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Is it blasphemy or entirely sensible

shady

shady

1 ton status
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to consider selling my square body burb that I LOVE,

in order to buy a 2003-2006 3/4 ton burb as a replacement.


:dunno:

I'm torn because I love my truck.... but to get it where I want, I need to


Buy and install an LS based engine (2.5-3.5k)
Buy and install a 4l80e trans (1-2k)
Buy and install heavier axles (1-2k)
Modify the seat and pedals so the wife can drive it. that way its a valid 3rd vehicle. ($100?)

But I can buy a similar mileage 03-06 with electric seats (they raise), adjustable pedals, 6.0 (or 8.1:whistle:), 4l80e, 14b, and More rust resistant steel for 6.5-10k.....

right now I'm heavily leaning towards the newer one. Mainly because I cant afford to buy all I want for the 88 AND make the payment on the loan against it. And even if I could I no longer have a decent place to DO all of that stuff:doah:

If I sold it for enough to cover the loan I could finance the newer 1 and my payment stays the same. give or take $50

what say thee CK5?
 
In my opinion it's never blasphemy to get something that fits your needs better.

You'll be happier, and you'll be spreading the squarebody joy to someone else that it better fits their needs (or wants).
 
I wouldn't do it. Newer trucks just aren't the same as the older stuff....
I understand Why you would....
 
beags86 said:
I wouldn't do it. Newer trucks just aren't the same as the older stuff....
I understand Why you would....
Click to expand...

You're right. They're safer. Quieter. Better running. More reliable (sometimes) with better mileage. And hold they're value better other than to us crazies on ck5
 
This one can be had for only $8500 and I wouldn't have to touch anything:pimp: But i'd probably get a stock or close one.

00202_6UTnQzGh97q_600x450.jpg
 
i am thinking about the same thing as i am discovering that i really don't enjoy working on cars. i was thinking about a new Colorado or possibly a newer say 2002-2012 1 ton.

But i am going to bite the bullet and stick with the old because financially this will make sense in the long run.


i think it boils down to time vs. money; If you can make more money in the time it takes for you to fix the truck then it makes more sense to buy new (i think?)
 
I think it entirely depends on your stable of vehicles and what you intend to use it for.
 
I think it makes a lot of sense to get the newer suburban, heck do a SAS and you have the perks of both.

I try to keep my square bodies as my spare vehicles. I like them and all they just aren't as comfortable as a new body style
 
I haven't owned a square body that wasn't for parts and scrap for over 4 years now. My 95 Tahoe is about as close to a Blazer as modern stuff gets but it is light years ahead of them in comfort, reliability, power and drivability. I don't think I'll ever go back.

In fact, I really want to build my 03 Tahoe up a bit next.
 
Yeah I agree with Russell. Square bodies are a timeless look but they definitely ride and feel like a 70-80's era truck.
 
vandelay industries said:
i am thinking about the same thing as i am discovering that i really don't enjoy working on cars.
Click to expand...


I've told my wife a few times that for me, it boils down to "want to" vs. "have to". If I want to improve a vehicle, I can take my time and its fun. If I have to work on my vehicle to get it running then its a PITA and I get real lazy. And let's face it, the older these rigs get, the more " have to" you face.
 
If I could have 4 vehicles (don't have parking space and don't wanna pay the insurance) I'd never get rid of it. in fact, when I told my wife I started this thread she was kind of upset that I was thinking about this. But I broke down the why's and she agreed.

My only real hang up about it is that I haven't wheel'd more than a dry, semi maintained, mostly tree limb and brushless road in YEARS.

Do I really need the bigger heavier duty components even:dunno:

NOT having them, and having a 'pretty' truck is WHY I haven't wheel'd though:rolleyes: freakin catch 22 that is confusing me:haha:
 
Dump it hopefully to a good owner. Get the newer truck and be sensible with it. Once you lift a IFS and put bigger tires on it..... the wear sucks. Wheel bearings, TREs, and ball joints is what I'm talking. Even on a 1 ton, sh** is still weak. :( I'm not even gunna get into poor tire wear......
 
It's blasphemy Rick. Your gonna be damned to an eternal fate of regret sorrow and remorse. Repent o though sinner that your square soul may be saved and not rounded off with a newer truck.

:D
 
once the EMP hits..you'll be missing that square body...just sayin
 
K85 Octane said:
Dump it hopefully to a good owner. Get the newer truck and be sensible with it. Once you lift a IFS and put bigger tires on it..... the wear sucks. Wheel bearings, TREs, and ball joints is what I'm talking. Even on a 1 ton, sh** is still weak. :( I'm not even gunna get into poor tire wear......
Click to expand...

Not entirely true, most of this statement is just misconception from people not lifting their IFS correctly. IF(and it's a big if) your IFS lift is done correctly, the lift will mitigate these wear problems.
 
If money is an issue, and it's never used as a truck anyway, why even consider a truck? They cost more, they get worse mileage, and they ride terrible, comparatively.

If you tow, obviously that is out the window, but if you don't and are thinking of going from one body style to another, why not open up your options even more?

My truck doesn't get used much, but when you need a truck, you need a truck. 99% of my driving can be handled by an econobox, and that is a hell of a lot more comfortable, practical, and cheaper than driving the truck. A minivan (THAT'S blasphemy) or a wagon of some sort would provide a lot more interior room than a regular car.

For a person that can't reach the pedals, that would be a tough fix in the older trucks.

My buddy dumped his Tahoe for a Captiva (huge difference in size obviously, but equate that to a minivan vs. a truck I suppose?) and the money being saved in fuel resulted in that much more money being available for other stuff.
 
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79bonanza said:
Yeah I agree with Russell. Square bodies are a timeless look but they definitely ride and feel like a 70-80's era truck.
Click to expand...


I agree, no matter how much you modernize an old square body they are still an old square body in terms of ergonomics, handling, ride quality and it seems no matter how tight they are they always need something fixed every few weeks. I don’t think I could tolerate using my ’89 Sub as a daily driver family machine. Maybe when I was 20something but not at 42. I really miss our 2004 Tahoe Z71. Sadly, we sold it so the wife could have her dream car, which she didn’t like and let it go back at the end of the lease. Then we got a new 2013 GMT900 Tahoe Z71 which we hated and traded that on a ’14 Impala, which is a really great car. But, of all of them, I still wish we just kept the 2004 Tahoe. Best ride, size, looks, powertrain and everything. The only issue with the Tahoe was an unreliable push button 4x4 but it wasn’t a wheeler anyway, just an all-weather driver. Go for a, 800 series Sub or Hoe…
 
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