Glutton for punishment?

[arveetek]

Do you ever feel like a glutton for punishment? After all the work you've done to your GM diesel, do you feel like 'crossing over' and getting a Power Stroke or Cummins?

I've sure felt like that recently. In the last 6 months, my radiator sprung a leak (again), so I replaced it with a new one. My torque convertor wouldn't hold, so in goes a new one. My alternator belt decided to commit suicide and take the other two with it, so in go three new belts (for the umpteenth time). The power steering hose started weeping, so in goes a new one. The transmission mount gave out, so in goes a new one. Also recently replaced are all the u-joints, tranny tailhousing bushing, and of course, a set of new tires. Ah yes, don't forget the new engine project just a year ago!

I've seriously considered selling this truck and getting a Dodge w/Cummins. But, when I really think about it, I realize that I basically have a new truck now! Of course, the 8 year old paint job is giving up, and several spots of rust are spreading like wildfire. It seems like a never ending battle just to keep the thing on the road. I was complaining to my father-in-law about spending several hundred dollars on this vibration issue, but then he pointed out that it was better than a montly $500 truck payment! Good point!

Sorry, but I just had to vent a little. My truck has been real good to me the past 11 years I've owned it, but the last 12 months have been real expensive. But it does feel good to lay some rubber and have my Cummins-owning brother comment that I would definitely beat him in a race! Perhaps it has been worth all the work.....

Casey

[wthif]

I feel like I'm glutton for punishment every time I drive my truck. Not because it has a GM diesel, but because it is 24 years old. I think I would have the same problems with any other brand truck that is 24 years old. In fact I consider myself lucky that I don't have more. There is a list of small things that need to be fixed, but as a college student they'll have to wait until they actually become a problem. I can't afford payments on a new vehicle or close to new one at that. So a truck that needs a little money every once and awhile is a good deal.

As for another brand, no thanks. When I get a chance I will build my 51 to my liking, cheaper than a new truck and with better fuel economy than a new truck and the pride of building the truck myself.

Casey you should be proud of your truck and the engine the resides under the hood!:D

P.S."Casey I like how you have been on this forum about a month more than me and have more than ten times as many posts as me."

[john8662]

Wouldn't know what you're talking about?

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

Until my 'puter died a year or so ago, I kept a spreadsheet of expenses per vehicle. I separate out maintenance (brakes etc.) from repairs (FSD etc). I find that having hard numbers makes it clear to me what's really going on - either I'm spending more than car payments would be & it's time to move on, or not. This could of course be done by simply adding up all the receipts over time, & dividing by the number of months. I would guess that over all the years, you've probably done quite well. On the other hand, if the trend is up & isn't flattening or dropping...

In my case, there's NO WAY I could drive newer as cheap as my junk has been to maintain. Of course, part of that is because my labor comes in at $0.00 per hour.

Blessings!

[adele2408]

Have to agree have always driven and owned older vehicles would not even consider a newer one in fact my K5 is the newest vehicle i have ever owned normally go for 60 - 70's they had style and class but had to be practical this time, must say that is is a learning curve and you all have been my life savers with your help and advice but i will not let any vehicle beat me.
In fact i do not like the look of the newer stuff,plus you get the satisfaction at the end of it of saying I did it and as i am female and only weigh 119lbs and am 5 ft 4 in tall it is great to see some of the male faces when i get out of my trucks sorry lads but over here in the uk I am an oddity as I love my trucks but most females over here drive what I can dinky toys;)

[GMC Hauler]

In my case, there's NO WAY I could drive newer as cheap as my junk has been to maintain. Of course, part of that is because my labor comes in at $0.00 per hour.

Blessings!
They don't make it difficult to drive older vehicles.... At 50K for a fully loaded truck, the decision is real easy. Even if I could afford it, would I want to????

Besides, you're knowledge of the vehicle and it's quirks is complete. Why introduce a new vehicle into the mix, and have to relearn that stuff all over again.

[Yukon6.2]

Any Joe Blow can walk into a dealership and drive away in a 60k truck.
But it is an elite club of people that can drive and maintain a classic truck.
GMC Hauler hit it on the head,new is way to expensive,I could never enjoy having a 60K pickup,evertime i would have to use it as a truck i would be s$&#%ing my pants thinking of all the money i was losing marking up the box,getting in with dirty coveralls,scratching the paint driving through the bush,ect,ect.
To me an amount of money like that should be going to a persons house,60K would put me in a new house.

[Subzilla]

It also goes in cycles. Some years, it seems just when I fix one thing, then something else breaks. But then, there are some years where the vehicles just keep running and running without incident and it makes all of your hard efforts worth it. I'm in one of those high points with my Suburban (with the exception of the vibrations). I just spent lots and lots of time/money on the Blazer (suspension stuff) this last year so I hope it's climbing up to that cycle high point. Hang in there, Casey and be patient.

[bmiszuk]

Yeah, Casey, as John said, "wouldn't know what you're talking about". Uh huh.

I know how you feel. Frankly, if our time is worth nothing, we're way ahead financially driving the older vehicles. Even a newer, used Suburban with a zillion miles on it is many thousands more $$$ than I paid for mine. Just like moondoggie says, it pays as long as your time costs $0/hour.

On the other hand, it's time away from family, recreation, ....

Sometimes I think I'm nuts to do this.

But it won't stop me. My other family vehicles are all much newer and more reliable. My wife and kids drive those. They're quiet, efficient, and easy to drive. But they have no character. I think I'll probably always drive an older vehicle that I know inside and out and have a love/hate relationship with.

Don't ask me today which side of that relationship we're on.

[dieseldummy]

I was fed up with the hassle of constantly working on my 6.5 and the down time related with it so I bought a used Dmax. So far it has been flawless. It costs the same per month as the 6.5 did + repairs with no labor figured in. With that said I still have the 6.5 and am constantly tinkering with it still. Since the Dmax is reliable thus far I need something to pass the time... I'll be the one of the first to admit I have a problem... GM diesels anonymous might be a good name for a forum.:p