Let's talk classic trucks

Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
I am really considering getting an old cool looking truck to drive once a week to work or to drive to get stuff from the nursery or hardware store. So I may put 1,000 miles a year on it. I am looking at something from the late 20s to the 50s. That raises a lot of questions. I am not sure the best place to shop for a truck in that time frame. Also I have worked on cars from the 60s, but nothing older than that. I kind of have my eye on the truck below. But I don't know really know about engines this old. Such as, where do get parts? Anything special about the gas or oil? Anything I need to know about working on something this old?



I had a boss that used to buy an old car, drive it for 3 years or so and then sell it for about the same price that he paid for it. I am thinking I could do about the same. Is there anything to know about insurance on something like this?
 
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BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,192
1,787
126
That's not an "old truck"! It's a rare, classic truck restoration. The only reason to buy something that old would parallel the reasoning of people who collect $20,000 pocket watches. Unless you have the resources to resurrect and maintain an ancient vehicle like that, you wouldn't want the headache of finding parts (if there are any), or even getting the right mechanic to do the work if you don't do it yourself.

I have an "old truck". That is -- it is my brother's old truck, and he can't drive a 5-speed manual much anymore because he's at risk of having his left leg amputated. It's a 1995 Nissan "hardbody" King Cab pickup. It's black, and it spent at least its first 100,000 miles in the neighborhood of Trona, California, leaving the paint very well -- or badly -- oxidized. I fixed that problem last year. In fact -- there was a lot of surface rust on the cab top, and spots appearing on the hood. The rust seemed so bad, one might worry that it would require metal-panel replacement -- serious body work. You could run your hand over the surface and than see little piles of orange dust on your palm. I ground it all down to bare metal, used two different chemical treatments, and more sanding and reapplication until the chemicals didn't turn black anymore. Then, two coats of epoxy-primer, followed by the factory black acrylic enamel and clear-coat. No . . . more . . . freaking . . . RUST!

It was a mechanic's special -- mechanic owned and driven. It has 170,000 miles on the odometer, doesn't lose or use a drop of oil. It is excellently maintained. And the only reason anyone would want to buy it: it is 4WD. We've restored everything from missing OEM sun-visors to molded vinyl door-panel damage -- chunks of vinyl and foam rubber missing from the door-handle, etc. Cracks in the dashboard as well. One of the rear push-out windows had a damaged seal or grommet, which required sculpting with silicone RTV sealant-adhesive -- and it looks pristine now. I really need to get out and drive it around -- hasn't been driven in a month or more.

I'm still debating whether to spend a few hundred on chrome-wheel replacements for the OEM originals. If we were planning to sell it soon, I don't think that would be a good idea. It sure would look nice, though!

I DO need to get out my digi-camera -- or cell-phone (but I prefer the camera) -- so I can post color pictures of the Nissan Truck and my fabled 95 Isuzu Trooper.

I assume that your expectations for this thread would anticipate a lot of "show and tell" responses. And -- is an SUV a "truck"? Standard SUVs are supposed to be built like trucks. The new crossovers and hybrids have unibody construction, I think.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
I assume that your expectations for this thread would anticipate a lot of "show and tell" responses. And -- is an SUV a "truck"? Standard SUVs are supposed to be built like trucks. The new crossovers and hybrids have unibody construction, I think.

Very few SUVs are built on truck chassis these days. Only some of the full-size SUVs, the Lexus GX/LX, Toyota 4Runner, Land Rover, Range Rover, are along with some others. All the crossovers and hybrids are unibody.

I like old trucks but I have little experience driving them. Old trucks were made to be work vehicles and have little to no creature comforts like sound deadening so unless you buy something that has been resto-modded you may be surprised by how noisy they are from road noise, wind noise or just rattles and squeaks. The ride quality will be poor also.

I wouldn’t buy something as old as the truck pictured above unless I was sure I could work on it myself and find parts for it.
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
8,507
1,122
126
if you go with something from the 50s or 60s you will be able to find parts. anything before that gets harder. you will also be able to drive it at modern around town speeds. anything from the 40s or earlier that is not modified will top out at 45 to 55 mph, or slower.

my dad and i frame off restored a 72 super cheyenne short box. great fun and you can buy nearly everything to build that truck.

i like the mid 50's stuff, best to look for something that has as little rust as possible.

this is super fun and should go for a fairly low price. and very unique. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-ford-econoline-4/
 
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Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
Damn! Herm you are right. After I posted this I started looking around a little and found a forum for old Chevy's. Some people were talking about their '38 trucks and they were saying they only drive them 35 MPH top speed. I need something that will go at least 50, 60 would be preferable. So that shoots this one down.

The things is I like the looks of the 1948 and down trucks. So now I need to try and find something that can drive around 55, or find one that has a new engine and drive train that has been put in it.
 

Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
Herm, once again, good call. The problem is I saw this beauty. It is a little more than I want to spend.



It has a modern motor and is an automotic. I would prefer one that is more original and a stick, but that is one food looking truck.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
A neighbor has some vintage truck that he refurbished and now open for interested buyers. They look interesting but not sure if they are long-lasting and functional. Better try them intensively first.
The steel and form in most vintage trucks are superior to modern trucks in every way.
 
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Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
Let me tell you what I have found. I have been looking at trucks the entire time. The stock trucks before the war do not go very fast, they can top out at 35 to 45 MPH depending on which year you get. Then ones that were built right after the war are the same as before the war. Around 1947 the trucks were redesigned and started to go faster and look a little different. Then the 50s were made for the new interstates. I personally don't like the look of the trucks from the 50s so they were out. One thing also is seat belts. Trucks back where I am looking at do not have seat belts.

I was a little concerned about driving a stock truck. I need it to do 50 MPH, preferably 55 MPH. Also I think there are maintenance issues with engines this old. They don't have air filters like the cars now. My wife really preferred that I get a truck that has a modern engine in it and I kind of thought that was a good idea.

The big question is, what type of truck to buy? I mean I am looking at 30 years of different trucks to look at. I realized there was a certain look that I liked. Then what price point? I only wanted to spend about $12K, and was able to find some trucks. Then I upped my budget to the 15 to 17K range. At that point there were many things to choose from. I almost got a 51 Ford, similar to the one that mrblotto posted. Then I realized that I really like the look of the 1941 and 1946 Chevy. Another thing is that they stopped making cars from 1942 to 1945. So I was still looking at all kinds of places; Hemmings, Craigslist even ebay. The thing about ebay is that there is a large selection. Some trucks would come and go. Then on Saturday I saw this one, it has the look that I like similar to the 1946 Chevy's. I think they look a little bit better, but this thing was too nice to pass up. It has a 327 Engine and a 3 speed manual transmission. I am now arranging transport from PA out here to CA.



 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,028
122
106
non-power assist brakes aren't a problem. Had them on my 67 galaxie with drums all around and an 81 plymouth horizan with disc up front. The single chamber master cylinder is more of a problem.
 

Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
Herm, Thanks for your help. You showed me the right path to go down and I went down it.

I am definitely going to look at the brakes first off when it gets here. They say it used to be used for hauling race cars around so I am hoping that they beefed up the brakes when the did the mods in the 60s.



One thing I found on this journey was about smogging an old car in CA. If a car is older than 1975 it does not have to be smogged.

The truck is supposed to be here next Friday. It is going to be a long week.
 
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Gardener

Senior member
Nov 22, 1999
767
549
136
I'd take my 1980 square body 3/4 ton over anything here. Easy to fix, easy to find parts, reliable as hell. A truck that you can use for work has an inherent value far beyond some relic/show truck, and they will never build that quality of truck again, not even close.
 
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Stopsignhank

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2014
2,706
2,176
136
It is so fucking cool to drive this truck. It showed up last week and it needs a little bit of work so I have been driving it just as needed, take it to the mechanic, take it to get get tires and take it to AAA to get it registered. The registration is fun. Here is CA you do not have to smog a vehicle it it is older than 1975. However you have do have to take it to the DMV, the CHP or a certified inspector so they can verify the truck. I took it to AAA and the guys asked me where is the VIN. Hell, I don't know, but here is the truck. So I had to come home and google where is the VIN on a 1941 truck. Took a bit and I found it. The tires of course had to be ordered so next weekend will be new tires and get it registered. Then I will drive it a bunch. I can't wait to get rid of the bias ply tires.

The thing is, I really do not care what people think about me. I dress for comfort and not for looks. But it is cool to see people give you a thumbs up as you drive by. I was at a stop light and a couple guys on bicycles rode by and one said in the window "Nice truck". My son is into the truck and it will be fun on Sunday to take him to Home Depot. My wife will be much happier when I get the seat belts installed.




 
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