should I buy this?

[Patronus]

Ok, so I've been looking for a very long time for an old panel truck to use for a classy vehicle to work out of. (contractor) I've been doing this for 30+ years and figure I was put on Earth to end the lives of older Ford econoline vans. And Im sick of it! I had hoped for an early '30's Dodge, but this '47 has been on/off my local Craigslist for the past couple/six months. Its got a rebuilt 383 and 727. New metal floor and roof (bondo cracked pretty good, but not loose) Its built on a '92 Caddy chassis. Im amazed at how great shape the wheel lips and running boards are! This thing had the old canvas roof that leaked and rotted the floor and frame out. The current owner is in a wheel chair and had hoped to use it with a lift access that didnt pan out. Its a rod for sure. Everything had been fabbed up. Lokar cables and pedals. Tilt column and nice Heim joints on the steering linkage. Disc brakes, new gas tank, exhaust, etc. It fired right up and ran really even. I dont think it will have the payload I need but I could bag it and put some 18" wheels on it.  He's got $27K worth of receipts (I didnt look yet) He offered it at $11,5 and personally, it may be worth it. I dont like bending a guy over the barrel money wise, but it needs a few things to be sure. Im hoping to plop down $10K and see what happens. What say you?

[Patronus]

ps, yes, I know the mirrors are awful.

[cdr]

need more info!!!! but i LOVE IT!!!!

[polywideblock]

almost looks like an 80's era hot rod  right down to the mirrors,  would have had a caddy or similar interior with power seats etc. 

very cool  to see something that hasn't had the flat black/rat rod treatment 

[dyslexic teddybear]

Pic 2......makes it look really long......is there as much room in it as it looks?

But super cool

[Ghoste]

That is certainly going to make more of a statement than an Econline.  

[74bluecharger440]

Shes pretty low to the ground not sure how much weight you as a contractor are gonna have in it.. You might have to beef up the suspension

[Patronus]

It's an extended wheelbase model, very rate..and will hold an 8' sheet, a requirement for us. The rear leafs are much beefier than my piddly E-150. ( ) but still, I'm sure I could change that. Any opinions on price?

[dyslexic teddybear]

Learn something everyday......didn't know they made the extended model.

I like it.  

Price.....comparing it to what most contractors around here use[decked out 4x4 crew-cabs].......seems very reasonable. Don't know if this applies to you.....but I can see a lot of advertising value. Certainly make you stand out from the crowd. I have given quite a lot of thought to that aspect......if something works out I'm looking at, I will need a 14-16 foot stakebody dump. Instead of a 40K+ Dodge Ram 5500, I'll pick up an old IH Loadstar/Dodge600, and swap in a good dependable drivetrain. And use the "old" to stand out from my competition.

How would it compare to a decent, serviceable van in your area?

I really like it. If I had it....I'd be planning to swap a complete Cummins 2500 drivetrain into it. But then, I kinda want to swap a Cummins into anything big.

[polywideblock]

offer 10.5 K might go for it might not 

[John_Kunkel]

ps, yes, I know the mirrors are awful.

Panel trucks are real hard to see out of, you'll find even those mirrors are inadequate.

[Paul G]

Are you going to put this in to daily work service? If so, I dont see it holding up to contractor duty. Two small side doors, no sliders, a very long way from the back doors to the front. Tool storage? Crawling around inside looking for stuff?

It just wont take the place of a new or late model 3/4 ton utility bed service truck or van. If that is what you normally work out of.

Now if you are the boss and just want a cool truck to ride around in, rarely carry material, tools, or equipment, and this is not intended to be your "work horse" truck. It is way cool!

[Patronus]

I can bet its going to be hard to see out of, no doubt. I prefer window vans but have driven full cargo versions as well. I use large rolling work boxes so I can move my tools quickly in and out of the vehicle. This helps with larger loads, dirt bikes, or trips. I generally only pick up 6-8 sheets of drywall at a time. I may fab up two post mounts for a ladder rack and restore an old wood ladder to put on top, but thats not for sure yet. Here's option B:

[Paul G]

Option "B" is the logical choice, it just has no character.

[RallyeMike]

Very cool to be sure, but how much time do you want to spend fixing a older daily driver work vehicle? If you pull the trigger and stick with it, you'll be a hot rod hero for sure.

[Ghoste]

Hot rod hero.    You know it kind of sounds like a song,  "Be a hot rod hero, got cars in his eyes..."

[b5blue]

Get it, you'll get 8,000.00 in free advertising with cool signage on the sides!  

[cdr]

Hot rod hero.    You know it kind of sounds like a song,  "Be a hot rod hero, got cars in his eyes..."

   

[kokxville]

yes,you should buy it.

It's a very cool panel van.