This post is long overdue but we now have our hundy and she's safely back home in AZ. I found a 2001 with just a little less than 85k miles on Autotrader in ... Western North Carolina! - for just under $17k. I had the nearest dealer (2 hours away) check it out and then we flew out to go fetch her. 2.5 hours drive up to the Smokey Mountains in a rental from Atlanta and we finally got to see the machine.
After some inspecting and discussion with the techs at the dealership (about rust mostly!), we drove down to the owners and made the deal....and then turned west. I had the dealer change ALL the oils before we left (engine, ATF, front, trans and rear diffs). Britt, my wife, our 2 month old and I drove her back through as many states as we could and had a great trip over a weekend. We made a detour up to Canyon de Chelly (across the res) for some minor MUDd'ing before heading for Flag and then home.
Total trip was 2113 miles and she worked flawlessly. Not even a hint of trouble. We drove all that way without plates (not even temporary) too! Ultra-gauge helped me drive (relatively
) economically. We had a surprise trip down to the family farm in Mexico (7 hours) last weekend too and again she was awesome.
This week she's off to Uncle Murf's for a thorough 90 k service. The truck is still under its 90k miles mark, but way overdue in months....
My biggest concern at this point is the "surface rust". There are plenty of bolts that are going to be a pain and the rear bumper plate (under the skin) is ghost of its former self - it even crackles - but I see this as an upgrade opportunity Previous owner had the undercarriage coated in a rubbery stuff which may have made things worse. The engine and transmission are great and the interior is very clean (and complete).
I am considering some serious wire wheel time, or perhaps even a soda blast followed by some POR-15. I think realistically though here in AZ its not going to get significantly worse but I'd like to clean it up. She also "lists" to the driver side (about an inch difference!) I think it must be the shocks. - another upgrade opportunity.
This '01 is completely stock (still has the running boards...for now) - except for an iPod adaptor. It does not have the fabled HVAC filter slot.
Plans include - 90k super service, clean up, sliders, bumpers (front AND back), single DIN audio and a lift and tire growth.
I'd be doing much of the 90k service as a I can but I'm off to Israel for a week and a half for work and then we'll be off to MX again....so no time. Also means I will be gone for the next club run!
Andy
After some inspecting and discussion with the techs at the dealership (about rust mostly!), we drove down to the owners and made the deal....and then turned west. I had the dealer change ALL the oils before we left (engine, ATF, front, trans and rear diffs). Britt, my wife, our 2 month old and I drove her back through as many states as we could and had a great trip over a weekend. We made a detour up to Canyon de Chelly (across the res) for some minor MUDd'ing before heading for Flag and then home.
Total trip was 2113 miles and she worked flawlessly. Not even a hint of trouble. We drove all that way without plates (not even temporary) too! Ultra-gauge helped me drive (relatively
) economically. We had a surprise trip down to the family farm in Mexico (7 hours) last weekend too and again she was awesome.This week she's off to Uncle Murf's for a thorough 90 k service. The truck is still under its 90k miles mark, but way overdue in months....
My biggest concern at this point is the "surface rust". There are plenty of bolts that are going to be a pain and the rear bumper plate (under the skin) is ghost of its former self - it even crackles - but I see this as an upgrade opportunity
Previous owner had the undercarriage coated in a rubbery stuff which may have made things worse. The engine and transmission are great and the interior is very clean (and complete).I am considering some serious wire wheel time, or perhaps even a soda blast followed by some POR-15. I think realistically though here in AZ its not going to get significantly worse but I'd like to clean it up. She also "lists" to the driver side (about an inch difference!) I think it must be the shocks. - another upgrade opportunity.
This '01 is completely stock (still has the running boards...for now) - except for an iPod adaptor. It does not have the fabled HVAC filter slot.
Plans include - 90k super service, clean up, sliders, bumpers (front AND back), single DIN audio and a lift and tire growth.
I'd be doing much of the 90k service as a I can but I'm off to Israel for a week and a half for work and then we'll be off to MX again....so no time. Also means I will be gone for the next club run!
Andy
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