Would this scare you off?

[muddybuddy]

Found a 90 k5, that looks to be in great shape, however the pics below give me hesitation (as i was looking for rust free, which is very hard to come by on east coast). I was pumped to go see it until i got the photos below and now I’m on the fence. Its 2hrs away so wanting to get yalls thoughts before deciding to make drive. Does the underbody seem like its just surface and could be sanded/treated and painted, or think cancer has started? Obviously the lower corners by the tailgate would need some work...how difficult would that be to repair?

Would these photos scare you away? Inner fenders (front and rear) are clean, undersides of doors are clean. It is not a screaming deal, though prices of

It does have a gm certified new (not reman) 350 and 700r4 dealer installed and seller has paperwork with 6k miles on motor/trans, 121k overall. He was a master tech at one of the chevy dealerships. Obviously the motor and trans w/paperwork are appealing.

Intention is a clean reliable k5 i can drive anywhere, and eventually do the full vert conversion. (Not going to be a wheeler this go around)

 

[Blazooki]

midwest guys call that "factory"

 

[nvrenuf]

It doesn’t look horrible but it seems like an unusual amount of rust (the taillight post) for a southeast truck unless y’all use salt or it’s in a city by the coast.

 

[kennyw]

That looks like a rig that requires complete disassembly and media blasting to me. Otherwise, the rot will only continue. I'm about to do the same with a 76 K5.

 

[Cntymnty77]

There’s no 5”+ holes?! That’s better than “rust free” where I come from!

 

[fordsucks!]

Doesn't look too bad to me. I think it's a repaint, where the tailgate closes, the right side upper latch looks like it's over sprayed. I would drive it

 

[b454rat]

What rust? That is what we call borderline mint.

 

[muddybuddy]

The guy says its been garaged the last 10 years, but every year he did take it down to the outer banks and drive it up on the beach, so i think thats why its had what appears to be salt exposure.

The body and interior appear to be in very good shape, but the dash pad is cracked, so that would need to be replaced. He is asking $9k. Prices of k5’s have really seemed to go up since I sold my last one. There are several with visible rust on the exterior with people asking $8k+.

I’ve lost out on a couple squeaky clean ones because they got scooped up before I could get there, I dont know if I’d be settling, and maybe I’m partially rationalizing it with the near new motor/trans that it shouldnt have any mechanical issues for a long time.

 

[obijuank5]

I would pass on that so fast. I am to the point in my life where I'm not settling from impatience.
For 10 grand buy one from the west and ship it in. The caliber of truck you are looking for probably cant be easy to find locally. Sounds like you know what you want and at the same can afford it.

 

[bp71k5]

I would pass on that so fast. I am to the point in my life where I'm not settling from impatience.
For 10 grand buy one from the west and ship it in. The caliber of truck you are looking for probably cant be easy to find locally. Sounds like you know what you want and at the same can afford it.

I was going to also say that. That’s a $4k truck in CA.

 

[muddybuddy]

Thats what I was thinking as well, just needed the brotherhood to tell me.

I’ve been actively looking for at least the past year, and have been looking on the west coast (mostly CA, but also TX). With all the scams with online ads, its more concerning to send money to a guy across the country sight unseen and have it shipped, but totally agree thats likely where the quality of truck I’m looking for resides.

The last couple I have looked at have been grossly misrepresented. I guess my standards and expectations of a “rust-free” truck are different than most sellers.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

I’d hop a southwest flight for cheap and check/pay for it myself. Would only add $3-500 to your price. $10K can get you a lot of truck if you strike fast.

 

[6872xtc]

I agree that $9K is too much for that one. I think that the mechanical stuff is easier than stopping rust. Arizona, Nevada and California will probably have the cleanest body candidates. Heck, I have found less rust here than that one.

 

[jekquistk5]

Are you only going to drive it during the summer?

 

[sweetk30]

the theme song to jaws comes to mind with the stuff i see in the pics .

the area's i see are hard as hell to clean up once started up here in the rust belt zone .

 

[muddybuddy]

Are you only going to drive it during the summer?

Ideally yes. But I was hoping to have some sort of under coating applied (like a por-15, although i think i read people are now moving away from that? That was the rage 10+ years ago when I was building my last k5) to prevent rust in the event it does get driven in the winter (would be back up vehicle in winter months). I know the potential concern with applying undercoating is that it could trap moisture and it could still rust. Unfortunately, relocating to CA and NV and avoiding winter are out of the question.

 

[Talon762]

Ideally yes. But I was hoping to have some sort of under coating applied (like a por-15, although i think i read people are now moving away from that? That was the rage 10+ years ago when I was building my last k5) to prevent rust in the event it does get driven in the winter (would be back up vehicle in winter months). I know the potential concern with applying undercoating is that it could trap moisture and it could still rust. Unfortunately, relocating to CA and NV and avoiding winter are out of the question.

Fluid film is the best for rust-prevention

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Plan on $1k-1200 for shipping and buy one and ship from the west. Screw dickin with anything this way.

It’s so nice being able to turn any bolt without fire or a gallon of penetrating oil

 

[K5Jimmy]

If it's been on the beach, you have rust you can't see. I agree that it's a $4k truck in Arkansas.

 

[nvrenuf]

I bought my old 91 crew cab out of Arizona, so nice and clean. It literally had a hand size spot of shiny bare metal on the back of the cab, ZERO rust.