Lied and defrauded on 1971 c10 short bed

[tahoekid]

Hello all on the forum.
Seeking advice on what my options are and or if anyone has been in my situation
i recently purchased a 1971 c10 cheyenne short bed...allegedly!!!
I saw an ad on craigslist posted from santa rosa, ca
it read:1971 c10 cheyenne short bed completely restored..alleged..
The previous owner stated that he purchased the c10 from the original owner out of modesto, ca
that it was restored close to original state
not 100% restored, but a solid 7-8 out of 10
I have now learned though another party that one of the two senarios has occured.
The details on the glove box options sheet show the cab is 127 wheelbase, not the 115 short bed wheel base...
That being said:
1. Either its a long bed cab on a short bed chasis, or
2. It's a long bed truck cut down to shor bed specs
(i believe this is more than likely was done)
I was so wrapped up in that the truck has a clear title and the vin matched the drivers door tag, i did not notice the 127 wb on the glove options sheet.
However, i did ask the p/o 3-5 times that the c10 is a "factory" short bed truck, and he assured me everytime i asked that it was indeed a factory short bed.
I bought the truck on 9/29/12 and found out today that the facts of the c10 have been misrepresented as i feel to be fraudulent.
If it had been stated that the truck is an original long bed, all interest in the truck would have been dissolved to purchase
So what i am getting at is, what are my options:
1. Stuck with truck and try to salvage any $
2. Can i sue the individual, and if so under what legal CA laws
3. Anybody been through this situation, if so what was the outcome
thanks for your time, advice, & experience

[SS Tim]

Do you have the CL ad/s archived? Did you get a screaming deal? Have you contacted the seller? Did you do the transaction at his place or someplace "public"?
First thing I would do is document what you have as far as if the frame or the bed have been altered. Is the ID plate original or has it been replaced. Look at the rivets closely. Look at the frame and inside the outer walls of the bed for alterations. The frame should have a reinforcement of some sort if it was cut. Look for the frame ID number as well. Take pictures of everything and document it.

Contact your lawyer ASAP.

Did you already transfer it? I'm thinking that it is unlikely much will be done. If you are lucky maybe a small claims award. On the other hand if it has an altered ID plate everything could turn to ....

[tahoekid]

Here is what I got scammed on....

[Square_78]

Has the frame actually been altered? Was the cab swapped maybe because of rust or accident? maybe the glove box was changed out for another one due to damage? Might be a logical explanation. What does the seller have to say?

[tahoekid]

Now that I really look at it, the bed floor has a weld all the way across end to end
The bed has a not so great line-x coating going on and I cant technically tell if there is a weld but if I had to bet I would say the floor was cut to down to size
I looked under the truck..under the bed there is a brace bolted that is where the lump is on top of the bed
Also looked at the frame, about 3/4 rear way back of the cab there is vertical weld on both sides of frame
I believe with these welds, the frame was cut down to short bed specs, making this C10 not a factory short bed

[shawno72]

I agree with checking under the the truck and seeing if the frame was cut. May be as simple as him replacing the glove box. Check the top of the drivers side of the frame under the hood next to the engine and see if the numbers stamped into the frame match the vin number.
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[shawno72]

If the frame has been cut and welded then more than likely it is a cut down long bed. Can you post some pics?
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[tahoekid]

drivers side

[tahoekid]

passenger side

[Square_78]

Yep sounds like its for sure a cut down longbed. I personally wouldnt care, but if you paid a premium for a factory short bed then thats not cool.

[HeloCrewChief]

Ouch! This is tough for sure. The frame was cut incorrectly as well. Where you able to get it cheaper than a short bed or did you pay a short bed price for it? Even if you were buying it as a cut down short bed it would have been a bad deal since the frame will need so work for sure. I feel for you man. Maybe try to fix it correctly or find a real SWB frame to swap in and sell it on ebay as a cut down LWB.

[Square_78]

What does the seller have to say?

[tahoekid]

Well it looks like my nitemare is a reality..
I have seen tech articles on how these frames are suppose to be cut down, and this is not the way to do it..
I'm "LIVID" because I bought lies not the real deal
It would not be an issue if the facts where told and I was told it was a cut down long bed, but the facts were hidden and misrepresented..

[tahoekid]

I found out about Tues nite at 10pm after I got off work
i called the seller went straight to voicemail
I text but no reply
I'm gonna call first thing Wed morning
But I know that he's gonna say he had no idea and that the previous owner swore it is a factory short bed..

[72freak]

Anyway you look at you were taken! Hopefully you printed out and kept the ad. Now....it really depends on how much you paid for it. $7000 or below....I think you are fine. If you paid over that you may want to look into some sort of legal action. If the frame is plated or boxed inside dont worry about safety..it will be fine. If there is no plating...simply weld some in. Its still a nice truck !

[Square_78]

It is a VERY nice truck. The welds look good. As stated above, if there is no plate on the inside, I would weld one in for added strength. Its not going to break. Of course the guy will say he didnt know about it.

[cdowns]

i've been posting for quiet some time if lookin at buyin a short truck crwal under it and look B4 spendin money

people seem to be in such a rush to throw money at shiney things they just dont take the time to look and see what thier money is goin to buy

[Square_78]

I looked under ever short bed at a local car show and every one was cut and welded. Its very easy to see. I would never take someones word for it. But like i said, I dont really have a problem with shortening a truck. Im not looking for a numbers matching collector car to shove in a valt somewhere. I honestly dont think shortening a truck makes is less valuable than a factory short bed. But thats just me. I do agree than there was some misrepresentation in regards to this sale and like i said before, thats not cool.

[lolife99]

I would call this a good lesson.
(my opinion)
Maybe the previous owner had just bought the truck,... and like you didn't know any better.
Sometimes these trucks are sold so cheap that people buy them, and immediately try to flip them to make a few bucks.
You have a beautiful truck I would love to own.

I would weld a couple extra reinforcement plates on that frame and drive the crap out of it.
It's a cool truck.

[no moa]

Happen to me, didn't see the SPID 127 as it was torn and rolled up. My frame was cut and welded, the. Polished smooth on the outside, couldn't see it from the outside when I looked. Wasn't untill I rolled out the SPID and snapped a picture that someone noticed it.

Really it's my own stupid fault, p.o. Claimed he knew nothing about it. Bull! Live and learn.

That's a very nice truck, I'd plate the frame for strength, and just enjoy it. That's what I did.
Good luck.
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[HeloCrewChief]

Yes,
I hear you guys on welding the plate but, that is not the correct way to do it. It should have more of a Z cut in it. Also, the weld is not even done all the way down in the first picture. I personally do not have a preference between a factory SWB or a cut down LWB as long as it is done correctly and presented as what it is. Maybe try rolling by the guys house and knocking on the door if you know where he lives?

[no moa]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

Yes,
I hear you guys on welding the plate but, that is not the correct way to do it. It should have more of a Z cut in it. Also, the weld is not even done all the way down in the first picture.

Wouldn't be worth cutting and welding in a Z pattern now, the frame would be to weak then you'd have to plate it anyway.
Best option is to plate it side top and bottom or find a SWB frame.

[prostreetC-10]

Big thing is WHAT DID YOU PAY FOR IT???? I understand everything you are saying but.....it sure looks like a nice truck from here!!! Just wondering if the long bed was some how cut down too. Sure the frame needs re-enforced but if you can get passed the "new information", you just might have a really nice truck!

[67ChevyRedneck]

In my state vehicles out of warranty are sold "as is". So buyer beware. You failed to do the legwork and research. I would move on and enjoy the truck or sell it.
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[shawno72]

Just kinda curious does the rest of the spid denote that it's a Cheyenne with all the options that it has?
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