The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk best sources for buying a truck.

I sold my truck. It really in heart was not the year I wanted. I really love the trucks between 50 and 54. Before I make my next purchase is there and advice or past articles on Purchasing a truck. I am never going to frame up restore it but I want a daily driver that I can work on over the years.
What are the best sources for looking for a truck?

Not trying to give you a short answer, or nothing like that, but I'd say one of the best sources for buying a Stovebolt Truck, would be right here, on the Stovebolt Page.

Yep, what he said. Decide first, too, what truck exactly you want to end up with, and look for one as close as you can come to what you want: 3/4-ton? Deluxe cab? V-8? Automatic? You can find it if you are patient. Ebay, Craigslist and little rural bargain finder classified papers are good places to look. Montana, Wyoming, eastern WA and Idaho are treasure troves of old farm trucks if you want something close to original unrestored, but not too thrashed. Get a local Stovebolter to look at your find if it isn't close to you.

Thanks guys. Good stuff.

I agree, the Swap meet section is great finding trucks & parts. Auto Trader is a good source also. www.traderonline.com

oldchevytruck.com

This place has some interesting stuff too.

When you say between '50 and '54 just what do you mean?

A '50 has turn-down type door handles, no wing windows, and a split windshield. The top edge of the bed is angled.

A '51 is just like a '50, except it has wing windows.

'52 and '53 have push button door handles.

'54 has a different grill, curved glass windshield and a flat top bed.

You might want to spend some time browsing the gallary here to understand the differences and decide which if any matter to you. I've only described the external differences, there are mechanical differences also.

Bought mine here off the Stovebolt swap meet with no problems at all!

All of the above, great advise...
A wanted add on the Stovebolt Page (this page) worked for me.

May I suggest you decide on exactly what years and sizes of trucks you will consider. The important things are year, mostly depending on if you like vent windows or not, "5 window cab" or not, and what ton rating, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5, or 2. Also decide on Chevy or GMC. Note what engine you want, or if you plan to build one note that a good non running truck is preferred, even engine missing.

Post a wanted add with all the info, and what other models or differences you would accept as a second choice of price, condition, and location are right.

I found just the truck I was looking for, 48, 6400, no rust, no bed, no transmission, bad rear axle, and at price much less than I can buy a junk rust bucket around here. Still saved money and lots of time even with the trip from Virginia to South Dakota and back to fetch the truck.

Find the most rust free truck you can, and don't worry about location so much. A little, or even a lot of money up front for the right truck will save bundles down the road if you can avoid rust repair.

Grigg

Found mine on EBay. Picked it from about 15 for sale at the time.

I just deleted an offer for sale. There will be no selling in General Truck Talk. Use the swap meet.

Hello TPB,

Another place to watch for trucks are farm sales, and also estate sales. Especially the ones that are out in remote areas.

As others may have already mentioned, it couldn't hurt to specify what you are looking for in the "Trucks Wanted" section of the Stovebolt.

Good luck with your search.

John

Talk to people driving old trucks. They often know where others might be.

I agree thats where I found mine

These pages are at least as good as anywhere to find your truck. My brother bought his '36 half ton from an advert on the swapmeet pages on here; and yes, we did come right out to Houston to view it!

Stuart.