NEED ADVICE, Should I buy this TRUCK/ RUST. GOOD DEAL OR BAD?? THANKS

[realsales87]

Hello Everyone,
Im new to this forum but the information throughout forum is great so I decided to post a question. I have been looking for a C10 project for some time and I came across this truck below. It is a 1972 c20 lwb and the guy wants 3k for it. I went and looked at the truck and of course was excited however it had rust in several places and I don't know much about body work as I have never restored an older metal body vehical. There is rust throughout the drip line, on the inside of the cab the roof is not rusted but it is very rough to the touch and seems it may be rusted under the paint, the door jams have rust in them, the rocker panels as well. The body seemed straight with a good hood but Im just not sure if the $ is too high with all this cab rust...ooooorrrr does it not look too bad to you all with EXPERIENCE restoring vehicles. I could drive truck as is but I just dont want to wrap up 4,5,6k in body work plus my initial 3k investment. ANY THOUGHTS? GOOD DEAL OR BAD?

[Hart_Rod]

There are much better choices in the Atlanta area for $3K, just my honest opinion....

[realsales87]

Thank you for that advise, Im am new to this and just don't want to get in way over my head.

[m6z]

Yeah. I'd keep looking.

[69 gmc]

There's a ton of great trucks out there, if I were you I would avoid this truck and keep searching because that doesn't look like factory paint and who knows whats underneath it. Someone could have done a half-ass restoration like I found on my truck, I've been finding pounds and pounds of body filler on my truck. Good deals are easy to find you just have to keep looking via Craigslist, KSL, Newspaper, Ebay... etc

[realsales87]

Ok great, I think I will end up passing on this truck. I trust you guys that have experience and I think your correct about a prior half assed restoration. I ll keep looking and Im sure Ill eventually find something clean. Thanks for all the quick responses!!

[True 67]

I would continue looking..I bought mine without knowing much about these trucks except that I wanted one and paid for it. I was looking for a 67 to go along with my 67 Firebird and find out that it was really a mix of 67/70 parts put together. There are common rust spots to look at such as rear cab corners/rockers. Make sure that you try to lift of the carpet to get a inspection and don't be afraid to look under the cab too. I would make sure that before you buy it do a little research on the spec sheet which is located on the glove box door. Capture that information and come back here and do a search. This way you can know if everything is original or not with the truck.

True

[Hart_Rod]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3069801110.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/3071886927.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3056846569.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3070300794.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3070091555.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3070305055.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3039034517.html

[96blazr]

[QUOTE=realsales87;5430820]It is a 1972 c20 lwb and the guy wants 3k for it. I went and looked at the truck and of course was excited however it had rust in several places and I don't know much about body work as I have never restored an older metal body vehical. There is rust throughout the drip line, on the inside of the cab the roof is not rusted but it is very rough to the touch and seems it may be rusted under the paint, the door jams have rust in them, the rocker panels as well. /QUOTE]


PASS!! Keep looking. You gained very valuable knowledge with this one, now take that and keep looking. Never, EVER jump on the first thing (unless it's a complete frame off). Everyone is right, there's better out there for 3K.
Good luck.

[DorianB]

You did the right thing to ask.

IMO the rust was not that bad, but the location the rust was in makes it very bad.
Rust in the lower areas is a lot easier to pick up $20 patches that could be slapped on to replace. The higher you go, the more likely that the rust is deep and structural, not to mention harder to get to

[manimal]

another vote for PASS on it.

[BB72CHEVKT]

pass

[hopped up]

run!!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[realsales87]

Awesome responses everyone. I wasnt sure if I did the right thing but I knew some of that rust looked complicated and way over my head. I appreciate all the Craigslist posts HartRod. Yeah I don't have the budget at the moment for a full restoration. I was kindof looking to buy a solid truck to mess around with, I probably wouldnt want to invest more than 10k total including the purchase of the truck...and then tinker with it throughout the years. I will keep looking and I am really glad I asked everyone. I WILL BE PASSING, THANKS!

[jocko]

unless you enjoy headaches and body work, concur - pass. Main reason in my book is all the rust in the pillars, drip rail, roof area. nightmare.

[sir_talk_alot]

that roof line is reaaaaaaal bad. trust me, ive dealt with a truck like that, looked almost the same.

[dragonwrecker]

run like hell!I am in covington just east of atlanta and have no problem helping you find a better deal

[Hubscrub]

i agree with the others pass, here in the south these trucks aren't to hard to find

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by realsales87

Awesome responses everyone. I wasnt sure if I did the right thing but I knew some of that rust looked complicated and way over my head. I appreciate all the Craigslist posts HartRod. Yeah I don't have the budget at the moment for a full restoration. I was kindof looking to buy a solid truck to mess around with, I probably wouldnt want to invest more than 10k total including the purchase of the truck...and then tinker with it throughout the years. I will keep looking and I am really glad I asked everyone. I WILL BE PASSING, THANKS!

For 10K investment I'd start looking in the SW or NW...if you're looking for a longbed you can find a really nice one there for likely less than 5K. Even with shipping you'll be way ahead in the end.

If you're considering a swb also they will be a little more pricey...but you can still find deals...

I'm working on one I'm selling for 12,750...it will be full frame off restored swb with new paint...so there are deals out there to be had

[manimal]

You should start looking in Arizona and California for a nice rust free truck. You may find one in your price range- or less and buy a plane ticket out and drive it back!

[ortegamotor]

run!!!!!!!!!!!! but take the bed with you....

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by realsales87

Thank you for that advise, Im am new to this and just don't want to get in way over my head.

That rust that you see on the roof? Not good. There's three layers of metal where the outer, inner and drip rails meet. I've seen plenty of posts where people have needed a roof for an otherwise good cab. Besides, if that is the rust that you can see, where and how much rust is there that you can NOT see?

Pass it up.

[mr48chev]

That's too much rust in the wrong place for that price. You would end up cutting the whole roof off and replacing it before you were done.

For a project truck I'd rather hunt a really nice body with worn out original paint and not care much what shape the engine was in. Old faded out original paint doesn't hide a lot of sins or past damage and most guys are going to go through or replace the engine anyhow and I'd much rather have an engine that I knew what was inside and how it was assembled.
I'm also gunshy of trucks or cars with fresh primer on them. Especially ones that are hauled to swap meets still smelling of the primer. Are they hiding something or trying to bump up the price because of it?

Also don't pay extra for things that you plan to change right off the bat. If a truck has fancy wheels and tires that you don't like ask the seller if he/she will knock the price of the wheels and tires off the price if they keep them.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by realsales87

I wasnt sure if I did the right thing but I knew some of that rust looked complicated and way over my head.

You have great insight. All rust repairs can be expensive, those in the top of the cab are the most expensive.

As your looking keep in mind that paint, body , and rust repairs are going to be the most costly. If you can find a truck with original paint that has minimal rust your much further ahead than having to repair and repaint one.

[RenoKeene]

and welcome from Central Florida....glad you passed, keep us posted.