Semi-daily driver
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 4
From: Cupertino
My feeling is that a pickup truck of our era -any make- is one of the most durable vehicles on the road once you get them right. They were built to take a beating, are simple compared to new stuff, have driveline parts available. I have had mine for forty years. I think I know every subsystem in it quite well. If it fails on the road I can diagnose the problem before it rolls to a stop alongside the road.
I also have a '34 rod. I literally know every screw and part in the thing. Not because I am smart but because the thing is so simple.
My wife has an Acura. I never lift the hood. I did once and didn't recognize anything I saw except what looked like an air cleaner spread from fender to fender and a battery..
I like simplicity and I like the company of guys who feel the same way.
Stay with what you have. Get it right upfront for a few $k. Service it regularly, watch the fluid levels. You can drive it for decades and get thumbs up every day from pedestrians and other drivers.
Semper Fi
I also have a '34 rod. I literally know every screw and part in the thing. Not because I am smart but because the thing is so simple.
My wife has an Acura. I never lift the hood. I did once and didn't recognize anything I saw except what looked like an air cleaner spread from fender to fender and a battery..
I like simplicity and I like the company of guys who feel the same way.
Stay with what you have. Get it right upfront for a few $k. Service it regularly, watch the fluid levels. You can drive it for decades and get thumbs up every day from pedestrians and other drivers.
Semper Fi
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 119
I would say yes. I don't drive mine to work as it would burn too much gas but anywhere in town I drive it.
It is not just the maintenance you need to take into consideration. These old trucks do not drive like like a new truck. My truck rides rough, and the clutch can get a little stiff when I am tired. It was tough to park in tight spots also but I put power steering on it.
If you really enjoy power steering, cold AC, heated seats, smooth ride and low maintenance then I would say you have a lot of work to update a truck or you should by a new one.
It is not just the maintenance you need to take into consideration. These old trucks do not drive like like a new truck. My truck rides rough, and the clutch can get a little stiff when I am tired. It was tough to park in tight spots also but I put power steering on it.
If you really enjoy power steering, cold AC, heated seats, smooth ride and low maintenance then I would say you have a lot of work to update a truck or you should by a new one.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
These trucks were used daily when new, no reason they can't be now. After 45-50 years, they will have some worn parts, so buy the best you can initially, and be ready to dive in and learn once it's yours. Mine is relatively low miles for its age, and it's been very reliable, but it's worn in certain areas that I'm now addressing. I still could hop in it and drive anywhere I wanted without worry, I know it's behaviors. If it does act up, I can catch it early before it becomes a problem for real.
Devin
Devin
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Nice to see you pop in here.
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