Looking for my 1GT

I feel like Tim Taylor sometimes, that’s how me and my neighbor BS most of the time, no face shame though

 

Yup, mhmm, yup

Here’s where the city did pour us a new alley
https://youtube.com/shorts/PIv7yNLdiSw?si=9hk1JgbUBq1-Sast

 

Trust me, I’ve been looking for a looooong time but they’re few and far between in AC, 4wd and not a pos. Now the holidays have brought things to a screeching halt, in my opinion. I’m staying vigilant and waiting to pounce when the right one comes along.

 

I’m a little bit suspicious why the truck still has colorado registration. Could it be that it won’t pass the stringent california emissions, so it still has the colorado plates?

 

He’s got a passing test printout. Hmm

 

I’m starting to lean to the side of waiting, even though it’s killing me for taking so long, and making sure I get the cleanest one possible. I really don’t want to think about rust if I don’t have to.

 

I looked for a good 6-8 months, casually, before a TrueCar alert thru USAA (when they were partnering) revealed mine 1.5 hours and 1 state away.

 

The price is a bit high for this car's condition.

 

Maybe for 2nd gen or higher. On a 1st gen, this is pretty normal pricing nationally if the truck has under 200k miles. The 1st gen’s are known to be far more reliable than later gen’s, but not gaudy/small-dick-level sizing, more like Tacoma sized while packing a V8. In SoCal market we’ve seen similar 1st Gen trucks pulling $11-12k easy, as much as 16k-18k. Ones with slightly less superficial rust going for 10-30% more. The market is what it is, people want a V8, but don’t want a truck that looks like a short bus.

 

Did anyone catch the 48 second mark where the frame is bent? I test drove a Double Cab for another member once and its frame was bent in the same place on both sides. It looked like the frame was dropped down on something.




Aside from that it looks fine but I would recommend dropping the spare tire and actual poking around on the frame with something. If that truck has had proper maintenance it could be a good buy. I missed the milage...?

 

Gas tank looks brand new for some reason in the video. Rear parking brake and LSPV stuff looks off to me. Diff breather looks all shiny too. The rust looks normal.

 

I didn’t see that bend in the frame. Good eye! Thank you all for all your input and insight. It’s much appreciated. I may just hold off at this point and see if the market is more kind to me in the spring. The price is attractive but I may be opening up a can of worms getting the truck, knowing that it’s been in those conditions for its entire life.

 

I mean, what I'm seeing really isn't bad. It looks like a typical northern NM, southern CO truck. I'd rock it.

That section of frame ... should be able to bend it back but I'd want to see more closely what caused that. Poorly placed jackstand?

The most concerning thing I see is the surface rust under the bed, near the weld points.

 

I'm just shocked you missed that bent frame. You're slipping.

 

Thank you all for your help, but I just notified the seller to let him know I won’t be buying. I’m determined to find a clean one, one that I’m not concerned about rust issues. Hopefully by March

 

On my mobile screen, it looked like a residual oil stain or something. I was looking more for rust, and I personally appreciate it when I see oily spots. If you look up closely you can clearly see a straight line perfectly in-line with where the edge of the frame is. Makes it look like it's a stain. Here:

​

 

Your photos are always the bomb. What software do you use to do that?

 

If you see arrows and straight lines it’s usually Microsoft Paint, as stupid as that’ll sound.

Unless I need to slightly more custom stuff (color change; selections or copy/paste that’s not square, anything requiring layers/transparency). Then I’m using photoshop (CS5).

 

Have you had had actually eyes on this? Probably best to look at it before you pass or buy. I know if I was in the market I'd make time for it to drive and see it. Als all the questions.

 

Possibly military owner. Active duty can register either home state or where stationed depending on best deal.

 

I have not. I was sending a friend who lives closer to check it out. Honestly, I think if I just wait a little longer something will pop up from around here. I feel like I was trying to justify the purchase by getting others opinions, which I very much appreciate, but I think I can find one cleaner and with less miles. I will just spend more up front to get a nicer truck.
Again, thank you all for your input and I hope I made the right decision but I’m passing on this one and will post another find when that time comes. In the meantime, I will be here in the shadows, lurking and learning.

 

No worries based on the video, that isn't anything to worry about even if left alone. You could, of course, clean it up and treat it and be done for peace of mind.

The bend was probably just someone with a jack or jack stand at some point - no issue there, could be jacked back straight but worth looking closer. If it's a good truck and priced well then don't consider that frame anything other than a little more work to clean up if you wanted to. Having a single owner almost it's whole life with a slew of records is the main stand out here - he should know everything about it and you'll be able to tell by talking with him.

Go for it if it's the RIGHT package you've been waiting for. That is a desirable year to snatch up and that would be a good price for here in Washington/Oregon.

 

This is a really good point for the OP to consider as he continues to look for a truck in SoCal. CA emissions were why I always kept my car registered in CO when I was stationed at Pendleton. Nothing fishy about avoiding those ridiculous CA emissions. And SD has a lot of military, both navy and jarheads, hanging around.

 

I totally understand, believe me. This guy said his brother in law bought it from a dealer in CO. The truck is a couple hours north of me so it’s logistically challenging for me to easily check it out. Even with a friend looking at the truck, it would still have to pass my very particular eye for faults. Ugh
Maybe I jumped the gun and shot it down too quickly? I was listening to my gut instincts and maybe my gut is too big.

 

Listen to your gut! Your time will come soon enough, the 1st gen gods that be will secure one for you, and you'll be happy to start forking over money into your best gen. Hell, might as well start getting parts now!

That frame section worried me too, but with the CSI style enhance shifty did, i think i'm convinced it's oil as well. That, or maybe de-lamination? (not sure if that's what you'd call it when it sorta looks like a stack of crackers).

 

Okay, maybe you are right.

 

Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/XQdjdpiw7Fb

This looks like it would be a good hunting rig for under five grand?

 

Maybe so. I'm looking for a bit less mileage, though. It will be my hunting/camping rig, but it will get some use on other trips and around town, so I'm not looking for one that rough. I'm open to something up to $15k or so as long as it has the shell. Ima keep looking through the winter and maybe I'll get lucky. Otherwise, I'm thinking next spring will be my next best opportunity.
I always appreciate the heads-up!! Keep 'em coming!

 

That is a pretty decent deal in my mind - good find actually.

Pop that dumb fake scoop and sill (under braced) bumper guard off and you have a great starting point for $5k with clean body, no rust and a shell. One could do a lot with $10k savings...

 

You forgot to ditch the cap and light bars too lol. Probably the wheels as well!