Lied and defrauded on 1971 c10 short bed

[biggestjohn]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

How much was it listed for?

Since he has now revealed how much he paid..........

$15,000

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by biggestjohn

Since he has now revealed how much he paid..........

$15,000

$15,000 or $11,800????

[Smoothride]

i think it was listed for $15K but he paid $11.8K.... i say keep it and drive that nice truck... I paid almost that much for mine and isnt as nice as that for a short bed

[CC69Rat]

Looks like a ~$5k paint job on it. (?) But still, he thought he was getting an original SWB. I guess I can understand the bad juju.

[davepl]

The difference in value between a factory short bed and a cut down long bed is hard to establish, and it would be up to you to do it (in small claims court). Let's say it's 20%, though I have no idea what it really is. So you're talking under $2K. And if you won, all you'd get is a judgment, not cash. It's up to YOU to somehow turn a judgment into cash.

Whether the guy knew or not is somewhat beside the point. You didn't inspect it beforehand, and the SPID indicated its true status. I think the judge would ask if you checked the factory SPID and looked under the truck, and since you didn't, would dismiss it right there.

There was no forgery here... no fake SPID, no forged protecto plate, no restamping of the block, or anything overtly deceptive.

From the photos I think you got a decent deal. Wishing it were a factory shortbed at this point won't change anything. I'd weld a plate on the inside of the frame and drive and enjoy it. If you can't emotionally get past the fact it's cut down, sell it and take your lumps and restart the search.

All that said, at the price you paid it looks like a nice truck. A fully restored shortbed Cheyenne would be $20K+, so why not drive it with a big smile while thinking about the $10K you saved?

[Coley]

....its looks like a really nice truck.
Do a good inspection of the join/weld and if it needs reinforcement do it or get it done.
Then, get out and drive it and enjoy it. Every mile you put under the truck....it starts to pay you back and the pain of the deal will subside.
Don't get too anal about this kind of alteration and event....a lot of stuff on any 'restored truck' including many, many trucks in this forum are not original from sheet metal to engines, upholstery, suspensions to added options, etc, etc so don't worry about it.
Again, nice truck...really, not too bad a deal IMHO.
All Good
Coley

[tahoekid]

Everyone that has taken the time to respond to my thread, thank you.
Thanks for the support and lending an ear.
I appreciate all responses, those of support, and those of the harsh reality.
I'm taking the advise and going to ask around of a reputable shop that can reinforce the frame where cuts are.
After that I will evaluate my situation..

[CC69Rat]

Just dont jump any railroad tracks or anything till you get it plated .. but you should be fine.

I totally understand where you're coming from but honestly That's a sweet truck man. Original or not. .. I wouldn't be ashamed of $11,800 in that truck. You couldn't build it for that.

[LockDoc]

-
I would see if you can get a couple of grand back from him to cover the work it needs... Check the inside of the bed sides in front of and behind the wheel wells to see what the welds look like where they cut the bed down.

LockDoc

[FrankieD]

I know when you spend 11k for a 40yro truck everything should be good and as we all know when you own one of these you will be under it just to see what is there so I would say the guy is lying, but it is buyer beware. With the the frame being cut the way it is I would wonder what is under the paint. I would also see if you can track the PO and see if he is the one that did the work or if he sold it to the seller as a long bed

My truck is from Modesto, which is a good thing for me living in the rust belt.

[cheyenne shortstep]

Caveat Emptor. I see situations like this all the time and wonder why people don't do their homework?

[original-71]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Just dont jump any railroad tracks or anything till you get it plated .. but you should be fine.

I totally understand where you're coming from but honestly That's a sweet truck man. Original or not. .. I wouldn't be ashamed of $11,800 in that truck. You couldn't build it for that.

I agree

[Rochlow]

You couldn't build a nicer truck for $11, 800

[406 Q-ship]

The weld quality does not look that bad in the pictures, grind the weld flat and finish where is in incomplete then put a diamond shaped reinforcement plate and weld it in. This is how big rigs are done and I don't think anyone would disagree big rig haul much more weight than a SWB 1/2 ton. Just chaulk it up to experience, with the frame reinforced the truck is worth the money and could be sold without a major loss.

[jocko]

if it helps.... I was just about to plop down 12K on a non-running, possibly siezed motor, cheyenne super shortbed. Had I done that, I would have had a well documented, somewhat rare (402 super swb) pile of parts that I still needed to sink another 10-20k into to get roadworthy and shiny. For less than the buy in cost on the one I was seriously considering, you are already on the road in a beautiful truck. Despite the unfortunate surprise (and I'd be as ticked off as you are too), I agree with all the other comments that this is a NICE truck and the price you got it for is, imho, just about right. So, instead of getting the awesome deal you thought you got, you got an average/fair deal money-wise. BUT, my guess is that you had your heart set on an ORIGINAL swb Cheyenne and thought you just got a great deal on one, now you are trying real hard to not view it as a turd. Trust me, it is not one - it is sweet. And you can do any mods you want to it to enhance it with an exceptional starting point (and not worry about originality, to boot - FREEDOM!!). That might not help, but I definitely think time can heal this self-inflicted wound. Truck is way nice - and although a Z-cut frame might be the ideal way to cut it, a square cut that is fish-plated will be more than you'll ever need. So add those plates, and hit the road with a smile. Ok, eventually with a smile!

[CC69Rat]

You could always bag it.

[Square_78]

I understand you feel cheated, but for what you paid I would not be complaining. I personally think you got a GOOD deal. That is a NICE truck. Where I live, that truck would be $20k all day long. There is no way you are going to find the truck you "want" for that money. Sometimes things that are too good to be true, probably are. Is everything else on the SPID correct? If the frame is the only problem then go buy a factory short frame, restore it and swap it. Then you have your factory short bed and you will still be cheaper than what it would cost you to actually buy a real one. If you really hate the truck that much, drive it to canada and I will give you $13k for it tomororw. Thats a smoking price for that truck. I wouldnt think twice about buying it.

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
I would see if you can get a couple of grand back from him to cover the work it needs... Check the inside of the bed sides in front of and behind the wheel wells to see what the welds look like where they cut the bed down.

LockDoc

I agree, I'm sure hes not wanting any trouble and he's probably pretty scared with the talk of a lawsuit.

Originally Posted by 406 Q-ship

The weld quality does not look that bad in the pictures, grind the weld flat and finish where is in incomplete then put a diamond shaped reinforcement plate and weld it in. This is how big rigs are done and I don't think anyone would disagree big rig haul much more weight than a SWB 1/2 ton. Just chaulk it up to experience, with the frame reinforced the truck is worth the money and could be sold without a major loss.

Agreement here too, weld quallity is much more important than the way it is cut, like Qship said its been done this way on big rigs and straight trucks for many years. The angled or stepped cut allows for more weldment area and is a better way but takes more time and most shops go for the faster route. A fish plate on the backside should be all you need

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by Square_78

I understand you feel cheated, but for what you paid I would not be complaining. I personally think you got a GOOD deal. That is a NICE truck. Where I live, that truck would be $20k all day long. There is no way you are going to find the truck you "want" for that money. Sometimes things that are too good to be true, probably are. Is everything else on the SPID correct? If the frame is the only problem then go buy a factory short frame, restore it and swap it. Then you have your factory short bed and you will still be cheaper than what it would cost you to actually buy a real one. If you really hate the truck that much, drive it to canada and I will give you $13k for it tomororw. Thats a smoking price for that truck. I wouldnt think twice about buying it.

x2 I totally agree! Looking at the pics I would say that's a damn good deal. If it pains you so much, I'm sure you could sell it and get your money back with no problem.

[j3162978]

Originally Posted by 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

Really nice truck for the price. My brother just paid 8 grand for a 72 that doesn't even run and needs a ton of work. I say lower it, get some awesome wheels and tires, and watch people drool over your fine ride.

[OJ1988]

With the prices being mentioned here, it sounds like I need to put mine up for sale!

[leddzepp]

Not much you can do at this point except enjoy the the truck. It's a great looking ride. Don't feel bad about not looking at the spid. When I sold my blue/white SWB truck not one buyer looked at the spid or crawled underneath it (it was an original SWB)
Posted via Mobile Device

[KEL]

Originally Posted by cheyenne shortstep

Caveat Emptor. I see situations like this all the time and wonder why people don't do their homework?

OK
Let's see.
Latin, right ?
(heee-hee-he)

[50bomb]

I feel you on this and understand. It wouldn't have bothered you if it was made into a shortbed but as long as it was done properly. But looks like you been driving it and nothing bad has happened? But like you already said your gonna make sure and get it reinenforced and you should be good to go hope. Hoping that is the case. Enjoy it, you have a very beautifuly truck.

[Coley]

....here's a quick comparitive reference for you that might help ease the pain.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...292189648.html
Again, you gotta lot of truck for the money, enjoy it.
All Good
Coley