Buying a truck, what to look for...

[thefraze_1020]

I might be purchasing my second truck in two days (if I win the auction).

I have not seen the truck in person due to it being 5 hours away. However, the seller of the truck states that it starts, runs, and drives, but it has been sitting, in-op, for about a year.

Also, they state that the tires are in "good condition".

What should I be concerned about, if I were to drive this thing home?

Oh, and if it helps, it's a 1977 Chevy, 250 L6, 3 on the tree.

P.S. What is realistically the maximum speed that I should drive this truck? 55? 60?

[71swb4x4]

Are there any board members that are local to that truck that would check it out for you? Why has it been sitting non-op for a year? There aren't a whole lot of times when we simply park a vehicle and let it sit for no reason. Sure it happens once in a while, but more often than not it doesn't run well, the trans has gone out, the brakes are bad, or whatever else you can think of.
I bought a truck long-distance that had "good tires", thank god I brought a trailer, the tires were so bad I wasn't sure we were even going to get it on the trailer.

The maximum speed you should drive it completely depends on what shape it is in.

[77chevyinline6]

ive got pretty much the same truck. i drive it on the highway at 70-75 all the time. had it past 100.

[franken]

Unless its $500 or less, forget it. Sorry, the risk isn't worth it.

[thefraze_1020]

It's owned by the Albany, OR school district. They must've "retired" it. Yet, the spark plug wires, distributor cap, and oil filter look new.

I've seen pictures; it appears that the interior is spotless, and all of the normal spots that rust out appear to be solid (except for the driver's side door jamb on the floor).

[thefraze_1020]

...and I never thought to ask a fellow board member to check it out for me. Good idea!

[enaberif]

Depending on how far this vehicle is from your house is how I would really decide on to drive it or not.

I recently picked up my 74 K10 for $600 and immediately knew it was going to need things like most maintenance and tires and such. The truck came with all but a brand new set of rubber but due to the 5" rims I would need to pick up some rims.

But upon initial driving I could tell brakes were needing help, ujoints and and ball joints needing replacing.

But the price was right and the rest is minor.

[Nin92]

+1 on the tires. Some people define "good tires" as tires that just hold air.. I'd bet they're slightly dry rotted at least.
Things I would have in mind before I set off on a 5 hour drive home
1. Fresh gas/check fluids
2. Making sure the tires aren't "maypops" (May pop at any time)
3. Checking to make sure the cooling system is functional.
4. A damn good back up plan haha
I would trailer it just to avoid and worries/hassles. Breaking down hours from home sucks and I've drove on bad tires and it's not fun... Especially when they go kaboom!

[thefraze_1020]

I have a couple back up plans. I have AAA, which can tow it part of the way, anyway.

And the backup plan to the back up plan is to rent a UHaul truck and trailer.

But, when (if) I go down there, I intend to bring my tools, a new battery (I just bought for my other truck), spare alternator, jumper cables, portable air tank, and one of my friends...

[Gotenntitans]

If it's owned by a school district, it's probably rarely been more than 10 miles away from the school. I have been teaching at the same high school for 18 years and there's a mid 80s Ford that the custodians, bus mechanic, Agri teacher, coaches use to run various errands around campus. It may be full of discarded books one day, fertilizer for the football field another day, and spare tires for busses the next. It is always somewhere on campus.

If the truck you are looking at is like our old Ford, it MAY have not been driven over 30 mph for years. I'll bet is has not been washed and kept clean either. Just my 2 cents. GTT

[parrisc19844x4_468]

I just bought a 1983 that was in great shape, but I still rented a U-Haul trailer for $68 and hauled it home. There are things like plates and insurance, etc.

Is it turned out on my 83, the oil and temp gauage didn't work, so I would of been worried all the way home.