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Big Poo, an 89 GMC 1 ton 454, non-lock up Turbo 400 with 4.10s. If you wanted to do anything at normal
flow of traffic with a trailer on the back of this thing forget about it. Going over I-90 on Lookout pass loaded for camping was a
sweet 45mph at 4000 RPMs of screaming big block with cherry red exhaust manifolds at maybe 4 MPG. 55 mph towing. 60 was a lot of RPM and it was loud. 3200 RPM at 60 in the flats. Going into Ennis Montana up a long grade truck was down to 26 MPH for a few miles. I did the same trip with my 8000lbs travel trailer and the 2017 1 ton. I went the speed limit or better the whole trip without any issue. 9 mpg VS 5 mpg in the big block truck. Big Poo had three transmissions and two 454s by 160,000 miles. I picked up it from the original owner a retired Army colonel at 80,000 miles. Every service record New Engine at 54,000 and Transmission at 72,000. That trans failed at 110,000 (GM rebuild)I had it replaced. Intake gaskets, water pumps, one TBI, and a thousand other things I am forgetting. Rode like a brick, rear drum brakes, non-sealed wheel bearings. The only thing this truck had going for it was it was 2wd and not tall. This is about the same length and width as my current truck. When the A/C compressor pooped out at 180,000 for the third time I gave the truck to a buddy and bought my 02. The trailer pictured was 5800lbs loaded. I couldn't imagine lugging the 9000lbs float around with this thing. They had their place and were good for what they were, The only thing that it had going for it is height and you remember the good old days. What did Billy Joel say? "The good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems" Look old stuff is cool but they just can't do what a new truck does reliably. That is why you don't see companies and fleets driving 25 or 30 year old trucks.
One thing to consider is time. That 1989, is or could easily be doing the job, after 36 years of being on the road.
I agree that the newer trucks, (as you know I had one for personal use), do the job better. They have more power, better cooling systems, bigger brakes, and so on. I am impressed with the newer style intake "internal snorkel" setup.
But the truth is, that people were doing the exact same thing in their pickups 30 years ago....hauling big trailers, hauling construction equipment. Some of those gmt400 truck still do it today. I see it regularly in Charlotte. Many Gmt800s, and many newer 6.6 gmt whatever they are now.
The older trucks were victim to emission regulations and were very underpowered because of this. The legendary GM 454, was severely affected by these new restrictions on emissions, and of course, manufactured did not know how to keep the power up, and the emissions down. I think they have it dialed in now.
I agree the 2006.5 is probably the Pinnacle of the trucks, coupling near perfect drivetrains, great material selection, and proud manufacturing.
Who is to say whether these new 6.6 truck will be on the road in 30 years, and i am sorry to say, of thing continue how they are going, we will likely not be able to see.
One thing that I think is the achilles heel of these new trucks is the electrical/electronic systems. Wire sizes are to an absolute minimum, for cost and efficiency. Sure the sensor goes out here and there, or a connector breaks, but the whole harness? One of my friend has a land scaping business. not to long ago, he got stuck in some mud on a site, the rear axle was sunk. Some back and forth, someone finally helped him out. On the rear axle is a wiring harness, part of the system that tells your brake pad wear percentage. In pulling through the mud that harness got torn out. Not sure of the extent on how much had to be replaced per dealer, but it was to the tune of 2700$ to fix. All for a system that really adds no real value to a truck.
Real truck people dont need a sensor for brake pad wear.
Point is, there is a bunch of stuff we dont need on these new things.
Would you agree?
