Cross Country Trip....

[jonathan-m]

Well, if any of you saw this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457400

Then you'll remember I was going to Chicago to do my grad work and unsure of what to do with my truck. Well, I got a better opportunity to attend a doctorate program in Arizona so my plans have changed a bit... I'm taking my truck (and motorcycle) with me now, but the move is on rather short notice (I've got to be there by may 29th), and with no time to save up money for the trip I'll be pretty poor ( ) so I don't have the means to rent a moving truck and trailer my c10 behind it... I'll have to drive my truck two thousand two hundred miles from Tampa FL to Glendale AZ.

I know, it sounds ridiculous to even try. Honestly I don't have any other options though, so I'm gonna do my best to make her ready and then pray to the Chevy Gods that my old girl has it in her to make one epic cross country journey to a new life.
Maybe I'm just young and stupid, but I think she can do it. Hell, it might even be fun.

So the big question is, what would you check/replace/upgrade on an old truck to prepare for a trip like this? And what would you bring along supply wise for if (when) something breaks down?

Things to consider:
The truck has a 350 small block in it, which I have put ~15k on since I bought the truck 4 years ago. The PO said the engine was a brand new crate motor when installed, but what do I know, He could've been lying through his teeth on that. In any case, its never had any major issues. PO used the truck as his boat hauler, so its got a good hitch and all that jazz.

four barrel edelbrock carb, which makes it sound great, but terrible on gas. I think I average around 10-11ish per gallon

Its been (lovingly) lowered front and rear, with jeep springs in the back end. (I thankfully kept the original rear springs, which I will be swapping back in so I can haul my junk in the back without dragging ass)

Things I know I need to fix before going:
I don't have any working gauges, except speedo and odo. I know I need to have an engine temp gauge for sure, I don't know what other gauges might be useful. My biggest concern is probably overheating. The radiator doesn't leak or anything, but I've tried to flush it out a few times myself, and its always pretty gunky looking.

My taillights work, but I don't have any running lights (simple fix: don't drive at night ). I'll be figuring out how to install one of those trailer light plugs so I can get a tiny travel trailer or something to haul whatever doesn't fit in the bed.

The only other things I know I'll need are my camera, my trucker shades, and a smokey-and-the-bandit style 'stache; this'll be an interesting adventure