Would YOU do it?

[sjarrett71]

My father in law recently gave me his old truck when he purchased a new one. It is a 1996 Dodge 1/2 ton, regular cab, 2wd, SWB, with a 318/auto. Granted, it is not a perfect truck and has things it needs to make it perfect but it is reliable. I don't drive it much, I've only put 800 miles on it since I got it the beginning of October.

I have a friend from back home who likes to wheel and deal and trade stuff quite often. He has a 1970 Chevy with a NEWLY rebuilt 454 with an auto trans. Man that 454 sounds great through its new 3 inch dual exhaust with Flowmasters. It's also got like new tires on it. I looked over the truck and like it, it's solid in all the right places. It needs a couple cab mounts repaired, but the area around the windshield and firewall and floors are solid. The truck looks really good if your 10-20 feet away. The only thing is it needs it's brakes worked on to make it a daily driver and it is dang cold outside so I would be without a daily driver until it gets warmer so I could do the work in the driveway.

My question is......would YOU make the trade? I really want to but I don't know if I'm ready to give up the reliability of the Dodge during winter.

[mcbassin]

Sounds like a no brainer to me, I don't think the Dodge will be worth as much as the chevy. Of course I have a partial opinion. Dodges really don't hold value here new or used. Good luck with your decision.

[sjarrett71]

Yeah, I KBB'd the Dodge and it's at about $2500.00. He's asking $3500.00 for the 70 which I think is too much even with the 454 but we would trade straight across. He said the reason he's getting rid of it is he's tired of it and wants to move on to something else.

[ruffrida2005]

CHEVY Only

[tcb-1]

Scott, you do have a problem.....

I guess the question is, do you have a daily driver vehicle (other than your department cruiser)? if so, then I'd be thinking about the trade very seriously. BUT if the Dodge truck would your daily driver (I hate to say this), you may need to keep it. Those big blocks are thirsty and as a commuter vehicle and you'd be losing money.

[retodd7711]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

My question is......would YOU make the trade? .

In a heartbeat.

[71meangreenc10]

Without seeing pics of either trucks its a toss up. I own both a dodge and many c-10's so i like both. Going from a 96 to a 70 your giving up the creature comforts, AC/Cruise fuel injection ect, depending on your resources it could cost alot of $$ on the brakes according to what you want to do ie keep it stock or go disks, again resources are the key. Some people have access to parts and it woundnt be nothing to convert, others dont.

Me, I am not a big block fan and with drum brakes, dont develop a lead foot with that 454, especially when its raining......

Lastly,
Is it short wheel base, stepside, long wheel base? That would make a difference to me.

Smitty

It all depends on what Dodge you have,,,,my Cummins is doing quite well on the resell side.....

[sjarrett71]

Yeah, we've still got the Trailblazer as a daily driver. I only need a vehicle to run around town in when my wife has the Trailblazer at work and I'm off. Like I said, I've only been averaging 66 miles a week in the Dodge anyway.

The Dodge is a 318 engine SWB. The Chevy is a LWB with a wood bed which I really like. As for the creature comforts, the A/C in the Dodge doesn't work anyway. And I've the parts for the disk conversion.

[tcb-1]

okay it's clear as a bell now..... TRADE!

[Dynomutt]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

Yeah, we've still got the Trailblazer as a daily driver. I only need a vehicle to run around town in when my wife has the Trailblazer at work and I'm off. Like I said, I've only been averaging 66 miles a week in the Dodge anyway.

The Dodge is a 318 engine SWB. The Chevy is a LWB with a wood bed which I really like. As for the creature comforts, the A/C in the Dodge doesn't work anyway. And I've the parts for the disk conversion.

Sounds to me like you've made your mind up, maybe you just don't know it yet.

[unclewatts]

Trade. In the long run the Chevy will increase in value and the Dodge won't.

[Sinister]

Trade!!!

[71meangreenc10]

Could be a good trade, but without the pics, its hard to tell. Could be cool with a wood bed though....


But as posted above,,that big block is thirsty

Smitty

[68C15]

sure, the big block is thirsty but the dodge will drop a tranny soon. there goes $2000. and if it will only get ~ 66 miles per week you could go a month on a tank.

so....let's see the pics of your Chevy

[67ChevyRedneck]

Do what would make you the happiest.

[oldblue1968chevy]

sounds like a trade but we need pics of both trucks

[mikey531]

You are forgetting one very important item... What does your Father-In-Law say about it ?

[echo72]

Trade it man and go with the Chevy.

[capev86]

i am a chevy guy, so i bought my 72 burb. but a buddy of mine is a big dodge fan and owns an srt-4 and just got an '03 3/4t 4x4 for plowing. as far as durability it's probably a toss up....however...if you are going to be driving in the winter, the late model dodge is the way to go because rust and fender benders aren't going to break your heart. my classic burb is parked in the yard with a big tarp over it while the $#!& is falling. next clear/dry day i get it will be out for another drive. regardless of make, a good classic vehicle is more precious than a modern one!

[Old Yeller 1970]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

...we've still got the Trailblazer as a daily driver.
...the A/C in the Dodge doesn't work anyway.
...And I've the parts for the disk conversion.

With those three pluses I'd make the trade in a heart beat.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by mikey531

You are forgetting one very important item... What does your Father-In-Law say about it ?

Yep, you might not want to pee off the father in law....might not hook you up with another truck when he buys another new one!

[huero]

Originally Posted by mikey531

You are forgetting one very important item... What does your Father-In-Law say about it ?

I was thinking the same thing. He is going to be hurt.

[Ron 586]

Keep the Dodge.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Yep, you might not want to pee off the father in law....might not hook you up with another truck when he buys another new one!

This has often bothered me. I'm not saying what you're saying is wrong at all, but why is it that when you're given something, especially from a relative, that you're expected to use or keep it forever? When someone gives me something, it's now mine, and I will use or not use it as I see fit.

[tim21391]

if you look the word dodge up it says.. TO AVOID...