Brought a truck back to life, now what?

[emmado22]

All,

My buddy got a 20 year old truck back to running shape. How he wants to go the next step MECHANICALLY and flush the cooling system, new belts, hoses, has to replace a wiring harness, ect.. What else is on the list? Change tranny/diffs/ect fluids, what else??????????? He has new batts, the truck runs, drives, ect, so he's beyond the basics of making it start and run when you flip the switch..... He knows what he is doing body wise, he just needs some help in the mechanical dept.

Any ideas welcome!

 

[Armada]

Thermostat, clean out fuel sytem (tank, fuel filter), wiper blades.....

 

[clinto]

Well, I've never brought a diesel back to life, but on all my antique cars, when I have bought one that was deadline for a looooong time, I typically do the following:

Flush all fluids and replace all filters
Belts
Hoses
Thermostat
Flush gas tank (dormant fuel turns to varnish)
Check all brakes and wheel/axle bearings, clean and repack
Lube everything

I then do short shakedown cruises to see if anything is going to fail after being pressed back into service (fuel pump, water pump, alternator/generator, etc.). Always short so I can get back home in a pinch.

 

[emmado22]

Excellent ideas, keep them coming!

 

[clinto]

Check all the rubber on the vehicle, like brake hoses.......

When I bought my '68 383 4 speed Road Runner in High School, I went to bleed the brakes with my Dad and when he pumped up the brakes, the right front brake hose exploded and covered me with brake fluid.........

(note: that cautionary tale can be applied to any vehicle that uses rubber brake hoses-)

 

[Armada]

I don't imagine 20 year old tires would be in the best condition. They may look ok with good tread, but I wouldn't trust them on the highway for any distance, especially with a load.

 

[emmado22]

Tires are on the list already, I forgot to mention that. Good call on the brake lines... Will tell him that.

 

[SixBuy]

Add new tubes and flaps to the tires... Headlights usually don't last long either. Check/clean axle and tranny vents. Check frt. axle boots. Fun stuff!!!

 

[FrankOceanXray]

Any suppliers sell a "refresh" kit with the commonly needed parts to welcome home a new Deuce?

 

[Scarecrow1]

Trust me you can replace your self into being broke fast LOl...... Do the basic safty stuff and the rest will let you know when they need relpacing ...Most times in the most secluded places in the middle of the night ..but they let you know .....

 

[FrankOceanXray]

^ That scares me from getting into the Deuce family.

 

[Capt.Marion]

^ That scares me from getting into the Deuce family.

Any mechanical device does the same thing... with that thought in your mind, you'll probably never look at your car/truck in the same way again.

 

[DUG]

Is there a list to use when bringing a thread back to life?

 

[FrankOceanXray]

^ Funny you should say that.

Either get the "bringing a thread back to life" response OR "search".

Either way seems to be a pain for a forum's saltier members.

Thanks for the kindness.

@CAPT: I understand that. Even my non mechanical possessions like this house require time, money, maintenance, repair, etc. I get that. But the doom and gloom of the post I was just bringing to light.

 

[bratpackdad]

This thread is ALIVE!!

 

[Heavysteven]

I would be focused on the brake system. Replacing the lines, flush, and check the wheel cylinders. Airpack is probally going to be froze.

Change every fluid for sure. Heck I am doing that on mine anyway.