Thoughts on salvaged trucks

[kwendt113]

After deciding against a gas chugging Gen1 for a DD, I've been looking into an LS swap and was wondering about the economics of purchasing a junker chevy truck to pull the engine/trans/pcm/harness and maybe a couple of other parts... then selling the rest.
1. Is it worth it or should I go to the junkyard?
2. Does the sale of the rest of the unused (but usable) parts typically off set the cost enough to make this purchase worth it?

I like to idea of having the donor truck in my garage to pull parts from and not have to go to the junkyard and pray.

[JointTech]

bump. im having the same thoughts.

[wgeyer88]

Edit: This is the truck I was thinking about. It was bought for the drivetrain and parted out.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...0&postcount=13

Maybe you can send him a PM to find out how if worked out.

[468BIGBLOCK]

and good luck

[BR3W CITY]

If you buy a whole truck from a yard, you probably won't recoup much, as yards are very hood-smart about knowing what to pilfer from vehicles. In other words, you can buy a whole truck then find out you don't have shift linkages, or the gas pedal.

Buying just the engine or a pullout from a yard is a better option. There are enough places, and the ls has been in production long enough that finding one shouldn't be too bad. Better yards are pulling these components and cataloging them in warehouses for easy sale, with dated mileage etc. I found mine on Car-part.com and located a yard about an hour from my house called Rhine Auto. They have a warehouse of clean, EVACUATED engines, so no pooled nasty coolant or old oil in them. They get blasted with fogger and put on the shelf. I bought an engine with less hassle than the last pair of shoes I bought (...different story entirely, but I enjoy the shoe-game).

Third option is buying a wreck of craigslist. Sometimes you can get a great, low mileage unit from someone who just doesn't want to deal with the hassle of parting out a totaled vehicle, or someone that got a deal on an insurance buyback after a wreck. These can be hit or miss, but since the whole truck is there, you can use some deductive logic to guess the condition.

Last option is just buying a motor or seperate pieces from Craigslist. Its too hit or miss for me, and I'd rather pay $25 extra and get a semi-warranty. (Rhine gave me a 45 day warranty against damaged internals, block damage, or spun bearings)

[71swb4x4]

About 10 years ago I did what you are proposing with an 86 Camaro. I took the TPI and everything else I needed and ended up selling the rest of the parts and making money on the deal.
For me it worked out very well, there were quite a few little things that I wouldn't have gotten with just an engine/harness/computer that I ended up grabbing off the car to help with the swap.

It can definitely need to work, but you need to keep your eyes open for the right deal.

[mmiddle]

I bought a 99 Z71 (150K) from an individual for $500. It was hit in the rear and the tranny was missing. Everything else was there and in good shape.
My son took some body parts and I took the 5.3 and wiring. The Transfer case and front axle is in the shed. I sold the seats and a few other parts that paid for the truck and then we scraped the rest for about $200 bucks.

[kwendt113]

Thanks for the insight from everyone so far. To narrow the topic further, I've been considering the online auction route. Seen some decent deals on totaled trucks. I can check out the truck prior to bidding at local yards, which (in my mind) takes a little of the risk out.
Anyone want to comment on/or share experiences in doing this?

[ls1nova71]

If you're talking about Copart, be aware of the tax you have to pay and also the hidden fees. Take that into concideration when bidding. Other than that I would say its a very cost effective way of getting the partsfor a swap. Itwill however be some work, parting it out and dealing with people who desperatly need the parts you're selling , only to never show up. Also it will take some time away from working on the truck you want.to be working on. And then there's neighbors, make sure you have enough time to do it before crabby neighbors call the city on you for runnung a junk yard out of your house! If you don't live in a residential area that shouldn't be a problem though. Good luck with whatever route you choose.

[kwendt113]

Yes it is copart and I appreciate the heads up.

[custom97]

I remember COPART, I used to go with my inlaw all the time to pick up the vehicles they bought.

[71swb4x4]

Copart is fine, but you MUST do some research on how to buy from them. Please google Copart review and read the bad reviews. Don't read them to scare you away, but read them to figure out what those people did wrong and make sure you don't make the same mistakes they did.

[hozeman469]

I went the Co-part route as i was looking for a 5.3 for my 69 4x4.The added cost is something to look at.A bid fee,state tax and load fee added to the sale price.Got a 05 z-71 ext cab 98000 miles for 2500 add all the extra fees to it for a total close to 3200.Knew about what the fees were so no surprises.Figure i can sell extra parts for around 2k.Give you something to think about.Good luck on your search.

[67swb72klb]

I see them on craigs list (runing and driving) for around 2k but they have 170 - 230 or more miles

[dwcardfan]

I bought a 2000 silverado on craigslist that was wrecked for $1500. It has a 5.3 4l60e with 140000 miles. I plan on using the leather bucket seats also. I got to here it run before I bought it. There is a pic of it in my build thread below. A friend of mine has a body shop and he is going to give me $500 for the rest of the truck. It depends on how much good stuff is left on the vehicle. Good luck

[Robznob11]

well I gave 1900$ for my 6.0 4l80e and harness 4 years ago 48000 mi, you probably wont find them that cheap now. parts I then went back to the yard for, tranny lines, tranny cover, accelerator cable, fuel line ends, box to hold computer, miss fittings. usualy 25+ each trip it adds up, not to mention I had to get a radiator, overflow bottle hoses, etc. if you can get a hole truck for 3200$ you will probably come out ahead, plus its probably worth 400+ crushed after you strip it. also I got lucky and they gave me the front driveshaft yoke, but not all do. there is lots a smalls you don't think of when you first get the idea, you may can even use the fuel tank and pump, if not the pump fits into a Camaro tank caus that's what im running....

[Stu Pidd]

I built a hot-rodded Porsche 911 this way. Bought a wrecked car from an insurance auction, used lotsa parts from it, and sold off the rest.
Worked out very well, and am looking to do the same again with the truck.

Was awfully nice to have both cars, side-by-side, in the garage up on jackstands. Easy working conditions.

I didn't bid on-line. I showed up at the live auction and hauled the car home on my flatbed trailer. Selling parts really offset the cost of doing the swap that most guys spend mega-bucks to accomplish.
Had everything needed- No need to keep buying bits and pieces to build the car.

[homemade87]

I did exactly what you want to do. I got a 04 ext cab that had 35,000 miles 5.3. I got everything I wanted and then some. This was about 2.5 years ago. I did get it from an insurance aution . The truck was complete. Dont buy one that is not. I paid $4,200 for it because I wanted one low miles and it was loaded with options. Also dont by one that is to new because the new stuff is still under warranty. Dont buy one to old because the parts get to be a dime a dozen in the yards. I sold vertually everthing I had , craigslist on the bigger stuff an ebay on anything I could stuff in a box. When I got done I had $1000 in my pocket and got everything I wanted. It can be done but you have to work at it to make it happen. I found out people like buying stuff from a truck that is low miles. I was really suprised what some of the parts brought.

Good luck with your project.

[kwendt113]

Thanks for the input everyone, it sounds like this is the route I'm going to take (after Christmas according to the wife)

[ghettoluxury]

I picked up a wrecked 99 extended cab with 98,000 for $1,200. Pulled everything I wanted and sold or scrapped the rest. In the end I have $200 in a 5.3/4L60 with everything needed to make it run. I still have leftover parts like heater, cruise, ABS, and brakes.