The Old Truck Dilemma, What To Buy?

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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 1:31 pm

As some of you know, I've run into the Old Rusty Truck dilemma.

My 1999 GMC Z71 has had many, many issues fixed over the last 4 years but now has frame rust holes on both sides where the cab meets the bed. It will eventually bust in half and will not pass inspection. It can be repaired for about $2000 or so but the rest of the truck will rust apart in the next couple years.
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All that being said, I am looking at replacing rather than repairing. The problem is, not many used trucks are available and the ones that are available are expensive and come with there own set of problems.

I'm generally looking at 2007 to 2011 GM 4 wheel drive V8 trucks. The prices vary wildly. From about $6,600 to $18,000.

This is the cheap one, $6,600. There are a few suspicious things about it though. It was probably used as a plow truck and is probably rusty. It is well into PA but has a VA tag on it. VA is 2 states away so I suspect it is illegal and won't pass PA inspection.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/exton-2 ... 50609.html

This one is an 09 for $9,900 and looks pretty good. Kind of a long ride to just look at it though.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/spr ... 47666.html

This one is a 2011 for $14,500. A bit more than I want to spend but it could be nice. One problem is that it has a rebuilt title. That means it was totaled at some point. If it was an accident and it was repaired right it might be worth a look. If it was in a flood, forget it!

https://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/d/east-earl- ... 01747.html

This one is a 2006 and looks real nice. Not really what I'm looking for but it's no rust, 4 wheel drive and cheap money, relatively, $5,800. The only real problem I have with it is that it is a V6, not a V8.

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/d/laurel-200 ... 69483.html

So that's my truck dilemma, and 4 possible solutions for it.

Let me know if you guys have any better ideas on how to solve the old truck dilemma!

-Don


 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 2:34 pm

The white one!

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 2:54 pm

Yep, somebody took real good care of the old girl!! :) V-6??? ya lookin for a race car or a functional truck???????????

 
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Post by grumpy » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 3:21 pm

I think at this point the way things are it’s worth while to go down south for a rust free vehicle, the body and frame is what counts now, the drive train can be fixed or replaced.

 
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Post by lincolnmania » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 4:05 pm

chevys are prone to rust and so are the post 9th gen fords and dodge's
why not a 88-97 f-250 or f-350? My 89 f-250 is real solid and the frame is thick.

 
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Post by mntbugy » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 4:59 pm

Google your local college/universities liquidation auctions. They have cars,trucks,summer & winter maintenance equipment. Scientific equipment. Office supplies. Some goodies and junk.

 
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theo
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Post by theo » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:15 pm

None of them, first one look's like it has alot of rust and very high mileage, second one has a reconstucted title, i would want to know what all has been done to her, third one has a rebuilt title, fourth one has high mileage,,,,,, i would keep on looking. Try to find one from a private owner, just my thought's :D


 
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theo
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Post by theo » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:17 pm

Also watch for flood vehicles

 
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Post by warminmn » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:24 pm

lincolnmania wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 4:05 pm
chevys are prone to rust and so are the post 9th gen fords and dodge's
why not a 88-97 f-250 or f-350? My 89 f-250 is real solid and the frame is thick.
That sounds like something I'd say :lol: Stay 1987-91 if you go that route as the cabs had little leg room from 92-96. But I think Stoker wants something newer.

 
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Post by joeq » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:49 pm

How many miles on your 99 Don?

 
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Post by Rob R. » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:51 pm

lincolnmania wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 4:05 pm
chevys are prone to rust and so are the post 9th gen fords and dodge's
why not a 88-97 f-250 or f-350? My 89 f-250 is real solid and the frame is thick.
Even trucks of that era are commanding big $$ now.

 
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 7:22 pm

coaledsweat wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 2:34 pm
The white one!
I Love the way that one looks! And since NO RUST is our main objective I am leaning toward this one if nothing else shows up. The high mileage V6 is the only thing that bothers me. The V6 is no where near as reliable as any of the LS V8's. If it had a 4.8 or a 5.3 in it that would be a no brianer.

One possibility is to buy it and swap my 5.3, trans and rear into it. That would be great but I have to find out if it would be legal for inspection. On my truck, I put a Jasper trans and rear in it 12,000 miles ago.

-Don

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 7:26 pm

grumpy wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 3:21 pm
I think at this point the way things are it’s worth while to go down south for a rust free vehicle, the body and frame is what counts now, the drive train can be fixed or replaced.
That is good advise right there Grump. You will end up with a less rusty truck. The only problem is every time you go look at one it's a 4, 6 or 8 hour round trip.

-Don

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 7:33 pm

joeq wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 5:49 pm
How many miles on your 99 Don?
It's got 220K on it. Engine runs great, put a new Y pipe, cats, O2 sensors on it last year (big bucks). 3 years ago I put a Jasper trans and rear in it (even bigger bucks). Engine/trans swapping into a non rusty truck is an option.

-Don

 
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Post by theo » Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 9:31 pm

StokerDon wrote:
Sat. Feb. 26, 2022 7:33 pm
It's got 220K on it. Engine runs great, put a new Y pipe, cats, O2 sensors on it last year (big bucks). 3 years ago I put a Jasper trans and rear in it (even bigger bucks). Engine/trans swapping into a non rusty truck is an option.

-Don
it might be worth putting the money into it rather then buying a "unknown" and having to dump money into it right away


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