Buy or pass?

That'd be a hard pass for me

 

Key places are directly above and in front of the main leaf spring hanger, by the shackle mounts, and along the frame rail nearest the muffler and cat converters.

 

Keep on looking, patience is key!

 

Also look up where the sway bar brackets are welded to the frame. Mine had corrosion there as well. I think it is highly unlikely that any truck that has spent its life in the Salt Belt will have a truly solid frame, and unless you're willing to take on a huge project, or can afford to pay someone to then steer clear. I'd say if you can afford to pay someone then you're better off paying premium for a truck from the desert, and doing like has been mentioned and fly out and drive it home. I'd do that over shipping it anyway, since on the drive you're going to learn a lot about whatever you buy. And invariably, regardless of how many positives there are there will always be things to replace.

 

And when you do the hammer test don't just tap lightly, and don't move quickly from a spot. That was the mistake I made...the second one. There was a hole by the gas tank where the leaf spring meets the frame, but the other side looked good, and smacking fairly hard during the inspection made it seem "good," but when I got it home and used more force and lingered in one spot for a while the seemingly solid metal started to disintegrate before my eyes.

I literally had a panic attack, but calmed down after a bit when I realized that it was still salvageable, just was going to be a lot more work.

So, to "hammer" this point home it may look, sound and feel solid, but that might be because you're not striking it hard enough. The percussion loosened it up and stuff just started shedding like my mutt in the Spring.

 

Nope. Don't do it. Not worth it.

 

YEP! Easier said than done

 

Pass and keep looking...