Thinking about purchasing a 79 SWB whats it worth?

[Rangerman]

I know this is hard to answer with no pics., but trying to get a general price range.

Found a 79 Chevy SWB, its the Big 10. Ive know this lady for almost 10 years and everytime im at her house I ask her when is she gonna sale me that old Chevy. Well she came out and asked if I wanted to buy it, lol.

Lady has owned it since 1984. She has done alot to it over the last 30 years, shocks, brakes, cleaned the gas tank, converted the AC to the newer freon, new carb., had a 400 taken out of a old caprice and rebuilt and installed in this truck....I could go on and on about all the little things that have been done as needed in all the years past.

The trucks interior is stock and almost perfect, this truck has sat in her garage and was driven occasionally and started once a month or so. The dash is not even cracked.

The exterior is decent, has a few small dents and scratches and the clear coat is flaking everywhere. Has rust around wheel wells and rockers, not bad but its there.

Lots of little things wrong as expected, windshield cracked, windows wont stay up, and thats all I noticed the few minutes I was there. Im sure theres plenty of other stuff wrong.

I was considering this for my son who will be 16 shortly.

Do you guys have a rough price for this truck?

Is the 79 a desireable year?

Any major things to look for when I go back to drive the truck saturday?

Thanks for all the help.

[old Rusty C10]

without pics its really hard Also your area is more truck oriented..i would say between 500-1200 in my area your area may vary

[andrewmp6]

With out pictures its hard to say but if its as bad as they say 2k max to me.Things to look for cracks in the frame around the steering box the common rust spots are the rockers and cab corners,And just look everything over see if anything looks bad or screams not safe.The 73-87 trucks are kinda the redheaded step child most want a 72 or older truck.The ones in this body style people chase after are the super low miles brand new truck that sat in a garage forever.The good thing about these trucks they are still cheap to buy easy to work on and the aftermarket is huge for them.

[Rangerman]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

With out pictures its hard to say but if its as bad as they say 2k max to me.Things to look for cracks in the frame around the steering box the common rust spots are the rockers and cab corners,And just look everything over see if anything looks bad or screams not safe.The 73-87 trucks are kinda the redheaded step child most want a 72 or older truck.The ones in this body style people chase after are the super low miles brand new truck that sat in a garage forever.The good thing about these trucks they are still cheap to buy easy to work on and the aftermarket is huge for them.

Thanks for the replys.

That's a lot of good info. right there.

This truck has definitely spent a lot of time in the garage but it just seems kinda hodge podged together with the different motor and all.

I'll look at the steering box and other things, she's got a lot of crap stored around this truck and it was hard to get a good over all look at it.

I'll drive it Saturday and get it out in the light.

I think she's wanting to be close to $3,000 on the truck. Old trucks are popular here, it's hard to find a SWB that runs for under 3K.

[andrewmp6]

It could be worth 3k value just depends where you are really.If you like it and can afford it and fix all that is wrong i say go for it.

[Rangerman]

Originally Posted by Rangerman

Thanks for the replys.

That's a lot of good info. right there.

This truck has definitely spent a lot of time in the garage but it just seems kinda hodge podged together with the different motor and all.

I'll look at the steering box and other things, she's got a lot of crap stored around this truck and it was hard to get a good over all look at it.

I'll drive it Saturday and get it out in the light.

I think she's wanting to be close to $3,000 on the truck. Old trucks are popular here, it's hard to find a SWB that runs for under 3K.

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

It could be worth 3k value just depends where you are really.If you like it and can afford it and fix all that is wrong i say go for it.

Thanks Andrew, before I found this website I called a few buddies and they thought 3K was good. They don't really keep up with these trucks like the guys here do, I think this boards opinion will probably be more accurate.

On fixing the truck, I stay so busy and I'm not very mechanically inclined which would probably leave me to having to have all the little stuff fixed by a shop.

My son has saved and saved and worked his ass off the last 3 summers to buy a truck, just don't want to see him over pay or get hurt on this deal.

Thanks again for your info. wasn't trying to dis agree on price I value this boards opinion.

[andrewmp6]

Have you looked around your local craigslist ?You might find a better deal on there if you look hard sometimes.

[Rangerman]

Haven't looked around much, didn't think she was going to sale the truck this soon.

Decisions, decisions.

[Dead Parrot]

My rule of thumb around here is if a truck can safely move under its own power, starting price is $1000. If they are asking less, big danger sign. Things like working AC, new tires, decent body, etc add value.

Suspect ALL things rubber. Hoses, cab mounts, gas line etc. The only lines that seem to still be good on trucks this old are the small vacuum lines for the climate control system. Check the battery hold down and area under the battery. Years of acid seepage often take a toll there. Back of the front wheel wells is a common rust point.

If your son can or wants to learn how to fix things, this would be a good chance. Keep some money in reserve for tools as needed and get familiar with the salvage yards.

[tucsonjwt]

If you want a reliable old vehicle, you must count on all of the basics being replaced. If some of these things have recently been replaced and the parts are still in good condition, then you can eliminate them from the list:
brakes, battery, alternator, starter, shocks, tires, air conditioning parts, radiator, hoses, belts, etc. Also, the transmission will probably need a rebuild and you should have the differential and drive train checked. That replaced carburetor will likely need replacing again, since not driving a vehicle causes varnish to build up and ruin the carburetor.

The big issue is rust. If there is no rust anywhere, then the truck is probably worth $3k, assuming that all sheet metal is straight with no dents or dings. Good body and paint work is expensive - way more than $3K. I would check under the truck (like the cab corners and cab supports, behind the inner fenders, etc.) I would be very surprised if you don't have rust starting somewhere. Also, pull back the carpet at the kick panels and look for rust where the floor meets the kick panel - windshield and cowl leaks always end up rusting this area out.

A 1979 gets you electronic ignition (started in 1977), so that is a plus.

Unless you are a skilled auto mechanic, ALWAYS have a good mechanic check the vehicle thoroughly before making an offer. $200 for this assessment will be money well spent - even a Chevy dealer would be a good choice, but a place that works on old cars would be better.

[Rangerman]

Thanks everyone, for all the pointers/help. this is a great forum.

The truck does have rust.

Shes firm at $3,000. I dont think this is a good deal.

[andrewmp6]

The other thing to think about is its been sitting a while,And sitting is hard on a vehicle seals dry up things start to go bad fast when you start to drive it daily.What kinda truck or car does your son want or like ?

[KrazyRay]

For $3000, you can come out to my place and have 6-8 trucks to choose from. They are 73-87 SWB rust free with good bodies. Good running and driving with good tires mounted on rally wheels.

[andrewmp6]

3k can buy a lot of stuff now a days the 88-98 gm trucks a s10 or a ranger or even a g body car if he likes those kinda things.

[Rangerman]

Thanks Ray and Andrew, yes he wants a classic Chevy.

The truck had quite of bit more rust after I pulled it out of the garage.

Im gonna pass on this one, thanks to everyone that helped me with this.

Still looking for one, checking ebay theres a few nice late 70 trucks that are slick and have alot of new parts for under 10K. If I bought the one here, just getting the outside painted and all fenders and bed parts replaced from the rust I would have close to 7 or 8K in it (purchase price and paint.body work) and wouldnt have even touched anything mechanical.

[andrewmp6]

What about a 78-87 el camino its a chevy its kinda old enough and a truck.