Question on getting a truck ready for sale

[klieber]

Hi All --

Long time lurker, just recently registered. I have a '72 GMC 3/4 'Burban that's my pride and joy, but have also recently got a screaming deal on a '70 GMC C20 4 spd w/ a crate 350 and working factory air. It's a CA native car, with black plates to prove it, and I'm looking to sell it and make a bit of money on it to fund the further restoration of my Suburban.

The truck is very solid for its age and has a handful of minor things that need attention:

• Driver's side rocker is rotted and needs replacing
• It has the factory bed box option, with a rusted door and broken latch
• There's a large dent in the driver's side rear quarter

Beyond that, the truck is solid, with no other cancer that I've found yet. It has other misc. items (missing radio, for example) but nothing that I think would significantly detract from the value.

I estimate it would take ~$400-$500 or so to fix the first two items and I'm unsure about the last item, but let's say another $500. Question for the group: will the truck then be worth more than $1000 or am I not going to get that much out of it?

Or, to put it another way, what would you all recommend as the best way to reasonably maximize my return on investment here?

Here are some pictures to help:

[sanford66]

I would say that its easily worth a grand, or more, just the way it sits! If you are going to sell it i wouldn't put anymore money in it than you have to. Looks like it would make a nice driver/work truck, thats what i would do with it. By the way, welcome from Kansas. Joseph

[klieber]

Originally Posted by sanford66

I would say that its easily worth a grand, or more, just the way it sits!

THanks for the reply. I was actually hoping it was worth more than just a grand. Based on what I've seen, those trucks (minus the dent, admittedly) go for anywhere from $2500 - $5000, with most falling in the ~$3k-ish range.

But, please tell me if you think that's off base.

[sanford66]

I think it would be worth about $3,000-4,000. I think you are right on the money with your value estimate. Joseph

[rsavage]

Get some prices on the rear quarter, tool box door and rocker repair to see if it will be worth your while to fix it to get the most out of it. Dash has been cut so that may effect value for some folks. Working factory air is a plus. Looks like a pretty solid truck. If it runs and drives well it should be worth fixing to maximize resale.

[PanelDeland]

Keep in mind that repairing what is "bad" on it will make the body more desireable(if done right) but will also probably require a repaint to match.I would say it's either worth it or not depending on the buyer.Some will be willing to pay for a finished truck and others will want a project.I'm guessing about $2500-2800 like it is.Maybe $3500-5000 fixed,but you have to have a buyer with the money.

[Clyde65]

I would put it up for sale with two prices, as is and fixed so the prospective owner can see the current state and decide whether they want it fixed or they want to fix it. One thing that drives me nuts is when I go look at a truck that has been fixed and I can't see how bad the damage was and what quality of repair was actually done. 3/4 tons are slow movers in this day because of the gas prices, but as said before, alot of good solid accessories on that truck and pretty solid other than what you had pointed out.

[tattoed71]

i would just clean it up, then throw it up on craigslist and the for sale section in this forum. i wouldnt worry about the dent or rust.

[RenoKeene]

Looks like a pretty good truck. Crate motor with A/C is a plus. Havn't seen many that color. Would def make a good work truck. I would sell it as is, ask about $3500, take $3k. The toolbox door itself is a $200+ dollar repair (if you could find one).
Good Luck
And welcome from Central Florida!

[klieber]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

The toolbox door itself is a $200+ dollar repair (if you could find one).

Thanks for the response -- that was my next question. I spent the morning trying to find patch panels online. Found all the easy ones, but can't find a replacement door or even an entire box for the bed box. Does anyone make a reman'd one or is used my only option?

[cdowns]

sell asis generally money put in to make it sellable only returns 25-50percent on the money "invested"

[leddzepp]

You need to consider your location. A $5000 truck on the east coast is about a $2000 truck on the west coast. Good luck with the sale.

[68gmsee]

As cdowns said ^ Sell it like it is.

I've always said it and I'll say it again. The less you do to these trucks the better the return on your investment. At least if it's in halfways decent shape. Most people that buy these trucks want to do their own upgrades and mods. Just because one spends hours upon hours fixing it up, means nothing to someone that is looking for a fixer upper themselves.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't fix up your own truck. It just means that others may not be interested in what you did to it when it comes to sell it.

[klieber]

Thanks for all the replies. The more time I've spent going over the truck, the more impressed I am with its condition. It's also a C10, not a C20 as I stated earlier. Someone monkeyed with the badging and I saw the leaf springs and just assumed. So, now of course I'm wrestling with whether or not I even sell it. I'm going to give it another week or so of trying to sell it and then, if I don't get what I want out of it, I"ll just keep it and start working on it. Either way, I win.

[CG]

I'm in the same boat, getting my truck ready to sell. I would say sell as is, I don't think you will get your money back on any repairs you do. You may actually go a little bit backwards.

[klieber]

Originally Posted by CG

I'm in the same boat, getting my truck ready to sell. I would say sell as is, I don't think you will get your money back on any repairs you do. You may actually go a little bit backwards.

Thanks for the reply, CG. Used to live in Lake Stevens for a while and worked in Monroe. Good to see a fellow northwesterner. I have to admit I'm not a big KFC fan, however.

[71swb4x4]

To me the best things to do to see a return on your dollar are a complete detail with wax, and fixing all the little stuff. There is nothing worse than looking at a truck and the seller tells you "It will be worth $5,000 when you fix this that and the other thing." If there are any little things wrong fix them.

As a buyer the tool box door and rocker wouldn't be a big deal to me, but that dent would be a deal breaker. Fix all of the little things, and see what it would take to get the dent repaired.

[klieber]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I ended up selling the item today on eBay. Here's hoping the buyer completes the transaction!

[CG]

Originally Posted by klieber

Thanks to everyone that replied. I ended up selling the item today on eBay. Here's hoping the buyer completes the transaction!

Congrats! And you are one of about four people that got the KFC thing. Its been there for months lol.