Another obligatory intro

[Khayward]

Not new to squarebodies (this is #5) but thought it would be helpful to join a forum. Most recent purchase has some odd options, including quad shocks, aux cargo bay heater and posi rear. Pretty much stock, was sitting in a field in Montana for 6 years or so, put a battery in and drove it back to Idaho. Steering was like walking two puppies and the drives driveshaft had the move like Jagger until the grease warmed up. Lots to fix, most of the paint is wasted. Has some weird rust issues, underside looks amazing but the middle of the rockers are toast.

Looking forward to learning from everyone!

 

[Vbb199]

Welcome from NC

Let's see some pics

 

[RecklessWOT]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you got some work ahead of you, but worth it (and not too bad really, gotta expect some fcukery when these things get old). FWIW your options don't sound odd, IME quad shocks are pretty normal. I've owned 3 squares, my father owned two during my lifetime (one before I was born) and I've seen a good 10 or so trucks that belonged to friends of mine. All but two of the ones I have personally dealt with had quad shocks, always figured it was a pretty normal thing. An "upgrade" option, yes, but I thought most opted for it when new? Also, posi isn't more common than open rear ends, but I certainly wouldn't call it "odd", actually a really desirable and not all that uncommon option. Steering on most of these trucks wander, a few things it could be, and a worn driveshaft is merely a simple maintenance item. Also, I know Mick Jagger must've moved around while he sang and performed, but I'm not sure how that relates to a driveshaft specifically. Did it have a lot of vibration? Was it slipping out of the yoke? The "funny" phrase doesn't exactly explain the symptoms. I mean, even a brand new vehicle's driveshaft technically has to move quite a lot, while spinning that thing must actually cover many many thousands of miles, if that's not moving then I don't know what is.

And as Vince said already, yes we love pictures around here, let's see that 'burb of yours!

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[Grit dog]

Not new to squarebodies (this is #5) but thought it would be helpful to join a forum. Most recent purchase has some odd options, including quad shocks, aux cargo bay heater and posi rear. Pretty much stock, was sitting in a field in Montana for 6 years or so, put a battery in and drove it back to Idaho. Steering was like walking two puppies and the drives driveshaft had the move like Jagger until the grease warmed up. Lots to fix, most of the paint is wasted. Has some weird rust issues, underside looks amazing but the middle of the rockers are toast.

Looking forward to learning from everyone!

Welcome!

Nice intro. And middle of the rockers is about where the sand and cinders of 30 years of Montana winters landed?
Probably rusted from the outside in? Sounds solid if you drove it home after sitting that long. I’d call most the issues , character!

 

[Doppleganger]

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from Ohio

 

[Khayward]

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

In regards to the driveshaft - I believe the grease had congealed, but 50 miles of <50mph seems to have brought things around.

Attaching the only photo of the whole truck I have on my phone. More to follow soon.

 

[animal]

 

[89Suburban]

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

In regards to the driveshaft - I believe the grease had congealed, but 50 miles of <50mph seems to have brought things around.

Attaching the only photo of the whole truck I have on my phone. More to follow soon.

Good girl! Welcome! Good luck with her!

 

[Snoots]

Welcome from NE GA

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Khayward]

And middle of the rockers is about where the sand and cinders of 30 years of Montana winters landed?

From what I can tell from doing some car-cheology it was in socal until '05.

 

[Khayward]

And a few more pictures

 

[Grit dog]

From what I can tell from doing some car-cheology it was in socal until '05.

Hmm. Well it’s pretty clean and solid overall, it looks like.
One clue or at least something to look at is “how” the rust formed. From the inside out or outside in. With the latter being preferable and less destructive.

Water, Chlorides and mud getting into hard or impossible to reach areas and continuously eating at the metal is more akin to stuff from the rust belt.
A lot of rust on vehicles from kinder gentler areas of the country is the opposite.
Like I found on my truck. Was 100% rust free, chassis and body, save for around the windshield in several areas (and 1 spot under the back window that I didn’t notice until removing the window). I was pretty certain it was water leaking in from the holes in the roof for the visor, when I bought it. And thought what I saw was only the top of the iceberg and figured I’d have to replace large portions of the skin around the windshield.
What I found was it was only rusting from the outside in. Likely from moisture trapped under the window seals. And the corrosion was limited to only the rusted through spots and wasn’t spreading on the back side of the panels.
Likely your case from what you’ve described, or if it was the other way around, a couple holes visible in the running boards would likely only be the start and floor pans, bottoms of fenders etc would also be rotted out or on their way to that.

 

[Khayward]

Hmm. Well it’s pretty clean and solid overall, it looks like.
One clue or at least something to look at is “how” the rust formed. From the inside out or outside in. With the latter being preferable and less destructive.

Water, Chlorides and mud getting into hard or impossible to reach areas and continuously eating at the metal is more akin to stuff from the rust belt.
A lot of rust on vehicles from kinder gentler areas of the country is the opposite.
Like I found on my truck. Was 100% rust free, chassis and body, save for around the windshield in several areas (and 1 spot under the back window that I didn’t notice until removing the window). I was pretty certain it was water leaking in from the holes in the roof for the visor, when I bought it. And thought what I saw was only the top of the iceberg and figured I’d have to replace large portions of the skin around the windshield.
What I found was it was only rusting from the outside in. Likely from moisture trapped under the window seals. And the corrosion was limited to only the rusted through spots and wasn’t spreading on the back side of the panels.
Likely your case from what you’ve described, or if it was the other way around, a couple holes visible in the running boards would likely only be the start and floor pans, bottoms of fenders etc would also be rotted or on their way to that.

Thanks for the feedback, I've normally only dealt with trucks from dry climates, being up here and seeing 10 year old trucks with rotten fenders is a new thing.
From what I can tell what rot I'm seeing is outside in, will have to post some pics. Worst areas are rear rockers and upper corners of windows/door openings. Looking forward to having a go at welding that stuff up but haven't welded in 10 years.