How old is too old?

[elkantlers]

I have a 1994 chevy 2500. I bought it in 98 with 40k miles. I drove it as a daily until 2007 when I bought a Tacoma. After that it was driven by my three children through high school. They were spaced out exactly right so that as one finished up the next was just getting their license. I figured it would be pretty well done for after they got through with it. Not so, it just keeps going. It has been and still is a great truck. I've taken it on many hunting trips to Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and dozens here in Utah. The only thing I would change on it is a third door or better yet four doors.



If I was to start over from scratch on a hunting rig, I would look for a late 80's or 90's Suburban. Put a lift on it with good M/S tires and you would be set. There's plenty of room for people and gear and you can sleep in it if need be.

 

[mtmuley]

I have a 1994 chevy 2500. I bought it in 98 with 40k miles. I drove it as a daily until 2007 when I bought a Tacoma. After that it was driven by my three children through high school. They were spaced out exactly right so that as one finished up the next was just getting their license. I figured it would be pretty well done for after they got through with it. Not so, it just keeps going. It has been and still is a great truck. I've taken it on many hunting trips to Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and dozens here in Utah. The only thing I would change on it is a third door or better yet four doors.
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If I was to start over from scratch on a hunting rig, I would look for a late 80's or 90's Suburban. Put a lift on it with good M/S tires and you would be set. There's plenty of room for people and gear and you can sleep in it if need be.

Nice truck. mtmuley

 

[Addicting]

Are those parts more readily available for those years?

Yes, they are still plentiful in the junkyards. Plus they are still all steel. I think 03 is when they started to add plastic to the bumpers. 03-06 was a hybrid bumper. 07 was all plastic.

90’s are getting to be like hens teeth around here.

 

[jimh406]

If you are partial to Chevy, I'd go a bit newer at early 2000s as well. I haven't liked their brakes very much compared to Fords. So, I'd consider a brake upgrade which might be just.changing to some better brake pads. I had an early 2000s Chevy 2500. I never got much more than 15 or 16 out of it. On the other hand, the 1500s especially with 5.3 can get nearly 20.

If you look around, there are a lot of older vehicles with very low miles. I'd look for one with low miles that isn't from a salty environment.

 

[Dan-06]

For sale? I'm 8 hours away but you never know. mtmuley

Yip, cheap too.

 

[mtmuley]

Yip, cheap too.

Pm please. mtmuley

 

[Potsie]

I’m thinking about diving head first into a 80’s series LandCruiser then doing a 6BT Cummins swap.

I’m kind of an idiot, so I’ll probably do it.

 

[sigpros]

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.

That is kind of what I was thinking throw a new long block in something and be good to go for awhile

 

[homestead]

I’m thinking the same thing. Newer vehicles are just getting crazy expensive and the technology is out of hand.

 

[PorterHouse]

For what it’s worth, my hunting partner and I just did 18 hours each way to Wyoming and back earlier this month in his 2000 GMC Sierra Z71. He put a new engine in it earlier this year (300k on the original). Torque converter actually went out on us on the trip so it got a new reman tranny while we were out on the mountain hunting (rental F150 got us by for a day).

I realize this story might bring on mixed emotions but all that to say, it’s definitely workable. And in theory, we should be good now with his rig cause the major mechanical items have been replaced. Now we’ll just see if we can keep the cab from falling apart around us.

 

[jimh406]

Fwiw, there are a lot of 20-30 something year old vehicles that have barely any rust in the Northwest. Kind of a secret and kind of not.

 

[Bhoesl]

I still drive my 1990 Chevy 2500 every day, only vehicle, including a trip from Montana to Michigan each summer. 350k on it.
Like someone else mentioned, it helps if you’re somewhat mechanically inclined.

 

[2rocky]

I’m in a similar situation with my 2008 duramax. 300k on the odometer. No payment but I know there will be an engine and transmission coming in the near future.
And of course the paint chipping.

I had the front end rebuilt when I got it and have had the TPMS sensors all replaced. New speakers. And replaced the badly dented bed and tailgate.

I’ve got a new drivers side seat cushion awaiting a cover to install.

It gets me and my horse trailer where I need to go and I while it is not an Armaggedon truck, it is still less computerized than a modern rig….and no DEF.

 

[WesternWyoming]

Nothing "mighty" about a Subaru. Nothing. mtmuley

My ‘08 Subie with 92k miles takes me to every trailhead I wish to go to, shelters me, and gets me home with energy to spare. More mighty than my BF and puts up with a lot of guff. So there.

 

[sigpros]

That's the thing I like my 24 F150 but man its has all kinds of electronic crap that drives me nuts. The damn auto parking break really pisses me off. Heck it doesn't even have an oil drain plug like we are used to. It has a little plastic 1/4 turn type plug that you replace every time you change the oil. Plus the insurance is crazy and it's not even a fancy model truck.

 

[sigpros]

Riverton, Wyo.

Hmm could get some fishing in

Riverton, Wyo.

I didn't get a trip to Wyoming this year.