Going to get my first dually this weekend. 86 3+3 chevy. Anything I should know before I go look. I own my own auto repair shop, so I know all the mechanical, but hidden body or frame issues I need to know about?
Also want to drop it, but can I still do light to med hauling, like a 16x8.5 box with 4 race karts.

Good luck and welcome to the site. Someone with some square body knowledge will chime in i'm sure.

Welcome to the site. Rust is the major thing on most of the older trucks. Look at the bottoms of the doors (inside and out) and rocker areas.

welcome to the site like trevor said rust is the big thing to look for also look around the top seam in the door jams and roof if its rusting there, its aspot that can come back easily if not fix right the first time

as far as towing let me ask this, if it was a 4wd would you tow with it if it was lifted? you loose more towing abilaty lifting then lowering them

good luck with your hopeful purchase man. yea, just look at the main areas like everyones pointed out, rust is evil... you will be fine lowering it towing, and with that you always have options. again, good luck and if you get that beast cant wait to see pics.

Thanks for putin out the WELCOME mat. Also, Thanks for the info on points to look for. I think this might be a good truck, around 79k on the clock, and he just wants rid of the thing, only wants $1000. Big block, automatic with air. If I make it mine, pics will follow soon.

If it runs and drives well for $1K it could have huge holes rusted through the body, see-through style, and you'd still be winning picking up the good mechanical pieces at that price.

Lots of guys here towing with their lowered duallys, depends on how you do your setup. Likely to be more discussion or help in the Suspension section.

Richard

Welcome, me and my dad had one of those old square body duallys a while backl, cool trucks, make sure to get under it and check out the floor pans for rust as well, they like to rust there as well.

Didnt take the truck. Couldnt start it, pass side front door smashed in to the seat, B pillar on that side bent, rocker pannels gone, inside trashed. Had to pass on this one.
Kinda bummed, I wanted a dually.

that sucks man. sorry to hear. well we have all been there. one step closer to finding one though. takes time .