They are fun to drive, but require a lot of maintenance.
I respectfully disagree. Once you've been through one of these trucks from the bearings up, maintenance isn't too bad at all, breaking is nearly non-existant, and they are a LOT of fun to drive.
I've been through my truck top to bottom, drive it at least 4 days a week, and wouldn't be afraid to go anywhere in it.
Do I have a back up, sure. It's a 30 year old vette that's been gone through in the same manner.
My point is that old doesn't necessarily mean weak. It's all a matter of making the important stuff new again.
It costs me less than $3,000 per year to never let a pickup get over 3 years old. I average 18 mpg and my wife averages 25 mpg. You don't get that with the carbureted engines. My suggestion would be fix it up some and drive it for pleasure. but look at it as a hobby. If you need daily transportation, get a newer more fuel efficient vehicle.
See, that was exactly part of my theory when I quit driving new stuff. For a
lot less than $3K a year, I can drive and maintain some really cool old stuff.
Anyway, that's just my opinion. We all have different tastes.
