I’ve got two batteries now and the 35’s aren’t cheap. I wish the truck was stock hight with a leveling kit but whatever it came with a suspension kit. The truck was my daily driver for a while. Then I bought a diesel sprinter. It’s not comfortable, 28mpg, holds all my tools, quiet and it’s still old enough to not be one big computer. The van cost me $3200!
Now with fuel being $5.65 and my truck being so huge I only drive it when I need to tow..or I feel like driving a truck. I’ve taken it way out in the woods camping, down unplowed service roads, on and on..it’s a sweet truck and I’ll probably just keep it. But PSD prices have been dropping a bit and these old trucks aren’t as heavy duty. But still manage.
I can’t understand why anyone would have to drive a truck everyday. Owning two vehicles doesn’t really make sense but I’ll tell ya..when I was a young carpenter making $11 bucks an hour, showing up to work in an e350 psd abs dirt bike in the back..it was certainly badass..but boy it was a major expense. Only after I sold the van and drove a Jetta for 3 years was I able to really get it together and I bought a nice crew cab 7.3 flat bed..used it for years and years..but never daily driver until the last three years. I filled it at least once a week. Making $50 or hour it wasn’t as big a deal..but I feel bad when I see young guys or 30 somethings like my self driving huge trucks with a lunchbox and trash in the back. The tires are usually bald, they don’t usually fill the tanks due to the cost..they’re spending money they shouldn’t..but I’m not going to stop them..I was similar when I was in my early 20s.
But it’ll be a hard truck to replace, the tractor style motor is nice to work on..I’ll stick with the old beast for now I suppose.
I’ve only got some much to fix up at this point..rebuild the front axle because the inner seal is leaking. Maybe put a flatbed on.
Another thought to a parted IDI, the only reason this truck is in Maine and clean and solid is because people haven’t been driving it in the winter..the previous owners have parked it once the first snow comes. I don’t do that but once my 24v truck is going it’ll probably be a summer queen. Investment right?