Ups & Downs of Old Technology

[squonk 41,395]

9 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

I run a 1998 Chevy K1500 Z71 Silverado.

280,000 on the clock.

 

Had a sun gear or something like that replaced in the transmission somewhere around the 100,000 mile mark… not sure.

 

Transmission guy said a common problem with that year as the gear was made out of cheap metal or plastic ( not sure which)

 

He replaced with an aftermarket gear made with a higher quality metal and assured me that I would have no more problems with that.

 

Just made a trip from Monroe NC to Cowen WV and avg 16.9 mpg at mostly 80 mph.

 

Libby keeps saying I need a newer truck… no thank you.

 

And besides now that people have bought up most of the square bodies, they are now going nuts over the era of Chevys and GMC that my ‘98 is in.

 

I have heard that the 5.7 liter Vortecs in it are real reliable, although plagued by  pesty rear main seal oil leaks.

 

For now I can live with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the same thing with my 94 Silver a Doo. The sun gear breaks out of the reaction shell. Replacement is a HD version.

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,355]

@squonk Why did you chose the rice burner ? How comfortable are the seats ?

[Horse Newbie 7,124]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Replacement is a HD version.

So that’s why no more problems with the “sun gear”…

The heavy duty replacement part is made by Harley Davidson !

[squonk 41,395]

37 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

@squonk Why did you chose the rice burner ? How comfortable are the seats ?

Honda's don't break. Seats aren't as comfortable as the GMC but have enough adjustments on the DS to make it dooable. Do wish it had about 4" more legroom and a foot more bed. But these Ridgelines will go 3-400 thousand easy if you change the timing belt every hundred and keep the rust at bay. I got this with 133.000 on it and the belt and water pump were changed. GMC had the same mileage 2 years newer and the frame rotted. Ridgelines  have quite the following. Plus I have an independent shop close by that specialize in Toyota's and Honda's and his customers love these.

 

[ebinmaine 68,459]

7 minutes ago, squonk said:

Honda's don't break

Trina's had 3 in a row. 

2006 Civic. 

2018 Fit that her mom now uses. 

2012 Pilot. 

 

If I personally was going to go find another vehicle this afternoon it would probably be a good used Fit or to go a little older, a very nice Element.

 

The only real complaint I have about the Kia Soul at this point is the comfort of the driver's seat sorely lacks.

I don't trade it in for something a little more comfortable because I really like the 35 to 40 MPG when I'm driving nearly 70 miles daily to get to work and back.

[squonk 41,395]

Perfect example of what we are talking about! "The Back Up Camera That Stole Christmas! " 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by squonk

[Achto 27,818]

6 hours ago, squonk said:

Perfect example of what we are talking about

 

I gotta admit that I like the back up camera on my RAM, for the last 5ft when I'm hooking up to a trailer. Other than that, I rarely look at it. It sucks to think that a d@*n camera can shut the whole rig down.

 

Then again, even with old tech. A $.25 part can essentially bring your car to a halt. If you doubt that statement? Let me pull the core out of your valve stem or cut a wire that could easily be fixed with a butt connector. Both easy fixes, if you happen to have the correct part in your pocket. NOT that I'm a huge fan of electronics, just saying that a simple part can screw up your day as well.

 

Electronics are a wonderful thing!! WHEN they work. 

[adsm08 2,188]

8 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

I gotta admit that I like the back up camera on my RAM, for the last 5ft when I'm hooking up to a trailer. Other than that, I rarely look at it. It sucks to think that a d@*n camera can shut the whole rig down.

 

Then again, even with old tech. A $.25 part can essentially bring your car to a halt. If you doubt that statement? Let me pull the core out of your valve stem or cut a wire that could easily be fixed with a butt connector. Both easy fixes, if you happen to have the correct part in your pocket. NOT that I'm a huge fan of electronics, just saying that a simple part can screw up your day as well.

 

Electronics are a wonderful thing!! WHEN they work. 

 

Last week one of our techs put a horn in an F-150. When he was done a ton of warning lights were on in the dash, all for stuff he didn't go anywhere near. Oil pressure warnings, engine over-temp warnings, the blind-spot monitoring system had all the warning messages up, etc. He was getting worked up, so I stepped in to take a look and calm him down and it was clear to me it was a network problem. I ended up looking at it because I'm the only one that does network things. An hour later I determined the problem was the radio.

[Beap52 868]

22 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

I run a 1998 Chevy K1500 Z71 Silverado.

280,000 on the clock.

 

 

 

Libby keeps saying I need a newer truck… no thank you.

 

And besides now that people have bought up most of the square bodies, they are now going nuts over the era of Chevys and GMC that my ‘98 is in.

 

I have heard that the 5.7 liter Vortecs in it are real reliable, although plagued by  pesty rear main seal oil leaks.

 

For now I can live with that.
 

That's a beautiful truck. 

 

I've heard the same suggestion "When you going to get something newer?"  Gave the same reply, "No, thank you."

 

Not only that, my 1992's interior has less creaks and squeaks than my son-in-laws newer GMC.  (But, it does mark it's territory where ever it's parked.)

 

Yep, I can live with that!