Soliciting Views: Give Son Truck

[RUSSELL5000]

I have only been reading for quite a while now, as the good folks on this forum answered all my questions when I bought my 2012 and got set up with my travel trailer. Did all kinds of trips and camping. Older son is in third year at the University of Wyoming and younger son joined Air Force this year. My wife and I are going through the "difficult adjustment" of the empty nest.

Younger son currently at technical school (Vandenberg AFB in California). Will be going to Minot AFB in North Dakota following technical school (job is Missile and Space Facilities, AFSC 2M0X3).

He will need a vehicle when he goes to Minot, and was talking about buying a truck. I am trying to talk him out of that; better to save money (and not all that much money to start with as an E1/E2). I am thinking of giving him the 2012 truck; truck has 60K.

I have been vigilant on all maintenance, exceeding the factory schedules (rather waste some money on fluids/filters than chance impact on $10,000 engine). Only modifications are PML deep transmission pan, PML front and rear differential covers, rear sway bar, front steering stabilizer, and a front hitch. Have not had an issue of any type with the truck. Truck has almost exclusively been used on the highway, either running down the road or pulling the travel trailer.

I need to do battle with a little rust underneath, probably refresh brakes, get new tires.

I am out of the warranty and almost out of the federal emissions warranty. I am thinking of doing a delete on the truck. North Dakota does not have emissions testing (according to website). My thinking on deleting is avoiding potential problems when truck begins to be used more like daily driver.

I welcome thoughts.

Thanks!!

 

[DavidC]

No emission or safety checks in Minot. My SIL is a missle tech there. First and only base. For those guy's they get sent there and are forgot about. Minot get's very cold in the winter but not a lot of snow. Things there rust very quickly so if I were him I would be oiling everything on the bottom side and inside panels yearly. The stuff they put on the roads is down right nasty and may also include beet juice. Keep the vehicle waxed. It is not uncommon to see -40 there and strong winds, he** it's windy there most of the time. The SIL has been there about 8ish years now and has tried to transfer but for those guys there is only 2 or three places to go.

 

[GCroyle]

My first thought from your title was heck no, make him earn it somehow.

Then I read the reason in your post, nope that's a really nice thing for a Dad to give to his Son as a US Soldier. Disregard my first comment.

Now, I've got a different idea. If the conditions in ND are going to rust up a nice low mileage truck, how about getting a real good beater to run with for a few years and then get rid of it as needed when ND is over. Save the 4th Gen from the wear and tear of road salt scum rusting out a good truck. Then if he moves to a different state, here's the keys to nice 4th gen.

Good luck

 

[DavidC]

Another few important weather conditions. It hails frequently there and every storm has potential warnings. We were just there for abut 3 1/2 Months and they had well over the usual rainfall. At times it would rain for 3 days and nights and the usual was storms every other day. This was our 3rd trip and it would rain at least once a week usually more. So just a heads up on the weather. On the upside there is very little crime.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks. I have thought about a used vehicle, but want to make sure he has something quite reliable and safe being up in ND and (I hope, once in a while, at least) traveling from ND to PA to see Mom and Dad. We can also give him a 2016 Kia Sorrento for a number of years; may be a better option, as more economical to operate. He does not really need a truck, and it can always come to him later.

We fight the rust here in northwestern PA as they are (in my opinion) completely stupid with the use of salt and brine in the winter. We Krown vehicles each year, but still an endless, losing battle. I think many of us could rant on that subject!!

I was stationed in ND (forty-two years ago!!), so recall winter there (OK, as well as I recall anything anymore, I guess). I thought ND was alright; helps a lot if you like outside, hunting, fishing, etc. No way to deny winter is tough, though. I am sure DavidC knows, but others may be interested: there are 400 active land-based ICBM silos containing Minuteman III missiles, serviced from bases in Minot, ND; Great Falls, MT; and Cheyenne, WY. So, that is where he will be if he decides to make a career in that field.

Much to think on. Also, to clarify, I was wondering what people thought about deleting the truck, in particular.

Thanks!

 

[DavidC]

Food for thought. The SIL bought a used Chevy car (2007) with a 4 cylinder 8 years ago with no rust but just recently had the perforated fuel line replaced for $700.00 . That little thing is still going today 18 miles each way from Minot to the base and home. He has some crazy miles on it and no visible rust. The engine has a timing chain, no belt which probably helps. He drove it to Texas for lasik surgery and is leaving Saturday for Miss. for NCO class. He is either stupid or a lot braver than I to drive such a high mileage gasser that far as he is way overdue for the chain replacement. He bought the car in Minot.

 

[DavidC]

RUSSELL, so you were there during the hay days of SAC, flying B-52's on a regular basis. We had some guy's TDY from Loring to Minot but luckily I was not one of them. Probably because I was on Mobility they kept me close.

 

[nukegm]

comrade - thanks to your son for his service. many kids who go to college, and cannot decide on a path or a major that is useful in life just end up " woke " and broke.

i say throw him the keys. based on his decision to join the air force, ill bet he takes good care of the truck.



cheers comrade!

 

[SnoKing]

If you delete it keep all the removed items. It is getting harder to delete, as the EPA is cracking down on components and auditing sales companies and manufactures that sell and/or manufacture components. So do it understanding the risk to you and you son.

 

[JR]

Hi Russell,

Does your son have a preference of the two vehicles you mentioned? That would be a big factor for me. Daily driving, particularly short trips, are very hard on the 07.5-12 trucks. If I remember correctly you use your truck as intended, and likely why you haven't had many if any problems. Sno is right in that the EPA is cracking down on the aftermarket tuners but as long as you go after a solid base (EFI, Smarty, etc) they are very reliable. They've had over 10 years to fine tune those particular platforms so I wouldn't be too concerned. Not deleting can and will result in plugged dpf, excessive regens after repeated short trips, diluted engine oil, etc. If the dpf doesn't have the chance to reach 600*F+ for extended periods of time (passive regen) the ecm forces the truck into active regen which requires a minimum of 15-20 minutes of highway driving. If his driving conditions don't permit this the dpf will plug off eventually. Most problems will require a trip to the dealership or someone with wi tech capabilities. It gets expensive fast, and not something a young man just getting on his feet will have an easy time dealing with. Of course this doesn't happen overnight. But something to be aware of.

If you do delete Definitely hang on to everything you remove for future sale down the road.

Another option if you don't want to delete is to buy the Alpha OBD software. Among other things This allows you to perform a stationary regen which until recently was a dealer only option. This would help to clear the dpf. Probably have to run it every few months depending on his drive cycles. It wouldn't be my first choice, things get really HOT during a stationary regen and I have to imagine is hard on the lube oil. But it is an option and would be better than letting the truck try to do it itself in between short trips.

I hope everything is going well for your son at UW! My family from Laramie was just here for a week. Left early yesterday morning. We are planning a trip out there next summer for my brother's wedding.

 

[MRFost]

I would not ever consider giving a 6.7 to my kid, who drives maybe 5 miles to work at Ft. Knox. A 5.9 yes, a 6.7 with a dpf, no.
he putters through town and would never ever get it hot. As for deleting first...that sounds like a disaster in the making as you probably wouldn't have much time behind the wheel, therefore knowing it is truly reliable in that configuration before giving it to him. I vote for getting him a 2 year old gasser with a fancy radio. He will appreciate it more.

 

[Jim W]

Russell I sent you a PM.
Jim

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Minot is an ice box in the winter and your son, unless he is married, will most likely be living in the barracks and they don't have plug ins for the block heater. He'll be driving it short distances on the base I'd imagine and that combined with the cold will be tough on a diesel engine. I say get him a reliable gas vehicle that gets good mileage (he is an E-1/E-2 after all.

 

[Tuesdak]

IMO your son has the right idea. Sell the well cared for 2012 2500 and let him buy a nice 1/2 ton gas truck. Having a good warranty is a a way to eliminate worry's about reliable or repair expense. Low mile used from a rust free state and good MOPAR warranty is a Frugal idea.

I'd sell or get rid of the Kia no matter what.

Unless one has a use for a diesel they are more expense and trouble than gas engines esp. in cold weather short trips. Even a 5.9 will run the batteries down from the grid heater in short trip use for example. Higher pump price, more oil, and more filters. Sadly it will rust off the frame before enough miles get put on it to break even to a gas engine TCO. Even so IMO he's better off in the 2500 if you are just giving him one without trading horses.

I have no use for MPG in the little "coffins on wheels" having a front row seat to family members constant pain and suffering from a near fatal wreck caused by an Illegal Alien over a decade ago. They are now looking at having their jaw taken off and their jaw hinges reworked/repaired due to "Everybody loves airbags". Well they ate the airbag alright and it isn't the only answer to walking away. Illegal Alien walked away and their 1980's van didn't have airbags.

I grow tired of "It gets 40 MPG!!!" Yeah? So far family can go 1 million miles getting 6MPG at $6.00 a gal gas and not even come close to the medical costs. Only because they were not in a compact car getting 40 MPG they are on this side of the grass. Some of their doctors that treat my family have gotten rid of their small cars after seeing how bad the "coffins on wheels" can be in a wreck.

So like I said my POV is Kia = GONE.

 

[DavidC]

Just a note on fuel in Minot. The best place I found for either Diesel ($2.74 gal) or Gasoline ($2.69 gal) was at Shatz's truck stop. I don't know the price on base but for in town that was the best and most consistent.

 

[crispyboy]

Sell the well cared for 2012 2500 and let him buy a nice 1/2 ton gas truck. Having a good warranty is a a way to eliminate worry's about reliable or repair expense. Low mile used from a rust free state and good MOPAR warranty is a Frugal idea.

I'd sell or get rid of the Kia no matter what.

This is good advice unless your son is a diesel gear head. I for one would appreciated a vehicle that warms up quickly and can defrost the windshield in the winter time. This is tough for diesel truck to do unless plugged in or running several miles to warm up. I would get a nice Ram 1500 with heated seat and steering wheel for North Dakota weather.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks all for the input. Much to think on. Appreciate it.

 

[Regcabguy]

Get him a Subaru Forester.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Not sure he would like the “Rainbow” sticker in the back window.

 

[EricViviano]

University of Wyoming! Go Cowboys! I still have not watched the Boise St vs Wyoming game, recorded it, will watch today. I love Air Force too, my fav game of the year is Wyoming vs Air Force. Both tough teams!

I have never been to ND but have heard it gets horrible cold like Wyoming. If your son does not have a garage or access to plug in, might not be the best idea to run a Cummins. A gas truck would be better suited for him at this time, and cheaper to maintain/repair.

God bless. Sounds like you have some fine sons.