Just wondering if you guys could take a look at the following pics, and let me know what you think about this ute. It looks a bit rough, but I was thinking that nearly every panel can be replaced cheaply. But, is it too far gone? I know I have seen something worse that has been restored. How much would you pay for it?

Thanks for your time!

Leigh

1200 Ute Pic1
1200 Ute Pic2

if the inside is ok and not to much rust thats eatin holes then i would say some were under $1000 even though i dont own one and stuff but thats how much they go for in the trading post and it looks like most of the panels will have to be repared or replaced like the tail gate i dont think you want to fix a new on e will be needed

its never to far gone if you have the $dollars$ to fix it up

youve just got sum up what need replacing,what doesnt and how much it will cost to get on the road.

from what i can see the tail gate will need replacing, the sills, looks the wheel arches would have alot of rust underneath.

if you know lot of people that could help you out e.g mates, body panelists, you could get it looking good

Well, thats it, I'm thinking that it will be a LOT cheaper to get replacement panels than to have the origonal ones fixed up. At least then I would have a straight body, and I would be able to start from scratch with rustproofing, etc.

I mean, the thing is roadworthy too, aprt from the rust!

well if it is roadworthy then eah gor for it but make sure you get all the rust and rust proof it properly. cause rust suxs and has a tendency just to F%$ken appear and piss you off

like mine i have little bubbles in my sill that are going to get rubbed off asap

Quote:are you sure? I mean it doesn't look terribly well cared for. unless this thing is very cheap, and you are prepared to replace almost everything except the turret, maybe you should keep looking... it will probably work out cheaper to buy one in decent condition to start with especially if you are not doing the bodywork yourself

well, the guy assures me that the engine bay and tray are close to perfect, and the interior is quite good. I plan on paying around $500 for it, which is the only reason I am interested in it.

Worst case scenario....

2x rear 1/4's........$400
1x tailgate...........$165
2x front guards....$165
2x sills.................$200

The doors look ok, so, for around $1500 I could have something that wouldn't be too bad, (apart from paintwork!) if the ute is what he says it is.

Thoughts? I really need to know so I don't end up with a turd box!

Thanks.

I'd be a bit cautious because it sounds like the owner just wants to get rid of the thing. Anything you buy in the trading post for under or around $3K will have rust in it anyway. So if you add the new panels and paint to less than that you'd be on a winner. Also, the tray can be replaced with alloy as I've done which cuts some of the rust and weight problems down. Plus being only rivited in you can easily take it off to have easy access to the Diff etc.

me and a mate just went halves in a ute for $900 it has a rust hole in the right hand rear arch the size of a basketball it has side damage rust in the front window etc.

we are going to start doing it up to get RWC and sell for $3500 (try and make some moeny of it )

i reckon if you are good at boging and fixing panels and know a few people that can get you cheaper prices on stuff i would buy that ute.

also you will get alot more satisfaction on building your datto up from stantard, it costs more moeny but at least you know that when the utes finshed that you made all the decsions on what you wanted it to look like

DiscoStu you make me laugh!
Weight problem in a 1200 ute. lol