I am buying a truck and I am going to be transporting in about 400 miles

[Krex]

Hello I am buying a truck, during the process I will need to drive it about 400 miles before getting it shipped. Reason for 400 miles is it saves me about 750 dollars to drive it that section myself then have it shipped by one of the shipping companies.

So the question:

What parts/spare parts should I buy in advance to have with me just incase for the road, I am pretty handy so I should by able to replace any wear and tear items on the side of the road. I want to make sure I just don't for get anything and have this farm truck break down without the part to fix it.

_

[low&slow]

Tools is a big item of course.

Antifreeze
Oil
Tranny fluid
Brake fluid
A spare tire is always a good idea
Fuses
A gas can

Maybe some spare wire in case your neutral safety switch goes bad like mine, you can bypass it

[68shortwide]

Belts and upper and lower radiator hoses. Air tank. Uh, electric jump box and or jumper cables. And good luck on the journey and welcome to the board.

[Cabnchassis]

Def a full set of belts, maybe a fuel filter too if it's been left sitting, at least a quart of all fluids cept oil which you may want to just grab a gallon of. Tools, maybe a piece of blue gasket material, RTV, Something to make the ditch on the roadside comfy in case you have to get under it. If those trucks use the same thermostat as the TBI 350s use then def bring one of those along too cause it seems to me they stick up pretty easy.

[jabborabbo]

I drove my '67 700 miles from Tennessee to Texas a few months back...details (you can ignore the towing discussion) are here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6786185

[ho70]

fuel filter for sure
tape
booster cables

[RUN GMC]

Basically you should protect your investment.......meaning you should act as if the truck holds no truth in its maintenance......1st basic tune up and oil change( pull plugs and look at them, see if it is using/burning oil), check spark plug wires, top off all fluids, inspect brake lines or take a flashlight and look backside of tire rims to check for brake fluid leaks......and like someone else said change all fliters plus carry a spare fuel filter(trash in tank will shut you down).....pop distributor cap and look in it, check gauges to see if working(a cheap 3 gauge can be wired in mounted on the cowl at the driver side window I had to do that on Power Tour).......maybe you have a lot of this stuff around or you could use Advance Auto coupons to buy online for in-store pick up(within 30 minutes) for upto 40% off.......oh yeah look in you car mags use the Harbor Freight coupon to buy a few movers blanket the come in handy for a ditch, hot pavement, or dirty ground........a lot of this is actual experience from Tales from the Power Tour.........Congrats and Good Luck............

[javelinmania]

I purchased a truck several months ago and I still haven't had it on the road for more than 20 minutes. Personally, play it safe and rent a truck and a car dolly and two it.

[tcrist]

Really depends on what kind of shape it is in.

Has it been setting a long time?

Was it a farm truck or an every-so-often street truck?

What shape is it in now?

It could cost you almost as much to get it that 400 miles as you are trying to save. Of course you still can use all or most of those items after you get the truck home.

[Krex]

Thanks for the advice and information once I get there in person I can add some pictures.

[57larry]

all you need is a cell phone, AAA card, credit card and the NSRA Fellow Pages. that's how I traveled from Indy to LA and back in a Model A street rod years ago

[hdff]

Lots of money...... Gas mpg is not the greatest....

Do you have a vehicle capable of pulling it? If so rent a uhaul and pull it all the way yourself.

[tcrist]

How far is it from where you live? Must be quite a ways. I would say that you would be flying to there, driving it 400 miles and then taking another flight home?

That along with the items that you "might" have to purchase would probably put you over the $750 that you are trying to save. Or at least fairly close to it maybe.

Just a thought.

[Already Gone]

About month ago I did what you want to do. I bought a truck in South Dakota and drove it 875 miles in 16 hours to get her home, and had no problems. I had some help form a board member who took the truck and had it checked out for me and had the oil changed etc. My biggest question to you is what kind of shape is the truck in? Has the truck been a daily or just weekend driver up until you bought it? If the truck has been sitting for any length of time I'd be leery of jumping in and driving 400 miles with getting her checked out. That 750.00 you are gonna save will get eaten up pretty fast between gas ( you'll probably burn 150.00 of gas to do 400 miles) and if you break down a tow bill and fixing what ever broke will eat up the rest of your savings. Unless your real certain of the trucks condition pay for the shipping and save the grief. As a footnote I bought another truck a few months ago and it was only 200 miles away but it had been sitting for a few years so I brought it home on a trailer and good thing because it needed lots of tune up stuff after I drove it 10 miles when I got it home.

[Krex]

Originally Posted by tcrist

How far is it from where you live? Must be quite a ways. I would say that you would be flying to there, driving it 400 miles and then taking another flight home?

That along with the items that you "might" have to purchase would probably put you over the $750 that you are trying to save. Or at least fairly close to it maybe.

Just a thought.

Points/miles not that big of a deal to me more of the adventure. Thought about driving it the whole way.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by Krex

Points/miles not that big of a deal to me more of the adventure. Thought about driving it the whole way.

Ah yes, never thought about points and miles as I don't use that stuff. Would be a good adventure as long as the weather is not too bad.

[davischevy]

Drive it home. I usually just take a cell phone and basic set of tools and go.
I have driven my old cars from coast to coast and border to border. I have broken down in every part of the country.

Have a shop check it out and service it and go. I carry collector car insurance with roadside protection, and that pays for towing.

I have had to use the towing a couple of times, but the stories I have are priceless and I have never felt like I was ripped off. In fact, most of the time, people have gone out of their way to help. If your in an old truck, somebody will step up and help. For that matter if you will post your route, and schedule on here, chances are somebody will help if you need it.

[slikside]

If you don't change it before hand, unless recently replaced....a fuel pump.

You never know when it'll go, especially on an old truck that you don't know.

Cheap insurance for $25-$30.

[dell72]

I bought a truck in Salt Lake City and drove it back to Wisconsin. I was very clear with the seller on the mechanical condition of the truck. He made sure the belts and hoses were in good shape, etc. I brought a suitcase full of tools, and stopped at Walmart and stocked up on oil, coolant, spare belts, hoses.

[R.L.]

All of the above plus a phone charger, drive slow and try to drive while the parts stores, tire stores, mechanic shops are open. check fluids every stop and if it makes it 400 miles why not just go the whole way?

[cayce_brunswick-]

Lol if I was going to drive it 400 miles I would probably just take a little more time and drive it the entire trip. At the end of te day if you make it 400 you can probably make it anyplace.

[Krex]

Thanks I am leaning to do it the while trip I guess if I have no problem I have the time

[R.L.]

Have a mechanic look it over before you head out, maybe a board member lives near by and can put you on someone but if you have the time and it makes the first 400 mi why not go for it, could be a great adventure. While driving don't play the radio loud and listen for noises.

[Krex]

I think you guys talked me into driving the truck. I will go pick it up and order things I think I need to local oReilly's before I get going, I guess I will preform oil change, new cap/ rotor / points, spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, at oReilly's parking lot.

Things to throw in the back, oil jug, gas jug, antifreeze jug,

Things to throw in the cab, thermostat, tools, fuel filter, extra belts, some vacuum and heater hoses, clamps, rtf, and a four leave clover.

Let me know if I forgot something?

Also, I am going to go to tsa website to see how I can fly with tools, may have to check them but don't want to... May just buy some wrenches , socket set from the cheap o holiday packs in front of Home Depot and return if not needed.

[cayce_brunswick-]

Make sure plug wires are routed out of the way and also fuel lines. If you have a old plug wire in the shop may not be a bad idea. Lots o zip ties. And I love vise grips. Several sizes. Last year I drove my truck from ky to the Mississippi gulf coast. My advantage was I could gather my suplies before I left. Good luck.