fair price for a 1949 1/2 ton?

[SOUTHSIDE]

I found a 49 half ton at a farm the other day while out with the family. The truck is in decent shape for its age but is missing the tranny and it had a nova rear end put into it some years back. The owner is asking $3500, Is this a decent price? Thanks Jeff

[MidLifer]

Not enough info to make a judgement. The Nova rear is a plus if you want to make it a driver. If your goal was a stock resto, then not. You would have to trade in a torque tube rear. With the Nova rear you can use modern transmissions, since it is an open driveline.

Body condition? Engine? Other facts would be needed to assign a value to this truck.

Got any pics you could post?

[SOUTHSIDE]

the engine is all there but hasnt run in a few years, trans is gone. the body has a lot of suface rust/faded paint. I only saw one obvious rust hole on the bottom side of the cab near the bed. front and back glass have a large bullet hole through them and the gauges are broken.

[MidLifer]

The truck as described sounds like it is worth about $2000, but again without pictures or more detail it is hard to assign a value. If it is the original 216 engine, that imo isn't worth too much, most guys swap those out for a full pressure 6 or a more modern V8. In any case a non-running engine is nothing but a core unless you can turn it over and it has good compression and then I'd still discount it for not starting. Even if the top and bottom ends are in good shape you may be looking at a new distributor/coil and/or a new carb.

If the title is correct and it's what you are looking for, try a low offer and see what happens. Just remember, if this is your first old truck, these are open wallet projects and you may end up spending much more than you paid for the truck in the first place to get it where you want it to be.

For $3500 you can find more complete trucks out that there start and run. They probably still need work but at least they are runners.

If you are seriously looking for a truck of this vintage, try the stovebolt forum, there is always a good selection of trucks for sale on there. Don't jump at the first thing that comes along, do some research and compare what's out there.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Also, 3 window or 5 window cab?

[SOUTHSIDE]

Thank you guys for the advice. I have a 71 thats almost finished and i was looking for a project truck. My thought was to keep the body amd build a resto mod. Its got a nice patina with minimal rest for a illinois truck this old.

[SOUTHSIDE]

not the best pics but its all i got that day

[dwcsr]

2500 if it has a title in his name

[endlessearth]

I love it! The flowers sold me.

[pvienneau]

Hey Southside, Did you buy the truck?