New guy here, need advice

[torque91]

I have found a possible project and wondered if you guys could help me make up my mind.  It is a 1979 GMC short bed 4 wheel drive.  Engine and transmission are in excellent shape and is a very smooth driver.  It has the usual cab and bed rust, new fenders (one already is dented) and a new driver's side door.  The frame is pretty well rusted thru but I would be getting a parts truck in the deal with a good frame and a remarkably decent cab.  The parts truck is 4 wheel drive and is minus engine and bed (still has transmission and transfer case).  Looks like I would patch the frame for now and drive the truck while I start building the parts truck frame.  I can get it all for $1,700 and the guy is throwing in some factory 6 lug rallies he has.  Does this sound like a decent deal?  The plan is to take my time and restore it to stock just like the trucks I fell in love with as a kid    Any input is greatly appreciated.

Edited by: torque91 at: 8/7/06 8:54 am

[roundedline]

If you are getting a truck and a parts truck $1700 doesn't sound bad to me..

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[Stewart G Griffin]

i need more information;  When you say you are "new," do you mean new to cars?

What are your goals?

i don't think it's a good deal if the frame is rusted thru;  You can get a complete running truck with minimal rust for $1,700 that needs minimal if any work.

I'm in the middle of a "simple" engine swap and technically am still not done after 3 weeks.  It always takes longer than you think.  Now, to be fair, i have not worked on it daily due to time contraints and due to the fact that it is located at my warehouse not at home.  But still, my point is, i could have been driving it for 3 weeks if it did not need any work.  But instead, it's still sitting.

[torque91]

New to the forum.  I have a 91 Corvette that I have done almost everything possible to including rebuilding the engine.
I have 2 daily drivers so I would be working on the GMC at my leisure.  Since I would be using the frame and possibly the cab from the parts truck, I could begin a frame up restoration without touching the running truck up to a point.  The plan would be to do a factory two-tone, all options restoration with a slight suspension lift.  When I am done, I could possibly put an engine along with the left over parts and have a second truck to play with or sell.
I test drove the running truck and it was about as smooth as my 2000 Z71.  Maybe, for the amount of work I plan on doing anyway, I should look for a truck in a little worse shape for a lot less money.  I don't know what to do!!  
Here are a few of pictures of the truck:

This one is from the seller's website.  Sorry for the quality

Edited by: torque91 at: 8/8/06 3:26 pm

[DnStClr]

Quote:You can get a complete running truck with minimal rust for $1,700 that needs minimal if any work.

I don't know about that Stewart- they're out there,but I think they're more than $1700. I don't think it sounds too bad for a truck that's running as good as he describes.And it looks like all the body panels are there. Plus a donor for the frame. I say go for it if the wife doesn't start yellin about all the junk trucks sitting around.  

Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn

[torque91]

That's the beauty of it, I'm not married.  I figure I'd better get this stuff out of the way while I am single  

[Stewart G Griffin]

OK, i did not know you were going to transfer the drivetrain to the rolling chassis truck.

In that case, it might be a good deal.

Now the question is, do you have the time?

With me, i'm more of an assembler than a builder.  (order stuff out of a catalog and bolt on)  And, i don't really want to be an assembler either.

With me, it was a question of economics;  A new silverado, $40,000.  A used truck, $1,500+minor work.  The answer for me was obvious.

I would rather drive than work on a truck.  But the savings was just too much to ignore.

[torque91]

I don't plan to get in any hurry with this project.  I look at it as a giant model kit   I plan on being very detailed.  I might have access to free powder coating thru a friend of mine at a sister company.  I want to powder coat the frame and various other components.  My goal is to make that classic 4x4 with the simple roll bar and modest stance that was in all the truck magazines when I was a kid.  I also want to make it where it will last a lifetime without fear of decay.
I think I am leaning toward getting it  

[DnStClr]

I think the 79s are a sort of popular year aren't they? Remember, this site has a catalogue of panels if you need any.Roundedline's wife says he's pretty cheap too. Ha!

Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn

[torque91]

Hey Don, just noticed you are from Culleoka.  Ever make it over to the Hwy 50 Drive-in in Lewisburg?  I am actually a couple hours away in Manchester.  I work near Shelbyville just down the road from your area