What to look for?
#1
10-19-2013, 04:06 AM
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What to look for?
I have spent hours looking through this forum, but I havnt found a thread on what to look for when buying a unibody. Im not saying there isn't one here, I just havnt been able to find it. I have never looked at one up close and personal. Now I have the bug to own one. Im not concerned with drive train. I have owned antiques before and right now have a 67 galaxy. Just please tell me what I need to look out for when it comes to body. I have seen some talk about torque box, cab mounts and rust in floor pans and the area just below the bottom door hinge. I live in northeast Arkansas and just don't see to many of these around here.
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff
#2
10-19-2013, 11:42 AM
The areas you mention are of primary concern.
The torque box is a sheet metal stamping at the rear of the cab under the bed floor that ties and stiffens the center of the truck to prevent flexing. This is extremely difficult to fix as it is a body off frame fix. The rear cab skin, cab floor and this box all tie together in a multi layer unit.
Cab mounts can be fixed. not super critical.
The model 66 lower hinge pocket and cowl are the same stampings as a standard Model 81 cab. Lots of rust in these area again requires extensive rebuilding of the multiple layers. The outer pillar skin is available aftermarket.
I only buy unis as parts trucks if the torque box is shot.
Also make sure it has the correct doors. no dog leg on uni doors.
Garbz
The torque box is a sheet metal stamping at the rear of the cab under the bed floor that ties and stiffens the center of the truck to prevent flexing. This is extremely difficult to fix as it is a body off frame fix. The rear cab skin, cab floor and this box all tie together in a multi layer unit.
Cab mounts can be fixed. not super critical.
The model 66 lower hinge pocket and cowl are the same stampings as a standard Model 81 cab. Lots of rust in these area again requires extensive rebuilding of the multiple layers. The outer pillar skin is available aftermarket.
I only buy unis as parts trucks if the torque box is shot.
Also make sure it has the correct doors. no dog leg on uni doors.
Garbz
#3
10-19-2013, 10:16 PM
Join Date: Mar 2009
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The areas you mention are of primary concern.
The torque box is a sheet metal stamping at the rear of the cab under the bed floor that ties and stiffens the center of the truck to prevent flexing. This is extremely difficult to fix as it is a body off frame fix. The rear cab skin, cab floor and this box all tie together in a multi layer unit.
Cab mounts can be fixed. not super critical.
The model 66 lower hinge pocket and cowl are the same stampings as a standard Model 81 cab. Lots of rust in these area again requires extensive rebuilding of the multiple layers. The outer pillar skin is available aftermarket.
I only buy unis as parts trucks if the torque box is shot.
Also make sure it has the correct doors. no dog leg on uni doors.
Garbz
The torque box is a sheet metal stamping at the rear of the cab under the bed floor that ties and stiffens the center of the truck to prevent flexing. This is extremely difficult to fix as it is a body off frame fix. The rear cab skin, cab floor and this box all tie together in a multi layer unit.
Cab mounts can be fixed. not super critical.
The model 66 lower hinge pocket and cowl are the same stampings as a standard Model 81 cab. Lots of rust in these area again requires extensive rebuilding of the multiple layers. The outer pillar skin is available aftermarket.
I only buy unis as parts trucks if the torque box is shot.
Also make sure it has the correct doors. no dog leg on uni doors.
Garbz
#5
10-20-2013, 08:27 PM
Garbz, you are a welth of information. I have been working on my truck for so long l am replacing the patches l laped 20 years ago instead of butt welding.
Anyway do you have a closeup picture of how the top of the touque box is supposed to look with the floor removed? I have some of my floor removed and there is some rusted out so l have no idea what its supposed to look like.
Thanks
Anyway do you have a closeup picture of how the top of the touque box is supposed to look with the floor removed? I have some of my floor removed and there is some rusted out so l have no idea what its supposed to look like.
Thanks
#7
10-31-2013, 10:17 PM
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#10
11-01-2013, 10:25 PM
Yes a sure sign of trouble.
Her is another shot of a short bed. the front shows how it goes up to meet the rear floor and bed stampings.
Here is why unis rust out so easy. If the truck was not undercoated new it only has primer on the underside. No paint. Primer is porous and will suck up moisture. Plus the bed would quickly pinhole from the underside at the box. There was nothing in there but raw metal.
Instep rust came for the inside out through a flaw in the undercoating.
Garbz
Her is another shot of a short bed. the front shows how it goes up to meet the rear floor and bed stampings.
Here is why unis rust out so easy. If the truck was not undercoated new it only has primer on the underside. No paint. Primer is porous and will suck up moisture. Plus the bed would quickly pinhole from the underside at the box. There was nothing in there but raw metal.
Instep rust came for the inside out through a flaw in the undercoating.
Garbz
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