Would you rather?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
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From: Parker, CO
Would you rather?
Yes this is off topic. I'm looking at buying an old project truck. Two of them are for sale in my area, but I'm trying to decide which one would be the better pick. Both are the exact same body, style, etc. Both trucks run and drive.
Truck #1) This one is more expensive, and after negotiating will probably be about $1800 more than truck #2. Truck #1 has very little rust around the body. The only areas of concern are rust holes over the back wheel wells, and dents on the top of the cab. Rest of the body is in great shape.
Truck #2) Is practically being given away. This one has more rust than truck #1. There are rust holes in the floor on the driver's side, rust in the doors, and rust over the back wheel wells. There are no dents, and the frame and rest of the body is in decent shape.
So my question is: Is it worth it to get the more expensive truck, seeing as it has much less rust repair needed (it does need roof dents fixed though)? Or would it be better to get the cheaper truck, as the rust repair might not be enough to eat up the $1800 price difference?
I'm really dumb when it comes to body work, paint, and rust repair. That's why I'm asking.
Truck #1) This one is more expensive, and after negotiating will probably be about $1800 more than truck #2. Truck #1 has very little rust around the body. The only areas of concern are rust holes over the back wheel wells, and dents on the top of the cab. Rest of the body is in great shape.
Truck #2) Is practically being given away. This one has more rust than truck #1. There are rust holes in the floor on the driver's side, rust in the doors, and rust over the back wheel wells. There are no dents, and the frame and rest of the body is in decent shape.
So my question is: Is it worth it to get the more expensive truck, seeing as it has much less rust repair needed (it does need roof dents fixed though)? Or would it be better to get the cheaper truck, as the rust repair might not be enough to eat up the $1800 price difference?
I'm really dumb when it comes to body work, paint, and rust repair. That's why I'm asking.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, SC
Me personally, I would go for #1. Body work can get pretty expensive especially if you don't know how to do it yourself. But, like sheldon, I too am a cheap *******, so it would really all depend on the extent of the rust damage.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I cant do bodywork well yet either, but with the extra 1800 bucks, you could always buy a mig welder, maybe a plasma cutter, and yo could learn to do the bodywork, then in the end have the tools for the next project!
I should have added, it would depend a little on the extent of the rust too. It could be past teh point of no return for a diy bodyworker!
I should have added, it would depend a little on the extent of the rust too. It could be past teh point of no return for a diy bodyworker!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
I also say what kind of truck
Wheel well rust is fairly easy especially if you can buy patch panels
Floor rust is a bit harder but still easier ifyou can purchase floor pans,but I always am skeptical about underlying areas I can't see that can actually be worse than what I see
Dents on top of cabs can be trying but doable
Wheel well rust is fairly easy especially if you can buy patch panels
Floor rust is a bit harder but still easier ifyou can purchase floor pans,but I always am skeptical about underlying areas I can't see that can actually be worse than what I see
Dents on top of cabs can be trying but doable
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 2
From: White Mnt's,New Hampshire
i would get truck one..by the time you spend $$ on new floors and time welding and puting them in..you have 1800 in it any ways..if your just building the truck to show off the HP..then get the #2..cut and weld in patches and beat the crap out of it...
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton FL
Less rust will probably be better in the long run if your going to keep it. All mech stuff can be replaced, bodies and beds are a pia and expensive.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Rochdale MA
If truck 2 has that much rust I would be concerned about the frame and other under carriage stuff.
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Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Sorry, keeping the truck a secret for now. I have some big plans, and when the time comes I'll tell everyone. There are only a handful of people who know about it. There are 2 people on this forum who know about it, and they aren't saying anything either 
As for the rust, I might talk to a few body shops. See what they have for complete body repair and paint service combined.
There's no way I can figure out body work on my own. I have never learned how to weld, use a cutting tool, etc. Probably not a good idea for me to learn on a truck I plan to turn into a beast. I'm a wrench turner, not a finisher.
As for the rust, I might talk to a few body shops. See what they have for complete body repair and paint service combined.
There's no way I can figure out body work on my own. I have never learned how to weld, use a cutting tool, etc. Probably not a good idea for me to learn on a truck I plan to turn into a beast. I'm a wrench turner, not a finisher.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Be careful though, if a truck has some rust that you can see, there is most likely alot more that ya cant see!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
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From: Port Murray, NJ
Be careful though, if a truck has some rust that you can see, there is most likely alot more that ya cant see!
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
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Sorry, keeping the truck a secret for now. I have some big plans, and when the time comes I'll tell everyone. There are only a handful of people who know about it. There are 2 people on this forum who know about it, and they aren't saying anything either
There's no way I can figure out body work on my own. I have never learned how to weld, use a cutting tool, etc. Probably not a good idea for me to learn on a truck I plan to turn into a beast. I'm a wrench turner, not a finisher.
There's no way I can figure out body work on my own. I have never learned how to weld, use a cutting tool, etc. Probably not a good idea for me to learn on a truck I plan to turn into a beast. I'm a wrench turner, not a finisher.
Curtis, I have a little bit of experience with body work. It isn't hard, but it does take some knowledge, patience, and the right tools.
The guys are right though, bad rust is like a cancer, its almost impossible to stop/get rid of, unless you plan on rebuilding some body panels or replacing them, I'd go with Truck #1.