Newly acquired 85' Scottsdale

[RockysChevy]

Hey guys. About me. I love chevy trucks! Just bought an 85 Scottsdale with a 350. It's been well maintained looks like. I'm still getting to know it. Yesterday I blew the horn the same time i had the (nice aftermarket pioneer) stereo on and it blew a fuse. Plus one headlight doesn't work. Had an undetermined leak near steering(?)box, and brake fluid needs changed. Other than this things, and some body rust, this truck seems to be in good shape, considering its age. Not sure the mileage but seller said it's about 20,000 miles since he change the cylinder head.

 

[Old77]

looks cool. What's with the aftermarket fuse block?

 

[RockysChevy]

Previous owner installed and I think mainly for the roll bar lights. But like I mentioned, still getting to know it.

 

[Old77]

I gotcha Looks like it was at least a clean install. You have the base for a pretty cool truck.

 

[RockysChevy]

Thanks, Im excited. And nervous. I'll be taking it on a 2000 mile trip.

 

[Old77]

Thanks, Im excited. And nervous. I'll be taking it on a 2000 mile trip.

Yeah, that's nerve racking in any vehicle you don't much about yet regardless of age. Just keep going over it with a fine tooth comb and fix the important stuff and you should be fine. I drove my '77 home from Indiana about 500 miles when I first bought it. I bought it, spent a solid day going over it and replacing what needed replaced to get us home and all turned out fine in the end

 

[RockysChevy]

Before the trip I already have a list of stuff. Fix right headlight, change brake fluid., Trace short in stereo/horn. That's it. Biggest concern is figuring out what that high pitched noise is when accelorating. Could be normal for all I know. Lol

 

[Old77]

Ball joints, shocks, oil, coolant, brakes, tires,.....all look good as well? Previous owner musta done a good job keeping her maintained.

 

[RockysChevy]

Ball joints, shocks, oil, coolant, brakes, tires,.....all look good as well? Previous owner musta done a good job keeping her maintained.

He has had the truck for 15 years, since age 18. I would say he took very decent care of her! ☺

 

[Camar068]

Ball joints, shocks, oil, coolant, brakes, tires,.....all look good as well? Previous owner musta done a good job keeping her maintained.

I'd add bearings to that list as well as the front/rear end. That long of a trip, I'd pull the covers and check the gears and oil, especially with a new to you vehicle. If it showed no signs of leaks, I'd feel a bit better but still. Sorry just a bad experience in the past.

History behind that: Years ago a buddy that was retiring from the Air Force asked if he should pull the cover and check the rear end on the nova he'd just bought. He was going to tow it behind the uhaul on a 2 wheel dolley. I told him to check the fluid and cruise on. Well the rear ended up locking up on him and drug the uhaul luckily off an exit. He sold it for $400 to the tow truck driver, that was in the 90's so not as much as a hit in the wallet as it would be now. But I've felt bad ever since thin. Sucks I didn't know more about axles then. Part of life.

Hate to see ya go through something like that.

 

[Jukes14]

Welcome to the forum! You'll find everything you need here! Lots of extremely knowledgable folks on here! Cheers from Canada!

 

[RockysChevy]

Welcome to the forum! You'll find everything you need here! Lots of extremely knowledgable folks on here! Cheers from Canada!

Thanks!

 

[animal]

glad to have you here.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Welcome to the site.

 

[RockysChevy]

Thanks everyone