work truck...

[balthazar]

When I moved into my current house, I bought my 2WD RC/LB F-150. I worked in graphic design then, but I needed a truck for around-house work, hauling firewood, car parts, towing, etc.

In '06, now in my 6th year of construction/excavation, going off-road on job sites, plus now having 2 sons, required me to get at least a crew cab/4WD truck, so I did (2nd hand '04).

Forward to today, no longer in excavation but still doing contractor/construction... I occasionally ponder vehicle requirements, esp once a current driver approaches 100K.

2500HD has 91K+, gets a steady 16 MPG, is pretty big to drive around (doesn't bother me, but Jersey is getting tighter all the time). Good truck, I have no complaints, and I know it'll be good to 200K easy.

Maybe 3-4 times a year do I have the back seat empty, carrying 4/5 people, the rest of the time the back seat is folded down & the compartment is filled with tools for work.

Wondering if I could do the same out of something like this. Tint all the rear glass, and I'd have to get a roof rack, but why wouldn't this do the same thing cheaper?

MPG is not a relative issue; I drove a '64 for 2 years daily, returned a steady 15. I'm comfortable at that range, esp since it looks like diesel will never be cheaper than gas again.

Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse...

[ocnblu]

Something like that would make an outstanding parade vehicle with your logo on the doors and tailgate... meaning you could take it on initial consultations to help cinch the job, maybe carry a measuring tape and a couple of samples, but it would be too nice to hog up as a "real" work vehicle. I'd keep the Duramax for that.

[SAmadei]

IMHO, that one is too nice to use as a work truck... but a similar 20 footer without rust... maybe a Earl Schibe special would work nice. Swap in a modern transmission... with an adaptor, both bellhousing and electronic, and you likely would get a lot better mileage with it.

[A Horse With No Name]

Agree with SA, too nice for a work truck...but a damn fine wagon.

Methinks you need two, one as a parade vehicle, one as a work vehicle...

[A Horse With No Name]

Or try this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/140470012942

[A Horse With No Name]

Or this...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs452.ash2/72504_459286128255_81759638255_5451835_649304_s.jpg

[ocnblu]

whoa that last one's a real Humdinger

[Camino LS6]

Don't you dare, Balthy!

Wagons are too hard to find, and that is a nice one.

But I love the idea of it as an "estimate mobile".

[balthazar]

First off, there's no way I can swing an 'estimate/ first call' vehicle AND the DuraMax. That's out.

This musing would is on the possibility of a DuraMax replacement.

I certainly would not trash the Safari, but I would 'use it up' over the years.

Naturally, I have no problem driving a 46-yr old as a daily.

[Camino LS6]

In that case, I'd stick with the D-Max.

But boy, do I understand the temptation.

[balthazar]

Maybe I should be more specific.

WHEN I decide it's time to replace the DuraMax, can I work out of a vintage full-size wagon ??

The only thing I will be missing out on is 4WD in the snow and A/C.

I got a helluva deal on the 2500HD, not sure I can repeat that and not sure I need to. Buy in price of a vintage wagon is easily half that of even a 1-2 yr old truck.

And yes- it's VERY tempting. I've already owned two '64 Catalina sedans and a GP...

[Camino LS6]

The obvious answer is: yes.

Of course you can.

Guys did it for years.

The used-wagon-as-work-truck thing used to be commonplace.

Measure all the stuff you need to carry, measure the wagon, get answer.

'sides, I know obsession when I see it!

[balthazar]

I just love '64s and miss driving mine.

Or maybe I should just get a Transit Connect.

[ocnblu]

Tell your Ford dealer to have the Turks paint it GM Turquoise (tell them it's a fleet of one), a set of Cragar S/S wheels and a RonJon Surf Shop sticker, maybe that will ease the pain of driving a Transit Connect... and you'll have the coolest little Ford van... EVAR!

[A Horse With No Name]

Tell your Ford dealer to have the Turks paint it GM Turquoise (tell them it's a fleet of one), a set of Cragar S/S wheels and a RonJon Surf Shop sticker, maybe that will ease the pain of driving a Transit Connect... and you'll have the coolest little Ford van... EVAR!

That wagon was awesome, and reminded me of how much I miss seeing 1960's GM cars on the road every day!

But methinks a Transit Connect would be the order of the day at some point.

[balthazar]

TC only has a 6' interior area- not good for me. They might make that work if they offered some sort of liftgate window, where you could extend 8' or longer materials out the back- because driving down the highway with the rear doors open is not a practice I would be comfortable with.

Come to think of it, I don't see hauling firewood in a TC outfitted with shelving that productive/desireable, either.

Truck is still the best solution.

[A Horse With No Name]

Inexpensive work truck (nicer version of the truck you sent to CFC valhalla) and a nice Poncho wagon maybe?

[Camino LS6]

1500 series Suburban or Avalanche?

[balthazar]

I've yet to see an Avalanche up close, specifically- the ins & outs of the MidGate system.

I live fine with 6.5'- gives me 7+' to the top of the tailgate (the angle), as I have had 10' ladders in & out of my truck this summer (also had a 16'er, but used a special rig I built to haul it).

But the Avalanche bed length of (5'3") is too short. 'MidGate down' is not the answer, as the back seat is commonly going to be full of tools.

Suburban is shorter (130/222 vs. 153/239 for the 2500HD CC/SB), might be doable. Will look into them further...

[Camino LS6]

Wouldn't angling up to the tailgate make the Av work too?

I would think that some tools would fit even with the midgate down as well.