Arizona bound

[0608272c-10]

Hey all I'm from ct and I'm sick of dealing with the crazy rust up here in the northeast prob like everybody in the rust belt of the country. Just seeing who has made the journey out west to hunt down a good 67-72 truck for a restoration. If anyone can chime in with some tips it would be very helpful.

[mitchell72]

Rust alone is a good enough reason for a permanent cross country move!!

[0608272c-10]

Exactly rust is aweful. I'm looking for a good foundation to build my dream truck!!!!

[fine69]

I have been out West and seen the differences. Find a guy or two here that lives in Arizona to help you hunt down a nice truck.

[Yooper truck]

I'm from Michigan and have the same problem. I brought mine from California, and although not perfect it is a very solid truck in regards to rust. The only rust mine has is about the size of a quarter at the bottom front corner of the doors as the weather stripping dry rotted around the window and allowed water to drain into the door. Otherwise the cab corners, cab mounts, floors are all solid from not having to deal with winters and humidity. Good luck in your hunt!

[frank69]

I have a few project trucks out here in the desert. What are u looking for?

[arkracing]

I'm also up here in New England - CT/RI. I'm interested to follow this and see how it works out for you.

99% or the project trucks around here seem to end up being parts only - mechanical parts that is. I just picked up a '71 that I thought I could save, but the cab is junk. It is rotted around the back window, firewall, floors, inside roof front. Luckily I was able to get it very cheap and it had a lot of other good parts on it.

[IIGW]

i live in az, and we dont have rust, period.

if you are going ot move to az, you wont regret it.

if you are merely comin to az to get some good non rusty metal, you'll want stay.

[0608272c-10]

We'll my plan is to build a real nice frame with the parts I all ready have. And than buy another complete truck to swap sheet metal over this winter. I built a nice 72 already that's about 65 percent done and I just don't like where the project is going with hacked floors junk doors and Chinese patches ( you guys can understand) thinking this would be a good trip for the dead of winter in the northeast. Frank 69 what do you have for project trucks?

[midniteblues]

sounds like you have a great plan going.
nice truley rust free stuff around here is getting harder and harder too find. and when you do find something your gonna pay.


If you go i would love a rust free 67-68 hood

[jmorri34]

I live in Houston Tx, I went all the way to black canyon AZ north of phoenix to get mine. Trust me it'll be the best thing you ever did because your right RUST SUX!!! I spent 5000 putting metal back in a 69 camaro once, never again which explains why I went to the desert. My truck has only one rust spot to replace where the heater core leaked and needs replaced thats it. very happy I did it!

[0608272c-10]

What did you guys do if you don't mind me asking? Did you do craigslist or already have a deal lined up. Makes me nervous coming from the other side of the country.

[oilyrag80]

I live here in Tucson and I have had a lot of these trucks and they do still rust but nothing like the do everywhere else in the country. The rust is usually caused by dirt building up in the rockers and cab supports. I have seen some really clean cabs, but if you look hard enough you can always find somthing.
I have a buddy that hauls trucks/parts back to new york he makes about 4 trips a year he can't make enough trips to keep up with the demand. here is a old pic of one of his yards

[yote1234]

hey,hey,hey, don't mind sharing a bit, but you guyz are cleaning us out!
LOL... just kidding but truthfully its starting to get harder and harder to find good rust free 67-72 trucks here. even the swap meets are drying up.

[0608272c-10]

I would love to even get a decent cab with minor rust. Anyway I can bribe you into giving me your buddies number? The rust up here is horrible and if you find something decent the seller always wants a million bucks!!!

[TBONE1964]

Well, I can tell you first hand from experience in Michigan what rust free sheet metal means. It is awesome to say the least I just got back from a trip to Phoenix about 2 weeks ago and I had a visit with a few board members and I was in heaven there. Dave (yote1234) was one of the people I get to meet. Very nice man and very meticulous. he is correct when he states that even in Arizona, the rust free sheet metal is getting harder to find.

I also suggest you might contact Tom Korinek. He parts these trucks in Mesa and may have a lead on a rust free cab for you.

Myself, I am moving to Oregon in a couple of weeks and although it is not a dry climate like Arizona, the trucks there are still with minimal rust compared to the rotted truck in the north east.

I would suggest if you want to move to Phoenix that you visit there in mid to late July when it is 106* F (on average) during the day and see how you like it.

Good luck with your search,
Tom

[jmorri34]

I found mine on ebay or craigslist I dont recall. I think before I drove all the way there I would try to find one to go after if I understand your question. I think I got lucky but either way you should be able to find something. follow what the others say that are already there and you will find somethingt definately better than a rust bucket!!

[too much stuff]

I went through similar in march of this year. I will tell you right now it is not as easy as everyone says it is. I always hear "go down south and get rust free stuff". I had a wanted to buy on the board here for probably a good month, Wtb ads on craigslist from OK TX NM CO WY KS. You get the idea. There is alot of junk out there for alot of money. I did find a nice clean truck for a fair price about 2 days before i left. Keep in mind i had about 6 weeks into ads and searching craigslist before i left. I also had a handful of board members watching for me. You will probably do better in AZ as i couldn't get that far over, but CLEAN trucks are hard to find and get ready to pay some $$$. Good luck.

[dmartin1]

i live in northwest area of az.very hot and dry.

even though its much less rusty then where you are, it will still be a good hunt to find rust-free or very little rust.

as mentioned earlier i think the dirt builds up and holds moisture a little and rusts them.been to many junkyards and a bunch of friends have az only type trucks and they still rust.

i have 3 trucks that have spent there whole life is 100+ az temps and somehow they still have a bit of rot n the rockers and pillars.

nothin g as bad as back eas i imagine though.

and if we/you do find nice clean rust free, believe me youll pay for it. it sucks! lol

[Lees68GMC]

Mine never left Arizona, was a local ranch truck since bought brand new in 68. It had rusted rockers and when we took it apart the bottoms of the cowl vent passages were slightly rusted through. I agree the accumulation of dirt in low areas is what I see causes it here locally. My Two Cents

[Stranny64]

I live in Minnesota and ours are rusted bad. Got mine from Oregon a few months ago. Absolutely no rust. I have been working on it and the bolts come off by hand after a few turns with the wrenches. A truck from MN would need a torch set and all new body and floor metal. Keep your search going, you will find one!!! Good Luck!!!

[Coley]

Ditto me in on searching out and buying a solid southern truck!!
My first '72 (20 years ago) came up from North Texas and is was a really nice rust free truck.
After that, I was hooked on the non-rust trucks.
My latest came up out of North East California...towards Nevada area and it too is a really nice, dry solid truck.
I wouldn't hesitate on going back down south to get another.
Nothing like an original body if you can find it.
If you want to find one tho'.....you need a plan.....do you have 'a plan'? (LOL)

All Good
Coley

[RRR18]

My buddies and I were regulars at the Tucson junkyards.
Was pretty damn good pickens back in the mid to late 90s.

[mgkgmc]

When I found my 1970 gmc I expected to be some rust but this truck was spotless so I bought it on the spot. Usually from the heat the interiors are trashed, mine was but I can live with that. Not bad for $2500 bucks But there are still plenty of trucks out here good luck with your search. Keep your eyes on Craigslist!

[Turtleman]

Good parts and trucks are getting harder to find here.. I think everyones found a gold mine shipping them back east.. LOL