Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) new truck ?s

[Mhannink]

well i finally found my dream truck its a 95 4x4 5spd slt larime regcab long bed 101k miles its been well taken care of what are somethings i should ask about as far was things like u joints and ball joints are these things that are needing to be looked at or should they be ok iv already asked about the kdp so im wondering if there are any others i should know to help in purchasing this truck btw hes asking 10k i think its reasonable what do ya'll think all responses welcome.



also to those who bought their trucks from a long ways away how did you get the truck back home and which is easist or simplist again all advice is welcome thanks in advanced

 

[RJPotts]

Sounds like a reasonable deal to me. I would try to talk him down some more personally.

I would ask for service records, and go over the truck with a fine tooth comb.

I bought my truck from a guy in Daytona Beach, FL and I live about 8 hours north in Buford, GA.

I flew down there and had him pick me up from the airport, then I drove the truck 6 hours to Panama City Beach to finish my wedding plans, then 6 hours home from there 2 days later.

I guess it depends on how far away we're talking.

-R. J.

 

[CStansbury]

Hey Mhannink,

Congrats on finding your dream 12v. It sounds almost like the one I just bought except for the regular cab.



When I was looking at it I looked long and hard at the entire body since mine was coming from salt country. I was paranoid about RUST! I looked in the fenders, under the doors, around the stainless fender moldings, under the bed mat, etc... All the usual 2nd gen rust spots. I was satisfied that the corrosion I found could be treated with something like Eastwood Rust Encapsulator.



I also looked thouroughly at the drivetrain. The owner said the ball joints and track bar ends had been changed. A test drive will tell you a lot about that. The truck only has 96k on it so everything else felt tight. As far as how to get it home. I had my wife come with me and follow me home in her car as I drove it home. It was only about 6 hours away though.



Good luck with your truck and keep us posted!!

 

[Mhannink]

rjpotts i will try to talk him down a little but if not its stilla good deal to me. i am asking for service records he did tell me tho that he changes the oil every 5 to 6k miles w/ rotella and fleetguard filters. both diffs trans and xcase where drained and redline synthetic put in. it has only towed once since the current owner bought it and that was when he moved. since then its been a daily driver w/ some city most highway miles. it looks well taken care of i will ask about rust im sure there is some on there. on the ball joints would they still be alright at this point i mean i need to check but im thinking they should be alright. as for getting it the truck is in colorado and im in cali about a day and a half hammered on it i thought about flying in and driving back but wanted to hear if there where any other good alternitives. thanks and i will keep ya'll posted.

 

[vssman]

Getting the truck back to Cali: One option is to Google "auto transport companies". You'll get plenty of companies to call. I know someone that uses Intercity lines exclusively but he's moving 60's muscle cars. They're at www.intercitylines.com

 

[Digger]

I would fly myself. I have heard of people driving their car there and renting a car dolly and towing the car back.

 

[cahammer]

i picked up my baby on the east side of PA. my best friend and i flew back from salt lake to get it and drove it out here only took about 3 days to drive it back to idaho i was a little leary about the rust and such but i had no fears of the 12 valve making the trip back home and it was also just fun to take a break and drive for a couple of days with a good friend pick it up and drive it home

 

[Mhannink]

yeah i think flying is the best one so far and is probably what i will do i just wanted to hear other options and see if there was something i had not thought of. i will try to get a pic up later it needs to be down sized first

 

[vssman]

I recently bought a classic car (63 falcon convertable). Transporting it from PA to CT in an open trailer was $350. 00, closed about $650. 00. Being that it's only 180 miles away and I have access to a car trailer, I'll get it myself when the weather is a bit warmer and I have some time. If it were any further I'd give serious consideration to having it transported for me. One thing to keep in mind is that the transport companies are insured. Keep in mind if you plan on driving it back you legally need insurance and registration - late model vehicles (in most states) require a title for registering it. Some states (PA for example) require you to be there in person for a title transfer as it has to be notarized. That leaves getting it registered out of state (don't know how hard that would be) or flying back and getting it registered in you home state and returning for the drive back. In the long run it may be less expensive to do something other than flying out and driving it back or even driving out and towing it back.



Just a friendly $0. 02

 

[Matthug]

I paid 10K for mine, and it has a good bit more mileage. So it's a good deal I think. As someone else mentioned if it's too long to make it in a day and back in a day's drive I would fly. What I mean is if you can get someone to go with you in a very fuel efficient car drive out there and spend the night in a motel, buy the truck and come home the next day kind of thing. But if you can't make it in a day's driving I would fly, but thats risky too because if the truck isn't all it's hacked up to be you just got screwed big time!

I would not trailer it, but thats just my opinion.

 

[Mhannink]

matt i was going along those same lines of thinking thats why i wanted to ask what there is to ask about so that i know as much as possible and im asking him for all kinds of pics so that will help too. hopefully in a few weeks ill be able to say to ya'll that i have bought this beauty and that it is home safe and sound ready for bombing. so i hope all goes well this is the truck ive been looking for since before i found tdr