Talk about tough decisions....
 

I've budgeted about $10K to buy a later model truck, when I casually mentioned to the wife I ought to put it into my 70 GMC. To my surprise ('cuz she hates old stuff) she told me to go ahead if I wanted to.

So do I buy a late model truck or try to build my truck w/ fuel injection, a/c, etc and get it to daily driver status. Will $10k be enough? Hmmm... So put your two cents in.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

i say build the '70

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

krue ,you doing the labor or someone else ? if your doing the labor 10k will be real nice truck ,im doing my 72 thur a street rod shop ,over half of it is labor,and there was a few things i had to change ,motor mounts and headers so that was 1k i didnt count on ,but we are on the budget ,plus he's doing my bench seat for the material only so i saved 400 or more on that alone ,check out my pro street post i got to update here soon ,http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442217

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

It depends on what you expect out of a DD. The newer trucks sure are more comfortable for long rides. But ten grand definitely will allow you to get more comfortable seats. Also, how "nice" is your truck? Will 10 grand get you a "new-old" truck?

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

I've seen quite a few stockish,restored,DD quality trucks in the $6000-7500 range.cruise night special type stuff.So 10 grand will buy you one or maybe buy you one and a start on yours or the changes on one.
It's about what you want to drive.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Having seen too many projects unfinished. I'm going with the late model. I don't know you,and maybe you're a great mechanic. But I've watched a bunch of "winter projects" flounder into 4-5 year never ending nightmares. I've also seen several projects stalled due to unforseen expenses or circumstances. And we've all heard the six month body shop purgatory. Good luck in what you choose. And keep us posted.
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Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

No brainer. Fix the '70. It'll be a lot more rewarding when you're done to drive that everywhere rather than a late model that just blends in with everything else on the street.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Newer trucks may be nice and plush but there's nothing like a plush older truck, They have way more character and gives everyone that sees them a chance to step back in time.....

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

How about 5-6k for a newer truck and put 4-5k in your old truck?

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

...and.. You KNOW you look WAY cooler in the OLD truck :D:D:D

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Krue the only thing I have to ask is, what about the kids etc. If her vehicle is out of commission (aka I HATE DODGE posts of the past) Can you get the boys where they need to be in the 70? I am sure you can.. but it had to be asked.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Buy a late model! As much as I love old trucks, I would be miserable in one on a daily basis. There isn't enough leg room, the a/c and heat doesn't work as well, etc.

The amenities of a new truck are far superior as a daily driver.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Tough as it is to say- I'm going with the newer truck option.
Mainly from a safety and what if standpoint.
Newer truck has better belts,possibly airbags etc not only for you but any passengers.
Much better ammenities
It would be a shame to put all that into it and have something bad happen( vandalism, crash, etc ) and then try to fight with the insurance co.

Keep the 70 as something special.

I drove my 72 daily for 5 years and all the little stuff bugged the crap out of me.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

I've been daily driving old trucks since 1997 with an 18 month depression era (18 months in a stinkin lincoln). I doubt all the trucks I've had COMBINED would be worth 10 grand, and for the best part, all of them were pretty reliable.
Now, there's things to be said about better heaters and A/C and all that, but for 10K (assuming the starting point isn't a total crap box) I would think better heat and a/c would be part of the build. Most of the other things that are so nice about a late model you can incorperate into your build. Softer ride usually comes with a cool stance, nicer seats, you stock one is probably torn up already... and so on. Fuel injection is nice, but not 100% needed IMO. With the exception of this winter, I don't think you guys get much snow or sub freezing pemperatures, so a couple min in the truck warming the engine shouldn't be a huge deal. ABS is nice to have acording to most people (not me, hate it)...
If you do it all yourself, and have a decent starting point, I say open the garage door and get to work with 10 grand falling out of your pocket.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

It's really nearly imposible to plan for every possible "what if" scenario. That's what friends and family are for, to help out in those times.

Life is short. Pick the option that makes you happy and don't look back.

I'd put the money into the '70, but that's me.

Good luck whichever way you decide!

John

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Krue, you're leaving out a lot of info... what are you driving now? Is it a falling apart crap box that's sucking you dry and needs to go? Are you selling/trading it in or is the 70 GMC what you're driving now? Do you NEED a new (used) truck? Full size or little? You can get one heck of a good little old ranger/dime/tacoma for under 4K and sink the rest into the GMC. Gas will do nothing but go up. I love only putting $15 per week into my S10. Along with everyone elses questions (condition of GMC, etc). In the end, it's all up to you. Whatever will be best for you. You probably already know the answer, but may not like it?

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Pretty easy choice. 3-4k do an ls swap with an od transmission. Get a vintage air setup. Bring the brakes and suspension up to par with stock replacement stuff. Then you have a brand new old truck that looks good but is comfortable to drive. Swap in a set of late model seats with a nice console. Spruce up the interior a bit. You can definately do it for less than 10k if you do the labor. Probably somewhere around 7k if you shop around and find deals.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Front what you told me Krue, I think you are better off getting the later model to do the towing and kid hauling/camping stuff you mentioned. Keep the 70 as a project and get to it as you can.


In the meantime, you can leave the 70 at my place ;)

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

I'm still looking for a newer model too Bill, while I try to make up my mind.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

What I would suggest is build the 70 up, however, as mentioned earlier about buying a newer truck for 3 - 5K and put the rest towards the 70. You can score some deals on 88 - 98 Chev/GMC Full Size Trucks, in the 3 - 4K range that are nice as daily drivers. And then put the rest of the money into your 70. Depending on how much work is needed to the 70 and how soon you need a reliable daily driver. My 68 is still in project status because I have not purchased the engine and trans I want for it but I still have to tear the swb apart which will be in the spring time and go from there.

HTH,
Charlie

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

3-4 grand for a small cheap DD

The rest in the 70!

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

I'm gonna buy the wife her daily driver first, then we'll have a late model in the yard. I'll drive her current ride (99 4runner) and that will give me time to make my mind up.

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

Build the 70 and with the money left over, buy a used truck

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

:devil: Now that there sounds like the man with the plan. :exit:

Re: Talk about tough decisions....
 

If I had an old truck, but thought I needed something more reliable as a driver right now, I'd just buy another old truck that has already been fixed up/restored, etc. I've seen very nice restored trucks, with all the special options added, for less than 10k. Unless you have a special attachment for the 70, you could sell it, or build it how you want as fast, or slow, as you want.

The newer truck will just lose value, but has the advantage of easier parts availability. On the other hand, they have more parts that can fail and take some special diagnostic tools to find out which switch or sensor is bad.

A restored old truck with normal daily use will still maintain it's value if it's cared for. Miles hardly matter, they are easier to repair, parts are usually available within a day or 2. Chances are you would be buying it for half what the builder put into it, which is good for you. And you wouldn't be tied to the choice of a pickup either. You could shop for a blazer or burb, or whatever deal comes your way.

So I didn't vote for either option, I'd pick a third option of buying someone elses restored truck.