83 359 pete good idea/bad idea-good bad idea

It is going to be a job getting to that rust, but I would do whatever it takes to get totally rid of it and some nuetralizer on there first thing, it will only get worse.

 

that rust is all on the roof cap. Roof cap needs to be removed and replaced for sure. There is no saving that part. The rest of the body seems to only have a workable amount of corrosion. I suppose the metal could be thiner than it looks once you start getting into it. The rust jacking on the 5th wheel is pretty bad but if I were to back half the truck anyway it wouldn't really matter

 

There is a one piece roof cap offered in fiberglass that I have used and really liked the finish fit and look of

 

The guy says he already has a replacement roof cap for it that would go with the truck not sure what one he has or if it's a junk yard cap ect.

Also curious what value number you would place on the truck in it's current condition

What do you think it would take to get that Cummins up to 500-550hp? I wouldn't think a whole lot starting with a 400?

 

I think from what I have seen in the pictures it's well worth every dollar you offered.

@OLDSKOOLERnWV is the man to give advice on that BC.

 

The roof cap is not what I was talking about, I am talking wher ethe rust is jacking the frame under the fifth wheel frame.
That will just get worse, and worse.

 

I had missed that. I was busy just trying to spot issues and didn't even notice that.

 

for sure. If I do end up with it the first things I would do would be to replace the roof cap and sleeper boot to get the interior sealed up and pull the 5th wheel off and treat that area of the frame. My plans would include stretching the truck so. There is a couple ways I could go about it that would address that area. The rest of the frame is solid

 

If your plans include stretching it, no big deal, I would find a parts truck with a clean rear section and cut out where the jacking is at completely, or jus have rails built long enough. I myself like the parts truck though, you would be able to choose what suspension and go with some late model much improved rears easy that way.

 

If that is an 83, I think the rears have already been upgraded, I do not thing it would have come with 402s in it.