Truck as a daily driver

[DoubleL]

It looks like I will be on the hunt for a 65 step side shortly. Sold my 66 C20 about a year ago and am going to be getting my dream truck. Looking to spend around $20k to get a good driver that looks good. Not in the situation to build my own although I can repair it and do some modifications as needed. I'm wondering the practicality of using it as a daily driver. I do put some miles on it as I am a Real Estate Agent but I generally work close to home. Wondering how many on here use their car as a daily and any advice on what I should be looking for. I enjoyed this group when i had my C20 and look forward to getting back into it.

[66Submarine]

I used to drive mine 110 miles a day. "Practicality" is relative IMO. What do you want from it?

[curvedglass]

I bought mine with daily driver intent. Found a nice straight 6 cylinder 3-speed truck. Previous owner swapped in highway gears. I upgraded the ignition and carb. I installed front disc brakes and called it done. That was two years ago. I put on about 80 miles a day and average high 17 / low 18 mpg. To me that is practical. Insurance is cheap and you do not need to be a computer tech to work on it.

With that said keep a look out for a nice 6 or with a stock / mild v-8. Overdrive, a/c, not too steep gear ratio, and definitely disc brakes. The brakes alone make these truck decent drivers. Stock coil spring suspensions ride nice for trucks.

Plus side is you never see yourself going down the road. You always find your truck in the parking lots. Plenty of thumbs up from other drivers. And last but not least - a sore face from smiling as you motor down the road.

[markeb01]

Before I retired, I drove my truck 72 miles round trip nearly every day for 9 years from North Idaho to Spokane Valley. Power steering, front disc brakes and a good heater are must haves for living up north in the cold winter weather. I had to keep the left vent window open during the winter to keep the defroster working well, which could get a bit uncomfortable, but I was driving my truck all the time and loved it.

[Captainfab]

I would want power steering and power disc brakes, especially where you live. An overdrive trans would be a plus, or else taller rear gears. Your C20 was more than likely low geared.

[aerotruk63]

If you get a Suburban you'll have more advertising space as well as room to shuttle a client or two.

[Keith Seymore]

I daily drove my '87 for just shy of 30 years. It retired last November (I didn't).

4.3L V6 Fuel injected, manual overdrive trans, 3.73 gears. PS PB AC, 20 mpg - it was essentially a new truck wrapped in vintage sheet metal.

My daily prior to that was an 80 stepside.

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

If you get a Suburban you'll have more advertising space as well as room to shuttle a client or two.

I was thinking this as well.

K

[scoot_mcgrute]

Mine is a great daily driver during the summer time, haven't had it together long enough to know how it will do this fall . I have a 292 and put a T5 behind it since the majority of my drive is on the highway and most of that is in a 65 zone. I stayed manual with the brakes but went with a Wilwood master cylinder, added sway bars front and rear and then topped it off with a power rack and pinion setup. It's a great driving pickup.

[Clyde65]

I don't daily drive mine but I could, I work in a down town area and don't want it stolen. If my work had a secure garage or parking area I would then.
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[canadian_diesel1964]

63 being built as everyday 3 season driver ...air assist towing ...c notch...disc brakes and 5 speed!

[Luckynumberslevin62]

I work with a guy who has a 65 long box step side c10 and he drives that daily. STill has the manual drum brakes, 4 speed on the floor. All he has done is changed the rear end and put in a more modern 350. The truck has been solid and it probably does 30 miles of gravel a day.