John-good advice! You never know about critical parts of a vehicle if you don't check or have things checked.
I have a '64 K10 'Burb. Over the last 3 years I have been having things like brakes, etc. changed out. Not because anything had failed but because when it comes to brakes, steering, etc. I don't like the idea of my life depending on 43 year old parts.
6 months or so I took the truck into the local shop to have tie rods, etc. checked out. The mechanic, Jim, who does most of the work on the truck said tie rods, etc. were fine. But, he asked me to look at the frame where the steering box is bolted to it. He got behind the steering wheel and began turning it from side to side. I could see the steering box moving as he turned the steering wheel. There was a 3" long crack in the frame that radiated out from one of the bolt holes where the steering box was bolted to the frame. Think about what might happen at 65 mph if the steering box broke away.
Jim welded the crack and placed a 1/4" plate on the inside of the frame, and welded it to the frame. The bolts for the steering box now go through the frame AND the 1/4" plate.
It's very good knowing I have someone that goes the extra mile to keep my vehicle safe. Jim and I have an understanding that when I bring the truck in, for whatever reason, that if he spots something that needs attention he does the work required.
If a guy is going to drive an old truck, it needs to be safe, before it's pretty.
