Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[3930dave]

Boss was just shy of 6’7” and didn’t factor the comfort of a full size truck for his stature so I often made deliveries with the diesel… we did one comparison and he said easily 4 times the miles per gallon…

Yep, olde modest, long-running small diesel, likely just mech-inj back far enough... not the 1000 ft# of Tq that everyone "Needs" to have today, but Those mpg's !!!!!!

Buddy used to tow his son's motocross bikes to the Carolina's, for training camps. Used an old Econoline with the IDI diesel..... his friends up here, towing with modern diesel P/U's to the same areas, just about puked when they saw how little fuel he used. ( Progress ?).

For general running-around (not towing a tri-axle), approx 3L TDzl would be of interest.... few options, in Kanada today....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

A guy I worked with drove a diesel Rabbit until he just wore it slap out, unbelievable mpg and he drove it hard. Just like a Timex it kept on tickin

I figure they were running something like 60mpg (at least, w. Canuck gallon).

Part of that was low-weight (vs. today's safety add-ons), but still.....

Rgds, D.

 

[ruffdog]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

 

[ultrarunner]

I figure they were running something like 60mpg (at least, w. Canuck gallon).

Part of that was low-weight (vs. today's safety add-ons), but still.....

Rgds, D.

I would love to have it today… lots of torque over the Altamont Pass…

 

[ultrarunner]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

Only saw one once…

Diesel was cheap then… before the increase over gasoline.

 

[ultrarunner]

Does this count?

 

[RB5]

This 1982 Chevy Chevette diesel stickered for $8500. Figuring in inflation, the cost today would be over $28,000. Who would pay that today for something so basic?

How much more power did the diesel have than the standard 4 banger? I wouldn't wish a chevette with the gas 4 on anyone. I drove my sisters going up and down the hills on I30 in Arkansas when was 19 or so. I had to get up to 75 plus going down the hill or I would hit 40 going up the next one. Never again.

 

[TractorTech]

View attachment 3945290


Bruce

That picture reminded me of a story my dad told about being on the farm in WW2 with gas being rationed. TOur cousin had a Model T and he took a bunch of copper tubing, wrapped it around the muffler and ran it on diesel. It smoked like crazy, but diesel wasn't rationed on the farm

 

[Jstpssng]

Speaking of old diesels, some of you must remember the converted 350s which GM was making for a while. They redefined the term "underpowered but certainly sipped fuel for the size vehicle they were in.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I guess a better way to say it "How cheap would an absolutely bare bones truck have to be for You to actually buy it new, right now".

What i mean, lets say, a Ford Ranger/S10 type truck, 2.2L Na, 85hp/100ft lbs; vinyl bench, crank windows, AM radio, no cruise, stick or auto; 1 cup holder (maybe), 2 wd. If that was on the dealer lots, for $25k; you buying? What about $20k? (Modeling of a 1995 Dakota i had)

Since I asked, New, at $12.5k; yeah, im probably buying, but not for me, but my son, I'd probably do it. Now; sprinkle some AC (maybe $1500), crusie ($250ish), split bench (maybe $250), extended cab ($1500 maybe), and a modern 285hp, 26 mpg, 8 speed; for $18k, I'd likely be a buyer.

Or if you prefer, lets say, a New, reg cab, 8 ft bed, 4.3L, 160 hp; 2wd, vinyl bench, no ac, AM radio, crank windows, ect, half ton?