Possible First Project?

[thefenderbender]

I’m a female college student who has always wanted a Chevy project truck and have recently come across a ’71 Chevy Longhorn 4x4. Considering I live in Alaska the amount of rust on it is normal for a vehicle of that age that originated form here – but still enough to make it look scary when I can see the ground through the floor! However, this being a possible first project for myself with a huge learning curve ahead I was looking for some outside opinions. I release that the work ahead of me would be hard, spendy, uphill and require more time than I can commit to at the moment. What are your thoughts and opinions on it and the price tag of $1,000?

The current owner did what bodywork he could and it has Bondo in a few interesting places. It still has the original engine/tranny, but he says it would need the timing adjusted as it was backing last time he ran it and the heads should be replaced. It has been sitting outside year round from what I can tell and the rear tires are beyond flat. I haven’t been able to see it run yet – he needs to dump the fuel in the lines, put the set back in, and try to put air in the tires before we can adventure for a ride. I wanted to see if it was worth what he was asking before he put the work into doing that for me. I’m not sure what more I need to find out about it beyond that.

I need all the help and suggestions I can get!

[thefenderbender]

More photos....

[BigMike]

I don't know, seems pricey for it's condition but I have nothing to compare it to not being in or from Alaska. Seems like it should at least be a good runner with the body in the condition that it is in. I'd say MAYBE $500 to $700 in it's current state.

My $.02

Mike

P.S. Wecome to the board if you have not yet been welcomed

Mike

Edit: Also, you need to consider this truck is a major project and will take several hundred dollars to make it a dependable daily driver.
Unless he has a nice inner and outer grille (headlight buckets, rings and lights) and front bumper, you're looking at between $300 to $400 just for those.

[Ron 586]

A question or 2 is in order. Do you have a place to work on it besides out in your drive way? Do you have any tools to work on it with or access to them? Do you have any mechanical ability or skills? Do you have money to buy the parts to make this truck reliable transportation? I can answer yes to all the questions and live in Tennessee where it is warm 9 months out of the year and I wouldn't want to tackle that one. I would say to at least get one that runs good but needs body work. Or buy a good body and work on getting it running. Lots of luck which ever way you go.

[Jtrux]

I like it and because i'm the biggest impulse buyer around, i'd snatch it up.

[68haywagon]

to the board!! It's always cool to see females interested in these truck...especially working on them!!!

As far as the price...see as how it needs that much body and mechanical work I would offer $500, but I definitely would not spend $1k on that. I paid $600 for a truck with similar rot, but runs great.

Mike

[Brad]

Here in the Pacific NW you can pic one up any time of day or night in that condition for about $500.

Welcome to the board-females are always welcome and we'll treat you with respect here especially if you're wrenching on it yourself!!

[onetoncrewcab]

Do you need this as a daily driver while you work on it? If so, it appears that this truck needs a LOT just to get it in somewhat streetable condition. I just went through this with my Jeep CJ7. I've been working on it the last three weeks and finally got it reliable. It is no fun when your only mootorized transportation (I ride a bike during the week, but I like having the truck for the weekends or rainy weekdays) is down for weeks at a time.
Mike

[Jim_PA]

If you want this particular truck badly, it's worth 1,000.00

If you're just looking for a 67-72 of any variety, I'd pass.

[jamon8]

women working on anything in the garage is HOT!

I do not know what to tell ya but I would not buy it for any amount of money because it is too far gone and too far taken apart for a begginer to start on

you have to be able to take it apart slowly in order to put it back together right.

I would find a willing participant and fly into the lower states where there is not salt and such and buy a truck you can drive back

[panhandler62]

Welcome.

Around here.. that's a $500 truck .. or abouts. I don't know how much of a premium a Longhorn gets (ask Andy.. :P ) or how much to modify for Alaska prices.

[meathead95]

Originally Posted by Jim_PA

If you want this particular truck badly, it's worth 1,000.00

If you're just looking for a 67-72 of any variety, I'd pass.

i agree with jim and for the college girl thing got any pics of yourself lol....

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by meathead95

i agree with jim and for the college girl thing got any pics of yourself lol....

id pass on that truck for 1000 mabey go 600 but you might be bitting more than you can chew....but like said before girls working on trucks IS hot..

[krue]

Pass, for that money around here it would have to be a solid driver mechanically anyways.

[ChevyDude]

Pass! Unless...you can get it down to 400-500 bucks and you have time and space to work on it. Gonna need a welder and some skills for sure. There is better trucks out there for a college chic!

Good luck and welcome!

Alex

[boraxman]

Me, I would pass it right by. Way too much work there, I dont know if i'd do it for free.

[cypress TX 72]

All good advise - except requesting pix of "the college Chic" - Geez

I think most of us (who have been building theses trucks for years) would tell you - not a good deal! not by any means.

If its a 4X4 Longhorn that you want specifically - not easy to come by, so this truck would be bought up by some one that is interested in those particular models -
If its the style truck - meaning 68-72 - then by all means its way to much - you can find trucks that someone has put alot of money and time into and is almost finished for $1700 - - $3500 all day long.

To get that truck on the road and reliable enough to count on, based on those pics - i'd say you'll need to dump in about $1000 - $1500.

If you add that money to the original $1000 - you can find a truck in much, much better shape.

Just come to the truck board and let people know that you need one, that needs a "normal" rebuild, but has a good motor and trans. These guys will help you out - if you really want one.

Good Luck
Cypress

[67ChevyRedneck]

Not trying to discourage you, but the others are right, you can get much more truck for that money and a better one for a little more (there's gotta be a "texas truck" in alaska somewhere ) Save up some more $$$, wait a bit, and hopefully a nice 67-72 will show up!

Here's an example. I paid $1,400 for my running/driving (and mostly rust free) '67 C-10 back in '96 I did nothing to it for 6 years and drove it like it was. I have done a MILD 100% at home restoration (cheap crate engine/700R4 tranny, mild body work (replaced doors and fenders with new ones) completely rebuilt front suspension, relocated fuel tank, a couple interior upgrades, new chrome, etc.) My cab needed almost no work and I have about 5K into my "at home" restoration. Click on the link in my "signature" to see the project from start to about 90%, where it's at now.

[jimmydean]

Agreed. I would say $400 in the PNW, but then I too know little about longhorns.

I know there was a solid runner LWB '68 GMC that was nearly rust free and lifted for $3000 near my house. I was very tempted, but my wife reminded me of what I had sitting in the driveway now.

[meathead95]

i guess you guy are right i was thinking about it as whats all the parts worth but if it is to be used as a driver only then you should look for something better

[724wdcopper]

well, it IS a big block.... and if you could get it for $500-$700, you can search for a slightly less wasted truck to transplant the heart in to, or at least a decent cab to drop on the frame. if you're anywhere near Seward (not sure where Palmer is), i have a friend that's a boat captain there, and he is into 72 chev's as bad as anyone. might be able to help you find a better example for a first time project.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Can't add much that hasn't been already said, so

[thefenderbender]

I'm thrilled to see the responses from everyone! I figured being a girl no one would think I warranted a reply but you guys have been great! LOL So girls working on trucks are hot – this is good to know! I’ve always loved custom cars and trucks and can be found out at one of the racetracks here every weekend during our short race season.

One of the many projects I want is a Chevy truck to restore. A friend came across this one and thought of me. After living here most of my life I have come to know the unfortunate truth that it’s about impossible to find a body in good condition, original rocker panels more or less no longer in existence in most possible rebuilds you find here.

What I really want is a good ‘67-72 4x4 preferably fleet side starter project. I do have some garage space to work with – I have 2 single car garages with no partisan to work in. I'm not in a hurry to finish it, but rather want to take my time, do it right and finish with a show quality truck. We have very few real show trucks here, they are hard to come by as everything that has originated from here looks like that Longhorn - rust is public enemy number one to vehicles with the salt we put on the roads.

The only other one I have found in better condition so far in this giant empty state I live in is a ’73 4x2 long bed for $1500 that has much less rust, runs and drives, but has an ugly camper that comes with and no tailgate. I’ve been considering looking into it more, but it just isn’t the body style I like.

So for now I’m still on the hunt if anyone has one they are looking to part with that leads to a good first project!

[roj2323]

why not buy something from cali and have it shipped up to you? it might cost $500 or so to get it there but i personaly beleive it would save you atleast tripple that. there's no point in polishing a turd.

ondrew, 23

[Critter]

You said original engine/tranny...is that a big block I see??? Not so easy to find, but still this one needs ALOT of work.