What tools and fluids do you take for a barn find truck?

[duke10]

I think have found a worthy truck to purchase. Truck is complete and looks to be fairly rust free. Price is very appealing even if the truck doesn't run.Lady says it hasn't been started in a while, between several months and a year. She inherited from her husband who passed away.
Where do you start? Taking a jumper box to see if it will turn over.
Does anyone have a checklist or general things to do before driving if I can get it started?
Thanks

[Patch]

Air tank or compressor, starting fluid, jack, jumper that you mentioned, basic tool box, test light, come-a-long and a friend...lol.

[Coley]

Ok, whatever you do...don't make the mistake of thinking you are going to drive this thing out there and home.
So start with the assumption that it may or won't run and will need to be towed or hauled to its new home.
If you start there....you will have a more enjoyable, lower stress day.

As for tools...what is the extent of the work?
Inflate the tires?...that simply needs a basic air compressor but are they fully flat to the point where they won't hold air?....do you have a couple of spares that would fit?....
On top of that, I would take a floor jack just in case I have to change a tire or two....and maybe a few wooden blocks (4x4, 6x6).....and as already mentioned by patch, the 'come-along' in case you have to pull it free.
(note: one of the first things to check when you get there is if they made that great storage mistake of .....putting the emergency brake, lol....that is a killer....so check that early because that might be a heck of thing to get to release off the drums)

Definitely take a battery and good H.duty jumper cables and be prepared to simply substitute the good battery altogether.

Do you have a good, spare coil?...how about a couple of reasonable condition spark plugs wires?....and maybe even a good (spare?) set of spark plugs.

Next....fuel. You will need a (full) gas can and a squirter can...and maybe even a little 'quick start'.
Then you will need a range of wrenches (maybe sockets...but less likely) from 1/4" up to 1".
Vise grips and (unfortuntately) adjustable wrenches...use these sparingly.....and don't forget to check and replace the fuel filter that is in it....easy and quick to do.

A couple of good screw drivers...flat and philips...large/small....and don't forget the liquid wrench....and get that stuff on there early.

As well, I would bring some random rubber vacuum hoses with me just in case a few are rotted off.

Ok....wish it was simpler...lol and that really isn't too much to take but that would be what I would take.
....but hey, you asked....lol.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Coley

[duke10]

Coley, truck will be on trailer to get home. Your response is exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks

[4carbcorvair]

Tow dolly at a min.

[Coley]

....and always take a buddy...but never more than 2 or things will slow down, lol.

Oh, and don't forget to take a couple of victory beers and a victory snack for you and your buddy...and maybe the seller if he/she is nice and helpful.
Always nice to part on good terms with a good find.

my two bits.
Coley

[sick472]

Nice Advice Coley! Here's some more simple suggestions in case you have extra room.

This time of year, around here, would call for wasp spray.

Take a tow strap in case you have to drag it out of the barn before loading onto the trailer.

Some rags and spray cleaner could come in handy.

Some cardboard or blanket for rolling around underneath it.

Did anybody mention a flashlight or drop light with extension cord?

Water/antifreeze/oil/tranny fluid...spare fluids in other words.

Fuses.

Is your truck full yet?

I would take a breaker bar and socket to check to see if the block will turn over before putting power to the starter, but I may be being picky.

Anyhow, there's my 2 cents.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by Coley

....and always take a buddy...but never more than 2 or things will slow down, lol.

Oh, and don't forget to take a couple of victory beers and a victory snack for you and your buddy...and maybe the seller if he/she is nice and helpful.
Always nice to part on good terms with a good find.

my two bits.
Coley

after the job is done.. keyword AFTER

btw, good advice, trailer and some hands is the way..

[briank]

May have missed it but........also a fire extinguisher as well.

[Coley]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

after the job is done.. keyword AFTER

lol....oh yeah, never at the beginning or you won't get anything done...but you might have a few laughs......little or no progress, but a few laughs.

I always start buddy related projects with some coffee or a good breakfast....the beer is the victory lap, not the pace car at the start, lol.

Coley

[HO455]

Used to be I would show up with a screwdriver and crescent wrench. Now days I bring a wrecker. I did learn alot about how to limp home on a wing and a prayer. The older I got the more stuff I took with me just in case. And I have to keep making new friends to come with me as old ones seem have lots excuses not to come along!
Seriously though bringing a capable friend to help is high on my list of things to bring.

[A1971Blazer]

trailer with winch and snatch block

[Greasey Harley]

New:
oil, filter, 5 gallon remote gas tank, brake fluid, water (coolant), grease gun, fuel line, vacuum line,
Used:
tires, starter, carb with base gasket, fuel pump, fuel filter, hei distributor, plugs wires, fuel pump, miscelaneous lengths of wire, fuses.
, battery, battery cables
Sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers,etc
mechanics wire, duct tape, jumper cables, jack, lug wrench, pb blaster, Power Probe (multi meter), jumper wires, timing light, carb / brake clean, and any other tool you can think of
...A tow vehicle, just in case

go-jo, rags, 5-gallon buckets, a sandwich and drinks, a 4-10 over under; for rattle snakes, coveralls or a change of clothes, cardboard or plywood to lay on
Usually, if you plumb a remote gas tank, and install a new battery, they will start. Swapping out the carb for a good unit will usually make them run good enough to drive home..
If there is no spark, I check for power to the distributor. if there is no power, jumper to the battery and try again. If it has power and doesn't spark, I just change out everything on the spot (dist, plugs and wires), as it is easier than diagnosing bad components.

I have purchased multiple Chevy trucks (mostly Square-Bodies), out of back fields and driven them home. You can't prepare for everything and you need to be prepared to drag them home if necessary. It was always fun for me to drive them away. kind of like a resurrection. It makes more scene to tow them out, and work on them at home, but everyone should have a hobby.
Good luck

I ALWAYS forget something.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

A trailer or rollback. Period

[volksworld]

why bring anything other than a way to get it home?...assume the engine's seized,the carb and gas tank are full of rust,the tranny's bad and it has no brakes and pay accordingly...if you get it to run it's worth a lot more....if they want decent money for it tell them to get it running

[68panelman]

The last two posts said it well^^

[duke10]

Thanks everyone for replies. This was a weird one.
Lady did not have the keys, long story.
Did not have the pink slip.
I paid for the locksmith, confirmed lady was the owner. Jump started and starter fluid and she was good to go.
Had it towed the forty miles to my house.
New windshield, starter, tires and a bath and I couldn’t be happier.
Has a fairly new crate motor and a real solid truck.

[outfield]

Wow, really nice truck !!

[68Gold/white]

Major Congrats!!!
That looks nice!!!
Looking forward to more details...