Picking up new truck

[TimmyThaKid]

hey guys, im going to be picking up a 78 620 tomorrow if all goes well. just wanted to know what all i should b looking for rust wise any words of wisdom would be a great help thanks tim

[moparvwfreak]

check the FLOORS!!!!!!! thats where they REALLY like to rot.

[TrevDaddy]

Welcome, hopefully the purchase goes well. I would start by looking for the big factors:

 

-Any frame damage, and it's pretty much not worth buying.

-Rusted floor pans, bed, rockers. Can be replaced, but harder to find spare parts and body work is really hard for some people.

-Area around battery tray, tends to be one of the worst spots on these trucks for rust.

-Make sure all the electricals work: Lights, turn signals, brakes, dome light, necessary guages, inspect the harness.

-Drive around and make sure it idles, shifts properly and stops. You didn't give a detailed description, so I don't know if it even runs or not.

-Use the magnet trick and check for big areas of bondo. The more there is, the worse the truck has been treated.

 

There is more, but if all this checks out, BUY THE TRUCK!

 

Trev

[dat620]

the first and foremost thing to remember is that it is a 30 + year old truck, follow all the things everyone said plus use your better judgement, if it looks to good to be true, then it may be, do not jump just cause it looks good, ck it over real well, lift the carpet/floormat and look for rust in the floor boards, also climb under the truck and ck it over real well, look for the obvious things, faulty repairs,shoddy work etc. you get the point. look real well before buying, and most of all, do not act to excited, keep your calm and ask alot of questions..if it's an obo sale, offer low then work up, just my 2 cents...tom :cool:

[DatDoug]

Make sure you check ALL the fluids BEFORE you start it. Open the oil filler cap located on top of the valve cover & look @ the underside for emulsification (milky white substance) this means it has or had a blown head gasket. Look around the engine bay & follow the wiring harness to make sure it has not been unwrapped & spliced into.

 

Look under truck for leaks. Check center support bearing. Look @ underside of floorboards & bed. Check frame. Look @ exhaust & look for rust and black carbon spots (leaks)

 

There is a lot more. Just be very thoro on hole truck & ask a lot of QQuestions. Like has there been any major work done to truck. Stuff like that.

 

Good Luck

[TimmyThaKid]

thanks for all the info the guy says it runs just need a radiator its and auto with a/c and need a patch on the pass side floor im going to look today talked him down to 150 over the phone so.... we will see