2nd gen beater?

Hello currently a 3rd gen owner but the company I work for is phasing out some old 2wd 2nd gens with 150k plus miles. Maintenance has been spotty at best oil changes got done but no tranny drain and fill and I doubt the diffs got serviced. The trucks look like they were sandblasted and never repainted. But, they are selling em for $1000 to employees. Is this a bad idea. I just want a beater driver to throw miles on. I’d probably just get a new leaf pack, struts, some tires, and detail it the best I can. Wondering if I should attempt to service trans and diff if I got it or will that create more problems at this point. Curious to get your thoughts.

 

Buy the best two you can find if they'll sell you two. Are they 5 lugs or prerunners?

Cosmetically freshen one up, change fluids, inspect/repair brakes as needed, sell it for $2500 if 5 lugs, maybe more if a prerunner.

That should give you a free truck. Then what you spend to refresh it is all you have in it.

Edit: I'm assuming these have not lived in salt world with neglected frames or rotted from hauling pool chemicals.

 

Kinda what I’m thinking. Unfortunately they did live in salt world (michigan) but the frames on the 3 that I looked at were very solid. None of them have body rust except for one that has a few spots where the paint chipped from rocks.

 

If they're runners you could flip them all day for $3K barring some serious issues with the trucks.

 

These trucks can break in half and have no body rust.

The frame should be closely inspected with a ball peen, a probe and a simple camera that attaches to your phone to look inside the boxed area of the frame. Lots of threads around on the topic with pictures and descriptions.

A solid frame is much more important than if the trans or diff were serviced. They do no good if they have nothing to attach to.

Again, are these 6 lug or 5 lug trucks?

 

They are 5 lug. Good advice I appreciate all of ya!