Found a 1971 Chevy 1-Ton - what do you think?

[dhaymaker]

A friend has a 1-ton, says it's a '71, with a rebuilt 396 (never been fired), engine compartment has been jammed, lots of body work done, and has most of the parts for reassembly. Truck is a BB, 4-speed, and the metal looks to be in decent shape. We roughly measured/estimated the wheelbase at 157 inches. I'm not really familiar with the 1-tons (I did recently find a thread here on 1-tons) but I'm curious what this truck might be worth. I need another project like I need another hole in my head, but you know how that goes. What do you think, ideas, opinions.

[dhaymaker]

A few thoughts from looking at the truck... We noticed the '67 fenders, the '67/'68 steering wheel, the doors are '72 (noticed the screw on the inside of the door, near the vent window). In a box near the truck was a bunch of parts, including '67/'68 grille trim.

I was told the motor is a 396, couldn't see the number on the pad in front of the head and didn't have a chance to check the block code, and it's supposed to be fresh. Pulled the dipstick and the oil is absolutely clean. No fuel in the fuel filter.

The frame has been cut and "modified" at the very rear. Looks like they possibly had some kind of bed on it such as a rolloff or a dovetail bed and wanted the slant at the tail.

Isn't the dash also indicative of a 1967, or even a 1968, with the four holes? (I think they were headlights, wipers, choke, and throttle?)

[63chevyll]

Looks cool. As anything just make sure the vin matches.

Would be cool.with a dually bed on it
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[special-K]

All the dashes have those holes in there. The optional manual throttle would go in the lower right hole under the wipers in a 69-72. Does it have disc brakes up front and is the gas pedal the kind that doesn't touch the floor? Like a cable throttle type? That would indicate a 71/72 cab and the discs would indicate 71/72 Chassis. That and 9/16" wheel studs all around. 70-72 VIN-plates on the door jamb are one piece and 67-69 are two piece. My hunch is it's a '71 with a '67 clip. The core support is a 67/68. Don't know about the motor. If it is a 396 it wouldn't be the original '71 motor,which you probably already know.

[dhaymaker]

special-K, You're right! I had forgotten about all of the holes in the dash, just depends on how many are exposed! The truck does have disc brakes, and I believe the chassis is a '71-'72. Couldn't actually get in the cab, as you might be able to see in the picture, the doors were taped shut (along with the windshield and back window) for transit from shop to shop. Since I couldn't open the door, I didn't get to see the VIN plate. I will need to get the VIN for further research, but I agree with your assessment, this appears to be a '71 and someone wanted to have the '67 front sheetmetal, much like my current '72 GMC that appears as a '68 Chevy! As far as the 396, not sure why someone would do that. I guess if you just had the motor and wanted it in the truck, but if I were going to that much work, I would probably have opted to put rebuild money into a 454.

[Bill72]

Most 71's that I have seen have the 402 listed as a 396 on the SPID. Would make me wonder if it wasn't a 402 all along. You would think that this would have been verified before the rebore though.

[LockDoc]

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Just from the glimpse I get of the ignition switch bezel it looks like the '68-'72 style. The '67 would be the small one.

LockDoc

[dhaymaker]

Bill72 - Based on the year, if this is the original motor, it would seem this should be a 402. That was one of the first things I thought of when they said this was a 396. Of course, the "396" moniker hung around for a long time!

LocDoc - Good point on the ignition bezel. Pretty sure it's a later cab with the earlier core support, planning for the '67 sheetmetal.

Wonder what this 1-ton is realistically worth?

[special-K]

It's a kind of tough one to put a value on. I'd say $2,500 because of it's unfinished state,no bed,and your location. But...it's a body in ready to paint condition,It's already cut-in,it has a freshly rebuilt 396...maybe more? Maybe less. I'd want some examples to compare from your area. What would a running untouched one go for in decent condition? You'll never find an exact comparable,so I'd look at things like what it would take to get it where it is and/or what it's saving you from doing. You could count up what it has in it now and go down from there.

[bobs409]

Looks like ALOT of work has been done and with a rebuilt big block, there is no way I'd sell it for $2,500. (unless I was very desperate) There is probably that much in the engine.

I could see the engine being sold seperately. That's about the only way he will get the most.

Just my opinion, I could very well be wrong!

[special-K]

I just took a stab at it. So,what would your answer to the question be? What would a painted assembled cab & chassis be worth with no bed? I figure 1/2 that with work left to be done and maybe not everything there to do it with. Like they say,"You'll get more if you finish it" or "You'll get more out of it if you part it". A vehicle in this state is a buyer's benefit. There are guys who make a living buying abandoned projects,getting them running & rolling,and selling for a nice profit,leaving the final details to the buyer. You can come out good selling a vehicle you never touched,if you bought it right. But,once you put money into it you have to finish it to get it back. I'm not saying $2,500 firm. I'd think no less and maybe a bit more.

[bobs409]

I know, it's hard to put a price on something like this. The 1 ton part makes it alot tougher. Not knocking your estimate. I just mean't the engine is worth more. I know I have just over 3K into rebuilding my small block for the wrecker.

In the end, it's all up to what someone will pay and what the seller will take.

[dhaymaker]

I've gotten a little more background on the deal with this truck. I've dealt with the individual currently holding the truck on a number of occasions and he's been pretty straight with me. The 1-ton came to him because he was owed some money by the truck's PO. There is a clean/clear title for the truck, and I would obviously need to check the VIN, etc. He has a certain amount of money in the truck, but I can probably buy the truck for less, because he just wants it gone. (No, he's not really into the '67-'72 trucks.)

I appreciate the input from all of you. It's been interesting to compare your thoughts and thought processes with my own, and finding in many cases there is a lot of similarity in our thinking. However, I do find it interesting how differently people think about the cost of a motor, whether it's buying one or rebuilding one. A couple of my friends are all about the fresh 396, and a couple of them say without hearing it run they view it as a rebuilder! Others say you can buy a crate motor now and be better off financially. I will say I've had mixed results with the crater motor thing, unless you get up into the higher price range motors.

Well, aside from a decision concerning buying this 1-ton and figuring out what to do with it, my biggest concern is it's not closed up and I don't have shop space to get it inside. Guess I could seal it up and let it set until I can get to it!

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by dhaymaker

a couple of them say without hearing it run they view it as a rebuilder!

This is how I look at it.

[cerjio]

Id say buy it build it in to a recker truck or a Truck Hauler for getting those other project trucks in the future !!!!!!

[71swb4x4]

I would have a hard time paying $2,500 for it. Too many questions. First of all, you are getting your info from someone who got their info from someone else. Maybe the engine is rebuilt, maybe it isn't rebuilt at all, maybe it's rebuilt incorrectly. Maybe the body has some scary things hiding under the gray and black primer. Maybe it's a mutt put together from 5 different trucks.
In my opinion I would be taking a chance on it, so I am going to pay less to take that chance. Maybe I make out like a bandit, maybe I don't, but I am going to limit my exposure to getting burned by paying less than it might be "worth".

[dhaymaker]

Given the overall condition, what can actually be seen, and throw in what's been said, what would be the general consensus if the truck could be bought for, say, $1,750.00 - $2,000.00? I've also been told the 396 was professionally assembled. And, still keeping in mind much of what I've been told is, as 71swb4x4 noted, information told by someone to someone, etc.

[Palf70Step]

I like the looks of the truck. It would make a neat project for sure. History is skeptical, but then again even if you know the history it does not mean it will be a good deal. Good luck.

[bobs409]

Well, if it's a fresh rebuilt engine, say "show me the reciepts"! If it really is rebuilt, they should be able to show those with no problems.

I know from experience by the time you buy a 396 and rebuild it, your into 4K or better.

This is the main reason I thought the estimates given were on the low side.

If it were me selling this truck, first off if I wanted to make any money, I'd paint the thing! It's just about ready to spray by the looks of it.

Since it's unfinished (not a complete truck), I think the best way to get the most money from it would be to sell the engine seperately providing I could prove it's fully rebuilt.

Just one man's thoughts...

[71swb4x4]

$1750 - $2,000 isn't much risk on your part. With a magnet you should be able to check that cab over really well. If it's as solid as it look you are looking at $750 EASY. A 396 that is rebuildable is worth $750 easy too. Sold 67 front fenders, probably $200 each easy. That leaves you with a frame, rearend, wheels, transmission, and probably a bunch of other parts too.
If that 396 is rebuilt as you suspect, well then you have made out like a bandit

[special-K]

I'd say you're good at $1,500-2,000. I don't know what's sketchy about the work that's been done. Do we ever know what's below the paint or primer? Do we ever know how well a motor will hold together? To me the safest way to buy a truck is as original as possible. In this truck's case I'd have no more apprehension than if it was a shiny complete truck at a show with a for sale sign on it. As far as the 396 goes,I'd invest in valve cover gaskets and have a look see under there,look at the oil,get it to fire up,check compression,listen to it,read the oil pressure,and decide if it's rebuilt or not. A motor can be rebuilt for far less than some may think,even paying someone to do it. For instance,I had my 327 rebuilt with flat top pistons,roller rockers,air gap intake,all buttoned up and painted for $1,300. But,if you find it probably wasn't rebuilt (and people are outright liars) then I'd put little value on the motor towards the value of the truck. I know people who would pay good money for a 396 rebuilder,though.
I see where having nowhere to stick it inside would be a concern. I guess you couldn't swing getting paint shot on it fairly quick? I guess the problem is no door glass and you wouldn't want to put a tarp on fresh paint or that looks to be an unsealed primer. All I know is that truck in that color sure would look good along side of your shortbed. So,I say "Buy it NOW"

[RenoKeene]

Like Mr. K said...pull the valve cover, that will tell you a lot about the motor. Valve cover gaskets are pretty cheap.

[a_barth]

Not to remove from the topic of the motor but my guess is that is not the original cab as I don't see any marker light holes or bosses which were required by GVW. They may have been filled/smoothed too, just something I noticed.

[dhaymaker]

While looking at the truck, a friend and I were talking about the missing side markers and we noticed the cab did not have any marker lights/holes. Shortly after this discussion, we found a box of parts that belong with this truck and in the box were side markers as well as the cab lights! The cab appears to be a later, non-air cab, and the doors are from a '72. But, as I indicated earlier, there was also some '67/'68 grill trim. So, it appears they were putting a '67 front clip on the truck. Not sure why they eliminated the cab markers, maybe for a cleaner look?

Thanks, again, for everyone's input. Drawing closer to a decision and I'll let ya'all know what happens!

don

[70cst]

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