Advice needed!

This is my first time buying an older truck and need some advice. Does this tame look bad?

 

Looks like they tried to hide how bad it is with the fresh paint.

 

I agree. It's painted over. The only way to find out how bad it is, is to hit it with a hammer.

 

There is a reason they painted everything. I don't like it.

 

Comes down to price and just where the truck has lived!!!! Just how much work you can do yourself.

This frame does not look bad mine is by far worse.

That from the picture does not look like normal paint more like one of the many coatings to keep things from rusting.

Possible that upon doing that patch by the spring hanger the powers to be decided to get rid of the truck rather then proceed with any more repairs.

We know these frames go down hill fast in winter chemical climates without attention just a question of time.

 

Its called "patina"

 

X2 @Tour991 you got that hammer test video?

 

Get a Hammer in it.
https://youtube.com/shorts/K94fc77sq8k?feature=share

 

That skid plate looks rough. Not too confident about the frame

 

I have a 98, lived in CA all its life. No rust but Frame paint is faded to a grey in most places. That paint looks like right off the assy line except for the roughness underneath in some places which is rust. Look for overspray - I think I see some near the leaf springs.

 

I won't point out the obvious (paint, etc), but the metal sure looks flakey in this area right behind the body/bed mount.

 

They just rattle canned everything black. Overspray is everywhere you look. The parking brake cable is not black. Nor is the transfer case.

RUN don't walk.

 

everything is painted; the shocks, lower control arms, underside of body, leafs, wires, whatever that janky piece is on the passenger side front leaf hanger bolt.

If you expect this to last 10 years I wouldn't trust it. If you're looking for a project this might be it, but has to be the right price is all

 

Take an ice pick or fine punch and poke around. The welds around the body mounts and spring hangers are usually the worst. The pockmarked area with paint over it indicate they knocked off flaky rust with a wire wheel. If there aren’t any perforations you’ll get some more life out of the frame, however, it is thinned out and slightly weaker which warrants some considerable haggling on the price.

 

Update with a bit more info

The dealer is asking $15,999. It's a one owner with 146K miles, lived in Maryland until 2022 when it was transferred to Virginia. Because it would be in northern Virginia, salt will be an yearly issue. It had the engine wiring harness "repair" in 2005 (carfax included).

 

Way to much money!!

Maybe for 3 or 4 thousand.

 

You do realize just how many red flags most of us pointed out, right?

This was assuming that you were looking at a vehicle private party, assuming the asking was pretty reasonable (under $7k).

 

Yeah, too much money for that