When is a free truck not worth it?

[ultrarunner]

My rancher friend is getting older and has started cleaning up the place... finishing long ago projects and clearing out the barns.

He offered me a 1974 GMC 1 ton dual rear wheels, stick, 4wd, flatbed with a hydraulic take off... the winch is no longer on the truck.

It's been in an open barn the last 8 years in California and was just driven in and parked.

Prior, it had an engine fire and a new 350 GM rebuilt was installed.

Open the hood and can hardly see the engine from all the mice and rats nests.

Windows were down and the interior doesn't look much better.

Used it for ranch work... moving hay, rock, etc prior to getting a larger Deere tractor.

As much as I love a project... I'm thinking it's just too much project.

 

[murphy1244]

Parts are still good!

 

[Beltman60]

GM parts are everywhere and cheep
I have some Mopar friends that are always complaining that there parts sometimes cost 1 1/2 times what you can buy for a chevy

If the frame was good and you needed such a truck I would look into it
my :2cents:

 

[ultrarunner]

Frame is ok and no rust through... body is fair and hood bent.

Almost as big a concern is dealing with the California DMV... if the paperwork is not in order... it could cost $600 to $800 if tags and penalties are due.

Being older than 1976 is a big plus as far as smog goes...

 

[farmer2009]

In my opinion you need to figure out what it will take to fix it. Parts are cheap but if you have to hire labor it isn't. Then look and see what one is worth that you can drive home. If it's over 75% I would say no go as it doesn't sound like it has sentimental value to you.

 

[jinman]

As I get older, there are a lot of projects that I just won't tackle. It's your time that is the most expensive investment. If you can justify the time, it might be worth it.

 

[ultrarunner]

As I get older, there are a lot of projects that I just won't tackle. It's your time that is the most expensive investment. If you can justify the time, it might be worth it.

I think you hit the nail on the head... now that I am older time because more precious.

Taking the truck with no plans to keep it would hurt the friendship...

If this would have been a few years ago I would have showed up with truck and trailer and hauled it home ASAP

I guess we are all getting older... or at least I am.

 

[flyerdan]

It sounds like this would be a good one for someone that already had the same model to keep on hand for spares. If it would cause ill will by not keeping it and or fixing it up, I'd beg off due to time or space constraints.

 

[downsizingnow48]

ultrarunner, whats the deal with the california DMV? why so much to transfer/register the old truck?

 

[ultrarunner]

Two things...

DMV requires all vehicles privately owned not in Dealer stock be registered at all times... makes no difference if they are parked in the shed or the back 40.

Registration can be done with tags and weight fees plus government fees... my 1985 van runs about $190 annually to the State.

OR

Vehicles can be registered Non-Op for $18

If neither is done, the fees keep accruing with penalties and the total must be paid if you later want get tags.

Many ranchers simply do nothing which is OK if the vehicle never leaves the ranch... a big problem if someone wants to get tags later. Kind of you can pay me now or pay me later.

The second thing is just about all vehicles 1976 and newer require smog certification upon transfer plus every two years.

Getting a 1976 car passed smog can be very time consuming... often requires an appointment with the State referee because the car is so old and many mechanics are simply not familiar with them like my friend with a 1976 porsche 911.

I have a 1976 Triumph Spitfire and a 1976 BMW 2002 that are non-op... if they were only 1975 or older, they would be worth a lot more because no smog required.