Hi all,
I finally picked up the truck I was in the process of buying when I started posting on this site. Got it home and started cleaning it up. Mice had set up a small urban settlement under the seat unfortunately, so I spent a good portion of the day trying to get as much evidence of mice as I could out of the cab.
The truck drives surprisingly well. There's definitely some high priority maintenance items and once I got it home and started poking at it more deeply, I found more shoddy bodywork than I'd like to have, but all in all, I'm happy with it.
High priority things:
1) Brakes - They work, but there's definitely a leaking WC or two. At $35/each, it's cheap insurance to just do them all.
2) Steering - Truck wanders a fair bit. Not sure yet if it's steering box adjustment, kingpins, tierods, or some combination. Again, tierods and kingpin rebuild are cheap. Will probably just do it all so I know it's done
3) Suspension - The dealer-installed helper springs have several broken leaves. I don't plan on ever carrying a load heavy enough to even engage those springs, so I'll be removing those. One of the front springs has a broken leaf and someone safety-wired some bar stock in there to take up the space. While I don't relish buying all new leaves for each corner of the truck, that's the safest way to go.
4) Electrical - None of the lights work. I see voltage fluctuation when the light switch is moved, so I get to go chasing wiring. Wiring harness is not original, but doesn't look like a rats nest either. Hopefully shouldn't be a big deal.
Wants:
Top speed of ~45mph will not stay attractive once it drives straight and stops well. Looking at the 14 bolt C&C swap.
Rebuild the bed. All the bed supports are VERY rotted, the wood is disintegrating. Probably will drive it as is for now and focus on the maintenance items that actually matter to make it safe to drive.
Will document things as I come to them
Question: See attached wheel picture - Are these split rims? I don't see any seams/etc. Not really sure what I'm looking at. If they're 1-piece wheels, maybe they're not factory? Tires are Power King 16-6.50LT. Thankfully in good shape with no dryrotting or cracks
