Buying this truck can I make it home with it?

[Chico Suave]

Hey guys I am new to all this so give me a little break.  I am looking to buy an 84 Silverado with a 6" lift and 35" tires.  I live 2 hrs away from the guy and will have to travel highway speeds, will I destroy anything by driving it home?  Any info would be great and I will try to answer any questions that you guys have for me.  I haven't gone to check out the truck yet so I don't know too much about yet, all I have seen is what pictures I have gotten. Thanks.

Here is a pic.

[VileZambonie]

Well we can't tell you that by a pic so you'll have to safety check it yourself.

[Lt.Del]

Welcome and good luck.  As vile said, we dont know if you'll "destroy anything by driving it home".   All of us on this forum drive 20-30 yr old trucks everyday just fine.  We don't know if the previous owner took care of that truck. But, as vile said, check it first---check all fluids, bearings, take it for a shorter test run first, listen for any weird sounds, inspect suspension components, fan belts, throttle movement--see if trans shifts smoothly, check all lights--
looks like a nice truck, but, can't tell from looks.

[nucknoel89]

Without being there to inspect it myself I couldn't say.  However, it looks well maintained on the outside, so I'd say there's a pretty decent chance that the drivetrain has been taken care of as well, but who knows.

[beastie_3]

Where is the truck at? Im only asking because you have Chico in your name...

[bake74]

     Definitely take it for a test drive first.  If you can get it on the hyway and run it and then buy it.  But like everyone else said check it over before even driving it.  Good luck and welcome.....

[1980c10]

looks like you could take a short cut through the woods home with that one. If you can; take someone with you that can help you look it over a little, if not look for signs of trouble such as coolant in the oil or burnt transmission fluid. possbilly check with a local shop for an inspection.

[Irish_Alley]

Check tires for dry rot that’s a number one from me and before you buy it take the owner with you and get it all warmed up and see if it makes any noise ex. a knock. Check for oil leaks check fluids like said smell the trans fluid see if it smells burnt or sweet check for any milky residue on the oil dip stick. I remember this one time at AutoZone this one guy asked me how you know when to change the oil besides it being black. You should have seen his face when I pulled out the dip stick and licked some oil off then told him he had about 400 miles left on the oil and walked away

[Chico Suave]

Where is the truck at? Im only asking because you have Chico in your name...

Lol sorry I haven't filled out my details yet on my profile, the truck is in Idaho.

[Chico Suave]

Thank you for all the input guys I really appreciate it, I knew I would have to do the basic look over and test drive I just didn't know just if the axles would go to crap on the way home because my buddy (who is really into fords) told me that if it still has 1/2 ton axles that I shouldn't get it because he says the axles can't handle 35in tires for very long.  Is that true?  He said that I would need 3/4 ton axles to be able to handle those tires or switch to 33in tires.  Thanks again guys.

[beastie_3]

Depends on what your going to use it for. If your easy on the truck, you can run 35s, depending on the condition of the axles.

[Irish_Alley]

Have a friend that runs 38s hard on 1/2 ton axles but that's off road were we try to have fun and not break anything. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  But if you take it easy the axles just wont blow up on ya

[Blazin]

1/2 ton axle will live fine under light wheeling and highway use. If you worried about it take a two lane black top home. Might add some time but would be easier if something did go wrong.

[mrboyy17]

i run my truck all around when i get the itch.  its got stock half ton axles and a4 in lift with 35x12.5 on it.....its fine dude

[velojym]

I brought an '87 K5 home on a bad rear end, though I didn't know it yet. An hour and a half, and drove it a couple times a week for a month or so before I was able to get it replaced. My trucks have generally done real good gettin' me home, even when they had every excuse not to.