Chance to buy my first 47-59

[dtkarst]

I came across this 59 1/2 ton shortbed for sale, and its rough. But the driveline is there, does not run, 3 peed, 6 cylinder etc. Comes with a spare cab and front clip but he wants 1,000. I figure if i can get it lower to many 7-800 possibly I can be in it pretty cheap int eh long run. My grandpa had one way back when and Ive been looking for one. Claims that the bed is rock solid minus one spot on the back right as seen in pics. But not sure what its all worth together. Never dealt with this body style, usually in the 60-66. So let me know what you think. thanks

[iowaboynca]

what's the title situation? Don't know how easy/hard it is to get a new title in KS. Looks solid, but i defer to the TF gods on this site.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

what's the title situation? Don't know how easy/hard it is to get a new title in KS.

sell on a bill of sale, MVE-1 inspection at any trooper station. easy peasy.

second page: http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/tr12.pdf

[dtkarst]

Yeah with a bill of sale and inspection a title can be had. And who do I need to refer to?

[Kim57]

Looks pretty solid from the picks.
It's a Fleetside so that ads to the value.
I paid $500 in 1992 for my truck with no engine/trans to give you an idea.
Kim

[Apachemike]

I've always found the money is not in the drivetrain....those are a dime a dozen. The money you'll spend is in the bodywork and finding all the missing pieces. They add up fast

[dtkarst]

Well I've just never bought one before nor do I know anything about it. If I buy it it will be awhile before I get to it. Finishing a chevelle right now with my dad and got my 61 Apache k10 to do. But I'm 24 years old so hopefully I got time. But I want to be able to get my money back out of it should I be forced to sell or find a nicer one. So that's why I ask if 7-800 is too much

[Russell Ashley]

IMO it would be well worth $1k with the fleetside bed and an additional cab. It looks to be pretty solid and if that rear corner is the only problem with the bed and it only has surface rust, the bed would bring that much by itself.

[OrrieG]

If you get the extra cab and if the upper cab is not rusted out then 1K for what is in the pictures is fair. 58-59 Fleetside bed sides are not reproduced. If the engine runs it would be a bonus, but most guys on this board pull them anyway. I'd try 800 but have a grand in my pocket. The TF trucks do have the vin on the cab and frame so they do not have the same title issues as the AD's that used the engine for the vin. Around here guys are selling just the cab and doors for $500, I think they are pulling them off of big trucks and leaving the rest in the fields....

[dtkarst]

What's the AD and TF mean? I'm a rookie with this

[47 Fasttoys]

Advanced Design and Task Force. AD is from '47 to 1st series '55, TF is from 2nd series '55 to '59. AD is not the same as Art Deco series from '41 tom'46
Rob

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

IMO it would be well worth $1k with the fleetside bed and an additional cab. It looks to be pretty solid and if that rear corner is the only problem with the bed and it only has surface rust, the bed would bring that much by itself.

I agree with Russ. Buy it.

[Ratpin]

If you have the space for it you should buy it. Even at $1k it's a decent deal. If I saw that I would buy it and the last thing I need is another project.

[dtkarst]

One more question, I'm going to look at it tomorrow, where are the most troublesome areas for rust?

[Ratpin]

Cab corners, hinge pockets, inner pillers. Basically look around at parts suppliers and if they sell patches for a specific part it's because they are prone to rust there.

I bought a fairly rust free truck and the only cab patches I had to buy were both side inner door pillars and a passenger side floor piece.

I would think the majority of these old trucks need the inner pillars just because the crappy cowl vent design.

[AZ59apacheguy]

That patina alone is worth it!!!!!! Don't come home with out it! LOL

[Ratpin]

After looking a little closer at the pictures I can tell you are going to most likely be finding some rust. It looks like the rear of the front fender before the driver's door is gone. Behind that are all the other areas that generally rust out. Expect the worst!

[dtkarst]

I always expect the worst. I just dont know much about metal work or anything. Anyone can say something is nice until you see it. I dont want to go buy a pile of rust either, the bed will probably be the best out of it all, and he also said the spare cab is in better shape. So we will see.

[Daze57]

i would take some more close up picts then post them . take picts of all the bad trouble rust areas .there are some real knowledgeable guys who can really give ya the answers you are lookin for -- my 2 cents worth

[mr48chev]

There are guys on here who would jump in their "haul the parts home" truck this morning and head to Kansas for just the bed for 1000.

The fact that the truck appears to be sitting in a wrecking yard that may be able to provide a letterheaded receipt/bill of sale when you buy it is a big plus when dealing with the state too. That helps a lot when you go to the DMV to get it inspected as it provides a solid paper trail.
I'd go as far as asking for a separate sales receipt/bill of sale for the spare cab and just have them show that you paid xx for the truck and x for the spare cab. That clarifies where the spare cab came from if you use the whole cab. It also clarifies where it came from if you decide to sell the pieces later as it can go with the cab to the next "builder" as a clear paper trail. They inspect our built from piece trucks primarily to insure that they weren't built with stolen parts and good receipts go a long way towards that.

If the combined cabs/truck is/are solid enough so that you don't end up with more patch panels than original metal I'd say it's a fair deal if one you can afford hitting the project vehicle kitty for the cost and two if you have a decent place to store it where you won't get hassled for it being there.

[octanejunkie]

Nice looking find!

Just to echo what has already been said:
-a good body is worth every penny
-engine, driveline and suspension are worthless in most cases (should be rebuilt or replaced)
-fleetside beds are as rare as hen's teeth
-expect some metal patch work, there is almost no such thing as "completely rust free"

Good luck

BTW, one is a '58 and the other a '59

[dtkarst]

Which one is the 58 and 59 lol and how can you twll

[OrrieG]

Hood and fender trim is different, google to see. Vin will have 8 or 9.

[lv2tri2]

I don't see a reason to consider anything further, what is showing is worth the asking price. I would still offer 8 anyway.

[Ratpin]

The one with the bed is the 59.