I just bought an 84 Chevy truck with 38k miles (and no rust)

Chaparral · April 29th, 2008, 11:31 PM

Since I can't pull up netzero and access my email, I'm pretty bored at the moment. Thought I'd share my recent waay off topic purchase with you.

A 1984 Chevy 3/4 ton with 38k original miles.

Low miles is one thing, no rust is another! This truck belonged to my best friend's grandfather. He bought it new and kept it until he died about two years ago. I know the miles are correct. He lived out in the country and hardly ever went anywhere. Surprisingly enough, no one in the family wanted it. At the time, I didn't have the cash and my father in law bought it from the estate. But he turned around and sold it before I even knew he wanted to sell it. It's was bought and sold a couple of times since then. This was a plain jane Papaw truck, but the recent owners put the visor on it, the window vent shade, replaced the steel wheels and dog dish hub caps(that was ok), they had fake stick on hood scoops on it(first thing I took off) and a bug shield. It came up for sale a few weeks ago and I bought it.

There was light green mildew all over the gray plastic grill when my father in law bought it. The paint was pretty dull. I've been taking rubbing compound, polishing compound and wax to it. In this picture it turned out great. In person it looks pretty good too. There is only a few small spots of surface rust on it, on one corner of the hood and a small rust bubble near a door handle. Other than that, the rocker panels, cab corners, bedsides and wheel opening etc..are all solid as they can be.

It is has turbo 350 transmission which is a 3 spd, and doesn't help with what little fuel mileage it would get otherwise. No AC, No tilt wheel, crank windows etc... My father in law had it just long enough to put a new dash in it as the original was badly cracked. I am expecting new door panels tomorrow as the old ones have been spray painted red by a recent owner.

I'm 35 and still have the 79 Silverado my Dad bought new, although it has nearly rusted away. But I grew up with these trucks and even though gas here is $3.60 a gallon, I've driven it into town when I could have taken my nissan car, just because I like to drive it.

Colo Springs E · April 29th, 2008, 11:42 PM

....that is definitely low miles for a truck that old--congrats!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaparral

But I grew up with these trucks and even though gas here is $3.60 a gallon, I've driven it into town when I could have taken my nissan car, just because I like to drive it.

That is so funny, I absolutely can relate... that's how I am about my "new" '88 Mercedes 300E. Definitely not the most fuel-efficient vehicle ever, but man is it a joy to drive.

The no-rust aspect is certainly a good thing... enjoy!!

wooderson · April 30th, 2008, 12:04 AM

When my grandfather died in 1990, his '73 Ford (in faded puke green) had 22k miles on it. Bought new, had a three-speed automatic, no power steering, no radio, no air.

But he had wired it up for a oscillating desk fan that was mounted on the dashboard.

outbreak · April 30th, 2008, 12:09 AM

my cars an 89' i got it with 30k Kms dunno how many miles that is but in australia its low

boris bubbanov · April 30th, 2008, 12:49 AM

Well, Chaparral, keep a close eye on the water pump seals, transmission seals and things like that; make sure there's still lube in the differential and be careful about running her at high RPMs with that 3 speed. No doubt the revs were kept real low and what wear you have on the piston walls is "short". The rings will probably be fragile until such time as you hone 'er out and replace the rings, bearings and seals. Don't be shy about changing out that transmission fluid. You could also drop and clean out that fuel tank.

About that fuel mileage: Just remind yourself how many tankfuls of gas in todays monthly car payment, you'll be fine.

Nick JD · April 30th, 2008, 12:51 AM

Score!

Old with low mileage is way better than new with high mileage. I had a Mitsubishi van that was 15 years old - had 67 000 km on the clock. I drove it for a year all over the place, sold it for the same price I bought it, and the only thing that ever broke was an interior light cover.

JamonHamon · April 30th, 2008, 12:54 AM

About 4 years ago I bought a 1968 Chevy C20 mostly restored and looks beautiful Dark Blue & White sorry no photos and runs like new

Slow Reflexes · April 30th, 2008, 04:02 AM

I once bought a '75 Pinto Wagon with 7K miles on it for $250... a little ol' lady had owned it for 17 years and traded it in; the Ford dealer didn't want the thing on his lot. Salesman walked into the convenience store where I was working and while he was buying his big-gulp told me about her (he saw her bringing the thing in for appraisal and laughed his fool head off that she thought she'd get any money for it); I went down a half hour later and bought it before she'd even driven her new Taurus off the lot.

Drove like brand-new... Still had the original tires on it, even (no, I didn't try to drive on them other than around the corner to the tire shop). Kinda wish I hadn't gotten rid of it. Although, I did sell it three years later for more than I'd paid, so I guess that counts for something.

Colo Springs E · April 30th, 2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Although, I did sell it three years later for more than I'd paid, so I guess that counts for something.

Well, also it didn't blow up on you, that counts for something with a Pinto!

sneakyjapan · April 30th, 2008, 07:26 AM

no rust? so...it isn`t reliced then?

Tim Armstrong · April 30th, 2008, 11:07 AM

What a cool ride!

My beater backup vehicle is a '77 Toyota pickup truck with only 125k on it. I'm pretty sure that it sat for well over a decade, it had a set of Sears bias-ply tires on it when I got it two years ago! They were dry-rotted, but still had plenty of tread on 'em! The thing is pretty well rusted, too...

I call it Godzilla, because it's prehistoric, green, scaly, Japanese, and almost impossible to kill!

Cheers, Tim

Jakedog · April 30th, 2008, 11:15 AM

I'm not a Chevy fan, but those early-mid 80's Siverado's are just cool looking trucks. It's a beauty man.

A great candidate for a full restore, but if it were mine, it would get hot-rodded to hell and gone. Those things make GREAT street/drag race trucks.

Jake

Chaparral · April 30th, 2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakedog

I'm not a Chevy fan, but those early-mid 80's Siverado's are just cool looking trucks. It's a beauty man.

A great candidate for a full restore, but if it were mine, it would get hot-rodded to hell and gone. Those things make GREAT street/drag race trucks.
Jake

I don't know how many 3/4 ton long beds have been made into hotrods.

Back then, Sliverado was a trim level not a model. This is a "Custom Deluxe" which means it was plainer than the nose on my face. No carpet, no headliner, no air, no tilt wheel, no cruise, no power windows or doors etc. For the year, it's in terrific shape. I can't afford a restoration, but I can get it as clean as it can get and keep it parked out of the elements.

Chaparral · April 30th, 2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

What a cool ride!

I call it Godzilla, because it's prehistoric, green, scaly, Japanese, and almost impossible to kill!

Cheers, Tim

Way Cool! You don't see those anymore.

April 29th, 2008, 11:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chaparral Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 133	I just bought an 84 Chevy truck with 38k miles (and no rust) Since I can't pull up netzero and access my email, I'm pretty bored at the moment. Thought I'd share my recent waay off topic purchase with you. A 1984 Chevy 3/4 ton with 38k original miles. Low miles is one thing, no rust is another! This truck belonged to my best friend's grandfather. He bought it new and kept it until he died about two years ago. I know the miles are correct. He lived out in the country and hardly ever went anywhere. Surprisingly enough, no one in the family wanted it. At the time, I didn't have the cash and my father in law bought it from the estate. But he turned around and sold it before I even knew he wanted to sell it. It's was bought and sold a couple of times since then. This was a plain jane Papaw truck, but the recent owners put the visor on it, the window vent shade, replaced the steel wheels and dog dish hub caps(that was ok), they had fake stick on hood scoops on it(first thing I took off) and a bug shield. It came up for sale a few weeks ago and I bought it. There was light green mildew all over the gray plastic grill when my father in law bought it. The paint was pretty dull. I've been taking rubbing compound, polishing compound and wax to it. In this picture it turned out great. In person it looks pretty good too. There is only a few small spots of surface rust on it, on one corner of the hood and a small rust bubble near a door handle. Other than that, the rocker panels, cab corners, bedsides and wheel opening etc..are all solid as they can be. It is has turbo 350 transmission which is a 3 spd, and doesn't help with what little fuel mileage it would get otherwise. No AC, No tilt wheel, crank windows etc... My father in law had it just long enough to put a new dash in it as the original was badly cracked. I am expecting new door panels tomorrow as the old ones have been spray painted red by a recent owner. I'm 35 and still have the 79 Silverado my Dad bought new, although it has nearly rusted away. But I grew up with these trucks and even though gas here is $3.60 a gallon, I've driven it into town when I could have taken my nissan car, just because I like to drive it.

April 30th, 2008, 12:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
outbreak Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Age: 20 Posts: 455	my cars an 89' i got it with 30k Kms dunno how many miles that is but in australia its low __________________ '07 MIM std tele '07 Epiphone Studio Dot '08 Gretsch 5120 '08 Ibanex accoustic '07 VOX ad50vt

April 30th, 2008, 12:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,684	Well, Chaparral, keep a close eye on the water pump seals, transmission seals and things like that; make sure there's still lube in the differential and be careful about running her at high RPMs with that 3 speed. No doubt the revs were kept real low and what wear you have on the piston walls is "short". The rings will probably be fragile until such time as you hone 'er out and replace the rings, bearings and seals. Don't be shy about changing out that transmission fluid. You could also drop and clean out that fuel tank. About that fuel mileage: Just remind yourself how many tankfuls of gas in todays monthly car payment, you'll be fine. __________________ Bubban0v

April 30th, 2008, 12:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,234	Score! Old with low mileage is way better than new with high mileage. I had a Mitsubishi van that was 15 years old - had 67 000 km on the clock. I drove it for a year all over the place, sold it for the same price I bought it, and the only thing that ever broke was an interior light cover. __________________

April 30th, 2008, 07:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,410 3 Photos	no rust? so...it isn`t reliced then? __________________ quasi mojo

April 30th, 2008, 12:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
wooderson Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: DFW, TX Age: 27 Posts: 177	When my grandfather died in 1990, his '73 Ford (in faded puke green) had 22k miles on it. Bought new, had a three-speed automatic, no power steering, no radio, no air. But he had wired it up for a oscillating desk fan that was mounted on the dashboard.

April 30th, 2008, 12:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,300	About 4 years ago I bought a 1968 Chevy C20 mostly restored and looks beautiful Dark Blue & White sorry no photos and runs like new

April 30th, 2008, 04:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
Slow Reflexes Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Willamette and Columbia Posts: 431	I once bought a '75 Pinto Wagon with 7K miles on it for $250... a little ol' lady had owned it for 17 years and traded it in; the Ford dealer didn't want the thing on his lot. Salesman walked into the convenience store where I was working and while he was buying his big-gulp told me about her (he saw her bringing the thing in for appraisal and laughed his fool head off that she thought she'd get any money for it); I went down a half hour later and bought it before she'd even driven her new Taurus off the lot. Drove like brand-new... Still had the original tires on it, even (no, I didn't try to drive on them other than around the corner to the tire shop). Kinda wish I hadn't gotten rid of it. Although, I did sell it three years later for more than I'd paid, so I guess that counts for something.

April 30th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,923	What a cool ride! My beater backup vehicle is a '77 Toyota pickup truck with only 125k on it. I'm pretty sure that it sat for well over a decade, it had a set of Sears bias-ply tires on it when I got it two years ago! They were dry-rotted, but still had plenty of tread on 'em! The thing is pretty well rusted, too... I call it Godzilla, because it's prehistoric, green, scaly, Japanese, and almost impossible to kill! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

April 30th, 2008, 11:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TE Posts: 2,989	I'm not a Chevy fan, but those early-mid 80's Siverado's are just cool looking trucks. It's a beauty man. A great candidate for a full restore, but if it were mine, it would get hot-rodded to hell and gone. Those things make GREAT street/drag race trucks. Jake __________________ "Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him..."