The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Test Drive

Ok so I need to completely disassemble the truck for body work and paint. But! All things mechanical from bumper to bumper have been rebuilt by myself. I believe everything is sound and in good working condition. With that said I really feel the truck should be driven for a few weeks to really be sure all is in good working order. It will have only fuel, brakes, lights, and 2 temp gauges oil and water. No trim or glass. This will be the first time the truck its the road since 2001. looking for some input before all the trim and finishes are in place. Is this the correct approach you guys would use to be sure.

Shade Baby

That's what I would do. Wear glasses since you have no windshield. (It's illegal in Florida to operate a vehicle without a windshield, however) Use hand signals for turning and braking. Turn signals weren't mandated on vehicles until 1968.

There is also no Federal law requiring 2 brake lights (only a third, high mounted brake light in 1986). Florida only requires one brake light on vehicles made before 1972.

Without a windshield, I wouldn't be using it as a daily driver "for a few weeks.' But you could probably get by with a single test drive. More than that, you'll most likely draw the attention of a LEO and wind up with a ticket. I believe fenders and a current license plate would also be required.

Sounds good,

Thanks
Shade Baby

I guess it depends on location .... No windshield ... no fenders ... no hood ... Hmm, just remove your muffler and then you'll have the average daily driver around here ...

Seriously, though ... I think all of us who've done a frame off resto made a few test drives as soon as the vehicle was mechanically able to move under its own power. Here's a shot of Cosmo and Grigg returning from a ride around the neighborhood in Grigg's in-progress 6400 diesel conversion project...

I highly recommend test drive before finishing the body.

This was my 1st test drive.

A short jaunt around the immediate neighborhood, sure. I've done it myself. A few weeks of driving it around, and your likely to run into a LEO or a neighbor that just won't appreciate what you doing like Kevin mentioned.

You can run the engine in the driveway to test for normal startup/warm up and systems checks to verify no leaks, the charging system is doing it's thing, etc. You'll know if the brakes work, the clutch feels and sounds right and so on, plus if it's close to home and you find a problem, it's a very short trip to get it back inside without finding yourself stranded somewhere too far to easily get it home.

On another thought, not driving it around too much where some rubber-necking yahoo can get distracted looking at your truck and cause an accident with your truck or others, is a big ounce of prevention I'd take into consideration.

Put a set of handlebars on the steering column and call it a "motorcycle". Wear a helmet and goggles!
Jerry

I did a test drive and posted a video. (or link to a video, I can't recall)

No glass, no fenders, no doors. It was a very short drive; just down the block and back.

Consider that you are driving without insurance. An accident could ruin you financially!

Wayne -- I see your bench seat and raise you -- Here's *my* 1st test drive with a period-correct kitchen table chair.

I would drive it some as others have said but be sure to run the fuel system dry before you pull the plug as any fuel left in the system will raise problems down the road assuming your body work portion of the project will take a while (mine certainly did).

Had a great time on Mongo doodle bug they could see my smile back in Australia and l was in Kansas city at Stovebolt gathering