Old pickup as a daily driver
Discussion
So after owning a 68 Mustang for over a year now I am fully in love with American cars!
So I've now developed this idea of replacing my daily driver(Audi S4) with an old pickup, something around 75-85 probably Chevy or Dodge similar to below link.
This is very early days but I guess I just wanted to find out what these are like to live with in the UK?
I do about 30ish miles a day to work and back on rural B roads but we use the wife’s car on the weekends for kids etc. So mileage won’t be massive.
Would it survive daily use over the winter as it would be parked in a public car park during the day?
Would it be a good idea to get a cheap winter car as well?
This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-Dodge-Ram-D250-Cust...
Thought are most welcome!
So I've now developed this idea of replacing my daily driver(Audi S4) with an old pickup, something around 75-85 probably Chevy or Dodge similar to below link.
This is very early days but I guess I just wanted to find out what these are like to live with in the UK?
I do about 30ish miles a day to work and back on rural B roads but we use the wife’s car on the weekends for kids etc. So mileage won’t be massive.
Would it survive daily use over the winter as it would be parked in a public car park during the day?
Would it be a good idea to get a cheap winter car as well?
This is the sort of thing I'm thinking of:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-Dodge-Ram-D250-Cust...
Thought are most welcome!
Thanks for that and I love your truck! Bit newer than I have been considering but still cool.
Fuel doesn't massively bother me although it is a consideration.
I guess some of my concerns are the size of it as it will be parked in a public car park all day, rust I understand some of these older trucks are prone to it, I don't think it much chance of getting sun baked like yours! haha
I've not had chance to look at any yet as I'm still working on the Mrs but I think that's got to be the first step.
Fuel doesn't massively bother me although it is a consideration.
I guess some of my concerns are the size of it as it will be parked in a public car park all day, rust I understand some of these older trucks are prone to it, I don't think it much chance of getting sun baked like yours! haha
I've not had chance to look at any yet as I'm still working on the Mrs but I think that's got to be the first step.
Ok that sounds good a C10 is the front runner at the moment but need to go and see one.
My main problem is I can't help but want something "hot roded". While very cool and fun not sure it would be so good as a daily driver. Might need to work a bit harder on the Mrs and get a daily shed and a truck! haha
My main problem is I can't help but want something "hot roded". While very cool and fun not sure it would be so good as a daily driver. Might need to work a bit harder on the Mrs and get a daily shed and a truck! haha
Thought I would update you as i have done it and got myself a truck!
Sold my S4 daily and bought a Fiesta for the daily grind until I get the truck. The small change in my plan was I have bought one form the states so I'm in the Fiesta for a little longer than i was planning! Never mind I think I've got a hell of a truck so it'll be worth the wait.
1982 Chevy C10
New crate 350 with turbo 400 transmission
New 650 Demon Carb
Fresh black paint
Posi rear end
and the list goes on and on!
Sold my S4 daily and bought a Fiesta for the daily grind until I get the truck. The small change in my plan was I have bought one form the states so I'm in the Fiesta for a little longer than i was planning! Never mind I think I've got a hell of a truck so it'll be worth the wait.
1982 Chevy C10
New crate 350 with turbo 400 transmission
New 650 Demon Carb
Fresh black paint
Posi rear end
and the list goes on and on!
dmulally said:
I just bought a 1966 C20 pickup. I have a fresh 283 to drop in and will look at changing the diff for a taller ratio down the track.
I'll be using it as a semi daily. I say semi as I commute with a bike and drive when the weather is too s
t. The current hack is a 1969 Commer Van and it can't even pull itself up hills let alone tow.
Sounds cool love to see a few picks. I'll be using it as a semi daily. I say semi as I commute with a bike and drive when the weather is too s
t. The current hack is a 1969 Commer Van and it can't even pull itself up hills let alone tow. Just been sent this. My truck is off to the docks so hopefully be on a boat soon. Sooner the better!!!
Well it hasn't landed in the UK yet but its close.
My shipping was massively delayed in the US due to the US military taking all the shipping space. Apparently they take priory over pretty much everything, so it got pushed back about a month. From what I'm told/read its pretty normal to see delays with the shipping.
Anyway the truck will shortly arrive in Antwerp where it will be put on another ship to come to the UK. Hopefully all being well should land in the UK on the 24th of April.. So not long.
I am very excited!
My shipping was massively delayed in the US due to the US military taking all the shipping space. Apparently they take priory over pretty much everything, so it got pushed back about a month. From what I'm told/read its pretty normal to see delays with the shipping.
Anyway the truck will shortly arrive in Antwerp where it will be put on another ship to come to the UK. Hopefully all being well should land in the UK on the 24th of April.. So not long.
I am very excited!
Latest update, the truck is in the UK!
Only problem is I go on holiday tomorrow so wont be collecting for a week or so.
I have everything ready to get the lights converted and the MOT done so hopefully wont take to long before its road legal.
Then its just getting it registered which i'm sure will be pain, as is everything the DVLA are involved in.
Only problem is I go on holiday tomorrow so wont be collecting for a week or so.
I have everything ready to get the lights converted and the MOT done so hopefully wont take to long before its road legal.
Then its just getting it registered which i'm sure will be pain, as is everything the DVLA are involved in.
So I finally collected my new truck yesterday!
Have to say at first glance I was a little under whelmed but the more I looked round it the happier I became.
It is a beast!
Still not been able to drive it as its not MOT'd or registered but a little ride around the drive has showed me a bit about it. All seems healthy so just need to convert the lights and off to MOT.
Oh and needs a good clean, kinda like it dirty sort of suits it. lol
Have to say at first glance I was a little under whelmed but the more I looked round it the happier I became.
It is a beast!
Still not been able to drive it as its not MOT'd or registered but a little ride around the drive has showed me a bit about it. All seems healthy so just need to convert the lights and off to MOT.
Oh and needs a good clean, kinda like it dirty sort of suits it. lol
Oh no mate that blows, hopefully will be back on the road soon!
Well mine was supposed to have a TH400 but after poking around underneath it looks to me like a TH350. I am no expert though.
Gave it a good wash last night and had a bit of look underneath and all looks well just a bit of surface rust here and there but happy so far.
Just need to find time to tackle the lights and prep from MOT hopefully will get chance on Sunday but may have a hangover! lol
Well mine was supposed to have a TH400 but after poking around underneath it looks to me like a TH350. I am no expert though.
Gave it a good wash last night and had a bit of look underneath and all looks well just a bit of surface rust here and there but happy so far.
Just need to find time to tackle the lights and prep from MOT hopefully will get chance on Sunday but may have a hangover! lol
Glad to hear you're all sorted Matt, you that fixed up quickly.
The truck came from Florida. Which I guess you would call a dry state? But all seems to be well rust wise.
I've had chance to spend some time on it over the weekend and got all the front lights sorted out. Needed all new headlights and the last owner was using tail lights as the front indicators hidden behind the grill. He had dusted them with black paint so they would't show through unless the were lit up. Any how got some indicators for a kit car and I think they look good. Checked with my MOT friend and he said they should pass ok. Rear lights are this weeks project and sort a PS leak.
I also discovered the torque converter/flywheel is missing a cover from the bottom meaning its completely exposed! Was an easy enough part to find, just got to jack it up and get that fitted while sorting the leak.
Thanks for the offer of help Matt but so far I've been able to get most of the bits from RockAuto or Ebay... so far that is.
The truck came from Florida. Which I guess you would call a dry state? But all seems to be well rust wise.
I've had chance to spend some time on it over the weekend and got all the front lights sorted out. Needed all new headlights and the last owner was using tail lights as the front indicators hidden behind the grill. He had dusted them with black paint so they would't show through unless the were lit up. Any how got some indicators for a kit car and I think they look good. Checked with my MOT friend and he said they should pass ok. Rear lights are this weeks project and sort a PS leak.
I also discovered the torque converter/flywheel is missing a cover from the bottom meaning its completely exposed! Was an easy enough part to find, just got to jack it up and get that fitted while sorting the leak.
Thanks for the offer of help Matt but so far I've been able to get most of the bits from RockAuto or Ebay... so far that is.
Thanks I'm really happy with it! Can't wait to get it road legal!
I'm pretty sure I saved money by importing the truck, I'm confident I could sell it for a profit if I wanted.
I bought the Mustang from the UK and paid more than I would of done importing it.
HOWEVER it has taken a long time to get the truck here and its still not road legal so while I have saved money its not quick or overly simple. I paid for the truck in Feb and not expecting it to be road legal until July, maybe later.
I couldn't find the truck I wanted in the UK as you have found either poor condition or too expensive. I just made an inquiry about importing one and before I knew it I had bought a truck! If you have Facebook check out Collins Auto Exports he will give you a price landed in the UK so you have an idea.
What kind of truck are thinking? I'm no expert but if you need help or advise please shout.
I'm pretty sure I saved money by importing the truck, I'm confident I could sell it for a profit if I wanted.
I bought the Mustang from the UK and paid more than I would of done importing it.
HOWEVER it has taken a long time to get the truck here and its still not road legal so while I have saved money its not quick or overly simple. I paid for the truck in Feb and not expecting it to be road legal until July, maybe later.
I couldn't find the truck I wanted in the UK as you have found either poor condition or too expensive. I just made an inquiry about importing one and before I knew it I had bought a truck! If you have Facebook check out Collins Auto Exports he will give you a price landed in the UK so you have an idea.
What kind of truck are thinking? I'm no expert but if you need help or advise please shout.
I would of thought a long bed F100 would suit. This one has been for sale for a while, looks decent for the price maybe a bit newer than you want though
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-Ford-F100/26370401...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1972-Ford-F100/26370401...
Finally I have my truck registered and on the road!!!
Went out for my first proper drive last night and it’s great, love it!
Drove to work today and it all went a bit wrong, I took a knock from a lorry that crossed the centre line coming the other way. Head in hands.
smashed wing mirror, scratches all down the side and the front wing and door are pretty badly damaged. Oh dear!
I haven't dared to open the door yet in case it wont close so I'll leave that until I get home. What a start to day!!
On the up side, decent guy driving lorry took the blame and got all his details so hopefully can get it sorted on insurance. Fingers crossed.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/eUFJTUeH[/url]
Went out for my first proper drive last night and it’s great, love it!
Drove to work today and it all went a bit wrong, I took a knock from a lorry that crossed the centre line coming the other way. Head in hands.
smashed wing mirror, scratches all down the side and the front wing and door are pretty badly damaged. Oh dear!
I haven't dared to open the door yet in case it wont close so I'll leave that until I get home. What a start to day!!
On the up side, decent guy driving lorry took the blame and got all his details so hopefully can get it sorted on insurance. Fingers crossed.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/eUFJTUeH[/url]Yeah its in the body shop now so hopefully wont be too long until its sorted. Love the Dodge by the way, cool truck and a rare sight in the UK I would imagine. Its amazing how much you can fit in the bed of the US trucks compared to Euro/Jap ones. I moved a garden table and chairs at the weekend and it just swallowed it with loads of room to spare!
Its taken a long time but my truck is finally back!!! Only took 6 weeks or so but they have done a great job and looks as good as new.
I seem to be collecting US trucks at the moment I have my sisters for a few after its been repaired then its off to Belgium and another one just arrived from the states will be up for sale once its road legal!
I seem to be collecting US trucks at the moment I have my sisters for a few after its been repaired then its off to Belgium and another one just arrived from the states will be up for sale once its road legal!
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff