How old is too old?

[sigpros]

I have really been kicking around the idea of getting an older truck and rebuilding it. I just want to be able to take it to Wyoming every other year or so. Anyone drive long distances in an old truck? I am thinking late 90's Chevy because I have always liked that body style. Figured rebuild the front end and If you had too put a new motor and transmission in. Honestly with another kid starting college next year and all the gizmo's on the new stuff I was thinking save on a truck payment, insurance, and taxes. I drive my old lincoln to work so I don't even use the truck all that much.

 

[mtmuley]

The late 90's Chevy/Gmc trucks would be perfect for what you want to do. mtmuley

 

[Dan-06]

I have the perfect truck for you. It’s an 05 Chevy. It has as a lifter going out. Other than that. Most of the things have been fixed, rebuilt, or upgraded.

 

[Addicting]

I have really been kicking around the idea of getting an older truck and rebuilding it. I just want to be able to take it to Wyoming every other year or so. Anyone drive long distances in an old truck? I am thinking late 90's Chevy because I have always liked that body style. Figured rebuild the front end and If you had too put a new motor and transmission in. Honestly with another kid starting college next year and all the gizmo's on the new stuff I was thinking save on a truck payment, insurance, and taxes. I drive my old lincoln to work so I don't even use the truck all that much.

A lot of the parts for the interior are not available, you have to source them from wrecking yards.

The sun makes those plastic parts very brittle and they are hard to get good ones.

The ABS system is junk and not supported at all! You will have to remove it or deal with the light always being on when the module fails.

Rear drum brakes are crap, most guys replace it with a disc rear end from a mid 2000 era.

If I were to do it again I would have looked for a GM/ Chevy 2000-2006 3/4 ton.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Gmt 400 is somewhat inferior to 800 imo - especially because you have an ls without swapping as anything. Itll do better on fuel too.

3/4 ton gas (non 454) in either is hard to beat for all trade offs (reliability, ride, value, mpg, etc.).

 

[cgasner1]

Are you hauling and or towing anything out of state?

 

[sigpros]

Are you hauling and or towing anything out of state?

I could be pulling my 14" trailer with a SxS on it. And maybe getting a 16-18' cargo trailer to turn into a small camper.

 

[Steiny77]

I think this is more of a question ..... How mechanically inclined are you?
When it comes to vehicles there isn't really anything that can't be repaired or replaced to keep them going. It's a matter of how far down that worm hole you care to go.

 

[mtmuley]

A lot of the parts for the interior are not available, you have to source them from wrecking yards.

The sun makes those plastic parts very brittle and they are hard to get good ones.

The ABS system is junk and not supported at all! You will have to remove it or deal with the light always being on when the module fails.

Rear drum brakes are crap, most guys replace it with a disc rear end from a mid 2000 era.

If I were to do it again I would have looked for a GM/ Chevy 2000-2006 3/4 ton.

Yeah, after reading your post it makes sense. My hunting truck is a 2003 GMC 2500. Not the HD. My truck has all the heavy duty cooling, brakes just not the towing and payload of the HD. And it has the 6.0 LS. Hell of an engine. But I wouldn't be scared of a clean 90's truck. mtmuley

 

[cgasner1]

I could be pulling my 14" trailer with a SxS on it. And maybe getting a 16-18' cargo trailer to turn into a small camper.

Thought I’d ask before mentioning the ol mighty Subaru.

 

[mtmuley]

Thought I’d ask before mentioning the ol mighty Subaru.

Nothing "mighty" about a Subaru. Nothing. mtmuley