So I'm getting a free pick-up….

So I hang around an engine building forum and I mentioned that I eventually I would be in the market for an older heavy duty 3/4 or one ton crew cab pickup to handle my towing and hauling needs. My budget was $2-2500.oo dinaros… enough to get a decent, late 80's-early-mid 90's Ford or Chevy.

One member chimed in that he had an '88 Ford F350 dually… and I could have it FREE!!! Now that's in my budget!.

The only trick is I'm in Wisconsin and the truck is in California… but since the airlines fly east and west everyday I'm in luck. So today I booked my $184.00 flight to LAX… I leave Milwaukee @ 5:30 AM CDT on July 15th and land @ LAX @ 9:30 AM PDT.

Just a short 30 minute ride to Rosemead on the 10 FWY and I'm there.

I'm going to install a new battery, check over the brakes, fluids, belts and hoses then leave the following morning. may visit my sister-in-law who lives in the Inland Empire (Riverside county). depending on temps, and whether or not the a/c works, I'll come back via I-40/Route 66 then up US54 thru Liberal, KS to MO then up across Iowa, Minnesota then back to the Badger state.

If it's in the 100's I'll run up I-15 then across I-80, up thru Rawlins, Lusk and Kadoka then east across I-90… lots of old memories on those roads hauling cheese, produce and machinery for many years.

Might stop to see imacman's twin brother Chumley in Vegas.

I'll post some pix… gotta save some of my SS check as this truck has a 460/C-6 non-overdrive transmission. probably take $800.00 in gas coming back…

Here's a quick look at a similar truck in the same color… if this new one looks this good I'm golden

 

Awesome. Hard to beat free.

Assuming you got some history with the vehicle. Nevertheless, pack some extra water, for the truck and you. Good luck.

 

Where are you getting on I-90 at? I'm 20 miles from.

 

If I run thru Rawlins and Lusk, WY I'll head up SD 37 thru Kadoka, SD… then east.

 

One owner 60,000 miles. The owner used it to haul his horse trailer… got rid of the nags so he hasn't used it much for three years or so…

I'll stop and load five gallons of water, a few quarts of oil…extra wiring, stuff like that. I'm shipping some tools out via UPS next week so I have some of my stuff with me just in case.

 

Cool, let me know if you want to stop for some BBQ.

 

Wow that's a cheap flight! In state flights here aren't normally that cheap even.

Sounds like a nice truck, but what's the catch 22? To me seems really odd basically a stranger is giving away a "creampuff" truck that could be easily sold for $3-4k.

 

Did you say BBQ????

 

No catch that I know of… my 'benefactor' is an older fella who's an old hot rodder and car guy. He really doesn't seem to be real attached to 'stuff'… at some point in life so many material things just don't mean very much anymore. I saw it in my Dad when we'd buy him nice gifts (tools, clothing) and he'd simply put that stuff away and use what he already had… my father-in-law was much like that, too.

I've been getting rid of stuff lately, too. Selling, junking or just giving things away that I no longer use or are in my way. Things that were important to me five years ago are no longer... so they go bye-bye.

This guy just gave away an older Bronco that he had, too. I have a feeling he's OK financially… he owned 125 horses until five or so years ago and kept them at his place which is only 20 minutes east of downtown LA. If you have enough acreage to keep those horses in the LA area I would imagine you're doing OK… maybe not.

Anywho thing whole deal should be fun… I hope the a/c works. If not I'm going to do some rough justice on a foam ice chest and make a swamp cooler for the ride home.

 

Pics or........

Good luck and pay it forward

 

That's Awesome! Have fun on the trip back

 

Every time I go to CA I'm amazed at how clean the older trucks are out there. My BIL has bought a few trucks from the south...fly down and drive them back. I'm too nervous to buy a truck sight unseen but he's had pretty good luck.

 

Wow! Talk about an altruistic fella'. Giving away an asset like that with no strings attached.

My days of altruism are drawing to an end except for religious / charitable work. I find sometimes when I've helped people, they not only don't appreciate it, but often times they don't remember / care.

 

Hope it is running g fine!! Maybe buy some parts off amazon to keep and return later if un needed?

 

More pics when you get there?

I've gotten to the point of trying real hard to not chase my own tail getting "stuff".
All the "stuff" I've had over the years is no longer in my possession, and I keep only what's needed to get things done.
Kinda' like an Albatross hangin' around your neck.
Take care on the drive back. There's always 270 air......both windows open doing 70.

 

No air...drive at night and early mourn.

 

I've done enough of those trips across the desert with zero air conditioning… OK when you are moving but hell when stopped.

The old truck stops out west had 'bunk houses' for drivers who didn't have a/c (90% back then)… sleep during the day… run at night. The old trucks would run hot… engines, transmissions and rear ends, too. Climbing Baker Grade on I-40 you'd have to back out of the fuel to make it or risk a burned piston… 16 miles of 4-5% grade. Night time running was the norm… except for the company freight haulers and rookies who didn't know any better.

A few years ago I was loading potatoes in Florida during a 100F spring hot spell… the a/c in my truck piddled out and I was left with my dash fan and two clip on 12v fans… two trips in a week with 5-8 hour waits at the loading shed. Can't sleep in the heat… but you have a tight delivery schedule @ Frito Lay….

I'll take enough pics and post them when I can. I parked my smartphone last year so I'll take along a digital camera and download the photos to my laptop everyday.

My DD is a dropped in the weeds Dodge 1500 SWB… I have a young helper who is getting his license soon… I'm thinking of making him a real deal.

 

I grew up in charleston SC did not have AC actually till I was a sophomore in college. Summers sure were hot esp like you said when in traffic and not moving. The sun heat the hot asphault and all the engine heat blowing around.