Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[RobertN]

There are a couple of American companies that do make devices to put the start/stop system in ONE position, your choice of "always off" or "always on". Wherever you put it, it stays there until you change it. Mine is a 4Dtech harness, just plugs into one of the plugs behind the glove box. For me, it sure beats wearing out the starter and discharging the battery at every stoplight. Their website is: SYNC® Upgrades & Accessories And, no, I'm not associated with the company other than a satisfied customer.

We found a similar thing for my wife's Subaru. Works great; no more start/stop...!

 

[ultrarunner]

Would use of such a device fall into the tampering with vehicle operating system to the detriment of emissions prohibition?

 

[paulsharvey]

When you take inflation into account; on another similar thread, I did a Chevy "built it" matching my 2005 Chevy 2500HD, and come out at like $54,000; which figuring inflation, is cheaper than $35k in 2005. So, yes, you can absolutely get a fairly basic truck, that is capable. You Can Not get one for the same $ for $ as 20 years ago; but often coarse you can't. You also can't get dollar menu fast food or $2/gal gas, or a $75,000 house... Same time, your likely making 2x the pay as 20 years ago

 

[Hay Dude]

I rescued this 72 Chevy K20 pickup from a junkyard and restored it to running condition. I plowed snow for 10 years and hauled building materials for the new house I built. It had 40K miles on it when I picked it up and I ran it for 130K more before selling it to a friend. It was still in good running condition then, and he used it for several more years.

View attachment 3971154

Fast forward to 2025 and I just had a safety recall completed on my 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 with less than 20K miles. There is a possible flaw in the crankshaft journals that could cause the engine to throw a rod. It checked out ok but I'm on pins and needles listening for any odd sound the engine makes.

You're absolutely right. They certainly don't make them like they used to.

Thats a tough way to live. Nobody needs that kind of “pins & needles” stress.

 

[not2old]

My current PU is a 2020 F350. I could NOT get the dealer to come up with a plain old basic rig. All they would present were PUs full of gadgetry and electric everything to run the price up. All I wanted was a F250, the smaller V8 w/10 speed, cruise and tow package. So I went to Ford's site. Learned the F250 can not be configured with the 6.2 / 10 speed but is available in the F350 / 10 speed (?!?). So I finished the configurator, printed it out and went to the dealer and said order it. They were displeased with me. I picked it up 8 weeks later. The F350 wasn't that much more $ than the F250 for the stronger frame, heavier axles and springs. Rides better than the wife's F250. Both our PUs have manual locks and crank windows. Basic AM/FM. Both PUs have been as reliable as the sun up.

F250's are rare here in B.C. They have a 10% provincial tax while F350's are considered a work truck and taxed at 7%

 

[olenjohn]

Short answer. NO. Many of the costs are due to government regulations. Manufactures can not cost effectively produce a basic truck and stay competitive. They tried in the past and it failed.

 

[Paystar]

I first heard about that ^ problem, from the local IH truck salesman, who was driving his company F150 all over Ontario, with no wipers, Kanadian Winter.

Went to email a buddy of mine about that (lives 2 hours away fr. me) that night, did a quick search, and found there were not one, but two NTSB recalls for that wiper issue.

Not slamming on Ford (we all know the extent of this industry problem), I drive one, but when a company drops the ball on a safety item multiple times, on their top $ maker..... we are well into looney-tunes territory.

Just starting into this thread, but I expect I'm preaching@Choir...... this trainwreck/truckwreck is why some people are pouring the money into rebuilding older and old platforms, including commercial heavy. Even if you have near-unlimited funds to play with, the latest bling does you no good if it's down most of the time....

It's almost like there is a War on the Automobile.....

Rgds, D.

Well I'm happy to report my dealer didn't screw me this time! But I went in armed, LOL I had my extended warranty papers with everything about the wiper system covered highlighted in yellow and I told them right up front "I can fix it in 15 minutes and full linkage kit is available at Canadian Tire for $105.00"
So There was no charge! LOL
It was the recall issue. A couple of the joints were seized. So the linkage was replaced. Problem is, since there is no solution or updated parts from Ford, it will likely fail again by the time my warranty runs out. Might be one of those seasonal maintenance thing I have to do now....pop the plastic cover off the cowl and spray the parts with penetrating oil.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Thats a tough way to live. Nobody needs that kind of “pins & needles” stress.

I'd trade the vehicle in a minute but there are 600,000 L87 engines involved with the recall and the trade in value took a big hit. Dealer recommends waiting it out.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I bought a new IH 1210 (1110, 1210, 1310 series) in 1972 for $4200 if I recall correctly. 304 V8, 4spd, 4x4, no air. Only issue was that it had helper spring packs that under no load were maybe an inch below the hangers. Hitting a bump empty was rough on the back. I had 4200 lbs of concrete blocks on it one day. That squashed out the 7.50-16 tires on split rims a bit but barely made a dent in the spring's arcs. Rode good though, lol!

My needs changed and I swapped in the truck for a Scout with a 345 engine with some kind of half baked emission system that relegated it to 8mpg. Then the first gas crisis hit...

I am reminded of one issue that I had with the Scout. On occasion, I would go to gas it up and it would only take a few drops of gas then the belch air. It might have taken a half an hour to gas it up. I had it at the dealer one day whom had their own gas pumps. It took gas normally. Regardless, they went over it, blowing air through the various emission lines, etc. Pulled it back to the pumps, it would not take gas? It was not to long after that, I dumped the Scout.

 

[Oaktree]

There are a couple of American companies that do make devices to put the start/stop system in ONE position, your choice of "always off" or "always on". Wherever you put it, it stays there until you change it.

My 2019 Acadia had that S/S "feature", no way to turn it off. Found a gadget online that plugs into one of the battery cables permanently disabling it. From what I understand, it tricks the car into thinking the battery is low. Little over $100, money well spent.

Would use of such a device fall into the tampering with vehicle operating system to the detriment of emissions prohibition?

I dunno. Probably not something you'd want to do if it's still under warranty, mine was bought used and is out of warranty. State is discontinuing vehicle safety & emissions inspections as of Jan '26, so no need to worry there. Does your state check for stuff like this? Ours just plugs into the OBD port and checks for any fail codes.