The most abused vehicles on the road...........
- Thread starter Escape08
- Start date
The one that came by the radiator shop sounded like it was going to come apart but it never did.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Where I’m at they are those annoying drivers that drive 5 under the speed limit lol. I’d love to own an old mail truck I’ve always liked those lol.
They are Jasper's biggest customers lol. Every month or so I'd pickup and deliver 20 or so Jasper crates whether they are engines or transmissions at USPS VMF.
Just earlier this week I saw one ripping out of the main post office billowing black smoke like an old diesel, except these aren't diesels.
Just earlier this week I saw one ripping out of the main post office billowing black smoke like an old diesel, except these aren't diesels.
Chatted with a mailman about the "new generation" (Nissan based, I think) truck as one or two were in the neighboring county for testing.
Their years of service and rumors of auction availability came up and he said, "This one has a new engine and a new transmission. Who'd want this one?" I pointed out that new running gear is a big plus........not a car guy obviously.
He did mention that Grumman had been around years before removing their logos from the trucks and showed me its shadow against the worn white paint.
I could easily use one.
Got stamps?
Their years of service and rumors of auction availability came up and he said, "This one has a new engine and a new transmission. Who'd want this one?" I pointed out that new running gear is a big plus........not a car guy obviously.
He did mention that Grumman had been around years before removing their logos from the trucks and showed me its shadow against the worn white paint.
I could easily use one.
Got stamps?
Some had an Iron Duke 4 banger
The new one is a Mercedes. At first the Mercedes emblem was on the postal vans and the postal service got complaints from people assuming they spent a fortune for them because of the name. So the USPS had the emblem changed to cut down on stupid complaints.
Rural roads = look at the left rear quadrant. Multiple idiot strikes!
I thought Grumman went out of business after all their buses fell apart on the streets of NYC in the late 70's or 80's.IMHO....Where I live, postal service personnel drive these Grummans mail delivery van like they are at a race track. No slowing down over potholes and speed bumps
Yes and no.
Yes, some "mail carrier vehicles" are underpinned with Ranger/Explorer w/ 3.0L V6. Despite looking similar, they weren't made by Grumman and they're not LLVs I don't know if this is an official designation, but I've heard people in the postal service refer to them as FFV because of their E85 compatibility.
You can tell the Ranger/Explorer-based units by a different front fascia/grille, longer wheelbase, Ranger wheels, and additional fixed window on the left side. They also don't have the distinctive Iron Duke engine sound.
That was the clue I kept noticing..... We have (or had) a bunch of Rangers for our employees to use. I'd recognize those wheels a mile away!
The body and final assembly LLV is by Grumman ('79/97 some diesels at beginning and end), and the chassis (based on the 1982 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer) is made by General Motors, with the powerplant (2.5L I-4 TBI "Iron Duke" and, in later production, General Motors 2.2L I-4 iron block/aluminum head engine), instrument cluster and front suspension similar to those used in the Chevrolet S-10 pickup and S-10 Blazer sport utility vehicle. USPS is lookin at replacements. Oshkosh & MB models R among those bein tested. Oshkosh Defence reciently awarded a contract (not sure what size). Go usa ! Now let's build some trains. Lets build some ships. Lets capture the world EV market~
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Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
They did a god job building something durable.
I still think they made a major mistake going with Ecoboost 4 cylinders in the new ones. They should have put a Camry hybrid drivetrain in it.
But, they didn't ask me.
I still think they made a major mistake going with Ecoboost 4 cylinders in the new ones. They should have put a Camry hybrid drivetrain in it.
But, they didn't ask me.
the oshkosh hasa ford motor?
Whata bout any 4WD models? Heard on them?
Whata bout any 4WD models? Heard on them?
haha yep. For those that might not know, in the late 80's/early 90's GM had the Quad 4 that was a modern, all aluminum 4 cylinder with OHC and 16 valves. They also had the "Hi-Tech 4" (they actually put that sticker on the air cleaner) that was an ancient all iron Pontiac 4 cylinder (that I think was half of a Pontiac V8) that came out in the 70's. It was essentially a tractor engine (and sounded like it) with a cast iron head, pushrods and TBI. Somehow it got distributorless ignition at some point.
Owen Lucas
$100 Site Donor 2023
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Most abused vehicles? Toyotas; the ones that are used by Isis.
The 151ci Iron Duke was also named the Hi-Tech. The ancient Trophy, 195ci was half a 389 V8.
1961-1963 Pontiac Trophy 195ci, 4-cyl (incorrect color),
The 151ci Iron Duke was also named the Hi-Tech. The ancient Trophy, 195ci was half a 389 V8.
1961-1963 Pontiac Trophy 195ci, 4-cyl (incorrect color),
