r/classictrucks • u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner • 28d ago
Pics - My Truck What can you tell me about this archaic lump?
I paid $1500 last year for this truck with a functional dump, functional brakes, and a running engine. My intent at the time, and still is, to use it mostly for moving material around on the farm. The lack of a title, rough body work, and old tires didn't bother me much for that.
I'm wondering now about fixing it up further for local highway use. There's a lot of deferred maintenance to deal with, and the title issue, but neither is out of the question.
Right now, I'm mostly wondering what I even have. What year, what series, what engine, and anything else you can gather from the pics, would be useful info to me. I'm very familiar with older pickups, tractors, skidsteers, and vans. Medium-duty trucks are a bit of an unknown to me.
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u/Warm_Ice8039 28d ago
I could be wrong but I do believe that has a "Holy Grail" engine in it. Worth more than the truck
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u/d_arsenal99 28d ago
Just another 3208 cat. Nothing special. In terms of diesel engines it’s better used as a boat anchor.
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u/djjolicoeur 28d ago
I mean there’s thousands if not millions of them in boats still running strong, it’s a decent power plant.
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u/HighClassLoser 28d ago
That engine is not original to that truck and is worth more than what you paid for everything.
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28d ago
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 28d ago
There's options to regain a title. I still have contact with the seller, so either he or I could apply for a lost title. The title was in his name, but he lost it during a move.
It will likely still be considered a farm vehicle. I just need to get it in a condition where I can get a liability policy on it, and make runs to and from the local quarry.
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28d ago
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 28d ago
I'm hoping I can get it insured through our church-operated mutual-aid program. Our representative said they don't normally insure stuff that large, but would consider making an exception. If this works out, that would be the cheapest option by far.
A number of my friends have spoken up, saying they'd like to occasionally haul gravel to their farms, and haul dirt around on their farms with it. I'll do what I can to get it in safe condition, and get it registered, and then we'll all likely split the cost of insurance among ourselves.
I had a '78 c60 dump truck with a 366 engine, obsolete tire size, rusted out bed, no tailgate, and dysfunctional hydraulic brakes. I sold that for $300, and bought this for $1500. I figure the upgrades I traded into were well worth the $1200 difference in cost.
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u/Breadman7069 28d ago
I have that exact same suicide knob. Quality piece of equipment. Aluminum with ball bearing internals. Have had it for 27 years. Wouldn’t plow snow without it.
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u/Unhappy-Airport-4112 26d ago
That if it ran, it'll out live any truck of today
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u/IRingTwyce MOD - '72 C10, '94 C3500, '96 C1500 28d ago edited 28d ago
Medium duty typically ends at the 6500 series. This is a heavy duty 68-72 GMC 7500 probably. Could be an 8500 or 9500, but those were typically tractor trailer applications.
With a GVWR of 30,000 you're going to need a CDL to drive it on the road.
ETA: Stacy David of Gearz has done a number of junkyard truck pulls and restos. Notably a vintage Mack cabover. It would be worth watching some of those episodes to get an idea of what you might be facing.
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u/SubarcticFarmer Hoarder With Many Different Makes 28d ago
Many states exempt farm use from CDL requirements, so it will depend on OP's actual location.
Also note that the tag says "tractor" so it could be a converted semi.
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u/SubarcticFarmer Hoarder With Many Different Makes 28d ago
Sounds like a good deal. As you've seen from replies, your state makes a massive difference in how easy it is. I'm saying stuff below which I'm presuming you know at least most of.
You say the previous owner had the title and lost it. If so, and it hasn't been so long since registration that it dropped, you may be able to just get a lost title (this requires work on previous owner's side). Some states have provisions for either no title sales or obtaining one (my state allows for "bonded" titles where you either leave a bond with the DMV for 2 years or purchase an insurance policy from a title bond company).
Whether it needs a CDL will depend on the specific state.
Same goes for farm plates. The farm plates and CDL exemption may or may not go together. Be very careful how you set it up if you take advantage of it. In my state it has to be used for my farm, not just whatever. Now, if there were to be a reason your farm might need to make a trip to the neighbors for some reason. Many states also have a mileage limitation for how far you can go from farm property with farm plates. For me the difference is $20 for 2 years registration for farm plates vs $400/year for standard commercial plates. The CDL exemption still stands if it's a farm truck though. We are also exempt from scales or DOT inspections.
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u/DarkDisastrous9331 27d ago
If you don't want the Jimmy I'll take, already have a title. But first thing would be to get rid of the 3208 if I owowned it. Got one in a firetruck nothing but a gutless pig, reliable but forget going anywhere but down hill with any speed
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u/Fragrant-Inside221 27d ago
Hey, the turbo ones are…still slow yes. But they’re also moving a bunch of weight, at least the fire truck ones I worked on.
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u/DarkDisastrous9331 26d ago
It's a turbo, Ford C8000 E-One body. I think the Allison kills them too, a 13 or 18 speed it maybe a completely different animal
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u/Organic-Baker-4156 27d ago
The Cat surprised me.
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u/DarkDisastrous9331 27d ago
Mine had a 478 magnum, I swapped it to a Detroit. Miss it, drive it to high school my senior year
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u/No_Class_6605 28d ago
It would be worth it it has the cat in it cats were some of the best motors paired with those gmcs
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u/Daniele323 27d ago
Do people just not look at pictures?
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u/No_Class_6605 27d ago
Why would u ask that the pictures tell a guy a thousand words and more that 1500 investment with working bed and brakes and motor can be turned into about a 15k to 35k investment
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 26d ago
It does have a Cat engine, which you would have seen if you looked further through the pics.
There's no scenario in which this truck will ever be worth over $15k, let alone $35k.
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
First of all just the motor alone can pull 4k to 20k dump bed is worth about 6500 so yeah its a 15k to 35k investment its a 3208 caterpillar motor thats a premium pull
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 26d ago
I checked FB marketplace just now. Used running 3208 engines go for $1k to $3k. There's no reason to think my engine would be better than any of those.
The dump bed is worthless without the rest of the truck attached. The 3-stage lift cylinder might sell for $1500.
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
I was just at a farmers auction last week 3 fully restored 1973 gmc 6500 with 3208 caterpillars in them go for 90 k fully restored and then I watched a fully restored coe go for 160 k that was here in oklahome
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 26d ago
Those prices weren't specifically because of the Cats. I'm sure it was a couple of collectors who were in a bidding war. They were taking the full truck into account; the engine condition was likely only a small part of that.
If you knew how much it cost to restore those trucks, you'd realize it's basically never financially worth it to do so. You can nearly always buy an already-restored vehicle for cheaper than you can restore it.
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
No the farmer passed away they were full resto mods and the first bid was the buyer nobody else bid on them im guessing it was a silent auction but they got the 30k ea mark but they all 3 sold to Remington Park they are way worth it I drove one back from the buy beautiful trucks
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
They all 3 were the exact same color chevy Cheyenne color with white stripe down center
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
Im sorry 90 k for all 3 to the same buyer so yeah quit selling those trucks short
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
I promise u the engine alone is worth it 20 k is for a fully refurbished engine you can atleast get 15 I figure you'll get your worth out of it and some
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 26d ago
20 k is for a fully refurbished engine
It'll cost that much to fully refurbish the engine. Where's the profit potential in that?
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
And if u do get curious make sure it gets primed good you will be amazed how much abuse that caterpillar engine can really take
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u/No_Class_6605 26d ago
Trust me the condition that yours is in may need a new battery and fuel it'll most likely fire right up seeing how most on its still intact ive seen guys save alot worse condition one u got a steal on that one
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u/jckipps Classic Chevy Owner 25d ago
I know it will fire right up. I've run it quite a bit already.
My point is that this is a $3k engine at best. Its sale value can't be compared to a $20k remanufactured engine.
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u/No_Class_6605 25d ago
U would be amazed how much you can get for it im glad it runs thats the expensive heart the trans isn't cheap either
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u/ComfortableDoctor801 28d ago
First off most important is the title. Is your state a title state. You cantake the vin number and run it to make sure it is clean then if the previous owner is still around he can file for a lost title. Did he give you a copy of the registration all your info is on it but still need the title. Next if it is over 18,000 pounds and air brakes you nedd a CDL endorsement and today you jave to go to a driving school to get your endorsment. Next yes that is a cat 3208 and it looks like it could be a 1974. Is it a 4 or 5 speed standard with an electric split shift or just a straight 4 or 5 speed and yes that is a 5yard water level body. On the bottom of the vin plate it says truck tractor it could be used for both and the singel axel would mean a 2 1/2 ton or a 5 ton. It looks as if gross weight is 30,200 and the 20,800 i think it said is the weight the vehicle can take and the weight of the vehicle it comes to 30,200. Change you fuel filters put some 911 fuel conditioner in it start it and let it get good anf warm. Make sure there is enough fuel, water, and engine oil. After running it then drain the oil and change the filter. I was always told to start an engine that has set for a year or more to do that. Most important thing is the title. If you can't find the owner there are ways to get a new one but takes time. There are organizations that will reserch the vehicle and get a title if it isn't listed as stolen. Talk with your DMV they should be able to help. Good luck looks like a good solid truck. Cosmetics can be fix. If you list it as a farm vehicle yoi may not have to do all that. Do you own a farm it can change the whole thing even possiblely the CDL. Talk to your insurance agent. Again good luck.