Rust Analysis?

[jeremyg]

My cousin is looking at buying a 62 in San Diego. Overall decent condition but has a decent amount of rust on the quarter panels and undercarriage. I’m comfortable advising him on the engine work, but haven’t dealt much with rust/chassis so would appreciate any insight you guys have.

Apparently this was a Maryland truck for decades before making the move to California. Currently registered in Montana to avoid smog.

First photo scares me. Looks like those c channels would need to be replaced which means a full frame off chassis work that’ll run him a couple thousand $?

 

[405]

That is more rust than I would feel comfortable with personally. Being he is in San Diego, finding a better rust free example shouldn't be too hard. I would keep looking.

 

[diesellibrarian]

You can replace the c-channels without lifting the body off the frame, but I'd bet that once they are out, it will become apparent that the rear frame rails are severely compromised as well. Doesn't seem worth the risk.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

You can replace the c-channels without lifting the body off the frame, but I'd bet that once they are out, it will become apparent that the rear frame rails are severely compromised as well. Doesn't seem worth the risk.

And possibly the very rear xmember

 

[brian]

What rust?
Drive it as is and don't worry about it.

 

[BurntToast]

East coast, sure. West coast hard pass

 

[SteveH]

If you carefully inspect the entire frame, end-to-end, and determine that just replacing the C-channels will do it (and the rest of the truck is very clean), that truck might be worth it. But, deduct big $$ for the C-channel job, since it isn't much fun.