72 C10 - 900 Mile Trip Preparation

[Ryan5O]

My Grandfather is that stereotypical farmer with all the old cool stuff hiding in a barn. He and my Grandmother have recently gotten that mentality to start getting rid of their things so they wont be a burden to the family after they've past. Before he could get rid of his 72 I made him an offer on the truck and will be picking it up next month. Its well taken care of and in great shape, but you never know until you get it on the road. Other than the usual wear that time wreaks on trucks, is there anything C10 specific that plagues these vehicles? My wife will be driving a second vehicle, I'll have towing coverage and will be bringing some tools along. We'll be driving the truck from Eastern MT back home to Central WA the second week of July. You guys are the ones with the experience, what do you recommend?

Thanks in Advance
Ryan

[Palf70Step]

Nice looking truck(s)! Good luck on the trip and we'll be waiting to hear the play by play of the trip.

[Sicklajoie]

How are the tires? Any dry rot?

[yob2kanobe]

The middle of July will no doubt be hotter than a 2 dollar pistol so you better check the hoses and belts (or carry spares) and also bring along some water.

[71meangreenc10]

How old is the fuel pump? Does it still have points? if those two areas are GTG check the fluids (even the rear axle) and go for it......


Sweet looking trucks....

Smitty

[68gmsee]

I drove my 69 on a 500 mile trip some years back and didn't have a bit of trouble and yours looks a lot nicer.

What I took.

A good spare tires (a must).

Set of tools. Don't just take a generic kit. I use a regular tool box when I travel and throw in such things as screwdrivers, good set of vise grips, diags pliars, extensions, breaker bar, etc.

I took a fuel pump, water pump, and an alternator that I keep in the garage.

Before you go on the trip spend a day to be sure and check or change all the fluids including rear axle grease. Lube all the fittings and the wheel bearings and maybe even change the radiator fluid if it hasn't been done this year.

forgot to mention: on the way back I towed an 87 Olds Calais.

[dan42]

Fuel filters - brake lines - etc. etc. I would crawl under and around it to visually inspect it and make sure everything is where is it should be as well.

[bmfm64]

I recommend you keep driving and bring it to me in western washington and I'll take care of it for you... LOL. Make sure you check the fuel gauge, as you don't want to run out in BFE. I'd say take spare belts, hoses, at least 2 spares mounted up ready to go and all the fluids(water, oil, gas, trans fluid, brake fluid etc). Biggest thing is to do a very thorough once over on everything and take care of any issues BEFORE you leave. Have a good time and best of luck!

[70cst]

1st thing ... and from Ohio. That is one looking truck. on keeping this truck in your family.

[yuccales]

I'd push that baby 900 miles by hand to get it home! Great looking truck, drive safe.

[bigsnookmaster]

I would jump in, roll the windows dowm, and say goodbye and drive it! I used to have old beaters that I would jump in and drive from Fla to KY, or Tenn with no problems. I think I got lucky alot! Nice truck!

[o6r1man]

Belts, hoses, and tires would be what I would look at. Take enough tools to change small thinkgs like water pump, points, and fuel pump. Also would take a couple qts of oil and a gallon or 2 of water.

[Ryan5O]

I'll have my little girl with me, she'll be in charge of the play by play. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the truck has approx 85,000 miles on it. The engine and bay looks just as good as the body. I havent had the chance to go through it yet, but Im willing the bet the fuel pump is good as well. I'll be there for a couple weeks, so I'll have time to check it over real well. I am a little concerned about dry rot and the tires. At what point do you decide when the tires are no good?

[99-LS1-SS]

For a trip that long, I wouldn't chance it, if the tires look cracked or dry rotted I would replace them. I would replace all of the belts too...just to be safe.

[71swb4x4]

If these haven't been done recently I would do them all while you have it at your grandfathers. Better there than at the side of the road:

Change rear end fluid
Change tranny fluid and filter
change oil and filter
change coolant
replace belts
replace hoses
If it's been sitting a while replace or at least get a spare water pump and fuel pump
replace fuel filter
replace points/cap/rotor
Check battery
check alternator
check battery cables, make sure ground is properly secured
Buy extra fuses
Check tires over
check u-joints

Throw a few gallons of water in the back, and a small gas can.
Bring a "real" jack, took kit, and spare tire.
Blocks of wood
tow strap in case you need to get it off the road.

Don't forget to check your wife's vehicle over. Wouldn't it be ironic if the old truck had to tow the new truck home?

[srvivor71]

Awesome looking truck! Best of luck with it. My wife and I drove ours back from Idaho to NY (2800 miles) last summer. We checked the truck carefully before leaving and had a big canvas bag full of tools, "just in case". The guy we bought it from warned that the tries were pretty old but they didn't look dry rotted and had lots of tread. We considered replacing all four of them before we set out but decided to give them a try.

Big mistake! On our first day of driving, we got a blowout on a 55 mph, two lane, no divider highway at rush hour. I had heavy oncoming traffic on the left and a 5 foot ditch on the right. There was no loud blowout - the truck just started heading right for the ditch. Somehow, we kept it under control and were able to pull over but that's when we found out we didn't have a jack or working 4 way flashers. At that point, I didn't mind shelling out the money for all new tires. We ended up losing about 4 hours from our trip (and probably 4 years from our life span). Lesson learned: Don't ever take chances with old tires. Here's the tire.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by Ryan5O

My Grandfather is that stereotypical farmer with all the old cool stuff hiding in a barn. He and my Grandmother have recently gotten that mentality to start getting rid of their things so they wont be a burden to the family after they've past. Before he could get rid of his 72 I made him an offer on the truck and will be picking it up next month. Its well taken care of and in great shape, but you never know until you get it on the road. Other than the usual wear that time wreaks on trucks, is there anything C10 specific that plagues these vehicles? My wife will be driving a second vehicle, I'll have towing coverage and will be bringing some tools along. We'll be driving the truck from Eastern MT back home to Central WA the second week of July. You guys are the ones with the experience, what do you recommend?

Thanks in Advance
Ryan

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leddzepp]

If that truck runs half as good as it looks, I'd jump in it and roll the dice...

[1972RedNeck]

I'd drop that truck off at my house on your way through.

[gringoloco]

All of the above mentioned advice, and a lumbar pillow...

[68gmsee]

I guess we scared Ryan with all of the things to do before he takes off...
One thing about this site. When you ask for advice, you will get it!

BTW: forgot to say "Welcome" from Texas.

[72 Super]

Welcome to the board! That is a very clean looking truck. Have a safe trip and enjoy!

Ray

[Ryan5O]

lol, not scared. Got hung up trying to think of a witty comment for 1972Redneck. Thought it kinda funny to have rednecks in MT. I grew up in GA, so when people call themselves rednecks I have a certain stereotype in mind. In my mind that stereotype is in no way associated with MT. I may have to take him up on his offer to swing by there...just out of curiosity.

[gferris5]

Also not a bad idea to check steering linkages and ball-joint wear.

[Ryan5O]

Thanks guys. When I get there, I'll take some more pics and give a update. In the mean time I know of a few minor parts I'll be on the hunt for before I leave.