Too Far to Drive It?

[joebronco73]

CB Members,

Its been a LONG while since I've been active on here and aim to get back into regular visits, but I'm looking for some input on getting my Bronco moved from storage to my new home. For some background, I moved to the east coast in early 2018 and left my '73 with a family member in Yuma, AZ. Its been regularly run, but lightly driven by that family member. Since then, I've moved from Boston to outside of Austin, TX, where I now have the space to keep and work on the Bronco.

Ultimately, I have no real grasp on how reliable it is, but at the time I left it, it was my daily driver. To add to that, I also have a motorcycle in AZ, which would need towing or riding (was also a daily). The engine was rebuilt ~14k miles ago and transmission/drivetrain was rebuilt ~6k miles ago.

My question is: do I drive it (and tow the bike) or pay a trailer through uShip, etc to bring it to me?

I have a trustworthy shop in mind to have them do a once over and help with any issues I may find, before embarking on a drive like that, but I'm not sure if the risk is worth saving the $1,000+ in having it and the motorcycle towed for me...any input is helpful, since I'm completely on the fence about this. Thanks, in advance!

-Joe

 

[DirtDonk]

I’ve done the equivalent of driving mine back-and-forth across the country a couple of times without any issues or unscheduled maintenance during that period. But yours has been mostly sitting for at least five years now, so that’s a different ball game.
How old are the tires? Not mileage wise, but actual age wise?
How old is the fuel pump?
Luckily it’s been driven, so the gas might not be too old, and pump might still be healthy. But that is something to check.
Was a driven enough to go through a tank of gas a few times?

When was the last time the front wheel bearings were re-packed and readjusted?
How many miles overall on the bronco, and during that time were the rear wheel bearings ever replaced?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Not in the middle of summer.

Put fresh tires on and drive. Allot extra time.

 

[joebronco73]

I’ve done the equivalent of driving mine back-and-forth across the country a couple of times without any issues or unscheduled maintenance during that period. But yours has been mostly sitting for at least five years now, so that’s a different ball game.
How old are the tires? Not mileage wise, but actual age wise?
How old is the fuel pump?
Luckily it’s been driven, so the gas might not be too old, and pump might still be healthy. But that is something to check.
Was a driven enough to go through a tank of gas a few times?

When was the last time the front wheel bearings were re-packed and readjusted?
How many miles overall on the bronco, and during that time were the rear wheel bearings ever replaced?

Luckily, I've got answers to a lot of these questions!
Tires: ~1.5 years old prior to storing.
Fuel Pump: ~10 years old prior to storing.
Fuel: ~4 tanks of fuel through it over the 5 years. Last fueled 2 months ago.
Front Wheel Bearings: new and packed 2mo prior to storing.
Rear Wheel Bearings: replaced ~5 years prior to storing.

 

[BruiserOutdoors]

cooling and front c-bushings/radius arm bushings would be my biggest concern after the obvious brakes and tires. I have had those bushings crumble into million pieces

Looks like thats about 1300 mile trip. If you have the time, energy and tools/skills, I say do it. Don't be in a hurry though.

 

[joebronco73]

cooling and front c-bushings/radius arm bushings would be my biggest concern after the obvious brakes and tires. I have had those bushings crumple into million pieces

Looks like thats about 1300 mile trip. If you have the time, energy and tools/skills, I say do it. Don't be in a hurry though.

Suspension is the #2 item on my to-do list, once I have it (electrical is #1). That said, the bushings likely need replacing...

 

[BGBronco]

The potential issues are pretty predictable. If you can get those nailed down, the drive would make for great pictures and a great story. Tough call on towing the motorcycle.

 

[BRONCOchild2.0]

Just trailer it home. Safer bet. But, if you want an adventure...then driving it would be it. Best of luck. Post pics of the journey regardless.

 

[1969]

+1 vote for the adventure of taking it on a road trip. It will be something you remember forever.

 

[hyghlndr]

Worth saving 1k, probably not. Well for the adventure and the experience, maybe priceless. So if you have the time and desire I say go for it and if not ship it.

 

[phred]

Service it and drive it.

 

[DirtDonk]

Drive it around a bit before you go, check for leaks, carry a spare fuel pump, and a few tools, and drive it!
As the others have said… Priceless!

 

[DirtDonk]

Then, there is always the alternative. Tow the bronco with the motorcycle!

 

[Scoop]

. . .

I have a trustworthy shop in mind to have them do a once over and help with any issues I may find, before embarking on a drive like that, but I'm not sure if the risk is worth saving the $1,000+ in having it and the motorcycle towed for me...any input is helpful, since I'm completely on the fence about this. Thanks, in advance!

-Joe

The risk is NOT worth the $1,000 + you'll save by driving it. But the adventure IS worth the risk! You'll not remember much about the delivery you paid for, but, guaranteed, you will remember the time you drove your Bronco from AZ to Austin!

 

[Timmy390]

AAA......JUST INCASE

Tim

 

[Yeller]

Pick up a fuel pump, a basic set of tools, a fuel filter and hit the road. It will be a priceless memory. I regularly drive relics across the country and wouldn’t trade it for anything. The only thing that would make it better is doing it 2 months ago when it was cool

 

[Wild horse 75]

If the electrical system is the #1 thing on your list of things to do once you get it I wouldn’t risk it. Electrical gremlins will pop up at the absolute worst time. And they can be a bear to locate. Everyone is talking about big things that can fail but one bag connector somewhere and you lose your ignition and you could spend a day tracking it down. I say bite the bullet get it and the bike towed out.

 

[MarsChariot]

What BGBronco and Hylandr said. You have done some things to it maintainace-wise that I will bet many of us have not done in the past couple of years and we would drive it. Summer, fall, either way it would make for a wonderful adventure. Besides if you come through Albuquerque you know at least one Bronco-centric pit stop. (edit: Depending on timing....)

 

[Mark1911]

Service it and drive it. Heck a couple of years back I drove a 1969 AMC Rambler that belonged to a really good friend of mine from California to Oklahoma and the memories are priceless! She drove absolutely perfect, no issues whatsoever. Great memories.

Mark

 

[BGBronco]

Here's my AutoZone / Advanced shopping list for you: Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid, Fuel Pump, Ignition Coil, Controller, Fuses, Tow Strap, and Mainstream tools. If you want to take it to the next level throw in an Alternator and a Starter. Anything you don't use, which will be most of the items, you can take back on arrival.