OLD TRUCKS VS NEW TRUCKS

[CKN]

Kumbaya against todays $50,000plus pickups that ride better, have more power, payload and towing capacity and get 25mpg on the highway, and have much more creature comforts than those 40plus years ago that rode like a buck board, didn't have the payload, towing capacity, powerful motor of today's trucks and did not get decent highway mileage.
Nothing like nostalgia!

 

[oilstudent24]

Here is my current micro fleet of little old to nearly new. 2002 f350 w V10 and 4.33 rear, 2004 navigator with a 32v V8, 2015 f350 w 6.2l V8, and a 2019 f350 dually with a 6.7 diesel.

All these trucks perform well do cross country hauling with fully loaded trailers without fear.

The dually is a beast and has features beyond belief. But the sleeper of the four, the Navigator with the 32v V8. Earlier this week I did a trailer tow 1750 miles across numerous mountain rangers with a loaded 7500 lbs trailer, and the interior of the Navigator was loaded with tools.

The 2004 Navigator towed like a dream, the air suspension was wonderful, and the fuel mileage very impressive. But, no air suspension parts available for the Navigator, and many other parts are discontinued. Makes keep the Navigator on the road questionable.
View attachment 238014

Can you swap the air bags for coils like on the older Lincoln town cars?

 

[DemoFly]

I actually bought a square body 12 years ago thinking the grass was greener on an older truck. It was really tough to live with for many reasons. Sold it for a profit a few months later to a guy just starting his own grass is greener phase.

 

[BrendanC]

GMT800 pickups are the best balance of old and new IMO. i do plan on swapping a 6.6L L8T and a 6L90 in it when my tired 6.0 gives up the ghost.

 

[oil pan 4]

The new domestic products are hideous looking. Reject modernity and embrace visibility.

 

[oil pan 4]

Who is towing 8 tons with a half ton. Apples to oranges.

Someone who wants to die and doesn't care who they take with them.

 

[02SE]

I really like my late model Diesel Dually. It did great rolling down the road towing at a bit over 36k GCVW. Under on all rated weights according to the scales. It does fine hauling a bag of groceries home from the store, or plowing the driveway in winter. I haven't found a reason to sell it yet. That it annoys some militant greenies, despite being completely emissions compliant, is just a bonus.

I would like to find a clean early 60's GMC with a V6, just to putt around in.

 

[ls1mike]

Who is towing 8 tons with a half ton. Apples to oranges.

Come park your 3/4 ton in a downtown parking ramp and get back to me on how awesome they are.

I personally believe anything over GVWR of about 5 tons should be a commercial license. I see 5th wheels upside down in the ditch on a regular basis on the interstates here, or driving their 5th wheel around like its some sort of sports car. And yes, I have driven much larger myself, including class A. Grew up around such things and have driven almost everything at one point or another.

I did mention the old ones were 3/4 tons and up. The GM 3/4 Ton and up trucks had 350s and 454s I owned one of each, plus a 97 1/2 ton 350/4L60E. Doesn't change anything I said. don't have a problem parking the truck. It is also not my daily driver. My argument or I should say discussion wasn't about size. You sound mad that I have a truck at all.

 

[ls1mike]

I have a few questions here!

1) Were you using Synthetic Trans Fluid?
2) Did you have a Deeper Trans Pan with more capacity?
3) Were you running an External Trans Cooler, like a Derale Trans Cooler that has the Stacked Plate setup?

In the TBI trucks? You bet I did. I had the Tru-Cool 40K in the TBI trucks no synthetic, just a blend Dex III to be exact. The 02 6.0/4L80E had that cooler too, but it had synthetic. The new trucks have Dex VI from the factory.

The 17 didn't need a big cooler, but it did have a bigger pan, didn't really need it but I like how it drained. Having towed all summer with the 24. I don't see a need for anything other than what the truck has stock for cooling. I never saw over 180 on the trans temps even pulling Vantage in WA in 110 degree weather.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Old trucks are simply more reliable.

Let me know when a 2024 Silverado or 2024 F150 makes it to 39 years on the original engine and transmission, accessories, etc.

New trucks only win on gas mileage and safety.

Here is a good place to post some condensed gas mileage info.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I’m still enjoying my 2008 3/4 ton Suburban which is a good compromise because it has a 350 HP 6.0, a 6 speed auto, and front and side airbags. It’s down on gas mileage compared to the newest Suburbans but no loan payments are attached.

 

[andrew_j]

Not a fan of pickup trucks. However modern/recent trucks even in base form are so comfortable while previously awful……

 

[PontiacHO]

If you haul only a round bale of hay and confine the old truck to local farm duties then it’s going to seem adequate. Today’s trucks can do everything the old truck can do with ease, traveling long distances with comfortable transportation, and new trucks are safer. Get in a panic-sudden braking situation having to swerve to avoid a crash and you will definitely want that new truck…

 

[SC Maintenance]

I did mention the old ones were 3/4 tons and up. The GM 3/4 Ton and up trucks had 350s and 454s I owned one of each, plus a 97 1/2 ton 350/4L60E. Doesn't change anything I said. don't have a problem parking the truck. It is also not my daily driver. My argument or I should say discussion wasn't about size. You sound mad that I have a truck at all.

Original post was about a C10 not a 1 ton so your comparison to the original wasn't on topic. The discussion wasn't about how to tow 8 tons.

Comparing apples to apples - a single cab 6.5 foot box won't even fit in my garage or a normal city parking space anymore. It doesn't really tow much or haul much more than a single cab / 8 foot bed did 30 years ago - to keep the apples comparison. Probably does get better mileage and have better brakes, but if they did build one now that would be the case also.

I don't care what you drive just keep it between the lines, something the "bros" around here seem to find challenging but still like to putz along in the left lane. . You would think they might like to drive something there able. Must be compensating for something.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Just get one of each.

 

[gman2304]

GMT800 pickups are the best balance of old and new IMO

My 05 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 4l60e with the 2WD Z66 suspension had all the safety features I needed and rode like a Crown Vic! It got 20 mpg highway which is within 1 mpg of my new to me 2019 Silverado Custom with the 4.3 V6 2WD with the aggravating 6l80e, and AFM! Even with the Range AFM disabler, I have learned that toggling the transmission in city driving cuts down on the TC constantly cycling but I shouldn’t have to do that to have a better city driving experience! I sold it 3 months ago with 248,000 miles after the rear diff had to be replaced. I figured it might be getting ready to fall apart around me at 1/4 million miles, so I bought the 2019. If I could go back 3 months I’d still own my 05, odometer mileage be ****ed!

 

[ls1mike]

Original post was about a C10 not a 1 ton so your comparison to the original wasn't on topic. The discussion wasn't about how to tow 8 tons.

Comparing apples to apples - a single cab 6.5 foot box won't even fit in my garage or a normal city parking space anymore. It doesn't really tow much or haul much more than a single cab / 8 foot bed did 30 years ago - to keep the apples comparison. Probably does get better mileage and have better brakes, but if they did build one now that would be the case also.

I don't care what you drive just keep it between the lines, something the "bros" around here seem to find challenging but still like to putz along in the left lane. . You would think they might like to drive something there able. Must be compensating for something.

To be fair when I answered OP in my first reply here and I didn't mention any of that. That reply was to Furious and I was comparing my current 3/4 ton to my old 89 GMC 1 ton and 88 3/4 Ton and reliability.

Ah yes, the BITOG compensating for something...Can't have a truck thread without it.

 

[SC Maintenance]

To be fair when I answered OP in my first reply here and I didn't mention any of that. That reply was to Furious and I was comparing my current 3/4 ton to my old 89 GMC 1 ton and 88 3/4 Ton and reliability.

Ah yes, the BITOG compensating for something...Can't have a truck thread without it.

Yes, and there have been several theads here how people would like a normal size pickup truck for daily driving and everyday use and of course the usual crowd has to show up to say there XYZ diesel can tow a billion GVWR trailer (with a lawnmower on it), etc etc.

Different topic.

FWIW my dad had a old F250 with the IH 7.3 and it towed and stopped well. Of course the driver knew what he was doing (he had a class A until he got very old).

 

[vwmaniaman]

I just hate the height of the new trucks. Why can't they be shorter to the ground so my 5'7 wife and I can get in without a step bar. I am 6'1 and I still need the step bar to get in. I have a replacement left hip and if it wasn't for the grab handle I probably wouldn't make it inside. Old trucks were easier to get into. I had to get a step for the trailer hitch just to access the bed on my 07 Ram. Can't reach over the side and pick stuff out either. I still have my old 90 Ranger XLT just because it is easier to get in and out of when you have errands and grocery shopping. Guess when you get to my age its just normal to grouch about some things. I am 77 now.

 

[jeepman3071]

They do, but not towing like new trucks. I had 3 of them.I put lots of miles on all of them. The TBI trucks were horrible. Intake leaks, TBI adapter leaks, a/c
Failures, crap brakes, the frames sucked. I can go on and on. Honestly I think the last 6.0/6l90E GM trucks were their best 3/4 ton and up gassers GM has made.

+1

I love the styling and simplicity of old trucks, but I think the best combo lies somewhere in between old trucks and modern trucks. Sure, old carbureted trucks win for simplicity, but they are not comfortable without a lot of modifications, not fuel efficient, and don't have the power. The sweet spot IMO was the early 2000's. Fuel injection, non-emissions diesels, comfortable interiors, relatively easy to fix yourself, plenty of power for most jobs and rode good enough you could drive them daily.