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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Blackstone on August 17, 2006, 09:55:00 am

Title: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on August 17, 2006, 09:55:00 am

I've finally acquired my project, but haven't determined which option is most practical to transport it 500 miles from PA to Maine. The seller has recently logged a couple of 200-mile trips without a problem. Among these options, which would you choose?

This is the truck:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C...dZViewItem

Drive it home, no other vehicle involved

Trailer it with my light-duty, 305-powered, 1997 4x4

Bring an extra driver and my reliable import full of tools to use as a "support vehicle"

Show results

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Lt.Del on August 17, 2006, 09:38:00 am

Man, you stole that truck!  YOu should feel guilty.

Drive that thing home and enjoy the trip.  If it breaks down in such a way as it being difficult to fix, leave it there and thumb home.

Really, just check the fluids all around (ie: brake, antifreeze, steering, trans, etc.) and you should be fine. There isn't much to these things so it is doubtful it will break on you...check points in the distributor, wiggle the drive shaft to see if there is play in the joints, check rear end fluid, etc..

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: 76GreenBeast on August 17, 2006, 01:31:00 pm

Be sure to stop off regularly and check the oil and tranny fluid on your way home.  I used to drive my 76 on a couple of 600 mile trips and it would burn about a quart or two of oil at interstate speeds (the motor had less mileage than yours but it sat for a while before I got it).  It may not burn oil around town, but at interstate speeds, you might get some blow-buy at the rings.

It looks like a darn good truck, and you got a real good price for it.  Good luck getting her home.  The support vehicle w/tools is a good idea.

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: VileZambonie on August 17, 2006, 03:58:00 pm

Just drive it if you can stand that gas pedal that's on it!  

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: autonuerotic on August 17, 2006, 05:06:00 pm

Thats funny, I was watching this truck on eBay myself...Great deal!  Drive like you stole it.... Cause thats basically what you did.  Your lucky that trucks not in SoCal... You would have had to fight me tooth and nail on eBay for it.  Thats about what my truck cost me when I bought it many years ago, but it wasnt nearly as nice.  I would go through the ignition, replace the module (in my opinion the weakest link in the HEI) in the distributor, check the fluids and driveline as mentioned previously.  Drive it and enjoy it!    

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: WickedC20 on August 17, 2006, 05:34:00 pm

nice find!!!!
Dirve it home with someone following you, get on the heighway and cruise. Make sure you have extra fluids, lots of spare antifreeze and or water jugs.

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on August 17, 2006, 05:59:00 pm

Don't worry, the gas pedal is history. If anybody wants it, it'll be found on the side of the road between Greencastle and Harrisburg. Thanks for the great responses everyone. I'll post a report on the actual condition once  I get it home.  

Title: Nice.............
Post by: cjtimp on August 17, 2006, 06:00:00 pm

Drive it home !!!!!!!! Use some common sense tho...bring cell phone, maybe have a "chase" vehicle with some extra tools, fluids, ect........NICE FIND!!!

Title: Re: Nice.............
Post by: 123 pugsy on August 17, 2006, 07:29:00 pm

That truck is sweet! Looks like an easy resto.

Drive it home.That thing was well taken care of. It will make it easily!

I can never find a deal when I'm ready to buy.  

Title: Re: Nice.............
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on August 18, 2006, 11:41:00 am

Wow.  You did good.  Real good.  Better than me (i will divulge the whole story after everythings finished).

It depends on how you will get there:

a) do you have a trailer or towbar type equipment?

b) How were you originally planning on getting there?
1) It may, in fact, be cheaper and easier to tow it even if it does, in fact, "run good."

My vote is to drive it back assuming it runs as good as the seller says it does.

Title: > Re: Nice.............
Post by: Lt.Del on August 18, 2006, 07:17:00 pm

If you do plan to drive it back, just remember to call your insurance agent before you leave. A quick call tacking on some liability insurance before picking it up is a must.  I did that before I picked up my
91 blu burb from Arizona last year and drove her back across the country with no worries.

SgtDel

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 8/18/06 6:20 pm

Title: Re: > Re: Nice.............
Post by: Blackstone on August 19, 2006, 07:55:00 pm

Good advice everyone. She's already insured and I've secured a second wheelman... it looks like we'll drive one down, two back on the 27th/28th. Every other option costs more and is less fun.  

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: shaved80 on August 20, 2006, 01:37:00 am

if it were meant to be towed, it wouldn't have wheels on it!

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on September 05, 2006, 09:13:00 am

She's home.... 637 trouble-free miles later and in much better condition than I anticipated. All of the major rust is limited to the bed floor and under the cab, which is good because my bodywork is not pleasant to look at. The doors are immaculate, no rust anywhere. Besides the engine, pretty much all of the original equipment is intact and in working order, even the guages, dash lights, interior lights, cigarette lighter work. Someone did an excellent job with the engine swap. I found that it is at least of the correct vintage and looks as though it belongs there. She even sports her original posi rearend. The kids love it. The only thing requiring immediate attention is the corroded trailer light socket and exhaust. Next spring I'll haul the cab off and install a new floor.

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Lt.Del on September 05, 2006, 07:19:00 pm

Congrats!  Show pics.  Gotta digital camera?

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on September 06, 2006, 07:46:00 pm

Here's what I've got right now:

img.photobucket.com/album...379bcf.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...d777cd.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...c0ca92.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...ae03c0.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...6ad7e3.jpg

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: edcole on September 07, 2006, 06:15:00 am

Looks like you got a real good find there.  Where are you in Maine?  I live in Bangor.  I have started working on an 87 4-wheel drive that use to belong to the state of Maine.  Looks like an old wardens truck.  Spent its life on dirt roads (not much rust, but lots of dirt everywhere).  Good luck with the resto, maybe if we are close enough we can get an eyeball on our rides.

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on September 07, 2006, 06:58:00 am

I'm in Benton, just across the river from Fairfield. I may be taking the truck to cruise night at Nickey's? next Wednesday.  I believe it's somewhere near the airport, maybe Union Street? I've heard it's a good time, have you ever been to it?

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: lotopp79 on September 07, 2006, 05:42:00 pm

nickies has always been a good cruise night and all this time I thought I was the only one from central maine

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: edcole on September 07, 2006, 08:41:00 pm

You will like it at Nickey's,  I have many friends and family that have vehicles in it each week.  You are correct about Nickey's being on Union Street by the airport.  I do not make it every week but I try, especially this time of year with the season about to change on us, summer is way too short in Maine!  Lotopp, where ae you located?  Maybe we can all meet up there.  

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blazin on September 08, 2006, 07:44:00 am

Nice find on the truck, interior looks real clean. You guys anywhere near Waterville Scowhegan area? My girl friend grew up in Scowhegan. I was up there a few weeks back first time I have ever been to to that neck of the woods Maine. Been to Wells a million times Lubec a few times.

Edited by: Blazin at: 9/8/06 6:44 am

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blackstone on September 08, 2006, 06:57:00 am

I live about 4 miles from Waterville. If you happen by the area in the next month or so, there's a great Thursday night cruise-in just off I-95 in Gardiner you should check out.  

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: lotopp79 on September 08, 2006, 03:24:00 pm

wow this is funny black stones only up the road in benton and blazin came to town for the frist time i uslly adopt the town I work in has homew to cause I spend some much time there but i am next door in canaan  

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blazin on September 08, 2006, 08:03:00 pm

Probably be a while before I get up that way again. We went up to see her family and her 20 year class reunion. Checked out the Scowhegan state fair. Next time I get up that way I will get one of your #s ahead of time. My girlfreinds oldest daughter (13) is always astounded at how many people I know when we go places. We can be an hour form home and I almost always run into someone I know. She says geeze we can't go anywhere without you knowing someone. I always tell her " just remeber that in a few years ". When we got up there one of the first things she said is " I bet you don't know anyone up here " Beleive me I was looking at the fair. Next time I am up that way I will have to arange a meeting with one of you guys, and blow her mind.
Do you guys know the Belmont Hotel in Scowhegan? The guy that runs the place Dennis Weeks is my girlfreind's brother.

Edited by: Blazin at: 9/8/06 7:04 pm

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: lotopp79 on September 09, 2006, 08:45:00 am

I know of him by chance are you goin to the all truck at ned I am in hopes of goin this year

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: Blazin on September 09, 2006, 09:19:00 pm

Don't know what the all truck is. It will be next spring maybe Christmas before I get up there again.

Title: Re: Drive it or tow it?
Post by: lotopp79 on September 10, 2006, 06:37:00 am

its a all truck show and drag racing at new england dragway