Trucks have changed over the years

kstruckcountry · August 16, 2012

The Vortec 400's produced torque at a lower RPM... My TBI 1990 did nothing of the sort.

And yeah, I did like the fabric door panels, it beats plastic in my opinion.

KMGZ400 · August 17, 2012

The Vortec 400's produced torque at a lower RPM... My TBI 1990 did nothing of the sort.

And yeah, I did like the fabric door panels, it beats plastic in my opinion.

im just messing around, my 2003 still has a patch of carpet on the door panels.

they might produce more torque but i dont think they were as reliable or fuel efficient the the newer vortec engines. i had a 5.7 and it was slow and needed a head gasket after only 140,000 miles not to mention it drank gas.

i hope your not serious about the "cool fabric door panels"

i too had a GMT400 and while it was a good truck, the 800's are way better

GMT400 was the last generation to have small block engines that produced healthy torque at a realistic/usable RPM. That alone negates the idea that "800's are way better".

ok sorry, i have changed my opinion to "better" not way better.

BlackZ71Silverado · August 17, 2012

My co-worker's old GMC (think it's a 55) next to my 2007. Look at the difference in bed height! Man it used to be easy to lean over and put a cinder block in or pull something out - now you've gotta be 6'6" or something to do that.

Granted, the new ones are better in almost every other way (mpg, safety, power, etc) but that old 55 still has a lot of fun in it. He's about 80% done I'd wager - just polishing up odds and ends on it.

I would trade either one of my trucks for that old GMC in a heartbeat......................Makes you rember when trucks were trucks.

David_L6 · August 18, 2012

My co-worker's old GMC (think it's a 55) next to my 2007. Look at the difference in bed height! Man it used to be easy to lean over and put a cinder block in or pull something out - now you've gotta be 6'6" or something to do that.

Granted, the new ones are better in almost every other way (mpg, safety, power, etc) but that old 55 still has a lot of fun in it. He's about 80% done I'd wager - just polishing up odds and ends on it.

I would trade either one of my trucks for that old GMC in a heartbeat......................Makes you rember when trucks were trucks.

Having had an "old" vehicle (a Vette), I wouldn't trade (unless I thought I could sell it and make a hefty profit!). I wouldn't mind having an old one, but I'm not giving up a new one as a daily driver to get it. More power, more creature comforts, better ergonomics, less wind noise, etc., etc., etc....

&CDFiXER% · August 18, 2012

"A real truck is any truck you can hose down outside AND inside"

Dunno who said it but I know Id rather get a load of wood in my old 73' Chevy than my 11' Chevy LTZ.

And yes I can hose down the inside of the ol' 73' Frankenstein.

therapy · August 18, 2012

I've ridden in that orange GMC, let me tell you - as a daily driver it would suck. 8 MPG, top speed of maybe 85 mph, doors and windows rattling (though that's probably because there are no gaskets installed yet), the engine noise is loud, the cab always smells like fuel, and the ride can be described as radio-flyer-like at best.

It's a shitload of fun.

But it's not a daily driver by any means. To be fair it's actually smaller than another co-worker's Chevy Colorado. More usable space in the "mid-size" trucks than the old stepside "full size" like that GMC, and better mpg and engines, too.

I do wish somebody would bring the stepside back, though. I love the look, even if it eats up valuable real estate.