Buying Decision
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Buying Decision
Hey guys i need some advise on if i should buy a 1947 truck or not. I have found a 47' with a running flat head v8 and a rebuilt transmission. I was hoping for some advice on how hard it is to find parts for these trucks. I hope to bring it up to a daily drive (maybe a motorcycle on the side) but nothing restored as of yet. I am not sure of the extent of the rust yet, my dad is the one who checked it out, i will on Sat. if its worth it. Lets say it needs new/ updated brakes, tires, interior, wood bed, hopefully minimal body work. is it worth the $3500 he said he would take? also i have a 17.5 searay boat that weighs 2100lbs plus whatever the trailer weighs, would the truck be able to pull that around town? Thanks for the help
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,917
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From: Houston
A 47 truck without body damage or rust out in drivable condition is worth $3,500 around central Texas. A truck that runs but needs everything is cheaper than that. A truck that runs and drives well and just needs paint is more. Post pictures of the truck if you can.
Be careful to check as many of the mechanical aspects of the truck as possible. Brakes are not much of a worry since you can purchase all the parts new from Joblot or another vendor. Stock brakes in good shape work quite well too, just don't drive like you have anti-lock. The steering and front suspension can be fixed of almost any problems, but it can be a bit of work. Check to see if the truck steers well without play. The 100 horsepower flathead is plenty powerful for the empty truck, and will tow a 2100 pound trailer without much drama, but won't be particularly fast doing it. Also be aware that cruising speed in an stock truck is 50-60 m.p.h. This can be changed using the stock rear axle by installing a 3.25 ring and pinion, but you lose a lot of your towing ability. Which transmission is in the truck has a lot to do with how nice it is to drive empty, and how well it tows. The four speed can get very heavy loads moving with the stump pulling first gear, but requires double clutching on every shift. The heavy three is synchronized on 2nd and 3rd, but the ratios are a bit spread out and it shifts a bit slow due to the heavy rotating parts. The light duty three is a pleasure to drive, but getting a load moving is harder.
Be careful to check as many of the mechanical aspects of the truck as possible. Brakes are not much of a worry since you can purchase all the parts new from Joblot or another vendor. Stock brakes in good shape work quite well too, just don't drive like you have anti-lock. The steering and front suspension can be fixed of almost any problems, but it can be a bit of work. Check to see if the truck steers well without play. The 100 horsepower flathead is plenty powerful for the empty truck, and will tow a 2100 pound trailer without much drama, but won't be particularly fast doing it. Also be aware that cruising speed in an stock truck is 50-60 m.p.h. This can be changed using the stock rear axle by installing a 3.25 ring and pinion, but you lose a lot of your towing ability. Which transmission is in the truck has a lot to do with how nice it is to drive empty, and how well it tows. The four speed can get very heavy loads moving with the stump pulling first gear, but requires double clutching on every shift. The heavy three is synchronized on 2nd and 3rd, but the ratios are a bit spread out and it shifts a bit slow due to the heavy rotating parts. The light duty three is a pleasure to drive, but getting a load moving is harder.
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