Living With an Old Truck

[Personal Guide]

There is something to be said about owning an older truck. It can give you a sense of pride, a source of fun and even income if you're handy enough. Now for the sake of this post my definition of an "old truck" is, at this point a truck that is at least 15 years or rather anything pre-2000's.

Why Old Trucks?
For one - old trucks are cool. The boxier, bulkier and louder they are - the cooler they become. If I saw a '78 International Scout rumbling down the street I'd consider that the epitome of "cool". Less complexity - the fewer electronics and electrically-assisted aspects the fewer things to go wrong.  Dogs love trucks, so why shouldn't you? Remember the old Nissan commercials with the adage: Dogs love trucks!

 

Trucks nowadays find themselves the victim of what the rest of the automotive industry has been geared to: conformity. Everyone prescribes to the same designs, functions and features. I understand that there is a level of refinement and evolution from whence we came, but would it kill manufacturers to be a little more unique? I find myself either at first mistaking one truck for another or just not caring because "it looks like everything else".

I like the idea of a blue collar truck that is just meant for working. You haul, move, pull and push stuff around and generally do all the things the regular car can't. This isn't a daily commuter or for milk runs, this is for bringing home heavy duty building supplies and then plowing snow out of your neighbor's driveways.

Challenges
Old trucks rust - A LOT. The robust materials they are built out of are unfortunately susceptible to rust and rot unless you live in a very dry environment. I've lived in New England my entire life and all I've ever experienced is old rusty trucks and cars on the road. Not only do old trucks have the tendency to rust they also have more wear because of their uses and natural habitat.  Every aspect of the suspension gets more use and abuse than the average car because of the weight of the truck and the loads it can haul and tow. Same goes for the engine, transmission and transfer case if it's a 4x4.

Regardless of make or model get used to this sight

It definitely helps to be mechanical if you are going to own and keep an old truck. Most older models will often have a good base market for parts so finding replacements shouldn't be the issue, just make sure you or someone you know can install them properly.

Early implemented electronics are finicky too, but more often than not it's non-essential items.

Do Your Research!
I cannot stress this enough - research before buying! Always know what you're getting into before you smack down that wad of cash for an old truck. Know what the availability and price of parts is, know what breaks the most often and how to fix it and know how far your truck can go.

Personal Experience
I've owned two "old" trucks so far. A 1993 Chevrolet Blazer Tahoe 4x4 and more recently a 1998 Nissan Frontier XE 4x4 (both mentioned and pictured in my Bug Out Vehicle Part 2 post). For the price and effort both had done me well - currently I still own and use the Frontier and just only a day before writing this post I have just finished replacing the oil pan with the help of a good friend.

With all the time and effort it's still worth it especially if you own land or a house. A truck is an key part of being a Do-It-Yourself-er and considering the money you can save it's worth it in the long run. Beyond everything else older trucks are just a joy to own, drive and (usually) work on.