Our trucks are getting old

I drove my 91 K-1500 from NW MT to north of Spokane yesterday and only saw 2 vehicles older than mine out of the thousands going past me. Made me realize our trucks are getting old. makes me feel good to know I'm keeping mine going

Mine's been totaled twice, another fender bender, very closely avoided a couple others (makes me realize how bad the brakes are in these things) and spun into a ditch at least once but was able to drive home. Definitely seen better days, but its not dead until I say it is.

Disclaimer: That's a lot of accidents, but only one was my fault. I'm a good driver I promise.

Dan242 said:

I drove my 91 K-1500 from NW MT to north of Spokane yesterday and only saw 2 vehicles older than mine out of the thousands going past me. Made me realize our trucks are getting old. makes me feel good to know I'm keeping mine going

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Yup 99.5% of the time, my crew cab is the oldest vehicle in the parking lot at work. Now at the Walmarts in the area, I often see another OBS....

The only truck older than my 93 in my subdivision afaik is a mint 68 Bronco and it's usually hidden in the garage. My neighbor from Kentucky does have a sweet 96 k2500 that he used to use for plowing up north but has relegated it to garage queen status. Uses his 2021 Sierra3500 for his landscape business if that says anything....

rzr6-4 said:

(makes me realize how bad the brakes are in these things)

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Hello rzr6-4,

Your comment reminds me of a welll maintained mid-'90s C1500 RCLB with a 4.3/5-spd
that I had a chance to drive for a couple of days. It was completely stock & well maintained
by the owner.

It drove around decent enough, but by far the weakest area in day to day driving was not
the engine, but instead were the brakes. The kind of brakes that encourage you with every
application to change the way you drive. (And constantly hope that you don't get suddenly
cut off...or a ball comes rolling out in front of you on a residential street? :-(
Probably the base spec binders for a 'lightweight' GMT400?

Within a year I ended up with my current chore truck. Much heavier 8-lugger C2500
with the 454/4L80, equipped with the JD7 spec brakes. Even though this truck is
much heavier than the C1500, there is a night & day difference in the way the truck
stops. All reasonable amounts of stopping power is available with a light touch on
the brake pedal, and the more you step on the pedal the more you are watching
your rearview mirror to see if the car behind you can stop as quickly. (!)

****

From my perspective, after reading your reply I'm thinking that you should employ
some parts bin engineering and upgrade your truck from whatever it currently has
to the best combo that your vehicle can affordably accommodate.


(from the '95 FSM)

Having truly confidence-inspiring brakes on board can transform the entire driving experience.
And the time invested in upgrading the brake system pays for itself on the first fender-bender
it helps you avoid...and then all the other ones are just gravy. :0)

Maybe when the General originally built your truck the brakes were on par with the majority of
the other vehicles on the road. But fast forward to today, and now most of the vehicles are
equipped with excellent brakes. It's never a prudent plan to have the least-capable brakes of anyone
surrounding you on the road. Seriously consider upping the ante with a more capable brake
system sourced from a heavier duty GMT400.

Safe travels --

Our trucks are like fine wine, better with age... Ok maybe not "better" with age, but I still remember where I was when I first laid eyes on a GMT400! Being that i graduated high school in 2001, these trucks are from my era! I drove an 86 C10 back then, and wich i still had it. However these trucks brought the sleek, modern mood to GM trucks that truly made them an auto icon!

rzr6-4 said:

Mine's been totaled twice, another fender bender, very closely avoided a couple others (makes me realize how bad the brakes are in these things)

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I've had to do several quick stops (Interstate construction and idiots..). I feel my Cheyenne stops pretty good, When i first got it I did upgrade the brake pads (can't remember what brand 5 years later).
I had an old Ford with drums all the way around many years ago that was a horrible at stopping. I decided then to always upgrade brakes first. make sure you have fresh fluid and good pads and rotors. My Cheyenne is a heavy half and I think it has slightly bigger brakes if memory serves, might be part of the difference

My 97 is old but there are a couple older trucks in this town of about 250 people. Couple of old farm trucks

Dan242 said:

I've had to do several quick stops (Interstate construction and idiots..). I feel my Cheyenne stops pretty good, When i first got it I did upgrade the brake pads (can't remember what brand 5 years later).
I had an old Ford with drums all the way around many years ago that was a horrible at stopping. I decided then to always upgrade brakes first. make sure you have fresh fluid and good pads and rotors. My Cheyenne is a heavy half and I think it has slightly bigger brakes if memory serves, might be part of the difference

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I mean they aren't terrible, for the majority of my driving I don't really notice. BUT, a poorly timed yellow light, or the aforementioned "OH SH.." moments, I can definitely tell they are lacking compared to others. New fluid would likely help as I know it is old, but at some point hopefully in the near future I do plan to go more along @Road Trip 's route and do a mechanical upgrade as well. Two birds with one stone.

Between my 93 K1500 xcab sb, and the 95 K2500 xcab sb. The 2500 can really stop quick. Some a. Hole in a Toy forerunner passed me in a hard rain. I'm at 60 in four lane freeway, wipers on fast. I'm in lane 3 getting ready to go by a 18 wheeler in lane 3. This ass hat blows by then jerks it to the right in front of me " holy **** " , anti skid really works, ! Between me and the truck in right lane to make the exit. A silver toy forerunner. The only reason I don't know the licence plate number is it was below the hood line. You realize how close that was ? Less than 4 feet!
My first thought, after dropping the anchor, how much work it to fix this .