Happy 20th Birthday - to my truck

[Joe Mc]

Just realized this morning the ol" girl is 20 now, I've had her for almost 18 now (purchased on 05/01 w/75k, present 237k) and don't ever plan to get rid of her. God forbid if something should happen that would total her, but if it did I have the perfect spot for the engine, trans and rear = my 73 340 Duster. I'd make it an "Oil'er", you know straight axel, exhaust coming out the hood, tubbed to the max with big & wide slicks and skinny's up front. Probably run low 10's without touching the driveline. As cool as that sounds (to me anyway?) I hope I never have to do it.

 

[DavidC]

I am with you on this Joe, I now have 91k. Still breaking it in.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yup, 18 for mine, 28 for the 91 and 45 for the ol Ford

 

[DavidC]

I should have stated it was bought August of 99 from the back lot of dealer still wrapped in plastic. The first drive and feeling the torque compared to the 318 1500 that was being traded in was just amazing.

Dave

 

[Bamtech1]

I was just thinking that in another couple years mine will qualify for an antique vehicle tag here in Georgia.

 

[DavidC]

I was just thinking that in another couple years mine will qualify for an antique vehicle tag here in Georgia.

I believe it's 25 years here in Az.

 

[JKellis]

Lots of birthdays to celebrate here, truck is 20, boat is 30, and Camaro is 50! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[DavidC]

Lots of birthdays to celebrate here, truck is 20, boat is 30, and Camaro is 50! Thanks for the reminder!

Pictures or it cannot be true

 

[JKellis]

Lots of birthdays to celebrate here, truck is 20, boat is 30, and Camaro is 50! Thanks for the reminder

Pictures or it cannot be true

Yea, I to take some more pics. I took my phone swimming while I was putting the boat on the trailer last fall and lost all my pics, contacts, you name it. I was waiting to put my "new" front bumper and grill on the truck before I post pics here.

 

[DavidC]

Lots of birthdays to celebrate here, truck is 20, boat is 30, and Camaro is 50! Thanks for the reminder

Yea, I to take some more pics. I took my phone swimming while I was putting the boat on the trailer last fall and lost all my pics, contacts, you name it. I was waiting to put my "new" front bumper and grill on the truck before I post pics here.

Perfect time for before and after. Bummer with the phone.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m not in the 2gen club, but I got 14 plus years with my 04, and while the Duster is 47, I’ve had it for 34.
Joe, I hope you never total that truck, but your imagination on what to do with the parts is outrageous!

 

[Joe Mc]

Wayne, Nice 71. My 73 is torn down to the shell, everything is out except the rear glass, yep front & rear suspension, fenders, hood, trunk, doors & etc. Need to install R/lower quarter section & trunk extension (L/side done) next will be the full floor pan (rail to rail/tow board to rear seat riser). Bought it in 78-ish, sold it to a Navy buddy in 85 and got it back in 95. Like the truck, I'm keeping it forever, however long that'll be...
All, nice trucks. Good to see there's still plenty of good looking/running 2nd gens out there. Happy New Year!

 

[DavidC]

I'm being buried in mine

Dave

 

[Joe Mc]

Don't think mine will fit in the crematory. Guess I'll have to pick someone to drive my truck and let my ashes out the rear center window.

 

[DavidC]

Joe, that truck looks excellent for the environment you live in, I do not notice any visible rust, doors,fenders falling off especially on a 20 year vehicle. Do you do anything exceeding the usual wash ?.

Dave

 

[Joe Mc]

Nothing special I just wash it, thanks..... Kidding. You should have seen it 2.5 years ago before metal work, rust remediation and panel replacement. Both bed wheel arches (patch panels), both front fenders (new outers) right rear door lower (patch panel) and a new left front door (MoPar, got from fellow member on TDR Classifieds), some other minor dings and dents work, prep and paint (4 coats of base 6 coats of clear - per my spec). Hood scoops are 67 GTX, complete with chrome bezels. Engine Call-Outs on scoops are courtesy of originals (from under the 2500 on the doors). Cost me a bankroll, one of the reasons I'm keeping it forever.

 

[DavidC]

Well that explains it. You do have a fortune invested.

 

[Joe Mc]

For metal & paint, including all materials just under 10k. Don't even want to think about what I have in the trans, turbo, sticks, and etc. etc. She's just how I want her to be tho.

 

[Wayne M.]

Cool. I didn’t catch the hood.

 

[MAYoung]

I will have had this beast for 21 years next May. I was fortunate enough to order the truck new from the factory; about $35,000 out the door, all taxes and license included. Currently at 263,000 miles. I do not do as much driving as I used to but it is still a workhorse. It is nice to have the manual transmission when towing in the hills and back roads.

I am doing all kinds of maintenance on the truck: New brake pads, shoes, rotors and calipers; new hubs and axle seals; new front crank seal with oversize sleeve; new u-joints and balanced drive shaft; new Luk clutch; wholly rebuilt front steering including a Redhead steering gear; new Fluidampnr crank harmonic balance; new rear axle u-bolts; new belt tensioner and water pump; new headlamps and fog lamps plus lots of stuff that I have already forgotten about---mostly grommets, nuts and bolts. Next up is the fuel system including a new DDRP and fixing the fuel gauge. (I must confess that I can feel real improvement---vastly tighter steering and the braking action is wonderful.)

Joe Mc: Can you tell me what brand of sidesteps that you have on your truck? I've got a new pair of DeeZee's on the truck and I am not satisfied with the fit. I went cheap and I paid for it.

Thanks, Mark Young
Fair Oaks, California