Posted by Mark Davis on Friday, December 15, 2000 at 10:37:06:
In Reply to: B-4-PW Advice posted by Scott on Friday, December 15, 2000 at 01:38:26:
Scott,
1-Take your time while looking it over and don't allow the owner to rush you. I took 4 hours to look at my B-3.
2-Make sure the engine is cold when you first start it. See if it holds an idle and how it runs as it warms up. Turn it off and see how well it starts. Do this at different times during your inspection.
3-CHECK THE FRAME THOUGHLY. Crawl under every inch of that frame and check the cross members where they meet the frame for rust and dirt build up. Dirt can hold moisture.
4-Check behind the cab on the bottom for rust. You can pull out the seat cushion and the lift the back rest up since it should be on a hinge. Don't hesitate to tap the body to help search for rust that has not shown through. If the paint is blistering, there is rust under it.
5-Give it a good thorough test drive. It is not a fast truck so 40mph is top speed. PLAN YOUR BRAKING!!!! These trucks do not brake well.
6-Test all levers: 4X4, hi-lo transfer case, PTO, and all bottons and switches.
7-Ask if it was converted to a 12 volt.
8-If it has a winch-test it.
9-Check all the gauges.
Oil pressure approx 40
Temp Approx 165-180
My Amp meter stays straight up at 12 o'clock.
Any good used car saleman should have a full tank of gas. I thought I would throw a joke in here due to I had to.
10-MAKE SURE THERE IS A TITLE. It is a hassle in some states to get one.
11-Check leaf springs for cracks a broken leafs. THEY ARE WORK TRUCKS.
12-If it has a plow, it may have some fornt end abuse.
13-Look at the exhaust manifold-they are susceptible to cracking. There are many replacements out there.
14-Tell us what happens and if you don't go for it, pass on the info as to where it is.
Have fun, Mark
Who has any other ideas??