'66 GMC 4000 L Cab w/351C grain bed/no dump

[vegehtz]

Newbie here, first post, hopefully many more.

I have been keeping track of this truck for a year or two and its finally coming up on auction.
I have actually never laid my own eyes on it,have just seen pictures. I'd really appreciate hearing from the collective wisdom of the forum as to whether this would be a good purchase for me?

Just this morning I find out that there is no odometer in it, just the speedo and fuel and water temp gauges. Is this normal? I have owned several '64 Chevy 1/2 tons, but never a big truck like this. I'm hoping that someone on the forum here can shed some light on why this truck would not have one.

The truck is in pretty good shape mechanically, it runs and drives. Its pretty much been driven between the farm and the grain storage place (4 miles)

The tires are average and it may need a battery. I was told it had a brake job several years ago (???) and that the sideboards on the grain bed had been replaced and repainted in the last 5 years as well.

The body is in decent shape, minimal rust, with the only holes above the wheels in the curve of the fenders. Both sides have been patched with some sheet metal, not perfectly by any means. A few dings here and there but not bad at all.

Also just this morning my contact told me the passenger-side windshield got smacked by a grain elevator they were moving. Its broken, they are sourcing a replacement and hoping to have it fixed before the auction tomorrow.

Along with my question about the odometer, I'm wondering if I'm crazy to attempt purchasing something like this? I don't need a big truck like this, but I currently don't have a running "old" truck and I'm hoping that I could get it fairly cheap. ($1,500 or less) It would not be a daily driver, but I'd use it once or twice a week and for sure on weekends for various projects, landscaping/construction/retrieving other old trucks.

I don't expect that I would ever be interested in doing any "restoration" on this one beyond maintaining and improving what is there, so I don't have expectations in that regard. If I had the money I'd buy me a 60-66 one ton and maybe someday that will happen, just not now.

Thanks in advance for your advice. It is much appreciated!

[alabama mike]

Thats cool, I would say its rare, just based on the fact I've never seen one in person. I've learned since I bought my 1965 c60 its not always about need but sometimes its about want, I certainly didn't need my 2 ton, but I have wanted one for quite sometime, and since I got it and fixed all the little things to get it road ready I have had a ball driving it, mine has a flatbed dump so I have hauled so hay, and 2 loads of gravel, but mostly I driven it around just because Its fun. if you can get it for 1500.00 and decide you don't want it I'll come get it, pay you your money back plus some boot, it looks like a cool truck just to play with if nothing else!

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Looks good. I've never heard of one without an Odometer, but I'm not real familiar with that type of cab, if that is possibly the reason.

Bill

[mrolds88]

Welcome to the board. My response to your questions is if you have the money, the room ,and the want, I say go for it. Only thing I would want would be that windshield be taken care of. Don't think they are too numerous. But I hope they have it fixed when you arrive at the auction. I always thought these cabovers were neat. Would give you good practice for your bodyworking skills too. Do a little bit heree, Do a little bit there. But keep us posted!!!!

[vegehtz]

The auction is over and someone wanted it just a wee bit more then me. My wife and I agreed that $1,200 would be our limit, so I bid up to that and stopped, he got it for $1,225. I'm a little bummed, but the truck wasn't exactly what I've been watching for. I'd definitely have taken it tho and smiled all the way home. I think I'll go search some southwest US Craigslist for old iron as therapy. :-p
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[alabama mike]

sorry to hear you didn't get it, it looked good from the pictures and someone got a heck of a deal, keep looking and you'll find exactly what your looking for!

[C10 - C90 Bill]

You never know, the other guy at the auction might have had $1800 as his limit. In a way, it seems like you missed it for just another $50, but it well could have been $400 in reality.

Bill

[C10 - C90 Bill]

There I go again with my simple math.

...that could have been "$600" more.

Bill

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by vegehtz

If I had the money I'd buy me a 60-66 one ton and maybe someday that will happen, just not now.

You should be able to find a real nice 60-66 one ton for $1,500, just keep looking. They go for much less than the 1/2 tons.