Drive it or tow it?

[Blackstone]

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

[Lt.Del]

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

[76GreenBeast]

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.

[VileZambonie]

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

[autonuerotic]

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!    

[WickedC20]

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.

[Blackstone]

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.  

[cjtimp]

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

[123 pugsy]

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.  

[Stewart G Griffin]

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.

[Lt.Del]

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

[Blackstone]

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.  

[shaved80]

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

[Blackstone]

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.

[Lt.Del]

Congrats!  Show pics.  Gotta digital camera?

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

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