Would you consider a truck with repaired frame damage?

[mcvickj]

My father-in-law works for a county road commission and they have a few trucks up for sale. The one I'm interested in is a Chevy 1/2 ton with a little over 180k. I'm assuming the truck is a mid to late 90's truck but I don't know the exact year yet.

Maintenance has been very consistent. Oil changes every 3k. Engine is solid and the sheet metal is in decent shape. The only problem is there was some frame damage. From what I was told the frame was cracked (I'm not sure where) and they reinforced it by welding in some steel. I'm assuming the damage was somewhere around where the cab and bed meet.

The truck would be a beater for being used around the house. My FIL said this would be a sealed bid. I was thinking maybe $400-$450. I figured even if I got a year or two out of it I could probably scrap the truck and get most of that money back. Am I crazy to even consider a truck with known frame damage that has been repaired?

 

[NutBucket]

For what you want to use it for anything sub $1k should be perfectly fine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I would want to know how bad the damage was and see how it was repaired before bidding. Generally speaking though I would say no way.

 

[NutBucket]

Come on Jules, can you get a reasonably maintained truck for under $1k? For tooling your Home Depot runs and such it's perfectly fine. I wouldn't want to tow anything with it.

 

[Raizinman]

If you are concerned, have a mechanic or frame specialist come look at the truck. I'm not sure if they will let you take the truck off site. From "what I was told" - is hearsay. You won't really know until someone with some expertise can inspect the frame. Michigan does not currently have a vehicle inspection program for selling cars, but the seller is obligated to disclose the damage or they could be held liable. Either way, I would spend a few dollars to have someone inspect the truck for your own safety.

 

[Kelvrick]

For $500 bucks? That is almost throwaway money. I'd care more about my registration and insurance expenses for the truck, but that only happens as long as its working. I'd buy it. Even without hte frame, you could probably profit by parting it out.

You're thinking $450, but does your uncle think that will actually win it?

 

[JulesMaximus]

For $500 bucks? That is almost throwaway money. I'd care more about my registration and insurance expenses for the truck, but that only happens as long as its working. I'd buy it. Even without hte frame, you could probably profit by parting it out.

You're thinking $450, but does your uncle think that will actually win it?

That's what scrap yards are for. Who is going to spend the time tearing down and trying to sell parts of a truck that's worth less than my shirt?

Totally not worth it.

 

[twinrider1]

I think Chevy had a problem with frames cracking right behind the front upper control arm mounts. I'd do some extra checking there, especially if the truck was used to plow.

But still, if it runs, shifts, and stops, I'd definitely buy it for $500. Around here, scrap value is around $350.

 

[lxskllr]

Anything that moves without using your feet is worth $500. My general rule of thumb is a vehicle is worth $100/month. So buy the truck for $500, add another $200 to get it right, and you're ahead of the game if it lasts 8 months. For an occasional beater for hauling, I'd probably double the length of time.

 

[Fenixgoon]

make sure to check for corrosion

 

[master_shake_]

It's a Chevy isn't it.

 

[natto fire]

For what you want to use it for anything sub $1k should be perfectly fine.

This is my response as well. Jules is in California and anti-truck/suv, so I personally would avoid his advice. Yes, most modern truck frames are heat treated in a way that they are not supposed to be welded on, but if you are not using a fifth wheel trailer, or putting lots of payload in it, then I would pull the trigger and be on my way. Insurance and gas will cost you more than that asking price over a couple months.

 

[MongGrel]

For what you want to use it for anything sub $1k should be perfectly fine.

Sounds about right to me.

If you plan on driving it much you'll probably be buying tires.

 

[styrafoam]

Cross shop other vehicles in the same price range and then mileage and see what you can find. Then consider you most likely have no maintenance records for any of them. I would also bet that a $500 bid won't be the one to take it. Plug the truck's info into auto trader and see what you find.

If the frame damage was a problem I think they would have dumped the vehicle immediately. I would also echo the sentiment that if it was a plow truck reconsider, unless they can show you repair records showing the suspension being in the not too distant past. Or be prepared for a couple thousand in repairs, kinda part of keeping a no payment car on the road i suppose.

 

[CyberCharon]

It's not like it's an investment or anything. I wouldn't worry too much about frame damage, especially at that price. If it's sub-standard repair, you can easily improve on it yourself at minimal cost. Just take a look at it and figure how much money it would cost you to do a DIY fix-up yourself and weigh that cost with your bid.