Driving 3,000 Miles Across The USA In An Old Chevy! Will It Make It Home?

I bought this 1996 Chevy k1500 in Seattle Washington, and had to drive it all the way across the country to get it back home. Will it make the trip?
Featuring Waldo's World
instagram: @a.rural.vermonter

[@WaldosWorld]

First! 🤠

[@ARuralVermonterQqjmcb182]

yeeeehaw. what a trip, looking forward to your video coming out soon!

[@blippacg]

Didn't catch it in the video. What did you pay for the truck? I get totally discouraged looking for cool older trucks, pricing is just stupid high.

[@QuincyMcBride]

@@blippacg it was pricey. Might do a vid with numbers in the future.

[@TwoFarmBoys]

Two of the best KZbinrs on the platform in one video. Keep up the great work, guys!

[@WaldosWorld]

@@ARuralVermonterQqjmcb182 I've been without power for 15 hours now. Just got to a friends house to finish editing the video 😂

[@jameschartier3625]

This is absolutely classic American Truck. 1980s to 2000s were the best generation of the truck market!

[@FoxyThePirate]

Absolutely. Back before all the afm garbage and electronic throttle body crap was around. 💯

[@jeffrykopis5468]

Yeah, I love old trucks, 1948-87ish. But the 90s are the best for daily driver reliability, for a fairly low price.

[@swamp-yankee]

The diesel options from gm were garbage though. I think early oughts is peak tech. 2000-03. Some good stuff til 07.

[@FoxyThePirate]

@@swamp-yankee I couldn’t have said that better myself, plus I just can’t get enough of the 99-02 aesthetic there’s just something so unique about it

[@user-st8ny6pi2d]

The best trucks ever are made today. You’re all just poor haha

[@enragedbacon470]

I have one of these with 350k on it, bought with 110k 13 years ago. Never left me stranded anywhere. Fix the common issues before they happen, keep up with the maintenance and full of oil(the cooler lines leak on all of them you cant really stop it without mods) and it will never let you down. I have countless trips in mine going from sunrise to sunset and thousands of miles in a week.

[@fredharvey2720]

How do you drive that far in one day

[@1mowahhed1]

What is the common issues needs fixing

[@Immashift]

+1 on the trans cooler lines hah. The fun part is when they poop out in the middle of winter and leave red koolaid all over your driveway and it's so cold you don't wanna fix them yourself. That was my experience anyway.

[@sampatterson7761]

Wasnt it silly to buy a car without even test driving it

[@leonb2637]

I guess the college semester and exams were just over and you gave us a nice Xmas present. You were lucky as to the weather. That is an awesome truck, likely the only rust free 1996 vehicle in VT 😄 I hope it ends up in a good home. I like this kind of 'road trip', no phony crises or personal conflicts, no stupid stunts (except for the doing donuts in the parking lot🙃 ), treated the vehicle with respect. You saw some nice scenery. Noticed the hotels improved in quality each night. I did a 5 week, 10K mile cross-country trip from NJ to LA, in 25 states, Aug 28th - Oct 1st, with stops in 12 major US National Parks, a few other NPS parks, state parks, Las Vegas (have a niece and her family who live in the area), plenty of awesome scenery. Some pointers from my travels. It was likely too cold to eat outside for you, but I would pick up something for lunch on a few days a week, eat at the roadside parks/rest areas/ National Parks I was in to save money, time and more enjoyable than bad fast food. One other trick I did was register with the points programs of Choice and Wyndham motel groups, can book ahead a day before, the morning before or even a few hours before on your smartphone or computer, get a decent rate, see ratings for quality so not in a dump and assured you had a room for the night.

[@kristoffermangila]

A 60k+ '96 Chevy pickup in excellent shape, that's insanely good! My guess is that the previous owner treated this truck like a prized set of scissors, and I hope you do the same. One of the first things you should do is to undercoat that truck's bottom, to deal with all that salt on your roads. Oh yeah, check that blower fan, just in case.

[@johnm.5848]

I'd would say that why the truck performed dang good was that the previous owner stayed on top of the maintenance and the normal replacement of wear and and tear items. Plus, the 1988 to 1997 Chevrolet full size pickups have a bulletproof reputation. May it serve you well. Glad that you made it home safely. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

[@Monza62000]

my 92 k1500 still runs like new

[@johncenayoll]

Bulletproof and 4lslippy and don’t belong in the same sentence

[@DamionG1987]

@@johncenayoll Please. The 4L60 is fine.

[@briansaxby5357]

I have an 85 k10 runs like a top just keep up on the maintenance

[@zoomanx9661]

The RPM to MPH is impressive for a truck that old.

[@thesentinel8974]

Livin the dream. Great buy, great friend, a plan. More power to you. Enjoy life while you're young

[@frankm8533]

Waldo is a excellent fabricator love his channel. That's a great truck I don't like GM stuff but those models were the best in my opinion I still see a ton of them running around

[@WaldosWorld]

I appreciate it!

[@wolferguy]

Oh to be young again and willing to drive long distances.

[@theotherdanw]

Fantastic truck! Thanks for taking us along. It looked like it was a fun trip!

[@4dak88]

That's the best truck ever made in my opinion. You have great taste man. I hope you preserve and keep that baby forever. They will never make a truck that comfortable and beautiful ever again, and best of all floor shift z71. Very rare!

[@ToyotaNutjob]

Na. Best truck ever made is a 1st gen tundra

[@avioncamper]

1996 was the first year for the Vortec V8's , No TBI , Port fuel injection. Yes, that is a sweet original Grand Pa truck, do not modify it. perfect as it is. Glad you took Waldo, he's the best. Glad the trip went smooth. Merry Christmas from NC.

[@Monza62000]

i will take tbi over it ..there is a reason

[@nickwebb9937]

Both were rock solid reliable.

[@BWYinYang]

Indeed 'grandpa' pick-up, 26 yrs old w/60k miles. 👍🏼 Those rural Vermont road look so familiar, been there 3 times.

[@b103206]

You sir, have one of the best American half ton trucks ever produced. Take care of it and it will serve you well. Not for years, but for decades to come.

[@rokelesoke]

Great to see this collab! Definitely excited to see what you and Waldo collab on next.

[@the_truck_farmer]

Gmt400s are my 2nd favorite Chev trucks, just behind 67-72s. Most parts still made durable and of metal. They've got fuel injection, cruise, overdrive, power windows/locks, comfy seats, and air conditioning. Basic truck with all the niceties. They also road trip super well. Lots of these trucks ended up getting to 300k miles...

[@BusterV8]

Me too!

[@baileydonahue7314]

This is so cool to watch, two years ago I did this same exact journey (except to CT) in a 1991 Oldsmobile 98 I paid $800 for. Bombing down the highway at 95mph the air ride suspension handled it like a dream. Only scary times was going up through the passes without snow chains plowing through the drifts but other than that no issues really pleasant drive in under 30 hours. I owned a 98 Chevy 1500 that looked very similar to this truck in burgundy out there and it was the same story clean truck no rust just with a lot higher mileage. Stay safe and happy new year!

[@alliebarnett3143]

I picked up a 95 back in October with 90k all original! Can’t wait to see more videos of this gem! Keep us updated. Happy New Years

[@anthonymcandrew529]

NICE truck & no-drama road trip with Waldo! Great end to your year. All the Best in 2023!

[@ginnys4733]

What an awesome weather window you had for the trip. Way to go!! Nice truck, enjoy!!

[@brandonmorris2513]

Nice of your buddy to tag along. Man, I LOVE that truck!!!

[@BK-ol5uo]

Hey there ARV. Another great video here that just happens to focus on some of my favorite vehicles/pickups ever made. Appreciate your content. These OBS GMT400’s are some of the most reliable pickups ever manufactured. Not surprised to see it still living up to the test of a cross country road trip even 25 years later. I own a 2005 Cat Eye with 70K original on the odometer and will keep it until even after it needs an engine rebuild in 15 years from now.🤣 The 5.3L’s and 5.7L’s with the simple v-block pushrod design minus all of the electronic crap they do now a days are SOLID & reliable, simple engines as time has proven. Again, great video. Appreciate & enjoy viewing your content.

[@md2k8]

That was a nice, classic pick-up truck that you purchased in Seattle and the week-long road trip back to Vermont. These older GM pick-ups last for a very long time than these newer ones. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am looking forward for more all-new videos in 2023.

[@korn111685]

Love Waldo, he’s got his own style and I love it. Thanks for the video!

[@paulsheehan5010]

In New York, don't fall for having to go on I-87 south, to get on the Mass. Turnpike in Mass., I-90 is Mass.Turnpike.

[@chadmarkle3278]

Great trip, great views! Thank you for sharing!

[@1217257]

Merry Christmas All the best in 2023, thank you for making 2022 a little bit easier and better for myself

[@matthewheinze1231]

Man this brings back memories!!! Did a fly and drive in 2010 in a 1962 K20 Chevrolet with a cabover camper. The trip was amazing!!!

[@SombreroKnight]

Damn this is awesome! I drive a ‘93 C1500 and this makes me a little more confident to drive mine longer distances, Awesome video as always.

[@rustypliers74]

I drive my 91 from North Dakota to California every year

[@SkaBob]

The 88-95's are even more reliable. Throttle body injection is dead simple, just 2 injectors and a few sensors. A little less power then the vortec motors but they just keep going.

[@akiddoo8113]

When you passed Walcott you were only about 15 miles north of me. Had I known would have waved hi! I called myself a Vermonter for 3 winters back in the 70's. Then back to Iowa. Good vid - keep it up.

[@melv1n_official]

Amazing documentation of the trip! I wish I could do a similar coast-to-coast drive. Also not to forget the Chevy truck you have which looks pristine and performs great! I’d love to see the future videos of it.

[@MegaMC777]

That’s a nice find of a truck. My uncle the GMC Suburban version of that generation and I really liked it. Had a road trip myself with a bud back in September for 12 hour drive to South Dakota. It’s an absolute blast driving across the country.

[@McLivin410]

Thank you for showing us your journey. We live in a beautiful world

[@danielkingery2894]

That was a super fun Road Trip vid! I luv the long scenery clips. Was fun to see good ol' Oregon in a Rural Vermonter vid.😎

[@SierraOne]

Great collaboration with Waldo! More Please!

[@1stlast290]

Love the 90’s GM gas trucks. Super reliable.

[@johnh2514]

Another great road trip video. Love those GMT400 trucks! Although, I forgot just how comically small the non-trailer side mirrors were on the trucks of that era.

[@kwobs]

And to think there were even smaller mirrors on the 454SS. Only stuck out 6”.

[@Edogawa1117]

Awesome video. All the best to you and your family for the festive season and 2023.

[@jjd6614]

10:08 it’s really funny, I saw that truck as I was driving through that pass too. I was thinking that was a mint gmt800.

[@reinhardeder8268]

Nice Road trip thank's for sharing, can't wait for more!

[@LordBass]

Nice truck! My Father In Law has a 97 standard cab short box W/T V6 that he bought new. It's our bomb around truck now. Runs great and fun to drive. Undercoat that thing and enjoy!

[@charleswildman137]

The last 3 vehicles I have bought were grandma and grandpa cars. They have all been great cars!

[@BRUNOSILVA-lm9xd]

It is not an old truck, it is a piece of history that if you take care of it, it will always be there for you, beautiful video bro 👍

[@Metalhistorian]

Look forward to seeing more videos of this truck. My family bought a k2500 silverado new in 1994. I still use that truck as my daily driver and camping truck. Was lifted in 99, but beyond that has been the same truck for nearing 30 years and I see no reason to ever buy anything else.

[@Metalhistorian]

Also was to bad you guys didn't drive I-90 through Washington and Idaho. We live in Spokane it's beautiful out this way, but can understand the detour south to avoid the passes.

[@AlphaShark]

I love a good road trip! Thanks for the video guys.

[@stewtube1240]

Truck is in awesome shape . Congrats !

[@paulsheehan5010]

Beautiful truck!

[@randyscott1496]

Great vid. Nice to see Waldo on the road. My 2 favorite you tubers on the same vid.

[@TwoFarmBoys]

What a beautiful truck! I've got a 1995 K2500, 7.4L, 5-speed. Mine's special though cause the seats are held together with fencing wire. But this thing is mint! That color with the Z71 is fairly rare I would think. Glad the trip went well! Love your road trip videos. God bless and Merry Christmas - Everett

[@Zazu2You]

Extremely nice 1500!! They are great trucks, for sure. Enjoy. Happy Holidays!! Cheers!!

[@richardmcgrath61]

I have a '96 C1500 single cab with the 350 engine and canopy on the bed. A great workhouse, and that engine just makes a lovely sound. Mine's done 120,000 miles but is still amazingly reliable apart from a few typical battery, alternator & starter motor issues.

[@ReapThySorrow]

That right there is so clean! That would be a dream for any, chevy enthusiast.

[@steveodarko]

Nice truck!!!! My first truck was. 90 single cab longbed 1500. I miss that truck!!!! Good find!!! I lived in Detroit and the frame rusted out on me. Was still running like a champ when I got rid of it.

[@scrapyardwarriorvlogging]

That’s a great save, and what a great runner too. The highway at 16:05 looks absolutely breathtaking with the snowy mountains and the sunset ❤❤

[@DEvans28]

Eastbound I84 heading into weber canyon in Utah

[@jamesschnitzer6087]

GM small block 350 with throttle body fuel injection..the best V8

[@vanPoll]

Seems like a very good truck. The previous owner maintained it good, kept it clean and as far as I can see it, did not torture it.

[@yuri_sp]

Lovely truck, great roadtrip. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@GemmaLB]

I've just started the video and my prediction is - Yes you'll make it, it's GM. Edit - That is a gorgeous truck, I had a Cavalier that color, that was low owners too and about 60k miles, wish I hadn't sold it.

[@johnnydeville5701]

Beautiful OBS K1500! Sadly Washington State now salts state highways, during the freezing temperatures. Limits how much I drive my Corvairs, and my '90 Cadillac Brougham d' Elegance. '97 was first year for the optional 3rd door on those extended cab Chevrolets. Awesome truck, and awesome roadtrip! Columbia River Gorge in Washington and Oregon is beautiful. Most people who aren't from the PNW, have no idea how diverse the terrain in Washington is! We have Ocean beaches, rivers, lakes, mountains, glaciers, flat farmland, grasslands, deserts, sand dunes, rain forests, leafy forests, pine forests, fir forests,....etc!

[@anthonytomb8857]

90s- early 2000s trucks are the best ever made

[@ARuralVermonterQqjmcb182]

Agree

[@vtjmproductionsusa2390]

I really enjoyed myself with you guy's today. This was a real good hang. That truck is super sweet. Great video, and Great content 👍

[@kzsotl1]

This roadtrip was amazing with those hyperlapse cuts. 😎👌

[@casperhoss2952]

That was an awesome video!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@alecmcd552]

My dad had a 1500 truck like this, it was his pride and joy. His was in great condition also and he cleaned it often. He lost it a about 5 years ago when a defective part he bought from NAPA caused a fire in the engine bay. We were out in the middle of nowhere delivering a load of hay, by the time the FD got to us it was too late. We just stood back and watched it burn to the ground. My dad has cried twice in his life, when I was born, and when his truck burned to the ground. Take good care of it, they are great trucks for the age, they made em differently back then.

[@robertmailhos8159]

It will make it across the country 👍😎

[@paguerro1696]

I bought a new one in 1997 and I still have it. Lots of great memories and I cannot part with it. Your truck is a lot cleaner. Take care of it. It will be a classic.

[@colefrog183]

I got a 95 Chevy K1500 last year with 185k miles and drove it from Montana to Florida with no issues. You should have no problems, some of the best trucks ever made.

[@taco_sean]

I’m considering a similar trip to Idaho for a new rig! Thanks for the inspiration and sharing this rad adventure 🤙

[@organiccold]

I Waldo, nice truck, didn't missed a bit and looks new, and what a great road trip, really beautiful around there. Have a great Christmas guys :)

[@rayk48]

Very enjoyable video. Would like to make a cross country trip like this as well. Just not in December! Vermont looks as beautiful as anywhere you went.

[@ARuralVermonterQqjmcb182]

Yea we got very lucky with the weather!

[@liztoney1565]

Had ‘97 Chevy Tahoe with 215,000 miles. Had to get rid of it, because the seat belts stopped working, and I had 3 small kids. Loved that truck! Ran like a champ and never let me down.

[@tyb4007]

Nice! Hope you keep this truck around for a long time :)

[@geoffreyb3337]

That truck is awesome

[@charliebrewer617]

Great video and truck. Looks like you are living your dream. It’s always fun.

[@livinglifeontheedge4261]

I drove a 38' Chev 1T flatbed from VT. to Utah bitd. Actually several more oddball XC trips over the years. Good to see a Vermonster carrying on the tradition!

[@geoffreyb3337]

A few little drops of machine oil at the end of the blower fan where you can see the center rod that goes through the bearings and it will shut it up for a week or two

[@davop4919]

I was a mechanic 37 years never was a chevy man but picked up a '94 Z71 silverado last year only has 48k original miles owned by older man that can't drive anymore....it's mint and since I fixed hundreds of them over the years I guess that's a plus for me 🙂

[@golferpro1241]

Nice find

[@therealdeal67]

Wow that's like finding the greatest diamond ever discovered deep in the ground and yall driving it across country back home to Good old Vermont was like watching some classic movie. I liked your true Grit in the other wiper blade put on. You are in a class by yourself . Awesome video. That truck would be the perfect daily driver for you and pulling that boat you have with it , would be a perfect fit. Definitely a keeper for life. Take care and always stay safe 🙏

[@tommyboy8524]

That is absolutely a sweet ride. Great grab.

[@patriot0971]

Great to see Waldo making an appearance. This truck is an amazing find.

[@Immashift]

I remember my uncle's old '98 Sierra. When he lost his license for a vision problem it sat for years only being taken up to the family cottage a few times a year driven by my aunt. It had around the same mileage as yours there. When I was old enough to drive the only reason I did not end up with it was because it was a bit of a pig on gas and only 2WD. I ended up with a little 2010 Ranger 4x4 I love to absolute bits because it handles our Canadian winters so well. But I have very fond memories of the five hour drive to Algonquin national park we used to do for camping every summer in his truck. Nowadays I have the space and the knowledge to keep it, and wish we hadn't sold it, but hopefully it's still on the road somewhere out there.

[@MrEddieWoods]

That truck won't let ya down my blower fan does that same thing not a big deal but overall very clean truck

[@danswartwood4580]

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

[@gerredstallings465]

My mom had a truck like this only a 98 brown in and out manual transmission and 4 wheel drive with 75 thousand miles I love this year of the Chevy truck good choice glad u made it home safely and had a good Christmas and new year's

[@jefferyepstein9210]

The only thing that might go out would be the ignition module. I always kept a spare in the glove box along with the paste. Other than that they are bulletproof. Looks like a beautiful truck. Congratulations!!!

[@Metalhistorian]

Yup replaced that several times in my 94.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

@@Metalhistorian On the 94 they were under the distributor so made it harder. On the 96 they are next to the coil on the intake manifold and can be swapped in a few minutes. I've had several of these trucks. 88-98 are probably the most bulletproof trucks out there. I've personally saw 300K+ miles out of them with maintenance.

[@Metalhistorian]

@Jeffrey Epstein Yes indeed not the easiest spot on the 94. 170k on mine. Should be able to get another 30 years at this pace.

[@clover7359]

I just did 3300 miles round trip in my 94 Honda Accord, not even a hiccup and I even got 32 MPG going 65-70. Granted, earlier last year I knocked out a lot of maintenance.

[@dumbmoose5271]

Love that truck I’m so happy the video came out

[@OwenC1]

Your editing skills improve each video you make. Can't wait for the next one!

[@rektorpwr2006]

A fantastic trip and a great travel shown. Now I know what such a long route through several states looks like in December. I would love to switch my 96" VW Polo for that Chevy lol! Greetings from Poland.

[@mrlouisvashi]

That was my buddy's truck. He traded it in at a Renton dealership by Walmart. Good truck

[@freedomforall5071]

I got 95 Z71 looks just like that truck! mine has factory aluminum wheels, 265/75/16 tires, no top, blue interior, bucket seats, and loving it!!!

[@dcpoolsvc]

Very nice truck and love these type of videos!

[@alliebarnett3143]

Oh my!! The noise your air makes when you cut it on brings me back to my old 98 c1500 use to squeal the same way😂 I always told people you had to know the code. Only way to get it to stop was to cut the air on and off ab 10 times till it blew normally!

[@buddyrevell6369]

Beauty. Get that thing fluid filmed fast!

[@robinrai4973]

Niiice! Being in the UK long trips aren't really a thing - I'd love to do a long road trip one day!

[@organiccold]

You can always drive to Portugal but is not a 5 days road trip, is more a two day hehe

[@johncreighton9830]

Can't believe how clean it is

[@SnickasBah]

Definitely a gramps mobile.

[@paulbibb578]

Super clean OBS Chevy! cant wait to see what you do to it.

[@bighoss14]

I drove my old chevy across all the eastern central states just last year towing a camper. Mine was a 3/4 single cab long bed. I miss that truck everyday.

[@brandonmorris2513]

Always great content, RV!!

[@thechuckmachine]

What a barn find that was!!! So beautiful, take care of her!!!

[@ethanwilliams1825]

If my work schedule would let me get away I would do the same thing. That is a beautiful truck and it was top of the line in 1996. I'm not going to lie I am jealous of your truck.