daily driven trucks in the south (hot summers)

[Jmiller022]

My wife has given me the go ahead to sell my commuter car since i have small commute of only 12 miles instead of 48 one way with a new job I just started. My only issue is, should i drop another 6-8k in my truck to make it daily driveable (W/HVAC) and look good (she needs a bed/paint) Ill have between 17-20k in my truck if I do that. I don't really plan on selling it so that doesnt really bother me, its just I am afraid the coolness of daily driving it will wear off, then Im stuck. Does that make any sense? lol

for those who daily drive their trucks if I put in AC (underdash kit, not factory style) and seal up the cab good will the HVAC be enough on real hot days? I will probably tent the windows as well slightly to help.

my truck is a 68 stepper which needs pretty much an entirely new bed. It has a 5.3/4l60e with a real small cam in it and some 3.73s.

thoughts?

[mcm1209]

I think if you do or have anything for a while the "new car smell' will wear out eventually. At that point it becomes a tool to get get you back and forth.

I have a 80 mile round trip commute to and from work including dropping off and picking up my boy at my moms house.
I'm working on a 67 that will have a 4.8L with a small turbo. Im hoping to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 22 to 24 MPG. If i can get that or get close to it I will take it to work as much as I can, just to drive it. If not im still going to take it at least once a week. Im still keeping my current car which is an 03 BMW 325i that i bought because my 09 sierra was killing me on gas.

[Keith Seymore]

I can speak from experience that the daily driver "coolness" does not wear off.

It's pretty fun to be on your way to work and have people give you the "thumbs up" (especially cute older ladies who are out walking).

There's nothing like driving a "new" old truck every day.

K

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I can speak from experience that the daily driver "coolness" does not wear off.

It's pretty fun to be on your way to work and have people give you the "thumbs up" (especially cute older ladies who are out walking).

There's nothing like driving a "new" old truck every day.

K

I could not agree more!

I have Vintage Air in my 72 and it cools very well. Even in 100+ degree days I need to dial it back after the initial cool down. As far as tint, not all offer UV protection, and not all help to keep the inside cool. Shop wisely.

[IHeartGroceries]

I have to agree about the novelty of it all, and the "coolness". It doesn't matter when or where I drive mine, it's almost a guarantee that I'll get a thumbs up, wave or compliment. So, in that regard, it's well worth dumping some cash into it, to get it tip-top.
In regards to efficiency and practicality...that's a different story.

[mcm1209]

I agree 100%
But there are some people out there that don't think like us.
He is already having doubts about it, so that's why i posted the "new car smell" reference. Im with both of you. Just trailering my buddies 64 C10 and I just want to keep pulling it around.

[Jmiller022]

Im worried about the AC kits that replace everything under the dash, I have all my relays and my computer stashed up behind the glove box and Im afraid Ill have to relocate all of them to use one of those kits.

Also do you guys run a quieter exhaust to help not piss off your neighbors? I live in a neighborhood and leave out at about 5:30 am. And my truck is kinda loud

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by Jmiller022

Im worried about the AC kits that replace everything under the dash, I have all my relays and my computer stashed up behind the glove box and Im afraid Ill have to relocate all of them to use one of those kits.

Also do you guys run a quieter exhaust to help not piss off your neighbors? I live in a neighborhood and leave out at about 5:30 am. And my truck is kinda loud

You may have to rearrange a little. As far as loud, that's pretty subjective. If your neighbor fired up something like yours and woke you out of a sound sleep every day how would you feel? It's all a matter how much respect you have for your neighborhood.

[mcm1209]

There should be plenty of room under there somewhere for your electronics. I would find a way to get the A/C in there. No matter how cool a truck is, having swamp butt is not.

[In The Ten Ring]

You can't put a price tag on a coolness factor. When a person does something unique, hard, or dangerous, some people may throw off on it but everyone will look at you differently. If I see a car or truck I like, even if it's a rust bucket, I will compliment the owner.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I've owned and driven my '67 for 18 years. It was with me in HS and College. It's moved from my parents house in NY to Clemson, SC, then a bunch of places in Greenville, SC. It's been with me through different friends and girlfriends and took my wife and I on our first date and was pictured at our wedding and what we "drove off" in. It's been to countless shows in SC, NC, and even one in TN. We've been through a lot together...

However... I do not like driving it everyday. I drive it to work a couple days a week and on the weekend. It's much more enjoyable when it's not "every day." It rains a lot here. She's no show queen, it's outside 24-7, so I don't care if it gets wet (because it does every time it rains) but it's not fun in the rain. It's not fun when it's only 20* out either. The doors freeze shut, takes forever for windows to clear. I would also not want to take it on long trips either (which I do a lot of.)

[BB72CHEVKT]

It takes didication to drive one every day. I have put almost 15k miles on my burb in the last year (with no a/c in TX)but there have been days when I would rather have a 2014 Chevy for sure.

[chevy72blu]

I drove mine every day while in high school and after that time I realized I enjoyed it more when it wasnt JUST transportation. I could take more time with repairs and overhauls instead of it having to be back on the road on Monday.

I kind of have mixed feelings. I LOVE driving my truck and the waves you get, but the jaw shattering ride of the rear leafs, worn out bench seat, brake pedal pressure, reliability issues, etc, etc do get tiresome after some point. I like driving it to work a few days a week, but I also appreciate the creature comforts of my DD.

[Tinkermc]

I have ridden motorcycles for more than 50 years now off road and on but when in college it was my only ride and lost it's luster. I tend to think that would be true no matter what you drove.

[67 chevelle]

i put nostalgia air in mine , cut holes in dash and put vents in , its great , could easly be a daily , its cools down real quick , make sure all your outside vents are sealed well all of these units put interior air from an area where the old vent went , if it gets air from the engine compartment [mine did at first] it will not work well

[jabborabbo]

I drive my '67 GMC about once every two weeks to work and back (about 35 miles one way in heavy traffic)...every time I do it it makes the day special regardless of how crappy the day actually was...I suspect that wouldn't be the case if I drove it every day. I do drive it a bit every weekend though...weekends are special too!

BTW...even in the hot north Alabama summer it's not unpleasant with the window down and the vent open....

[Keith Seymore]

Sounds like some of you guys did not choose the right truck...

[Andy4639]

I drive mine regularly to work and also on long trips to parents house and on the 2013 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour. I have the factory look AC with 134-A mods. You can't ever get a better ride, Oh I have a 08 Tahoe sitting at home too that I drive when I work on the truck and have it out of service.
These where taken Saturday coming home form our truck meeting in Greenville SC. Had to pull over to take them and they still came out blurry!
I have a LSx 6.0 with 4L80-E in mine and I wouldn't think about changing to something else as my D/D.