The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Help re purchase of 49 1/2 Ton

I missed out on a 46 Stylemaster out here :o but am in the thores of trying to buy the 49 in the swap meet pages. (When one door closes .....) The seller has graciously given me until Wednesday morning to see if I can sort out my frieght expenses out here to Australia which after a truck load of emails Im starting to get on top of. My problem is I am in Australia and the truck is in Iowa. As I cant inspect it what are the major problem areas associated with such a truck that I should ask about? The motor turns over but it hasnt started for 10 years and its been stored under a lien to for many years. The seller has said the running boards and bottom of door pillar have some rust. I guess these are replaceable./repairable from part suppliers. Having read previous forum strings about driving for miles and finding junk not dreams I dont want to spend $4000 getting it here to find out its is worthless. Your advice will be thoroughly appreciated.

Here's a site with photos of the truck.
http://www.msnusers.com/49Chevy/shoebox.msnw?Page=1

I think before I bought it and shipped it that far I'd want some pictures of the rest of the truck! Where in IA is it located?

Stingray. I agree and have asked for photos of under the hood, floor etc. Im starting to feel a litlle more trepidation the more I look into this. Its located in New Hampton which I believe is north of Des Moines if I read the Yahoo map correctly.

Panhead--

216 I guess. Seems a straight truck but looks like suffered some weather. Midwest is rust area. Id get pictures of both cab corners and sort out that rusted door pillar pretty closely. My experience is that most of these trucks take a better picture than when you see it close up. Be best if somebody local could look at it for you. Good luck whatever u do.

I guess from out here it looks like a bargin but in reality it may not. I'll email a reqquest for the photos you suggested.Cheers. Ive lived in Colorado and I imagine the weather in IA is similar and hence vehicle condition. Is that a good assumption? Should I wait for a Cali/Az truck to come up as I am willing to wait for the right truck and frieght is a lot cheaper from there? Im interested to know what everybody thinks as this is a major decision for me. Thanks

Look at the inner cowl under the heater on page 3.
lots-o-rust

While this repair is doable, add $4k to the price of the truck for shipping and then cab corner and cowl work + other unknowns and you will wish you spent a few extra bucks for a nicer truck and had a lot less work to do. At least that is how I see it . . . I have done one really rusty cab like this and one with hardly any rust at all, I like the rust free cabs - save you a month of sundays labor!

Thanks Ken. The more Im learning about this truck the more Im thinking about passing on it. Our dollar is only worth 55c US so it gets pretty expensive. Im still waiting on another frieght estimate but I think I'll throw it to the vultures (no offence meant to the other guys who are interested in it and if I dont proceed good luck to you)