two rust free doors but both have a large concave in the center, good box sides and OK rear fenders with a bit of rust on the lower edges.
The bad is no motor but 4 spd still in place, (was 6 cyl), cab is totally rusty but has a clean interior and good glass.
Worst was when I finally crawled under for a clean up I found the frame in only the one spot at the crossmember that ties into the drivers front of the leaf spring mount had rusted the lower edge of the frame channel enough that it has perferations.

OK, Today I took a closer look at another shortbox fleet that I had a quick look at before Christmas and had dealed out a price subject to inspection.
This is a 1977 to 1980 truck with no papers, but was someones longterm project that was picked up for parts and is again being flipped.
The good is a rust free cab with no interior or dash, rust free doors with the drivers having a crease, rust free front fenders, belltech lowering shackles rear and drop in front of about 3 or 4 inches, frame all painted, new radiator, turbo 400 with converter, decent headers, box floor seems to be rust free.
Bad is box sides around wheel well are very rusty, needs all dash, wiring and interior parts, all panels are different colors so will need paint after dents are fixed and windshield is toast with no back window.
Firm price is $1300, talked down from $2500.

So with both trucks I have to add a motor and misc and lots of labour.

$1300 worth having all the frame work done and a rustfree cab???

One major question that I noticed was on the frame drivers side near the back of the cab, the lower edge of the frame is pulled down around 1-1 1/2 inches but the frame side looks perfectly straight, and when I checked out my 80 stepside in the same location the lower edge of the frame also was pulled down but it didn't seem as much and again looked almost factory.
Is this something I'm missing as I didn't see it on a longbox frame I also looked at.

Any opinions welcomed
Thanks

[68c10owner]

I paid $1600 for my 84 step side and just worked a trade with a friend of mine for a fleet bed I found for $100. I drive the truck everyday. You should be able to find a decent truck with a clean title for $1300 or even a bit more. I`d wait but thats just my opinion.

[silvereagle07]

I paid around $1600 for my '84 about 5 years ago. It is straight with only cab corner rust. You can find good trucks with little rust it just takes a little research. Start with a solid rust free foundation intact and it will save you money and frustration in the long run.

[ChaseDale3and8]

I would have to say that it depends on how hard a rust free cab is to find in your area. You could spend $1300 on just buying the cab alone if you buy one out of the south and then will likely have to spend more to have it shipped. Most likely you would end up spending more than that. Do some research on what rust free cabs are bringing in your area and go from there. Since it comes with a frame that is ready to go, I'd have to lean in the buy it direction, but that's just me. ...Joe

[andrewmp6]

1300 is kinda cheap for what it is.Been me i would have done bought it and took both trucks and made one nice rust free truck out of the two.What is left sell the good parts scrap the bad parts.

[kanuck]

They asked around $500 and up for good cabs here on the Canadian coast and about the same for a good box.

The real concern that I had was about the lower lip of the frame being bent down on the drivers side of the frame at the rear of the cab around where the aux. gas tank would be. Both of these trucks have the bend at the same spot. Right near where the emergency brake cable has a hook on the frame.


Managed to get the pics from my cell phone down loaded.
These are of the second truck for $1300.

[kanuck]

Couple more pics. The inside of the fleet box shows no rust at all, but the outer sides are in rough shape. All front fenders, rad support, doors, cab above and below also show no rust and it has a belltech drop front and rear.

[kanuck]

Just thought I'd through in a pic of my year round fair weather driver. Just picked it up in September and drove it steady till the snow hit.





and the good weather only pair

[Ds86C10]

wow if they want 1300 for that, i want what they are smokin... id pass or get them to drop the price... alot

[texassquarebodies]

I would not give them $300 for that truck. You need to start with something complete as possible. Makes it alot easier in the long run. I deal with buying/selling squares all the time. Pass on this one.

[dswancutt]

I assume that when you say without registration, you mean no title. If that is the case, $1300.00 is way out of line. Even with the title $1300 is out of line. Save up your money and find something better and all there.

As far as the frame being pulled down, I think that was done to clear the cat. Others may be able to confirm this.

[chevymotocross]

not worth it at all. My friend picked up a 73 in better shape with a small amount of rust for 1200 here in new england. And these trucks are hard to find with minimal rust for that price in this area

[kanuck]

Got some pictures of the truck I picked up in late November for $400.
This came with the truck as seen here plus 2 new outer fenders, 2 new inner fenders, a pair of dented but rust free doors and a clean fleetside tailgate. The stepside box is good, but the fenders need a little rust repair on the bottom edge againts the bolt on step. The big thing also is that it came with a clean clear title for registration and it is current.

[grinch4om]

you know, for what you will spend fixing, and buying rust free stuff up there, you could grab that trailor and make a road trip, heck we'll look for clean stuff for you if we know ball park price and what you need

[silvereagle07]

That truck will cost a lot to fix. I'm with grinch on this. You can find a truck in much better shape than that one. It would be worth it to get a trailer and start a road trip.

[84 400]

I agree 1300 is steep for the shell. You could pedal the extra parts and maybe make some money but It is not gonna offset that. I would not expect others to understand the shortage of good metal to work with up hear and where you are. But with no title no motor and not even back glass I can't see the kind of money they are asking. unless there is an exchange rate I am missing here.
It is hard to say what deals may come up in the future.

[heavychevy79]

Originally Posted by texassquarebodies

I would not give them $300 for that truck. You need to start with something complete as possible. Makes it alot easier in the long run. I deal with buying/selling squares all the time. Pass on this one.

Tony I think I've seen your ads on CL and you have some pretty decent
looking stuff for sale.
You know it would be great if those rust belt guys would come down here
more often and save some of these trucks from going to the junkyard.
I've seen alot of buildable trucks get crushed.

[fast75]

i picked mine up for 1200.00 dollars running. i drove it home. i did snatch that six banger out soon as i got it home tho. as you can see its pretty straight, a few small dents but what the hell, its 34 years old, LOL.