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

[Mtsoxfan]

I would want to for several reasons.
Style #1
Build quality
sound of closing door/hood/tailgate
lack of wind noise
lack of electronics
simplicity
repairability


It's not for everyone, and one day, before I die, I might make one my next daily driver.

 

[Renze]

What people claim they want on Internet forums everywhere:

View attachment 4518309

What they actually choose to buy, when they're at the dealership:

View attachment 4518310

Money speaks louder than TBN posts!

The actual thing is, that those with the budget for a used truck, want a basic reliable workhorse. Yet those who have the budget for brand new trucks, want all the bells and whistles. And the latter decide what becomes available in the used truck market in a couple of years...

 

[88bradb]

I'll take a half ton truck with a V8 manual and no carpet.

 

[jyoutz]

But why would I want to? BTW those old trucks were actually pretty expensive if you consider how basic the build was and factor in inflation. Take it one step further and calculate how many acres of farm land you could buy for a truck price back then vs now.

Not to mention the gas tank behind the seat and no interior storage.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I just did my brakes at 102,000, and the fronts had probably 20k left, and the rears had just made it to the wear line. Build quality has improved over all. Tires too. Its funny with tires, my work trucks, besides damage, I often get 80k from tires (if they survive), personal truck, 50k, and you start needing to atleast start shopping deals. Plugs, not uncommon to make it to 150-200k on factory plugs. Plug wires, nearly life time. Even seats are better. Those old vinyl benches needed duct tape after 3 years...

 

[Oaktree]

I would want to for several reasons.
Style #1
Build quality
sound of closing door/hood/tailgate
lack of wind noise
lack of electronics
simplicity
repairability

I don't know that the build quality was any better in the mythical "good old days", those old trucks rusted out pretty quickly, lots of squeaks and rattles too. Ride/handling was horrible. Maybe easier to repair, but needed repairs more often too. Lack of wind noise? Yeah, right. Plus no heated seats, which would be a deal killer for some.

Not to mention the gas tank behind the seat and no interior storage.

Even once they moved the tank to under the bed, there still wasn't much storage space inside. Not much for legroom either.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah I agree with that.
Many people suffer from recency bias.
You couldn’t give me the old trucks.
Simple to own? yes
Enjoyable to own? Hell no.

 

[paulsharvey]

Yeah I agree with that.
Many people suffer from recency bias.
You couldn’t give me the old trucks.
Simple to own? yes
Enjoyable to own? Hell no.

Oh, you could absolutely give me a early 80s C10 Chevy, But, as a weekend truck. For day to day, I want pretty modern.

I saw this one a couple weeks ago, and I understand tastes vary, but thats a sweet looking weekend truck.

 

[Hay Dude]

Oh, you could absolutely give me a early 80s C10 Chevy, But, as a weekend truck. For day to day, I want pretty modern.

I saw this one a couple weeks ago, and I understand tastes vary, but thats a sweet looking weekend truck.View attachment 4524706

I’d rather get an Uber than drive that buggy.
Looks like a south of the border teenagers rig.

 

[4570Man]

I would want to for several reasons.
Style #1
Build quality
sound of closing door/hood/tailgate
lack of wind noise
lack of electronics
simplicity
repairability


It's not for everyone, and one day, before I die, I might make one my next daily driver.

Those trucks almost always met the scrap man before 100k miles and if you claimed 200k miles people would call you a liar. Modern gas pickups are lasting 200-300k and diesels 500k. So I’m not sure what’s the bases for your better quality argument. The old trucks have zero sound deadening insulation so I’m not sure what’s the bases for the windnoise idea either. Simplicity and no electronics you win. The Amish have that one beat though if you want really simple.

 

[not2old]

The actual thing is, that those with the budget for a used truck, want a basic reliable workhorse. Yet those who have the budget for brand new trucks, want all the bells and whistles. And the latter decide what becomes available in the used truck market in a couple of years...

I recently bought a new truck and wanted just a few of the bells and whistles but had a bunch crammed down my throat because I wanted a leather interior. I'm sure all the crap I don't want cost me at least $10,000.00. On top of that, now I have to pay a subscription for the navigation to work. That was the last straw that made me decide that my Grand Cherokee will not get replaced with an Explorer. Don't know what to buy because I dislike them all.

 

[Oaktree]

I recently bought a new truck and wanted just a few of the bells and whistles but had a bunch crammed down my throat because I wanted a leather interior. I'm sure all the crap I don't want cost me at least $10,000.00. On top of that, now I have to pay a subscription for the navigation to work. That was the last straw that made me decide that my Grand Cherokee will not get replaced with an Explorer. Don't know what to buy because I dislike them all.

I'd be fine without quite so many bells and whistles myself, and really dislike the big tv screen in the middle of the dash everything seems to have these days. Do like having a backup camera though...makes it way easier to hook up to a trailer.
As far as navigation goes, isn't it subscripton on most, if not all modern vehicles? My truck's a Chevy, and for the navigation to work it's necessary to subscribe to Onstar. $150 for a Garmin GPS does the job just fine for me, and updates are free.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

2019 Ranger, no charge for navigation subscription.

 

[WM75Guy]

I'd be fine without quite so many bells and whistles myself, and really dislike the big tv screen in the middle of the dash everything seems to have these days. Do like having a backup camera though...makes it way easier to hook up to a trailer.
As far as navigation goes, isn't it subscripton on most, if not all modern vehicles? My truck's a Chevy, and for the navigation to work it's necessary to subscribe to Onstar. $150 for a Garmin GPS does the job just fine for me, and updates are free.

I like the screens in our vehicles and all the bells and whistles, especially the camera views including inside the horse trailer. The newer GM vehicles use Google maps for navigation, no subscription needed. Or I can use Android connect feature and use the Google maps app on my phone. If you have OnStar you get real-time updates on traffic.

We have OnStar on all 3 of our GM vehicles, mainly for roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics. If a check engine light comes on, I hit the OnStar button, they run diagnostics, tell me what the problem is, and if it is safe to drive. If not, they send a wrecker and tow it to the nearest GM dealer.

 

[RB5]

Oh, you could absolutely give me a early 80s C10 Chevy, But, as a weekend truck. For day to day, I want pretty modern.

I saw this one a couple weeks ago, and I understand tastes vary, but thats a sweet looking weekend truck.View attachment 4524706

can't do those low profile tires.. The gravel roads I drive on every day would eat them up. Plus I would feel every bump.

 

[paulsharvey]

For the more boring folks

 

[RB5]

For the more boring folks View attachment 4543902

Noooo I rented a long bed chevy regular cab when my truck was in the shop around 85 or 86. The rear end on that thing was so light and springy without a load that it would almost bounce. Of course my previous C10 that I had owned was a heavy half and didn't to that. The rental was bouncy enough that I would not have bought one. Then again I never buy the lightest duty they make.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, although I largely argue that the new stuff is across the board better; I do really like the look of those older C10/K10 stepsides. With that, would i rather have either of those C10s with the original 120hp, or a modernized crate motor making 400-450hp? Just dont put cylinder deactivation on in; either find a factory AC, or aftermarket, and it would be a fun weekend crusier. Still, for a daily, I still want my cruise control, back uo camera, power windows, and cup holders/storage/center console.

 

[WinterDeere]

So, although I largely argue that the new stuff is across the board better; I do really like the look of those older C10/K10 stepsides. With that, would i rather have either of those C10s with the original 120hp, or a modernized crate motor making 400-450hp? Just dont put cylinder deactivation on in; either find a factory AC, or aftermarket, and it would be a fun weekend crusier. Still, for a daily, I still want my cruise control, back uo camera, power windows, and cup holders/storage/center console.

I drove a 1980's K10, and then replaced it with a 1990's K1500. The K1500 was hands-down the least reliable vehicle I ever owned... by a long mile. The K10 was distinctly less trouble, despite it being a few years older during my ownership.

I don't think either of mine had a horsepower spec as low as 120hp, but I will admit that both had enormous trouble maintaining highway speed on a hill unloaded, and they were completely hopeless with a trailer. My daily commute at the time had me climbing over a ridge on I-476 at inflated highway speeds every day, driving from the Delaware Valley into the Lehigh Valley, and I was always jogging between "underpowered" in 5th gear versus "over-rev'd" in 4th. Both had manual transmission.

Despite lacking horsepower, both had plenty sufficient torque. Hauling even heavy trailers was fine up to about 50 mph, they had no trouble with getting through the gears at "around town" speeds. It was only on the highway when you needed horsepower to maintain speed, that both were seriously lacking.

Well that, and the fact that the K1500 spent almost as many days in the shop as on the road.

 

[Renze]

.I don't think either of mine had a horsepower spec as low as 120hp, but I will admit that both had enormous trouble maintaining highway speed on a hill unloaded, and they were completely hopeless with a trailer.

45 years ago a Mercedes 207D had a 65hp diesel. At the traffic lights it was faster than a small sports car, because of its short 1st gear, but the sports car would pass you in 1st gear.

Mercedes-Benz TN - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The one with a 5 cylinder 3 liter 88hp wasnt fast, but adequate, and it was a million mile engine even in commercial duty.