'72 K10 swb cheyenne thoughts

[my04]

Am considering this truck as a project.
Looks to be an assembled truck, vin indicates it was originally a 6 cylinder, now has an unknown sbc. I know its not a real Cheyenne.
Missing SPID.
The body has rust issues and some patch panels, very poor bodywork and paint.
Frame has rust damage near rear shock mounts, it has not been cut and shortened though. Appears to be the original frame.
Don't even know if it runs or drives.
The owner is asking $9900.
Is it worth that?

[CUSTOM/10]

The pictures make the truck look better than you have described, but they can be deceiving ! Have you seen the truck in person or do you have good pics of the worst areas ? I'd probably pass on it at that price mostly due to the frame damage. Also does the vin tag match the frame numbers. The pass door has been replaced with a 67-71 door or possibly even a cab swap. If you have more pics post them up, it will help members get a better ideal of it's overall condition !

Gary

[my04]

I have seen the truck in person.
Unsure about the frame matching the cab, have just assumed the cab is not original to the truck.
The pictures do look better than in person.
Pic of driver rear frame is the worst spot that I could detect.
Some bondo in driver side upper windshield frame too.
Front fender mount rust also, not a big deal.
The floor has a patch panel on the driver side(no picture).
Interior appears to be in good shape, 3 ott, tach in dash, good seat cover.
Truck is in storage, no battery to start truck. Has been sitting for several years.

[CUSTOM/10]

If you see serious rust issuses in the frame and roof just imagine what the paint & bondo is hiding ! To me it looks and sounds like the truck spent most of its life in the rust belt and it had a cheep patch and paint job. I'd pass on it at that price. If you could get it "MUCH"cheaper and are ready and capable for a major project ??? Maybe ?

[bbrriiaann1973]

More like 6k or 7k

[CaptRMW]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

If you see serious rust issuses in the frame and roof just imagine what the paint & bondo is hiding ! To me it looks and sounds like the truck spent most of its life in the rust belt and it had a cheep patch and paint job. I'd pass on it at that price. If you could get it "MUCH"cheaper and are ready and capable for a major project ??? Maybe ?

Gary is right on. It is what you don't see that will grab you by the checkbook like when you take out the windshield rubber and find that it was glued in to almost nothing. I have a few tickets on the lottery for tonight and I have about the same odds of having a successful outcome to my investment

[Joesjunk]

I would keep looking for a better truck. that's one looks and sounds like a cobbled up mess.

[B. W.]

I'm with Custom/10, you don't know what's under the paint. It always gets deeper! I would inspect the the usual - rockers, cab corners, cowl area, cab supports. But, truthfully, unless it went for $2,500 I'd walk. Based on the roof (and assuming it will need rockers & corners) it will be cheaper to replace the cab, you might need a frame or at least section the back 1/2. Then your into a cut down truck. Then there's the drivetrain, no idea of the condition. Also, the passenger door is not a '72 (no screw) so it's possibly a parts/pieces truck?

I would love to have a '72 swb K10, like the color too, but imo, pay more upfront for a cleaner rig - it's cheaper in the long run.

[jocko]

The single pic of the drip rail/A-pillar is sufficient to run, not walk, away.

[too much stuff]

Too much money for what it is. I would think about 1/2 that if you are just looking for a toy that looks ok.

[1968aj]

I would widen my search. you can have a vehicle shipped from most anywhere in the country for $1000. you would be money ahead in the long run by finding a truck that is not pieced together for less money. there are still lots of them out there.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by jocko

The single pic of the drip rail/A-pillar is sufficient to run, not walk, away.

Exactly what I was thinking! I’d pay 2500 at very best for it.

[Jcfcamaro]

I'm going out on a limb here. But it doesn't look that bad. Has the inside been repainted? If not it's very clean original looking. You got to remember these trucks are very old. I gave 2400.00 for a 72 k10 Cheyenne longbed that was a complete basket case. It took 3 trips with a 18ft car trailer to get everything but granted I got a lot of extra parts. All in all the good thing is they make a lot of parts for these truck to fix the bad things. If you want something turn key with no work to be done you might look somewhere else, but your going to need to spend 18000 to 20000.

[my04]

Price is $8400 now, leaning towards buying it. Frame can be rapaired in my opinion. Body work could be interesting. Not an original truck so thinking that it actually frees me up to build what I want. Little on the steep side to start a project with I agree, but seems like it would still be worth 15 to 20 grand even as clone when done. These things are hard to find in my neck of the woods and I have personally seen this one and realise what I might be dealing with before buying. Not buying to flip, but am realistic about having to sell it someday. Appreciate all the feedback and welcome any more that anybody wants to share.
Thanks.

[B. W.]

I agree with "Not an original truck so thinking that it actually frees me up to build what I want." My truck is a chopped up parts/pieces truck that will have major parts from at least six different trucks! But, I get to build it my way. If it were an unmolested highly optioned truck I'd have a hard time modding it.

[RenoKeene]

You can find a MUCH nicer truck for that kind of money. Frame damage, bondo, rusty roof? Don't waste your time.
Trust us, we know.

[joeydurango]

I will relay a personal anecdote, at risk of being mocked , to help out a fellow board member.

Once upon a time I bought a very similar truck, in very similar condition, for an almost similar price. I didn't know enough at the time and got suckered by shiny paint in bright colors. And by the fact that it was a '72 SWB K10, one of the desirable and (sort of) rare models. And by the fact that I couldn't find anything else at the time and had been looking for a while. And, finally, by the fact that I thought I had a handle on what fixing the known problems would cost me.

Boy, was I wrong. I paid too much for a cobbled truck. My budget for the problems I knew about was wildly off. And my budget for the problems I didn't know about... don't get me started.

That truck is long gone, and I learned some invaluable lessons that have made me a much more educated and realistic GM truck buyer/owner/mechanic. But potential lessons aside, I'm going to join the peanut gallery above and say DON'T DO IT! Unless he brings that price down to at least half or less, I'd say keep on lookin'.

YMMV... but probably not by much.

[my04]

Thanks again everyone, I hear everyone loud and clear. Am a corvette guy and have played this same game with vettes. Still undecided, and have plenty of time to make decision. Appreciate all feedback, good to hear varying opinions.

[RenoKeene]

Come get this one...
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/d...443951324.html

What I have a such a rare and beautiful truck that are very seldom seen on the road. This all original matching number truck has been in the family for all it's life. My grandfather bought it brand new in 1969 and has kept it garages kept all it's life. This truck has no rust anywhere on the body. Which is real rare since most of these trucks rusted out. The truck has a matching number 350 engine and a 350 4wd transmission. It also come with the wood bed with strips that look brand new from factory. This truck will make it to California and back that's how good this truck has been maintained.

[RenoKeene]

or maybe this one...
https://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/d...398662625.html

[rsavage]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

You can find a MUCH nicer truck for that kind of money. Frame damage, bondo, rusty roof? Don't waste your time.
Trust us, we know.

Absolutely agree with above. The windshield frame/roof and the frame rust would be a deal killer to me. With vehicles showing this much prior rot, you will find tons more. Often times, people get discouraged when they start building and find a ton of problems - they just give up. I have restored 3 of these trucks, working on a 4th now, 2 GTO's, a partial on a Fairlane, a 66 Chevelle, etc. Each time, I looked for the most rust free vehicle I could start with. They are out there - you just have to be patient as it will pay off in the end.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[harpo231]

If you have 200+ hrs to spare on bodywork , It looks like mine did , Took 285 hrs .

[jerry moss]

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

I would keep looking for a better truck. that's one looks and sounds like a cobbled up mess.

i agree with Joe. if i were you i would keep looking for something more solid, to me that is a parts truck at best.

[tutone]

I like it, and 8400 doesn't sound terribly out of bounds. A little rust repair never killed anyone. Fix it as you go. Its a hard to find model and if you want a perfect one, get ready to slap leather. I can buy a lot of patch panels for 5 grand, which is about how much more a perfect one is gonna run. Oh yeah, if you get it, swap the heater hoses, why can't people get that right?

[57taskforce]

Rust that high in the roof is more likely to be a cab swap than patch panels...