whats the first thing you do?

[68panelman]

When you buy your "new" 67-72" truck?My first is to pull the wipers,then cowl,and vacuum as much crap as i can in this area,amazing how much $#!* comes out!.I can go down the line,but lets hear others info

[lowrollin70gmc]

I change all the fluids and filters and start figuring out what odd things have been done in the past.

Oh, and I start shopping for parts I can't afford, but looking is free!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Brakes. If you can't stop, you shouldn't "go".

[vectorit]

I gut the interior. Collecting all the change I find, while hoping for a diamond ring or something to help fund the restoration of the "new" truck.

[mosesburb]

I ususally start by putting an engine, transmission, transfer case, drivelines, axles, brakes, wiring harnesses, flooring, seats, air conditioning and a radio. Then I take it for a test drive.

I really don't recommend my method though.

[71gmcburb]

for me it goes like this -

new water pump and thermostat, all new belts and hoses, all new filters including trans if auto, replace all fluids, clean carb and do a complete tune-up, replace U-joints, inspect and replace brakes if needed, inspect brake lines and E-brake cable, new wiper blades, clean marker light and tail light lenses and replace all bulbs with new and install a set of Silverstar headlights in the rig then drive and enjoy

[AzDon]

Anything I hafta do to make it run is accompanied by any cleaning/painting required by the job or made inaccesible in the future by the job. I do any wiring, hoses, linkages, etc. as "top shelf" as possible. In this process, any brake or suspension issues are dealt with. Next is instrument and controls functionality and aesthetics (steering column, signals, gauges, panel lights, brake lights)
Next, all windows and door locks must work, latches, hinge adjustment, etc.
THEN, I strip out all interior, de-rust floor and coat. I scrape and vacuum the inside of all the doors after usually finding a quarter-inch of accumulated silt. In addition to vacuuming out the cowl, I run the vacuum hose down the sides as far as possible and remove the kick-panel vent doors and vacuum in there as well (you'd be surprised what you'll find there!) Then Body work, Then any glass replacement.
Moving through these things, you'll find things to do that must be fit in between as you go. Do them right the first time so you don't need to come back later!

[OARNGESI]

I usually have to explain why I brought someting else home that doesn't run
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[Livrat]

I sit down and wonder... "What did I just do? and then think to myself... Where am I going to put it..

[Johns72C10]

I check the VIN and SPID to see if I purchased one of those rare Corvette-optioned trucks.

[ChevLoRay]

....Grin

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

When you buy your "new" 67-72" truck?My first is to pull the wipers,then cowl,and vacuum as much crap as i can in this area,amazing how much $#!* comes out!.I can go down the line,but lets hear others info

If you do that be sure and remove the fresh air vent doors inside the cab and blow/vacuum that out. That is where all that junk ends up...

LockDoc

[bosco200]

When I got my first 72 I was 15 so I sat in it alot and thought about driving it....so I drove it around the yard

[Longhorn Man]

my first one I pushed 4 blocks home.
Second one I drove 5 miles with a slipping trans... ALMOST got it to 35 MPH
3rd one I tow bar'd 500 miles home
4th one I drove cross country to get home
I think every one of them got a full scrubbing inside and out within 24 hrs of being at my place.

[treveiger]

I looked everything over to get to know the truck better and see what jimmy rigs and things like that if any were done and luckily i got a jimmyrigless one, also took the plugs out to check them, chainged the oil and simple things like that.

[steelscout]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

....Grin

Exactly!!! And then my old lady took pictures!!!
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[Sillyoldman]

I drive them home yank out the engines and dream about driving them. Pretty messed up huh?

[special-K]

The first thing I did when I got my '72 is fill up all three tanks and empty them and repeat for three days. I had to drive it 3,000 miles to get home. The p.o. just had the brakes serviced and oil change/lube.

I've done that with a few,but usually I sit down with some beer and look at it. Then I take off anything that bugs me,like incorrect mirrors or cheepo accessories,and put back on good parts. Once I've done the simple things to make it more likable I see about adjustments and fluid changes. Then I let it sit for 10 years.

[screamin_c10]

[ETsC10]

Wash it, get it off blocks, look for a matching ign key to see if it runs.
In that order.

[R.L.]

I clean mine inside under and out, pull out old carpet or floormats looking for dirt that holds moisture and I get rid of it and haul off all the free garbage the po left for me to haul off for him usully on the way home at the carwash.

[BOZO]

Originally Posted by Johns72C10

I check the VIN and SPID to see if I purchased one of those rare Corvette-optioned trucks.

I check the VIN against the title to make sure the truck and the papers match. It would suck to spend a buncha money on a truck just to have the police come and carry it and you off to impound.

[Longhorn Man]

checking the VIN against the title should be done BEFORE getting it home.

[special-K]

DITTO! Before handing over the dough!

[dmack91]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

checking the VIN against the title should be done BEFORE getting it home.

Definitely. I had a 52 Chev loaded on a flatbed. PO handed me the title and I saw it didn't match. Unloaded it and went home empty.

Otherwise, overall safety check. Fluids and brakes are first to get full service.