Posted by Eric B. [162.158.214.61] on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 09:47:50 :
In Reply to: newbie looking at a pw posted by gord [108.162.241.61] on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 00:41:42 :
There is a chance it's a Fargo since you're in Canada. The PWs were sold as Dodge and Fargo by just changing the badge and tailgate. They were still made in the USA.
The bed is a correct third series style for a 1958 and those are the correct fenders for a 1958 W300M.
The nose looks like it has been moved forward and had metal added. This likely means the original 23" 230 was replaced with a 25" engine. Not a big deal, but you'll have to undo the cobble job to the nose if you want the truck to look right. Then you can move the radiator forward to allow the longer engine to be used or you can find a 23" engine. All Canadian built trucks used the 25" engine so that'll be easier to find around you.
It looks rough to me. Once you start digging into things and finding what old sins have been covered up it might end up becoming a parts truck. Unless you've got a lot of skill with a welder and plenty of time I'd try and find a better one.
Everything hard to get looks soft or is rusted through. The rear fenders on the bed are a great find, but that pair looks like it might be more work than it's worth to salvage. People really like the Fargo tailgates, but that one is mid grade. The area over the windshield in the cab looks fairly solid, but the floors look like they're rusted out. The front fenders are junk.
Before spending any money on this truck go looking at what others are selling for and what parts cost. New front fenders can be had for about $1,000 a pair. Good used are a bit cheaper, but still figure $300 each plus shipping. Rear fenders are unobtainable and NOS ones have sold for nearly $2,000 for the pair. Figure around 1/2 that for good used. The frame has a look like the mated surfaces are separating. This is critical in the middle of the frame where there are two layers slid together. If that area is swollen and rough it's a lot of work to fix and there might be enough rust that the sections are thin.
I'd offer $1,000 US on the value of what can be salvaged and I'd try not to go over $2,500. Only you can decide what you're willing to pay. I've seen trucks in similar shape sell for more, but given this truck has been repainted it's hard to know exactly how bad the rust is. There could be a lot more repair hidden by the red paint over the original grey.
If you get the number off the engine I'd be happy to decode it for you. It's on the driver side just below the head about three inches back from the front of the block. It's either on the face or the top of that pad. You may have to clean the pad with a wire brush to see the number.
Good luck,
Eric
Follow Ups: