Well I just finished my maiden voyage and made it from Fort Bragg to Three Rivers in one piece. I drove the new truck home over 400 miles and she ran like a sewing machine through valleys, over mountains, around lakes and through forests. darn good hill climber and granny gear was great for descending my steep, bumpy dirt and gravel, long windy driveway. I only had to add 1/2 Qt oil the whole trip. No leaks, no strange noises, no overheating and no major problems. I hit some light showers, and found the wipers were useless, but it was just sprinkles. My hood popped open on the freeway a little, but I think I maybe didn't latch it down carefully. It made a rattling noise that scared the crap out of me when it came loose. There seemed to be a constant heat from the engine, don't know if there was a heater switch to stop it, so I just kept the windows down and drove through the night. No interior lights, so I kept a flashlight next to me and clicked it on and off to monitor my speed. Accelerator sticks, but acted as a low tech cruise control. Just had to mash down on the gas with the clutch in to get it to pop back out. Vice grips currently operate the driver's window and passenger door. The stereo and CB aren't wired up, but I bet they'll work. There is a fair amount of rust, since the truck was from a coastal fishing town. I'm not sure how bad it is on a scale or whatever, and how exactly to fix it or slow it down. The paint on the bumpers and hubcaps is pretty thick and sloppy, but I can live with it for now. New radials, and an older style spare. Small holes rusted through in a few common spots, surface rust underneath, light rust on lots of parts, and paint bubbling with rust in other spots. New exhaust from manifold back, new water pump. Other new parts, can't remember. Air compressor in back for a LOUD air horn. I scared the crap out of a few tailgaters on the way home. Lots of fun already and got lots of honks, waves and conversation at every stop. Just glad I made it back without the help of AAA. I think the plan will be to enjoy it as is, fix inexpensive things, maintain and improve what I can afford to do. The rust issue has me a little worried, but I think I did ok for $3,500. I really like it the way it is, a work truck and not a trailer queen. Some dents and scratches throughout, but none too bad. I stopped at a motel, and the neighbor had a steady stream of unsavory characters going in and out all night, so I sat up and slept with the curtain open to keep one eye on it all night since the driver's door doesn't lock! Ignition key doesn't fit the doors. If I heard it start at night, I imagined I had plenty of time to get out and konk someone on the head with my mag light before they figured out how to start it. Met one guy in Calistoga who offered me free parts once I figured out what I needed.
