Buying a clunker

[dumbucket1]

It depends on the area that you live in as to how much these trucks go for. It may be well worth it in your area.

[fitz]

If that truck is 1/2 as good as it looks in the picture it's a steal. I guess it all depends on where you live.
 $3,500 in Mass will just buy you someone else's problem.
   

[dbusher]

As mentioned..the AC does not work in this truck.  He said it has a pinhole.  Any idea how much it will cost to get something like this fixed?  I am going to be on foot starting tomorrow once I sell my jeep and really want to get into this truck fast..and not wait for him to fix the air.   Does it make sense for me to pay him $500 bucks more to fix the air now?  Sorry for all the noob questions

[oldwhity]

Buy the truck!!! You can deal without AC for 20 miles. My 81 doesn't have AC and my 85 has it but doesn't blow cold so I can deal with it. You can always get it fixed later. You never know, you may bump into someone who'll fix it cheap just because they like your truck. Good luck

[dbusher]

Just spoke with the seller.  Its a 1984 with a 305 crate(?) V8 4x4. 
He wont take less than 3500.00   I am going to go test drive tomorrow. He said it had no rust but a few small spots that required bondo.
I will ask where those spots are and bring a magnet to see how big of a spot it is.

If all goes well I will be take..unless anyone experts here tell me that is a bad idea    Thanks for all the input and help..this is a very informative forum.
dom

[VileZambonie]

That pic makes it look well worth $3500. Fixing the AC is a piece of cake and not worth $500. Be careful plopping a magnet on someone's paint.

[dbusher]

regarding the statement about starting cold...I assume it starts ok cold but if will check that out....if it doesnt  what would be the issue there and is the fix costly? 

[dbusher]

nevermind on my last questions.  My neighbor has driven this truck and says it starts up cold no problem. thx

[Captkaos]

Looks well worth the $3500. 
use a plastic refrigerator magnet, although I wouldn't want someone doing it to my truck, and it doesn't have bondo.

[smitty77]

regarding the statement about starting cold...I assume it starts ok cold but if will check that out....if it doesnt  what would be the issue there and is the fix costly? 

I saw your answer and am glad it starts okay.  But my reasoning was: This is going to be a daily driver for the most part and you probably don't want to spend a lot of time trying to troubleshoot starting or rough idle problems right after you get it, and it sucks to have that "I hope it starts this time" feeling every time you get in.  That, and what you see out of the exhaust pipe right after starting can tell you about the condition of the motor.  All clues to the overall puzzle that is an unknown truck.

As for the price, how long has it been for sale?  If it's been a while, offer $3k cash and see what he says, and be prepared to walk if he says no but leave your number.  Then I bet he buckles in a few days and calls you.  Only you can make that decision.

Good luck!

[dbusher]

I got it!  Had it looked at by a mechanic and he said it was worth the 4K the guy was asking for.  However, He did give me a few things to talk him down with....Bench seat needs repaired.. AC,  Manifold may need to be replaced because it was poxied..although not leaking and no spare tire.   Also the AC motor is not stock..looks like they put a R4(?) in so the belt is just slightly misaligned.   Bought the truck for 3500. 
Now...Need to find an spare tire and figure out the cheapest route to repairing the bench seat..looks like it needs bottom padding and new cover. 

Thanks for the help everyone.

[dumbucket1]

Nice. Now enjoy it

[Lt.Del]

get the foam for it from a donor or aftermarket whatever and put the upholstery on it yourself.  It is easier than you think.  Get some hog ring pliers and a bunch of hog rings and go for it!!  I did my 65 mustang's interior and upholstery many moons ago a week before the Washington DC Mustang show and took home 2nd place for the '65-'66 mustang Concours correct division.  My hands were sore after doing two buckets and the bench, it will give your hands a work out but, the finished product is awesome and you'll learn something new.

[Captkaos]

We sell replacement seat covers and seat foam and you can recover it yourself if you choose.  You just need to call to order them.

[Lt.Del]

There you go.   You'll get a lot of satisfaction doing the interior yourself and I tell you, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to do this.  I did it when I was 18.










I took over the living room with my upholster work.  That's my cousin playin with the dog, not doing the upholstery. 
A week after the upholstery work, I took home a 2nd place trophy.




Both my WimbledonWhite '65 Mustangs.  The concours restored coupe, next to my '65 GT Mustang Convertible, 99% original from original owner. Both palomino interior color.