Is it sooooo bad? (1 Viewer)

[Heckraiser]

Body work is expensive. I just wouldn't get a 60 if it had much rust. Been there done that, and it was a losing battle. So the next time around, I bought one from AZ, but I was so afraid to drive it in winter I ended up selling it for a rusty lexus with a salvage title. I figure no matter what happens to this truck, the value can't get any worse

 

[4david]

The one I'm looking at - he claims there's no rust- looks beautiful. He just painted it because the paint was old, he said he used the good DuPont paint. He did the bottom in black. My concern is that it's been in New Jersey all its life. If he's lying about Russ being an issue previously and it's been repaired, but that really matter if the car runs well and shows nicely

 

[4david]

***with the understanding that if it was repaired it might be all bondo

View attachment 1207452 The one I'm looking at - he claims there's no rust- looks beautiful. He just painted it because the paint was old, he said he used the good DuPont paint. He did the bottom in black. My concern is that it's been in New Jersey all its life. If he's lying about Russ being an issue previously and it's been repaired, but that really matter if the car runs well and shows nicely

 

[cruiserdan]

If half of all of it's life was spent in a garage between October and April then rust should not be an issue.

 

[SteveH]

Body repair is relatively easy, compared to frame repair. I would concentrate on the frame and undercarriage, not the outward body appearance. Even some halfway-decent-appearing body rigs have wasted frames, and that's a deal killer.

he claims there's no rust- looks beautiful.

You need to put it on a lift, or climb under the entire truck to verify.

 

[4david]

What do you think about me getting someone from a local (to the truck) body shop to give it a good once over. Explain that I want him to take his time, examine the frame and maybe bring a magnet for the body.

Is that enough due diligence?

 

[4david]

Ok guys... Here's the deal. I called a few shops in the area... Explained the situation. No one wants the job it seems.

I explained that I'm not asking them to check the car mechanically. Just put it on a lift, check for rust and or rust repair, check the frame for rot and or rot repair. They don't want to do it. They offered to give the car a once over free of charge and often that's enough.

I'm afraid I'm beat on this.

It's not a 3k rig i could take my chances on.

This search sucks

 

[MOCO62]

guy i bought from listed no rust in his offer. shockingly he was not telling the truth.... my local mechanics also wouldnt be any great resource, you need a specialist. any of the shops on this thread?
CRUISER MECHANICS - Listed by State

 

[Heckraiser]

Body repair is relatively easy, compared to frame repair. I would concentrate on the frame and undercarriage, not the outward body appearance. Even some halfway-decent-appearing body rigs have wasted frames, and that's a deal killer.

he claims there's no rust- looks beautiful.

You need to put it on a lift, or climb under the entire truck to verify.

Couldn't disagree with you more! Frame repair = welding on thick metal that nobody cares what it looks like. Welding thick metal is easy welding sheet metal is hard and shaping sheet metal is even harder!

I have also met a lot more toyotas with a wasted body and good frame than the other way around (the exception being late 90's tacomas and 4runners). Frame and axles can get a lot of patina and surface rust before you get to the point of having to worry.