Without a truck

for the first time in over 20 years.

It got to where it sat most of the time, we haven't taken one on a long trip since we got the JKU...I took it to work occasionally when I don't ride the Harley, but I just don't use it like a truck. Pulled my brothers boat with it once when his was in the shop, other than that, maybe a fishing rod in the bed.

So I traded it off for a 2 door Jeep Rubicon. Base model, with air, cruise and auto. No power anything other than sway bar disconnects and front and rear lockers. Gonna swap out springs off a Rubicon 4 door, that will give me a couple inches worth of lift and level it out...bigger tires and such as money allows. Might as well have a toy instead of looking at a truck just sit there.

I'll probably pick up an old beater if I need one for any "truck" duties but I plan on just using our small trailer for now.

NICE!!! It will two years in Jan. that I've been without a pickup and truth be told, I don't miss it as much as I thought I would. No longer in the trades, I don't have the need for one I once did. Like you at some point I plan on getting a beater to handle stuff around the house. After some time in the Rubicon, I don't think you'll miss the Ram much. A pickup board without pickup owners .... what's the world coming to?

Looks sweat! Good luck with it. I don't use my truck as much as I used to, but still need it to tow the travel trailer and load up with firewood.

I was telling my wife it's time we got rid of the Yukon as lately I have been putting out too much money on repairs that shouldn't be needed yet with the mileage on it (76,000). Last month it was $900 for transmission cooling lines, then replace a tire sensor, today 3 more tire sensors. I need at least 2 new tires and an alignment, truck burns 2 quarts in 2,000 miles. She likes the Yukon for her trips to Georgia several times a year and wants something of similar size. I just don't have the money for a new one.

Have her take the Sonata next trip and see how it works for her. I bet its just as comfortable, plus it will use about 1/3 the gas.

The Sonata would be great for the trip but I can't see it climbing the 1/4 mile driveway without beating it to death. Even the Yukon comes back covered in mud and filthy. Now I have enough Georgia dirt at the end of my driveway to start a corn field lol. When I drive up the driveway I put the trucks in 4 low and let them creep up. Wife doesn't have the patience for that.

Trade that Yukon for a Wrangler. lol

pup wrote:

Trade that Yukon for a Wrangler. lol

That would be my dream. Tonight the wife tells me we will trade in the Yukon for a van. She believes the price of the Yukon will get her a good van only a few years old. Going price for her Yukon is around $19K. I told her good luck finding a dealer that wants to do an even trade and not make a decent commission.

I'd love a Rubicon but still use my truck too much. It doesn't get all that many miles on it but we do haul large items with it and pull the 18' equipment trailer.

It helps having the space to park and equipment to do all repairs on a older truck.

Diesel Dan wrote:

It helps having the space to park and equipment to do all repairs on a older truck.

Is the new shop hard to heat come winter?

I keep eyeballing new pickups but am probably a couple years away from purchasing. In the meantime, I stuck a small hidden hitch on the car to tow the 8ft utility trailer. I also have a hitch cargo carrier for smaller stuff. It gets the job done for now.

rustbucket wrote:

Diesel Dan wrote:

It helps having the space to park and equipment to do all repairs on a older truck.

Is the new shop hard to heat come winter?

So far it has done decent with a 40K torpedo heater.
Hopefully this year I'll have a 60K HE furnace hooked up. Ran the line for nat.gas already.

I have solution to your problem rich. Hire me as your mechanic! Fuel and tolls is probably cheaper then total labor costs for most things.

I am too. Guilty as not using my truck as it is meant to be. Part of my brain and bank account say sell it the rest of the brain and heart says keep it. I'll be keeping it and see where career changes take it

erude wrote:

I have solution to your problem rich. Hire me as your mechanic! Fuel and tolls is probably cheaper then total labor costs for most things.

I basically just told my father in law the same thing in a way. I told him he needs a first mate on the trawler. Today he texted me back and said he is leaving again around 9/30, could use a hand, and I can jump ship at any time. Only thing that could hold me back would be when my wife and daughter get a week off but Mike is in another district and has school. I wouldn't mind heading south and golfing for a couple weeks or so.

Do it you deserve some time away also!