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How far gone is TOO far gone?

M

meanboyjr

1/2 ton status
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Posts
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Location
South Sound, WA
I'm talking about rust.

So I've had my '76 for 15 years now. The rust monster lives everywhere on the body, but the frame is still solid. My main concern is the rust on the roof above the middle of the windshield, as well at the top of the rear "hoop" where the removable top connects to the roof. Floors and rockers are shot but hey...my worry is the roof rot is beyond fixing. I could certainly tackle floor/rockers/fenders/doors, but the more complicated stuff would have to be farmed out.

I've been looking at other K5s (especially the 87-ups) but the prices seem pretty steep in my area. Before I go shelling out $$$ on another ride, I ask the opinion of the opinionated here on fixing up the old girl. Worth it or not? Is there a point when we just salvage what we can and send the rest off to the scrapyard?

(Working on pics of the rust, but she's currently parked on a friend's property about 45 minutes away)
 
Location is everything. Rust free trucks in the rust prone locations command a premium.

Look in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada are dry and less prone to rust. You'll have to factor in getting it home but it still could be cheaper than buying local.
 
Pics may condemn the truck but this could be a good opportunity to do a full top conversion. There are parts available in the for sale forum for a conversion.
 
"Too far gone" varies depending on where you live,and how good a mig welder you are..and how willing & able you are to weld it back together..

Here in MA if the truck's frame is still intact--people will weld patch panels together until they have a "new" cab or tub,and go about hopping up the drive line..

My pickup is probably beyond the "too far gone" mark by about 10+ years--but I'm still driving it, and need it to plow my long double driveway..the frame has a few spots that need welding,and a rear spring hanger ,the front most one on the drivers side rear spring recently rotted one side right off,I had to patch it together with angle iron,temporarily until I get the replacement hanger installed--I know the frame has a hole in between the area the hanger spans,so that'll need to be patched too..whole frame needs to be blasted or pressure washed and painted too,before it gets any worse..

The stepside 8 foot bed is pretty wasted--wooden floor is rotted,some pieces of wood missing,fenders are rotted around the gas tank doors and dented,steps are about ready to fold over when you step on them--
I have a flat bed I may put on it rather than fix the stepside bed..

The cab was very solid when I got it in 2003,but has a few spots patched on the floor,the cab mounts are getting ripe,and I've already beefed up one on the drivers side--worst part was the roof,someone put a thick 1" layer of bondo across the entire top of it,I assume it got whacked by a falling tree--they put a Lund visor on it to hide the damage and rust,the inside above the sun visors had to be patched up with waterproofing tape so my crotch wouldn't get rain water pooling in it..--both doors had the bottom 6" missing ,I made crude skins to cover them,the whole nose is patched together with tin & pop rivets,screws,bolts----most guys would have scrapped it a long time ago,but I tend to keep things until I say they are junk..

I could buy all the body parts it needs for under $500,so I may just keep it and pick at things as my physical ability allows..even if I found a better truck cheap,I'd be reluctant to get rid of it..

Just realized I was 45 years old when I got this pickup!..now I'm 62..:eek:..and the G-10 van I still have,I got in 1990 when I was only 32 !...:eek:...no wonder they are getting ripe--and I don't feel like fixing them much,but have too if I want to keep 'em..
 
meanboyjr said:
I'm talking about rust.

So I've had my '76 for 15 years now. The rust monster lives everywhere on the body, but the frame is still solid. My main concern is the rust on the roof above the middle of the windshield, as well at the top of the rear "hoop" where the removable top connects to the roof. Floors and rockers are shot but hey...my worry is the roof rot is beyond fixing. I could certainly tackle floor/rockers/fenders/doors, but the more complicated stuff would have to be farmed out.

I've been looking at other K5s (especially the 87-ups) but the prices seem pretty steep in my area. Before I go shelling out $$$ on another ride, I ask the opinion of the opinionated here on fixing up the old girl. Worth it or not? Is there a point when we just salvage what we can and send the rest off to the scrapyard?

(Working on pics of the rust, but she's currently parked on a friend's property about 45 minutes away)
Click to expand...
You are in Washington, plenty of clean blazers around and if you wait for them, cheap enough to use the body and transfer any good parts you have.
A few hours east of you you have @kennyw , he is always finding deals and parting out. Maybe talk to him
 
ZooMad75 said:
Location is everything. Rust free trucks in the rust prone locations command a premium.

Look in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Nevada are dry and less prone to rust. You'll have to factor in getting it home but it still could be cheaper than buying local.
Click to expand...
Stay out of Wyoming, those are mine.:whistle:




He is right, in the right locations rust free still is available and affordable. 87 and later has been inching up in price here too.
 
Likely if the windshield is gone, so is the A pillar and most of the structural pieces. I just sold a rust free 85 K5, complete other than most of the interior was gone for $2K. There are other deals like that out there.
 
The '76 has sentimental value, but I'm afraid it's really far gone. When I get pics (probably Monday) I'll post them up here.

In the meantime, the search continues. Any suggestions on where to look other than craigslist?
 
meanboyjr said:
The '76 has sentimental value, but I'm afraid it's really far gone. When I get pics (probably Monday) I'll post them up here.

In the meantime, the search continues. Any suggestions on where to look other than craigslist?
Click to expand...

Lot of guys on here don’t like Face book. But F/B market place is where is at these days it seems.
 
Everything has moved away from craigslist lately. Facebook marketplace seems to br the best, or even local FB squarebody groups.
 
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