The hit list needs to Stick to the important stuff first; do the tunes rock?
The answer no means everything else is pointless. If yes proceed;
naturally do the Earl. Coolant sort of optional if it looks good, but it does wear out , eventually costing a very deep pump.
God help you if the coolant is OE. Are the hoses good? Bad bulges? Cracks?
tranny fluid only if it smells like Smokey the Bear after the rain.
Gap the plugs. You can look at it, but if it runs, likely the cap and rotor & wires are okay enough.
The plugs are the only easily accessible from thing inside the motor, and they'll tell you tons about what's going on inside.
Learn what you're looking at before you clean them. Then clean them or swap them if you're feeling flush
Check the ball joints, but Realize you don't positively have to shoot some grease in there to be a good person.
and DONT blow out the skins if they have zerks. That's worse than dry..jus ez ok?
look over the vacuum lines for cracks, mucho opportunities for leakos.
Be careful fishing around if it's new territory, because that there is a can of worms. n'yuk n'yuk n'yuk
If you learn what all those do, you'll know a damn what what about your truck
Take that black plastic heart shaped box off the top of the motor and see how that belt looks.
It's not Motor death if it fails but it might be a long walk home.
Cracks, fuzzy, wet, or oily are only good things if it's a female.
You might be able to cheat a peek in there without dismantling the water outlet which would be a welcome bonus.
Check brakes for sufficient pad.
Jack it up and turn the wheels to see if those are smooth and tight or wobbly.
If you're really energetic Grease the wheel bearings and front shaft, or naturally if you wind up having to do ball joints.
Are you driveshaft boots good?? Does it click in the hard slow corner? That's a sign and it'snot good
Put some locking hubs on that thing
Mom said "check the spare "
Get the book.
Full tank ?
Then dammit go somewhere. Move West and you won't have to deal with stuff like that Peek-A-Boo bumper
