Orchidskip;
I gotcher sense of adventure, right here. I rode my motorcycle those 750 miles to drive the truck back with the bike on the deck, because the guy who sold it to me said it could easily manage the trip. He told me that the deck was original and in good shape. In fact, it was gone completely, and replaced with a couple of sheets of 1/2" plywood. He had changed all the lubricants in his shop before I arrived (for a mere additional $250), and the kingpins - which he said were shot - for another $250.
My first clue that things were not as he said they were was when I first saw it on its wheels. The tires, which his post said were in good condition and hold air indefinitely, were in fact badly rotted and all between 10 and 18 psi. With temps hovering around 90F I wanted to check the pressures before I drove it. He said they were fine, but if I insisted, I could take it around back to his bay door and check them. He seemed impatient to leave, but I did insist. Then I tried to start the truck without result until he showed me the toggle switch for the electric fuel pump (wired directly from the battery). The truck started then, reluctantly, with a great outspewing of filthy black exhaust smoke. He fidgeted while I brought all the tire pressures to 40 psi - except for the worst of the spares, which had a split in the sidewall and only got about 28 before it began to bulge alarmingly. So then I started up again, same thing, and drove away, the truck running roughly. It managed 48 mph more or less steadily for about 13 miles, but when I pushed it up to 50 it went for about a mile, then quit and would not restart in spite of the combined efforts of myself and a few helpful passersby. Oil pressure read about 15 psi under way. It was the only gauge that worked. I didn't ask what oil he put in it, but knowing him as I now do, it was probably multigrade. Anyway, that was as far as I got with that truck to date. And I didn't really enjoy that part of the adventure. It may sound to you all as if I'm whining about the truck. I assure you I am not. I like the truck. My problem is with that man's word, which is without value.
-Mark
