too good to be true

[sawyerrm]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5347783433.html

What do you think, cracked head, won't shift into reverse, haunted?

Buyer says he gets 12 mpg on the highway, so maybe 10 mpg really?

Anyone in San Jose want to take a look at it with me, keep me from doing something crazy?

Thanks,
Rob

[special-K]

Little red big block Stepside. Probably sold in the time we spent talking about it . That's a sweet looking turn-key toy, or so it appears

[darkhorse970]

Looks like a nice truck from the pics.

[FleetsidePaul]

Do something crazy. It always makes me happy.

[sawyerrm]

Friday morning appointment with seller. I have my list of things to check myself including driving on the freeway and finally taking to my mechanics shop to put on lift and check for leaks, frame damage and rust. The part about 23k invested and selling for 14k has me skeptical but intrigued. It may be moot if it keeps raining.

Rob

[dubds10]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

Friday morning appointment with seller. I have my list of things to check myself including driving on the freeway and finally taking to my mechanics shop to put on lift and check for leaks, frame damage and rust. The part about 23k invested and selling for 14k has me skeptical but intrigued. It may be moot if it keeps raining.

Rob

Like everything with building vehicles you never get your money back. There's a ton of trucks like this out there in the $15-20g range so don't be too surprised. Just look for bondo & see how good the body really is.

[67swb72klb]

That a deal!

[71swb4x4]

The price has gone from $14,000 to $15,000, you better hurry, who knows what the price will be this weekend!

[MagmaJct]

"I have $23000 into this truck and am ready to start my next project. I have put about 1500 miles on it since restoration and love driving it."

I will never get that about people. Just not my style. I've never completed a vehicle project, ever. If I ever did, and if I loved driving it, why would I turn around and sell it after just 1500 miles? It's not even broken in!

Either the seller is delusional, has incurred sudden financial liabilities, or is insane. The day I finish a vehicle project, is the day I will treasure always.

Regards,
Mike

[sawyerrm]

The truck was as beautiful as the pictures and I bought it for 13K. Actually it's contingent on an inspection by my mechanic on Tuesday but looking good. Here's what I discovered today

1. starts easily, steers and shifts nicely and no diesling
2. small rust on rear bumper, according to seller this is common in cheap overseas parts
3. driver side door difficult to close, buyer will adjust weather seal
4. radio not working, it's ugly anyway. Dash has NOT been cut.
5. fuel gauge not reliable, seller will replace sending unit
6. heater hoses not connected. this suggests a leaking heater core which I've been told is two hours labor and $100 part. I will do that.
7. no "idot" lights, all factory instrument guages
8. GM "torch red" color, paint job was $3500. A few chips.
9. has headers and some kind of flow masters which extend to front of read axle. This is too loud for an old guy like me, what can be done?
10. lub-lub-lub idle, I have been told that adjusting the timing will improve smoothness and fuel economy at the sacrifice of some HP.

Everyone, please chime in here.

Thanks,
Rob

[Stocker]

Let me be first to say

[Boog]

Dadgum Rob. That looks great and worth the money. Every penny. What's not to like? 😀

[chevy72blu]

CL ad is down. Where are the pics??

Congrats!

[special-K]

Originally Posted by MagmaJct

"I have $23000 into this truck and am ready to start my next project. I have put about 1500 miles on it since restoration and love driving it."

I will never get that about people. Just not my style. I've never completed a vehicle project, ever. If I ever did, and if I loved driving it, why would I turn around and sell it after just 1500 miles? It's not even broken in!

Either the seller is delusional, has incurred sudden financial liabilities, or is insane. The day I finish a vehicle project, is the day I will treasure always.

Regards,
Mike

Or, the seller doesn't think like you. Not everyone has the same desires. Some have so many build ideas that they can't wait to finish one project so they can sell it to start another.

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

The truck was as beautiful as the pictures and I bought it for 13K.

Everyone, please chime in here.

Thanks,
Rob

Ok. Everyone chime in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oos7tkWrKyY


Congratulations on buying the truck!

[sawyerrm]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement

some pictures ....









Rob

[jondancer]

I Ike the truck it but wish I could find a 3500 paint job!

[trac209]

Very nice truck there and I think you got a good deal

[allchevy58]

Congrats, nice truck!

[70cst]

Hey sawyerrm ...

[duallyjams]

Looks great

[special-K]

When this thread started it was too good to be true. Now it's yours, so I guess it's too true to be good . JUST KIDDING!! (I'm just jealous)

[steves1967]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

The truck was as beautiful as the pictures and I bought it for 13K. Actually it's contingent on an inspection by my mechanic on Tuesday but looking good. Here's what I discovered today

1. starts easily, steers and shifts nicely and no diesling
2. small rust on rear bumper, according to seller this is common in cheap overseas parts
3. driver side door difficult to close, buyer will adjust weather seal
4. radio not working, it's ugly anyway. Dash has NOT been cut.
5. fuel gauge not reliable, seller will replace sending unit
6. heater hoses not connected. this suggests a leaking heater core which I've been told is two hours labor and $100 part. I will do that.
7. no "idot" lights, all factory instrument guages
8. GM "torch red" color, paint job was $3500. A few chips.
9. has headers and some kind of flow masters which extend to front of read axle. This is too loud for an old guy like me, what can be done?
10. lub-lub-lub idle, I have been told that adjusting the timing will improve smoothness and fuel economy at the sacrifice of some HP.

Everyone, please chime in here.

Thanks,
Rob

With that DIN stereo in the dash- how could in not have been cut???

[sawyerrm]

Thank you steves1967, I think you're right. I've read in other threads that you can buy the patch for about $100 but then you have to cut out the dash area, weld the new one, grind and paint. I don't have the skills/time/tools to do that so it's probably about $1000 for everything. Here in CA, shops charge $125/hour.

I've decided to pass on this beautiful truck primarily because of the high performance - 454 headers etc. I was looking for a basic truck with a 307 which I could drive to work. I was trying to make this truck work in my brain b/c I liked it so much but I think you pushed me over the edge.

I don't want to offend anyone, I know lot's of guys love the 400+ HP, it's just not me. As other's have told me, it's better to wait for what I really want and let someone else buy this truck and enjoy it.

Rob

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by jondancer

I Ike the truck it but wish I could find a 3500 paint job!

Rust free, dent free sheetmetal will get you there

[special-K]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Rust free, dent free sheetmetal will get you there

In other words, just a paint job.

I understand your decision. You are thinking it through better than most. I can get excited about a lot of trucks, but I have to consider my intended use, play toy, work truck, year-around transportation, fuel consumption, etc.