My boss is the same way. He won't get rid of something till it's so broke that it's beyond repair.
His '95 Chevy 3500HD with a 19' Century flatbed (rollback) is over 300,000 miles on its original 6.5 turbodiesel! It's had 3 or 4 tranny rebuilds and one replacement with a Jasper when the original one was beyond rebuilding. The engine is tired, but still runs pretty good. It just smokes like crazy when started cold, and it's cranky when the temperature is below freezing. I'm sure it's getting weak compression which is causing it. When it was new, the thing would pop off in 0°F weather without being plugged in.
When the engine finally pukes, it's getting a Jasper installed and the miles will keep piling up. He doesn't like any of the new trucks that would be suitable for his purpose. The 3500HD drives like a big pickup truck, and the new C5500 with its dopey cut apart van cab, and goal-post mirrors is not at all desirable to him. He drove one, and being 6'3", his knees were rubbing the dash. The Duramax/Allison combo was a disappointment in this truck too. His old 6.5/5-speed will accelerate with just as much authority when empty. Neither one are what I'd consider remotely close to being quick. I've driven some newer F-550s that would walk all over the new Chevys, but my boss will never drive a Ford, even though he reluctantly agrees they make a better truck for medium-heavy duty use.
His '95 Chevy 3500HD with a 19' Century flatbed (rollback) is over 300,000 miles on its original 6.5 turbodiesel! It's had 3 or 4 tranny rebuilds and one replacement with a Jasper when the original one was beyond rebuilding. The engine is tired, but still runs pretty good. It just smokes like crazy when started cold, and it's cranky when the temperature is below freezing. I'm sure it's getting weak compression which is causing it. When it was new, the thing would pop off in 0°F weather without being plugged in.
When the engine finally pukes, it's getting a Jasper installed and the miles will keep piling up. He doesn't like any of the new trucks that would be suitable for his purpose. The 3500HD drives like a big pickup truck, and the new C5500 with its dopey cut apart van cab, and goal-post mirrors is not at all desirable to him. He drove one, and being 6'3", his knees were rubbing the dash. The Duramax/Allison combo was a disappointment in this truck too. His old 6.5/5-speed will accelerate with just as much authority when empty. Neither one are what I'd consider remotely close to being quick. I've driven some newer F-550s that would walk all over the new Chevys, but my boss will never drive a Ford, even though he reluctantly agrees they make a better truck for medium-heavy duty use.
