Is there a rust spectrum that rates vehicles on a rust scale?

[83blazertexas]

Trying to decide where my 1983 blazer k5 fits on the RUST spectrum of:

1. oh that's pretty solid actually
.
to
.
10. You should NOT have bought that thing!


I'm new to classic car ownership and trying to learn more.

 

[83blazertexas]

additional pic where the seat belt bolt rusted out...

 

[HankScorpio]

Doesn't look horrible. I think most guys here would fix it, especially if the rest of the truck has some good things going for it. As far as a rating scale, like So- Cal to New England yours fits right in the middle of the country.

 

[sweetk30]

i do the air hammer to it trick and sweep up the floor after . if it fills a 5 gal bucket then look it over real good first before you sink money in to it .

i was born / raised / live / work in the rust belt of the north east

 

[TerryD]

You have Texas and So Cal rusty where guys scrap whole trucks for a little surface rust where the heater core leaked once in the 90s. Then you have Michigan rusty where you replace everything but the transmission tunnel cover and think you did ok since there's at least SOME original metal left.

I think you're good to fix that one up. Looks about like my 84 did. I drove it, letting the bed floor flap in the breeze. Holes in the floor are just good drainage. Haha!

 

[sweetk30]

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/plow-machine-sleeping-quietly-237-6-shifter-levers.309865/

skim this thread to under stand RUST problems

 

[Blue85]

You need to look under the rest of the carpet.

 

[obijuank5]

That's gonna be a 10 from me dawg.

 

[83blazertexas]

That's gonna be a 10 from me dawg.

You seem to know your shit so a. that worries me. b. Can you expand for a newbie on why you would have passed or how bad this to you?

 

[max 02]

I would rather rate trucks as fixable or scrap. Depends very much on skill level,determination,and area.
I would fix it. If you want it to be a show truck find a different body.

 

[83blazertexas]

I would rather rate trucks as fixable or scrap. Depends very much on skill level,determination,and area.
I would fix it. If you want it to be a show truck find a different body.

Ok, this makes sense to me. I'm not scared to put in some work and it's def not a show truck for me. I like the challenge. Plus I know a great metal guy.

 

[swettysblazer]

Mine was worse than that when I bought it. Fixed it once, it rusted again, and did a cab swap

 

[83blazertexas]

Mine was worse than that when I bought it. Fixed it once, it rusted again, and did a cab swap

How would do you call out this level of rust if going to sell and wanting to be honest. Is this Fair? Moderate? Severe? expected for year?

I'm planning on keeping and fixing since it'll be in garage but just trying to learn more.

 

[max 02]

How would do you call out this level of rust if going to sell and wanting to be honest. Is this Fair? Moderate? Severe? expected for year?

I'm planning on keeping and fixing since it'll be in garage but just trying to learn more.

Are you from Texas?
Then probably severe.
Don’t mater though if its a good rig and you got the time and want to keep it fix it .
If you get bored easy and want to flip it ...don’t

 

[max 02]

There is a few levels of rust repair.
Hack
Make it ok... hide it to sell
Do it solid so it lasts for a bit...good for a wheeler.
Go all out and fix it right.... timely and exspesive.

 

[83blazertexas]

There is a few levels of rust repair.
Hack
Make it ok... hide it to sell
Do it solid so it lasts for a bit...good for a wheeler.
Go all out and fix it right.... timely and exspesive.

Thanks for your response. This forum is good stuff. I'm gonna go for solid af.

 

[obijuank5]

You seem to know your shit so a. that worries me. b. Can you expand for a newbie on why you would have passed or how bad this to you?

It's more time than the truck is worth in it's most valuable state. This isnt a desirable muscle car. It's a truck that was made for 2 decades and they are essentially in ever town everywhere.
Buy another and be ahead of the curve.

 

[swettysblazer]

How would do you call out this level of rust if going to sell and wanting to be honest. Is this Fair? Moderate? Severe? expected for year?

I'm planning on keeping and fixing since it'll be in garage but just trying to learn more.

I live in a place where rust is a common thing so it was probably on the scale of a 3-4. But in the south or the midwest its probably on an 8 or so.

 

[83blazertexas]

It's looking better already.

 

[83blazertexas]

I won't keep posting updates here since my question about a rust spectrum has been answered. Thank you guys for helping wrap my head around my situation. If interested in progress I created a build page here. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1983-blazer-k5.338917/