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Posted by Eric B. [99.100.188.129] on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 17:48:58 :
In Reply to: Re: Rust and rot! posted by Stan [64.40.227.22] on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 16:48:03 :
Completeness. condition of sheet metal, and condition of the frame are the three biggest issues.
Trucks from NE, CO, WY, MT, SD, ND are often but not always less rusty than ones from IL, WI, MO, IN.
Axles, engines and other drive train are pretty easy to get so if you have to compromise get a truck with a nice body and a missing engine, etc.
You will never regret spending more up front on the most complete, straight, and rust free truck you can find.
One area that might be a good place to save a bit is on the bed, buying a truck without a bed for $3,000 less should allow you to buy almost a complete reproduction bed and that will save a lot of bodywork. Just make sure the style you need is still available before you buy the truck.
A couple of basics once you find a truck you like the look of:
Get lots of pictures, LOTS, like 50 if you can't see it in person.
Share some or all of the pictures with this forum and ask opinions. A lot of guys here are pretty good at noticing red flags from pictures so make use of that resource.
If possible find someone from this forum to check out trucks you find in person. There is no replacement for a good set of eyes looking over a truck in person.
These were work trucks, there are a lot of beat up and rusty examples out there, so do your best to avoid those examples. Nice lightly used trucks are out there and are well worth the premium.
Good luck.
Eric