How many use their trucks as true daily drivers?

[1ton-o-fun]

Bought mine in August of 2020. I've put about 5k miles on it. My other car is rusty where it really hurts(rockers and pinch welds in the floors), plus gets better mpg, so the truck sat for the winter. This time, the truck is the only thing running, so here's to hoping for a very mild winter .
If it got the 18 mpg my other car gets, I'd never leave the seat! I love my big ol' truck.

 

[smdk2500]

If it got the 18 mpg my other car gets, I'd never leave the seat! I love my big ol' truck.

If I keep my 95 with the 6.5 under 70 I can get that. So there's a option for you to get 400 that can in theory get 18 mpg. That is if you want to deal with the issues that the engine does have from time to time.

 

[1madmouse]

Ok got my 93 Silverado in 97 with 40K on it and have driven it daily since then, and it has 173,000 now. lost a trans at 80,000 1 starter and an alternator. Have done all the maintenance on it and other than the trans and paint everything has been my work. Figured this was my forever truck when I bought it, so I have been restoring it this last year. I do all my hauling and trailer pulling with this truck and it hasn't failed me, but for the transmission. It runs great and will get 17--19 mpg if I drive nice.

 

[Jesse_Wenting]

I believe that the gmt400 platform is the last of the vehicles that we can own and repair ourselves in the middle of noplace with limited parts.

I have the exact same mindset man. I bought my 98 knowing it needed a new engine. Driving her home and something finally gave out, but on the bright side the rod knock stopped lmao. 45km later I pull in my driveway, and 2 weeks I discover that it was the cylinder 1 connecting rod that had broken (downward stroke I think. Got lucky there), and had beaten the block enough to crack it.

So basically I drove around 45km on 7 cylinders, with a mix of coolant and oil flowing through the entire engine, and a block that was literally beaten to death. To be frank, I think that's pretty damn dependable. Swapped in another engine from a 98 parts truck after pulling it apart and installing a gasket/seal kit with no prior experience. Couldn't ask for something easier to work on

 

[thegawd]

Iv been driving our 97 Burb as our only vehicle for more than ten years. it used to drive 150kms a day when my wife was in school. It replaced a 94 Burb with a very tired drivetrain. Iv put 2 transmission in this beast and lots of blood sweat and some tears. but it has always got me and our family home.

it routinely gets above 17MPG. I have fixed a lot if stuff on this truck but the engine is all original and untouched. besides maintenance parts and also before I got it the MPFI and intake gaskets were done.

theres well over half a million Kilometers on it and I plan on keeping it forever. yeah I live in the rust belt but the truck was born in Texas and lived half its live there. the body has never been worked on and it needs it but the frame is solid!

Im guna keep fixing whatever the hell it needs and I dont care what anyone thinks.

Fuckem.

 

[LVJJJ]

Got the 94 k1500 GMC Burb in 2016, was a one owner, always garaged creampuff. However, 350 was gutless so now it has a 383, huge difference. with 125,000 on it had to replace some stuff, rear end bearings, ignition module, brakes, starter, alternator, some suspension parts and tune up (original owner never replaced the wires, cap or rotor). I figure the expense of these replacements about equal to a month or two payments on a newer truck. While not an actual daily driver we mainly use it for towing. But, I much prefer to drive it over our very nice 2008 HHR, wife's car (GM guy all the way). Only get 13 mpg but I don't care. As others have said, its just old enough to be able to work on it myself. Had the computer chip re-programed by Old School EFI who's on this forum. I work from home so don't go out too often so drive the Burb maybe twice a week. Alternator had to be replaced because the nut came off while towing up a real steep hill coming up out the the Columbia River gorge, belt started screaming half way up, kept going as I figured if I stopped I'd never get it going again plus no place to get off highway. Did make it to the top where there happened to be a gas station. Also happened to be an employee of the local NAPA at the station who heard the screaming and who took us down to the store to get a new alternator, this was a Sunday but they had the part. I feel I'm being looked after by an angel or two.

 

[thinger2]

A new truck costs more than I paid for my first house.
That is crazy.
70 or 80 grand for a truck.
I can mechanically rebuild this thing stem to stern for about 10.
Including new carpet.
It wont have bluetooth enabled floor mats or a wifi cigarette lighter.
It wont tell me what my blood pressure is or which way is South.
But it will start and run and kinda sorta stop maybe.
If Im not in a hurry.
That leaves a whole lotta beer, steak and gas money.

 

[1madmouse]

I was taught early on if you take care of your stuff, it will take care of you. I hate the new vehicles with computer controls on everything. Love being able to still fix what ever breaks on my truck. My brother in law has a 07 Tahoe, what a nightmare, I don't think I can name something that hasn't gone out or drove him crazy. It's getting harder to find a GMT 400 in fair shape for a good price.

 

[TCBRacer77]

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My daily driver, 1997 c1500 4.3 5 speed. My parents bought it when I was born, it was beat pretty hard over the years till I got it, I put a lot of time and work into getting it running the way it should and now it has brought me cross country and is my daily commuter to and from work. I love these trucks!

 

[spf1268]

I was taught early on if you take care of your stuff, it will take care of you.

Amen. That is exactly what I was taught too.
Does not matter what it is - car, truck, fishing reel, house, BBQ grill, wifey,...