Need Help with Work Truck Decision

[Craig T]

Calling on Pelicans with old truck experience. Help me with this decision please.

I need a truck. Very sad, but the guy who's helped me for 11 years with the property and manages the avocados developed cancer as is retiring. I have the time now since retiring in January, and no income coming in, so I'm going to do all the work myself. That requires bringing in loads of soil and fertilizer, hauling dead wood and heavy pruning, irrigation misc, and just lots of trips to Home depot and the nursery.

I don't want anything new or too fancy, as it will just be an errand truck, and I'd like to tow a little 16' fishing boat I'm circling.

Which would you chose? pros and cons? Both trucks are about the same price. The 2013 GMC has 13,000 miles and is a base model. The 72 has 98K miles, but a fairly recent drop-in 350 crate motor, power steering, power brakes (front discs), no rust, and five year old repaint in original color. I understand the 72 will require some tinkering. I'm OK with that.

[ledhedsymbols]

Well... One is just a truck. It'll be more reliable, probably has A/C, etc etc.

That being said, modern trucks don't do it for me. I consider swapping out my 15 year old Ford 3/4 ton for an oldie all the time. If I had it to do over again, I get the old truck.

[Baz]

Ha....only 2 votes so far and a split decision!

I'd go for the newer truck in a heartbeat, Craig.

It will be more reliable, which is the #1 goal of a work truck.

As the owner of a 2002 Silverado 1500 (also base model) I can vouch for how practical your GMC will be. You can always have aftermarket power windows installed (and power door locks too) if desired....like mine has.

Looks like the '72 has the longer bed though - but that may not matter as much for what you are doing.

You didn't say what engine the 2013 has. Should be a Vortec, right?

[Arizona_928]

What's your annual repair budget, and can you afford to have down time?
Primary purpose as well.

I would say both. Use the carbed truck for on the farm(it's a bit too nice for farm/ranch duty though), and the newer one to tow, run errands into town.


Yes vortec. Should be 5.3/4.8

[DanielDudley]

The late model GMC will go at least 200,000 miles without anything but fluid changes and front wheel bearings. They are flat out better as vehicles go.

[aigel]

Voted new. Main reason is crash safety. You get banged up in that old truck, nice retirement may be over. Why risk it when on city streets?

Also, you either have an old beater truck for 3k that you fix and not worry about, or a new one. A shiny restored truck is the worst of both worlds. It will still need fixing and be too nice to bang up.

G

[Craig T]

Pragmatism...you guys are bringing me back down to earth. I fell in love with the hugger orange 72 and it's clouding my judgement.

I miss not having an old vehicle to tinker on and cruise around in , but I also don't want to be on the side of the 101 Fwy smelling two yards of fertilizer mulch and leaking radiator fluid either.

[LWJ]

AC. Get the new one. I drove a 69 like you show. Looks cool. No big deal. The climate control of a new truck wins the day. Enjoy!

[Dantilla]

My current daily driver:



Last truck was a 2001 Chevy that had over a quarter-million miles on it when I sold it, still running like new. Chevy's Vortec engines are excellent. Yeah, it might have been a "better" truck, but the '71 is just plain fun to drive.

I get a kick out of guys at Home Depot with $50-60,000 F-250s and Silverados telling me what a cool truck I have.

[Nickshu]

No brainer...the newer white one on top. The one on the bottom is for driving to Cars and Coffee.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Craig T

I fell in love with the hugger orange ...

When most parking lots are a sea of silver/grey/white/bland, I never have to think about where I parked the '71!

So far, it's never failed to get me where I want to go. Easy to maintain, parts are available and inexpensive.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

No brainer...the newer white one on top. The one on the bottom is for driving to Cars and Coffee.

Why have a truck and not use it? I added trailer brakes and a receiver hitch as I occasionally tow a flatbed trailer.

So far, the '71 has done all I've asked of it. I haven't been limited by its lesser capabilities than a newer heavy-duty truck.

[Dantilla]

One more comment (then I'll shut up):

The '71 Chevy has scared me twice, when people were frantically trying to get my attention at stop lights.
My first thought- I must have parts falling off, or some major problem. Oh, No!

They were just asking if I wanted to sell it!
That never happens with a new truck.

Last point to consider:
The 2013 is depreciating
The 1972 is appreciating

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

One more comment (then I'll shut up):

The '71 Chevy has scared me twice, when people were frantically trying to get my attention at stop lights.
My first thought- I must have parts falling off, or some major problem. Oh, No!

They were just asking if I wanted to sell it!
That never happens with a new truck.

Last point to consider:
The 2013 is depreciating
The 1972 is appreciating

Wanna sell it?

[regency]

I have a 1992, Gen 1 Dodge Cummins diesel. 2WD single cab. A wonderful old truck.


Steve

[look 171]

I had a 72 GMC 1 ton, Long Horn, 8'10" with a 350. Basically the same truck as the orange Chevy. I restored in college with little money I had. It ran and ran with just basic tune ups. I did install a GM electronic distributor. It bolts right in. Damn good truck. The motor died with too many miles. the guy who bought it gave me 4k for it with a big smile on his face. I bought a 93 12v Dodge diesel after that. Now it sits most of the time and am trying to sell it (haven't try too hard) because I bought a modern Chevy Duramax as my kids outgrew the back seat of the dodge.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by regency

I have a 1992, Gen 1 Dodge Cummins diesel. 2WD single cab. A wonderful old truck.


Steve

That's one hell of a truck. My Diesel (2wd also) is a extend cab with jump seats with 120k miles on it. Its just broken in. How many do you have on yours? No ones want an old truck like it around here. They all seem to want the shiny lifted trucks with big tires. the new trucks is a btich to lift anything into the bed because they are so tall.

[JackDidley]

I really like old trucks but I voted new. If you spend a lot of time in a truck it needs cold air and an overdrive transmission.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I really like old trucks but I voted new. If you spend a lot of time in a truck it needs cold air and an overdrive transmission.

Hey man, that why you gotta buy mine. Working AC and heat, with all the power stuff for old farts but the look of an old style truck. A new truck with an old soul.

[daepp]

I swear I'm not being "partisan" but late model GM product is just such poor quality.