Todd- true on the ground clearance, but if I had a reference for diagonals from front to back that would give me a good indication if one rail or the other is way out of whack, wouldn't it? Much better than just a side-to-side I would think. What would be really killer is if I could find someone in that area to go check it out for me so I don't have to fly sight unseen.

 

Agreed, but rail to rail is only way to go. Dont do diagonals on full frame. It will throw you way off. Do set points to compare. If you look online, I think there are a couple sites that will give you solid refrence points. I cant remember what they are off the top of my head. Will check. Good luck.

 

Todd, if you can find a web site with reference measurements please post it up, I searched earlier today and came up with nothing.
Okay guys sorry but another question for you- does anyone know if the bigger, professional diagnostic computers require a VIN number? I just got off the phone with the owner, he said his mechanic told him he could hook it up to his computer but probably couldn't do anything with it because his computer requires a VIN. I haven't been around them enough to know if this is complete BS or not.
The owner is also going to take the truck to a frame shop tomorrow if he gets time to have them give it the once over. I called the shop he's taking it to earlier today, and they told me they would look at it for nothing, and if it looks suspect it would be roughly 2 hours on the rack to the tune of $150 or so to see where it's tweaked. I figure if the frame is bad enough they want to put it on the rack, it's probably time to walk away. Thoughts?

 

Just got off the phone with the owner of the frame shop who inspected the truck this afternoon. He said he popped the hood and looked the truck over as best he could without actually putting it on the rack and could see no evidence of the frame being damaged. The owner also had the frame shop owner (also a body shop) and a few other people look the truck over, and as far as the folks who have seen it can tell the cab is still original, so the 80K mileage is probably true. That said...

sounds like I'm finally getting myself a crew cab stroker!!! The owner even knocked the price down to $7K because his mechanic said it needs ball joints on one side, so he's taking $500 off to cover the repair cost. I'm excited as all get-out right now! I think (hope) this truck will give me a lot of good years and miles. I'm hoping to meet the guy somewhere in between tomorrow so I can get the truck ready for our 12 hour road trip for the holiday. Then when I get home, I'm going to steal the wheels/tires and grille guard off my 95 and lower the price to get it moved! I'm already thinking about what mods I want to do- 10K, 6637, gauges, downpipe, kitty-go-gone, 4" lift, 33's, spray in bed liner....