Need opinion on truck

[Rmoore45]

Ok this is a long story so be ready,

My friend bought a 1986 Chevy C-10 about a 2 years ago. 305 V8, 4 speed manual, long bed, 4bbl quadrajet, decent body, good interior, with about 75,000 original miles on it, paid $2500. He bought it from a a guy on a farm that rarely used it. It was a good little truck and he maintained it. After having it for about a year he sold it, he broke even and bought a '00 F-150 v6 5 spd with 30,000 miles (paid to much for the truck). About 8 months of having his new truck he started missing his old truck. He found the guy he sold it to and bought it back, he paid 2,750 (lost a little money). The guy he sold it to had blown the original 305 and put in a used 350 (condition unknown). He put lowering shackles on the back (cut some of the frame to do so). The 305 v8 was all original all the vacuum lines where hooked up and it was nice a neat. When the guy put in the 350 he just made it work, didn't do a very good job.

Well my friend got the truck back and had it for a few months, hes not a car guy so I have been helping him work out all the kinks and stuff in the truck and did a basic tune up on the truck to get it running right. My friend hasn't owned the truck 5 months and the head gaskets blew on the 350, pretty much confirming my theory that the used 350 was worn out. Now he wants to sell the truck, I always told him to ask me if I want to buy it before talking to anyone else. I want the truck as a project and daily driver so I can work on my mustang but I'm not sure what to offer.

The truck is in decent shape, but here are its flaws/concerns

Motor, not sure of condition

power steering leaks

front suspension needs work

Clutch?

U-joints?

Transmission?

Differential?

A/c doesn't work

Exhaust pipe is cut under bed

Minor dents and small amount of surface rust

My question to you members is what do you honestly think the truck is worth. I want to get some other people input before I offer too much/little. Please post your thoughts and what you think the truck is worth.

Thanks Guys, Ranger

 

[aspeck]

Re: Need opinion on truck

2wd? Maybe a grand ...

 

[82rude]

Re: Need opinion on truck

2wd? Maybe a grand ...

boy are you generous.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Need opinion on truck

boy are you generous.

Key word ... MAYBE ... Really depends on body and engine. I can't see it, but he did say decent shape ...

 

[tazrig]

Re: Need opinion on truck

Cut frame, bad motor, a host of other maladies... At this point I'd offer to take it off his hands or maybe $500??

 

[matt167]

Re: Need opinion on truck

Square bodies can bring quite a premium even in rough shape as long as the cab, bed and frame are solid, but with a C notched frame that sounds like it may have just been cut or a bolt in C notch, and the fact it is only said to have lowering shackles which should not get it low enough to need the notch. I wouldn't even touch it.

Your in TX where those trucks stayed solid so it may be a common as dirt truck worth less than $500 in it's condition. I wouldn't go over $800 as a project, but I also don't care for '73-'87 Square Bodies

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Need opinion on truck

old truck, needs lots of work, it is worth its weight in scrap metal around $500, or whatever someone is willing to pay or take. i have an 85 mustang i was offered $6k , is it worth $6k? not really, it's just not for sale, you'd have to ask my daughter once i'm gone. value is all determined by the seller and buyer

 

[avenger79]

Re: Need opinion on truck

because he is someone you know, an honest offer would hurt his feelings, a good offer for him would hurt your feelings. My thoughts on it would be first, to let it go due to cut frame. unless you want a low rider that would be the deal breaker. if you're still interested tell him 500 would be best you could do but, let him know he should have others look at it first. I would almost guarrantee it isn't going to sell for more then that.
my personal rule is if I can't drive it home it isn't worth more then 500.

 

[Rmoore45]

Re: Need opinion on truck

Only problem is that I really like this truck. Yes its 2wd, the frame itself hasn't been cut but some of the framework for the bed has been cut to allow clearance for the lowering shackles. I'm still thinking about it but really need to go look at the truck and bring some test equipment (compression gauge, radiator pressure tester, oil pressure gauge). This way I can get an idea of what condition the motor is in, compression test and oil pressure will tell me the condition of the motor. The radiator pressure tester will let me know how bad the head gaskets are. They make a great product called Blue Devil head gasket sealant, if I get the truck I'll put some of that in there to fix the problem temporarily until I can really work on the motor.

Thanks for the replies guys, it puts it in perspective.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Need opinion on truck

Only problem is that I really like this truck.

And that could get you in trouble by potentially paying too much for it. If it were me, I would look for a truck that was very similar but unmolested.....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Need opinion on truck

I wouldn't touch it. Major rust buckets in those years, especially in the doors.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Need opinion on truck

With blown head gaskets the test equipment is useless.
Will you be reading the true numbers or the pressure from the cylinders blowing into the oil/water channels?
Then there's the damage from running with the bad gaskets.

Consider the motor toast and check out everything else that you can.

If done right the old square bodies, lowered with a 350 can be a very reliable fun grocery getter.
Sounds like a project for sure.

Good luck
huts

 

[JRJ]

Re: Need opinion on truck

Prices are all over the map. I can't believe this one...........1986 Chevrolet C10, Used Cars For Sale - Carsforsale.com

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Need opinion on truck

It's all good advice. You've got to purchase it anticipating another engine is needed. You can get a brand new GM rebuild at Jegs for around $2K.

You don't see many V-8 straight shift trucks. If you changed the engine, you'd probably need to do a clutch job at the same time--while it's apart. And fix the a/c.

The truck would be a bottomless money pit, unfortunately.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Need opinion on truck

The truck would be a bottomless money pit, unfortunately.[/QUOTE]

and our boats aren't? just my .02 anything is worth what your willing to pay for it. if you really like it ands you think the price is fair , then i say go for it.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Need opinion on truck

OK so your buddy bought it for $2750 running. You are buying it not running. Engine alone could be in the $2000 range. If it were a short box I would say $1200 on the high end if there is no rust at all. But since its a long box, it is worth about half that. Nobody is going around hotrodding or restoring those, so its a good parts truck for a shortbox.

Just to put it in perspective, I picked one up in mint condition, 88k on the clock, with cold a/c and perfect interior and paint, NO rust for $1500. I traded it even for an 85 Corvette in decent shape.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Need opinion on truck

I read project as the main point here. Sounds like everything is needed that you mentioned, but what about interior? If that is good pay for that, otherwise find other similar listings and offer appropriately to your friend.