No doubt you CAN fix up a '60s truck but I bet the money isn't right. You'd
still ought to have a newer engine. The 5.7l v8 in my Dodge makes 20mpg at
65mph with 265hp which made it walk away with a 240D on a Uhaul car carrier. I
got 15mpg with that 240D from here to Dimitri's.The suspension on my Dodge is
about like riding in a car, its so smooth... I helped a friend pick up a late
'60s Mustang and was stunned by how badly it rode, about like riding a
buckboard, made my Jetta seem plush by comparison.
Have you driven a '60s pickup lately? Leaf springs are not a terrific design.
My Dodge has struts up front and coils in the back which is probably how all
the IFS trucks work although GM has used torsion bars for years.
I'm with Randy on this one, trucks of today are more powerful, more
comfortable, more reliable and require waaaaay less maintenance than those of
yesteryear. Yes they're very expensive but they last longer and have more
resale value too. While I want an old truck as a toy, I sure wouldn't want to
live with one as my only ride.
-Curt
From: Curly McLain via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2015 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Burnin' daylight
>>
>
>I have to say that there is a world of difference between a new F150
>Supercrew and a 60's Chevy pickup.
>I have had 2 of the Supercrews now and have loved them both.
>I also had a 1968 C10 Chevy for about 24 years.
>It was a good truck but not nearly so nice to drive and ride in as
>the newer ones are.
>One can still buy a very base 2 wheel drive pickup new. That is what
>most of the trucks were back in the earlier time period.
>My father always had a pickup truck and I don't think he ever owned
>one with carpet on the floor.
>They were usually bare bones work trucks without even a radio installed.
>
>Times have changed and although it is sometimes fun to remember the
>"good old days", I personally think that vehicles have gained a
>whole lot in the past decade or two.
>
>RB
The cab comfort and ergonomics are better, but you should not need a
stepladder to get into a pickup cab. I can take any 60s pickup and
make the cab MUCH more comfortable. It is pretty simple, throw out
the seat. Install 60s to 80s volvo seats, or a bench from a newer
truck.
My U110 Bronco was the most uncomfortable POS I ever tried to ride
in. 60 miles was a killer, even for young people. I threw out the
awful seat and installed volvo seats and it was then perhaps better
than sitting in a Mercedes. Problem solved.
new carpet can be installed in a 60s pickup,as can be front disk
brakes. (or all around) Personally, I prefer the rubber mats with
carpet mats cut to fit. Much easier to clean.
Air cond is better now, but a Japanese compressor can cure a lot of
that problem.
We generally never went more than 2-5 hundred miles round trip in a
truck anyhow. When I was a kid the whole family went on a 1200 mile
trip in the 48 chevy truck (2 T), then later went on a 4000 mile
trip in the one ton chevy with a camper on the flatbed. In 1974, 3
of us went on a 3-4000 mile trip in the 68 international truck (1.5T).
I can fix up a 60 pickup for less money than a new truck, and have a
better truck that you don't need a ladder to get into.
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
All posts are the result of individual contributors and as such, those
individuals are responsible for the content of the post. The list owner has no
control over the content of the messages of each contributor.
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
All posts are the result of individual contributors and as such, those
individuals are responsible for the content of the post. The list owner has no
control over the content of the messages of each contributor.
