Need help looking at a truck

[Dball]

Hi guy's I need some help. I'm looking at buying an 1981 GMC Sierra. I went to
Have a look today and found some bubbling on the rockers and cab corners looks like it's just starting. This didn't surprise me but what I found on the rear wheel wells did. It almost looks like residue from the stone guards? I could actually peel some of this stuff off but it does concern me. Thoughts? He wants $5,700 for the truck.

[Dball]

Another pic, can only attach one at a time. Both sides of the box are the same

[Ski-me]

It almost looks like some sort of adhesive that maybe had some stone guard protectors there at one point.

[tucsonjwt]

I would look on the inside and check for rust there and everywhere under the truck, especially the cab corners.

[Your41Plague12]

They came from rock guards. Very common, it's nothing to worry about.

[cadillac_al]

It must be a nice truck to be worth $5700 with rust starting on the rockers and cab corners. You should figure that common repair in the price.

[Dball]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

It must be a nice truck to be worth $5700 with rust starting on the rockers and cab corners. You should figure that common repair in the price.

No, not really but this seems to be the norm around here for a short box. The box sides, floors,frame and everything else is in good shape. The rockers are bubbling slightly on the very bottom on both sides. On the passenger side the cab corner is starting. The truck was painted roughly 10 years ago a gloss black it looks nice and straight looking down the sides which is hard to do with black.he was originally asking $7,200?

[Keith Seymore]

It's either residual adhesive from an aftermarket stainless stone shield - or - some model years got a transparent adhesive stone shield in that area from the factory.

Either way I don't think it's cause for concern.

K

[Shugalou]

Milton Ontario?
Yeah you don't see many for sale up here.

Hold out and see if you can get a lower price, I picked up a 78 stepside last summer from Barrie.

[Speeding Dakota]

My father use to be a Truck Manager at the local Chevrolet Dealership back in the 80's and I remember them putting a plastic (clear) rock guard on the front side of the bed fender wells. After time it cracks and looks terrible, as in this case. That's all that residue is that your concerned about.
As far as the rust spend some time with a good flash light and look form underneath to see how bad it is.
Good Luck

[franken]

The 1st few pics look like glue for the chip protector stickers as mentioned. Actually a good thing.
Nice truck but the blistering in post 7 means there are big divots on the inside of the fender and door. They rust from the inside where the paint is crap. You see the tip of the iceberg.
If the truck had bodywork and a repaint a few years ago (likely) there could be anything under there.
Get a magnet and see how thick the mud is, rap on the metal w/ knuckles, and generally learn to find mud. You've already found rust.
I'd look to see if it's original paint, which seems unlikely. If it is, maybe a good price, but no investment.
If its been repainted, it needs a lot of work (after a year or so), I'll bet.

[Dball]

Well I pulled the trigger got him down to $5,500. I pick it up on the weekend hopefully I'll get a couple of rides in it before the snow flies

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Dball

Well I pulled the trigger got him down to $5,500. I pick it up on the weekend hopefully I'll get a couple of rides in it before the snow flies

cool ,hope you do,remember up here thats rust free

[Dball]

So I went ahead and pulled the trigger... Not sure about the rims but they'll do for now. The 305 seems to run well it has a 700R4 in it shifting to second is kind of harsh. Overall its one of the cleaner trucks I've seen in this price range.The grill is really growing on me not sure about the solid panels under the headlights though? I can't say that I've seen those before.

[Dball]

I always liked the look of lowered trucks but after driving this one around I was seconding guessing lowering it....for a couple minutes Going with a Belltech 3/4 spindles and hangers in the rear. Replacing everything in the front end, man control arm bushings are a PIA truck still had one original upper balljoint on the passenger side. Painting everything up the best I can with POR15 this isn't going to be a show truck by any means. Ended up destroying the upper control arm shafts no one locally had them so I'm stuck waiting on a package from rock Auto.

[73Super8]

Nice looking ride.

[old Rusty C10]

that is a sharp looking truck

[Dball]

Well trucks lowered....I guess it's low enough. Damn snow is here early so I haven't had it out for a ride yet or a wash

[Sodak]

very sharp lookin truck.