OLD TRUCKS VS NEW TRUCKS
- Thread starter GMBoy
- Start date
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Just drove the below old truck with 13k lbs of additional weight with the trailer, bed, and cab loaded with tools and such. Drove 1700 miles in 48 hours, from Tacoma, Washington to White Sands, New Mexico. Scorching heat the entire trip, to include very high temperatures in Western, WA.
Zero issues with the truck whatsoever, except the air conditioning didn't work. I rarely use this truck, so that might have contributed to the no air conditioning. I added Freon in Idaho, worked for a few minutes, by went warm again. Likely a Freon leak.
Why did this truck old truck with 200k miles work well under harsh conditions:
Right drivetrain. Very reliable 2v V10 motor, with oil changes every 2k miles. Very reliable transmission with lubri moly full synthetic transmission fluid. And most importantly, a 4.33 rear end. With a 3.xx rear ended it would have been a completely different trip.
I maintain this truck well. It is not used often, but it is a workhorse. Not all pie in the sky. The fuel level monitor on the fuel pump is broken. Ford makes no less than three different fuel pumps for 2002 gas f350s, based on wheelbase and cab. I was able to purchase one of the last remaining OEM fuel pumps, as a crew cab short bed needs a hard-to-find fuel pump. Shame on Ford for having so many different fuel pumps for these trucks.
I have one more trip from Washington to New Mexico. That trip will be in a 2019 f350 dually with a 6.7l diesel. I will be towing a bumper pull trailer. The 2019 has so many features for towing, automatic trailer sway control, built in trailer brake controller, 3" Hitch receiver, transmission fluid temperature gauge, I could go on and on. I saved what should be the least stress drive for last.
Grateful for the 2002, but no comparison to the 2019 for my uses.
I think this thread comes down to not is the truck old or new, but what is the truck being used for. Going to get mulch at the local Home Depot, and go fishing later in the day, old truck big thumbs up. Hauling a heavy camper up and down grades, new truck for very many reasons.
Here is my 2002. I updated the interior a few months back with a 2015 f350 center counsel and new seat foam and covers. Updating the interior sure makes.an old truck nicer to drive.
Zero issues with the truck whatsoever, except the air conditioning didn't work. I rarely use this truck, so that might have contributed to the no air conditioning. I added Freon in Idaho, worked for a few minutes, by went warm again. Likely a Freon leak.
Why did this truck old truck with 200k miles work well under harsh conditions:
Right drivetrain. Very reliable 2v V10 motor, with oil changes every 2k miles. Very reliable transmission with lubri moly full synthetic transmission fluid. And most importantly, a 4.33 rear end. With a 3.xx rear ended it would have been a completely different trip.
I maintain this truck well. It is not used often, but it is a workhorse. Not all pie in the sky. The fuel level monitor on the fuel pump is broken. Ford makes no less than three different fuel pumps for 2002 gas f350s, based on wheelbase and cab. I was able to purchase one of the last remaining OEM fuel pumps, as a crew cab short bed needs a hard-to-find fuel pump. Shame on Ford for having so many different fuel pumps for these trucks.
I have one more trip from Washington to New Mexico. That trip will be in a 2019 f350 dually with a 6.7l diesel. I will be towing a bumper pull trailer. The 2019 has so many features for towing, automatic trailer sway control, built in trailer brake controller, 3" Hitch receiver, transmission fluid temperature gauge, I could go on and on. I saved what should be the least stress drive for last.
Grateful for the 2002, but no comparison to the 2019 for my uses.
I think this thread comes down to not is the truck old or new, but what is the truck being used for. Going to get mulch at the local Home Depot, and go fishing later in the day, old truck big thumbs up. Hauling a heavy camper up and down grades, new truck for very many reasons.
Here is my 2002. I updated the interior a few months back with a 2015 f350 center counsel and new seat foam and covers. Updating the interior sure makes.an old truck nicer to drive.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2025
- Messages
- 138
I could not agree MORE. All anyone has to do is perform a very short search online to get the facts. The new GM engines and transmissions are dropping dead as fast as adult Mayflies. The sheer number of engine and transmission failures is insane. NHTSA has started its 2nd investigation into the engine failures. In my opinion, they are, quite frankly, absolute JUNK. How far the mighty (GM) corporation has fallen. Granted, everyone has an opinion, but I stand by mine due to my years of experience as a NIASE certified master mechanic starting way back in 1983. My old girl is a 93 K1500 (5.7, TBI, 4l60E), and the only way she is going away is when they pry my cold dead fingers off of the steering wheel
Last edited:
Are you really saying you cannot afford $85K for a new F250 PSD?
I love this topic. First - to the poster that mentioned having both: Bravo! That's the correct answer. Daily use of a truck has drastically changed from "the olden days" and modern trucks just do everything better. But going to town on a Saturday night is much sweeter in an old classic.
Size: I own a 1987 V30 (previously known as K30) dually dump truck. I had a 2022 GMC Canyon crew cab (previous generation). The Canyon was taller and longer and the 1-ton had maybe an inch or two in width.
Power: The Canyon had nearly 3 times as many gears and 3 times the horsepower. Infinitely better ride, handling, and noise control. The V30 has 130 screaming HP from a naturally aspirated 6.2L diesel. Hard to start when cold, slow as molasses (like dangerous slow). Not horrible on fuel though. I've had K20s that got 25 mpgs. 95% of the suspension is in the seat springs though
The Canyon is gone now because needs changed a little and I currently daily a newer F250. Also have an older F450 dump for my business. I'm currently re-building the V30 and will likely re-power it with something a little more livable.
Size: I own a 1987 V30 (previously known as K30) dually dump truck. I had a 2022 GMC Canyon crew cab (previous generation). The Canyon was taller and longer and the 1-ton had maybe an inch or two in width.
Power: The Canyon had nearly 3 times as many gears and 3 times the horsepower. Infinitely better ride, handling, and noise control. The V30 has 130 screaming HP from a naturally aspirated 6.2L diesel. Hard to start when cold, slow as molasses (like dangerous slow). Not horrible on fuel though. I've had K20s that got 25 mpgs. 95% of the suspension is in the seat springs though
The Canyon is gone now because needs changed a little and I currently daily a newer F250. Also have an older F450 dump for my business. I'm currently re-building the V30 and will likely re-power it with something a little more livable.
Nah. A truck is a giant wheelbarrow and not mortgage worthy. My 27 year old GMT800 Silverado is doing great with its upgraded AGM battery some months ago. I might be in the market for something sub $10k this year, we'll see how far the knife falls in this new economy.
Uh yeah. I’ll take “something that gets 35 MPG and doesn’t cost > $50,000…” for $400, Alex.
I could not agree MORE. All anyone has to do is perform a very short search online to get the facts. The new GM engines and transmissions are dropping dead as fast as adult Mayflies. The sheer number of engine and transmission failures is insane. NHTSA has started its 2nd investigation into the engine failures. In my opinion, they are, quite frankly, absolute JUNK. How far the mighty (GM) corporation has fallen. Granted, everyone has an opinion, but I stand by mine due to my years of experience as a NIASE certified master mechanic starting way back in 1983. My old girl is a 93 K1500 (5.7, TBI, 4l60E), and the only way she is going away is when they pry my cold dead fingers off of the steering wheel
Here is a fact. GM sold almost a million trucks last year. Not all of them are "dropping dead. Yea-the big V8's have issues. But there are hundreds of thousands of 5.3's and 2.7's on the road with "Internet Issues" that don't nearly address the number sold.
Can you afford 50 large for a new truck?
Inquiring minds would like to know........I find that puts things in to perspective.