Thanks, guys- I just brought it home this evening and have been outside for hours getting to know the thing and making my lists. It was dark by the time we got back, so I haven't combed over it in great light yet. My two young boys were having a field day climbing all over it. For the record, my yet-unnamed rig (wife is working on this she says) was bought for $5500. Seller made out on the work he put into it for the last several years and broke even. Had a great 25 mi. drive home with the wife following me (I only coal rolled her once, ha! yet barely. had to.) and am very comfortable with the transaction so far. Had a good chat with the owner before parting ways and backing down his driveway as he followed the truck down watching it leave. I've seen that face on a seller more than once and it's hard. I'll keep him updated for his efforts.
So after getting it registered and whatnot, here are my immediate plans for the next several days (pics in a proper unveiling with bigger plans/build soon).
Add coolant- level is at the bottom of the bottle but zero overheating, also has a new thermostat and housing I learned.
Power spray the bed out- all sorts of crap in the nooks and crannies back there, but it does have a bed liner in serviceable condition.
Wash, claybar, basic polishing wax, vacuum the interior, and have the inside professionally steamed to look and feel as clean as reasonably possible.
Toss the blue plastic GM floor mats and find some decent contrasting dark gray ones (blue interior), front and back- need a sunshade too.
Change the oil with Mobil1 Delvac plus filter- full dipstick but already pitch black after ~3k mi from a change last winter.
Flush the rear diff, maybe front axles and brakes? Basically all the fluids to get a fresh baseline except the trans- that was just done incl. the filter and seal a couple months ago.
Replace the wiper blades and find a plastic tailgate handle pocket replacement.
Mount up an awesome Ranch Hand full brush guard that I haggled into the deal since he had no other vehicle to put it on, possibly respraying it black first, though it may be good as-is.
Find its owners manual on eBay to 'complete' the stock package.
Order my ExPo sticker to keep motivated.
Random solo trip/maiden voyage to a buddy's ranch this weekend to build a bonfire and catch up with some friends. What perfect timing for this acquisition!
Once I get all that done, I'll be at a comfortable baseline to then do an intro photoset and start my formal build thread for the next 2-3 years. I sure hope my family likes 'camping'... tentative first plans for that next spring out to Palo Duro perhaps.
