Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Building my 1970 Chevy c10 currently, once it's done it'll have a fully rebuilt motor, transmission, suspension (5.5/7 drop), brakes, new radiator, new wiring harness, basically every nut and bolt touched, torqued and thoroughly checked.

Here's where I might be crazy. Bonneville is this October of 2017. I want to go, I know someone going out there to run. And I've always wanted to go, and so I figured why not take my rebuilt (hopefully by then) 70 Chevy.

So am I crazy? I live in Virginia, so it's about 2000 miles. Of course I'll take my tools and some new u joints.

Anyone ever done this before? On here? Tips?
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

not sure where bonneville is. but if i were you i'd take it on a 100-mile trip as a trial run. if it does the job well, grab your tool bag and enjoy the road!

don't forget your spare tire...

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Go for it man! If you have the funds and the time for it do it! Take plenty of pictures!


JUST DO IT!:metal:

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

The big meet is the second week of August. That's Speed Week. The one in October isn't the same. Its a smaller meet, I believe called the World Finals. Ive been to Speed Week many times, but never made the trek down to the October meet. Its about 850 miles from my house, but I always take a modern car so no troubles.

There are tons of old cars and trucks that make the trip there from all corners of the US. I know there is a board member from this area that has driven his burb down. There is a fella from the PNW that has driven his T Speedster down. Has a hopped up original four banger.

Now if you are thinking you can take your truck on a run you will have to pass tech. People just cant go get in line and hit the gas.

Id say put a few miles on your truck, and if you feel good about it just go for it. It would be a blast in my book. Make sure your AAA is paid up just in case lol.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

The Bonneville salt flats in Wendover Utah. There is more there to see than just the speed trials. Jimmy Doolittle and his raiders secretly trained there for there mission to bomb Tokyo during WW2. Many of the barracks and other buildings are still there along with a museum.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

I've driven both my 69 and my 71 1300 miles one way trips without major problems. These trucks are easy to work on, cell phone towers and auto parts stores are a plenty, and you'll have just gone through your truck. I wouldn't make it your first drive in the truck but shake it out and get used to its sounds and challenges and then go for it! That's what these trucks are for!

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Its on my list to go also...

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Watch roadkill garage on u-tube , they do it all the time

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

I think Roadkill Garage is Motor Trend On Demand only. It's totally worth the subscription however, and they have a 30 day free trial.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

The older episodes are on YouTube. Plenty to see there if you have never watched.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Good idea to go and spectate . Definitely ! .... To run your truck . Bad idea . You could get seriously hurt .

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Rebuilding one of these trucks to take on a long journey, and hopefully many more, is an excellent idea. That is the ultimate use for my trucks when I rebuild/restore them. Running around local for chores and leisure or hit the road and lookout over that hood at many miles ahead. Running down the Flats? Not a bad idea, if that is a dream of yours. You'd need to look at the rules and figure out what class and what is required.

I was in Flagstaff with my '69 Dodge W200 Power Wagon Utiline when they were having their first mud bog. It had big tires and everybody was telling me I had to enter it. But, I wimped out because I didn't want to break anything on my only vehicle. But, I would consider running what I drove at Bonneville.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

When these trucks were new they went on road trips all the time. I find it funny so many people ask. Not a knock on the OP, but these trucks were literally built to be driven, not rolled up on trailers from show to show.

I live in SC and I've taken my 65 Mustang on 3 power tours with the two most recent covering +/-3500 miles each. It's been as far north to MI/WI, and as far west as TX/KS. I've run it at 75-80mph for 12-14 hours straight. I haven't taken my truck on a power tour yet because I don't like how it handles/drives in the rain and it always seems to rain a bit during the PT, that and the truck gets +/-15mpg and the Mustang can pull 20+ with the T5 - 5 speed.

The key is to drive these old things. If you let it sit and baby it, they will have problems. If you get out in them, rip a few burn outs every now and again, and keep their legs stretched, the problems areas will pop up, fix 'em, move on, and all of a sudden you have a truck you can drive from Maine to Cali.

With all of your parts being new, if it were mine, I'd like a month to work out the bugs before I left.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

It's only a big deal when the episode is new. After about a month they get added to their youtube channel, so if you can wait, every episode is on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOYlloxcRZA

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Lmao . My bad . Didnt read it right . Thought u meant run it wide open on the flats ..... Eh . Have some extra money . Bring some tools and watch those gauges .

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

There was an excellent thread on this forum about 2 months ago about a guy who drove across the country in his 67-72. If I recall, it was a truck he had bought, then flew out to pick it up, so he was not familiar with it when he started, I think he had a couple of minor problems, which were fixed on the way.

Fantastic road trip, and a great read. Do a search, it'll show up, or someone else may post the link.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

67 is right on the money with that, Its just like a rolling stone, they gather no moss.

I use mine daily for over 10 years, yea I have problems pop up about every 6 months. Currently both my stock ram horn manifolds are cracked due to an overheating problem 2 summers ago. I have had replacements in hiding for over 8 months thanks to a fellow board member yet, cracked they are still holding.

Drive it Man!:devil:

Most stuff that goes wrong is fixed on the side of the road if you can properly diagnose with the right knowledge.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Do it, when I was in the navy in the 90s I had my 68 on both coasts. It did just fine and came back home to Wyoming after.
Just bring some tools in case.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Do like they said. Take it out on a couple 100 mile runs. Take along tools, jack, spare tire, safety equipment (gloves glasses, vest).

Buy a AAA Premium membership in case something DOES go wrong.

If something does go wrong, what's the worst for the truck? Rent a truck and trailer and trailer it home.

We awoke our 59 Studebaker Lark after 31 years of rest , sealed a few leaks, cleaned it up, made sure we had good brakes, and hit the road for the 2016 Hot rod Power Tour. Went 2642 miles in a week with it. I took along the parts that were most likely to go out and I would not be able to find on the road. Same for you. You have a SBC, so you can find almost anything you need at any auto parts store.

I carried oil, antifreeze (mixed), water pump, point, condenser, cap, rotor, grease, and a can of rubber form-a-gasket, tools, 1 gallon gas can full of non-ethanol gas, and a few wood blocks.

Do it. Take someone with you! Make it an adventure! Sleep in a tent or in the back!

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

Didn't see anything in your post about the rear differential. Be sure it's up to the trip. I replaced the motor, trans, brakes, tires and wheels, plus a few more things on my 70 C10. I got into a little run with some guy on a motorcycle on a backroad for a couple miles. I was pushing my old truck pretty hard and it did good but latter I could hear a whine from the rear.
I already had a rear but wasn't planning to change it until next summer. Now I may have to move that up a little.
Other than this I would say make a couple good runs with the truck and if everything holds up, go for it.

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

I totally agree with 67chevyredneck. It is harder on any vehicle to just sit or only get driven in and out of a trailer. They need to be driven. Plus, these trucks are just FUN to drive!

I just got my '68 shop truck on the road this summer. Replaced the worn out 307/3 spd with a good used 350/5spd combo. Replaced all u joints, front wheel bearings and brake components. Changed fluid in the rear end, added power steering and sway bars and some nice wheels.

After putting several hundred miles on it with shake down runs, around town and back and forth to work, my wife and I drove it 2000 miles round trip to Ocean City, Maryland to meet some friends at a big car show/cruise on the boardwalk out there. I took a tool box full of tools with me just in case, but the truck ran flawlessly. We had a blast and the drive out there and back were as enjoyable as the show itself.

If your confident in your work and the truck, let her rip and have fun. The worst thing that can happen is you break down, and have to fix it. And you've already done most of it once already, right?

I say go for it. Make some great memories. We sure did!

Jon

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

I dont understand why guys think taking a 67-72 c10 on a long milege trip is like taking some big chance on breaking down.......
they were made to do just that , I bought a mostly original 68 swb Small block with th400 last april I drove it home from ATL Ga to PA ..

I drive it every single day , As of today I am closing in on 40,000 miles in 7.5 months of driving it .........

.The only thing that has failed is the original voltage regulator ... that is it nothing else .

My daily drive starts out on Gravel roads to mouintain roads from there I travel 2 lane county roads at high speeds then to carazy high speed interstate highway from there my truck gets to drive the worst pot hole worn out roads in the country a little place Known as NYC . I travel through 3 states everysingle day to and from work without a hictch in my 68 ..........I say have fun no need to worry and drive it like you stole it

Re: Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
 

If it were me. I'd add AC to that build, but them I'm getting old. Adding AC to my old beater made it so much more pleasurable to drive.

This past Sunday, I drove 70-75mph up over the Grapevine with the AC set at 70, to have lunch with some car guys at Buttonwillow. On the drive I remembered driving this same truck So Calif to Oregon a couple times. UGH! At that time it had 4.56 gears and no AC. :waah:

Gear it right, add AC and hit the road.