Man I’m getting old… shopping for my kid’s first vehicle! Project in the making…

[ebinmaine 67,455]

1 minute ago, Pullstart said:

road armor

For what???

 

Set that rig in 2-1/2 ton planetary axles with front and rear steering. 

A nice set of 55 or 60 inch tall AND wide tires. 

 

No armor needed!

 

 

[slim67 2,735]

2 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Remember, the driver of this truck is currently 14.  Let’s not get too carried away on tire size.  Maybe we should focus on road armor first!

Bumpers ,nerf bars ,roll cage!

[Handy Don 12,216]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Remember, the driver of this truck is currently 14.  Let’s not get too carried away on tire size.  Maybe we should focus on road armor first!

When my first child got her license (at 17 after at least 1,000 miles of supervised driving--family rules) I bought a used plain Jane Volvo sedan with 15,000 miles from a rental company. My theory was (and still is) that the odds of an inexperienced driver getting into a crash are high, a stodgy sedan would not be an extra incentive to risky driving, and if (when?) there was a crash the Volvo would do its best to give its life for my child's. Plus the insurance on that vehicle was very reasonable.

That car hit a deer (no fault to the driver--deer are suicidal in my book), got backed into while traversing a parking lot (by a driver with a 2-week old license), and got crashed into a snowbank at 55 mph (yeah, discussion ensued on that one). It survived all of that and finally became uneconomic to maintain in my youngest child' hands at something over 220,000+ miles.

A win in my book.

[953 nut 55,198]

12 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Remember, the driver of this truck is currently 14.  Let’s not get too carried away on tire size.  Maybe we should focus on road armor first!

Jada may need a two step running board as it is, no need of lifting it any more.         Looks like a good solid SUV, a brush bumper for the front and a good heavy step bumper for the rear should do the trick.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,547]

Railroad ties front and back…should do the trick…

 

Maybe as side molding as well…

 

Kinda like bubble wrap for your truck…

 

[Pullstart 62,840]

They put the bumpers on a truck that can’t move ‘em!  

 

In all honesty, I’d be sitting high and mighty on my saddle if I were driving that through town, or the mud, or whatever.

[wh500special 2,170]

15 hours ago, Handy Don said:

…My theory was (and still is) that the odds of an inexperienced driver getting into a crash are high, a stodgy sedan would not be an extra incentive to risky driving, and if (when?) there was a crash the Volvo would do its best to give its life for my child's.…..

 

A win in my book

That’s a good book.  
 

Excellent points.   I’m completely congruent with this line of thinking.  I kind of thought I might have been on my own there. 
 

There was a time when a slab-sided Swedish sedan was the sanest and safest sparing choice, but unfortunately Volvo went up market.  They still prioritize safety as part of their gestalt but they seem to be holding their value more these days.  I’d still love to have an older 240 or something because I was always infatuated with their shoebox shape, but I’m sure they don’t compare as favorably to a newer car in crash avoidance or protection.  
 

Keep the tires reasonable and the center of gravity low on that suburban.  On road handling might be preferable to off road prowess.  
 

have fun with that project. 
 

steve. 

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

19 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Maybe we should focus on road armor first!

Wish my car had some more of that.  

Today my sister passed her theoretical drivers exam on her second attempt (48/50 when you need 41 to pass).

In Belgium it's obligatory to drive a stick shift car during the practical exam. My parents cars are all auto, mine in stick....

So yup, she is gone have to learn driving in my car. 

I taught myself how to drive stick when I was 10 years old stealing my mom's car  (which back then was a manual)

 

My sister has zero experience, maybe should make her a bit more familiar with a clutch by one of my horses before I sent her on the road with my car...

I fully depend on that car for all my horse-needs

 

19 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Why so small???

Good point, better drive over the cars then scratching up your paint.

Makes parking exercises a breeze 

[Handy Don 12,216]

24 minutes ago, wh500special said:

There was a time when a slab-sided Swedish sedan was the sanest and safest sparing choice, but unfortunately Volvo went up market

The "golden chariot" was an 850 sedan (5 cylinder transverse VW engine, FWD). My son called it the Swedish Tank--he now drives a 2010 v70 with 155k. I was lucky to score a 2004 V70 in '07 with only 32k miles that is still serving me well at 289k. Younger daughter just bought an XC90.

I, too, am sad about Volvo going up-market but I can see their logic since they are really a niche player and ALL the cars now are incredibly safe. The V90, for example, is a beautiful wagon with many, many cool features and a bit more room for driver and passengers but it has 50% less cargo space than my V70 and the price is breathtaking (had it been a plug-in hybrid, though, I might have gone for it).

[Maxwell-8 4,275]

33 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The "golden chariot" was an 850 sedan (5 cylinder transverse VW engine, FWD).

Robert DIY on YouTube has one with 500k miles on it. He really is the Volvo guy. He has helper tours and often goes to new York helping people out on their Volvo for free.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,840]

And the work begins.  I have to say, I like the looks of Jada’s a little more…

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,547]

Love the roof rack… should be able to get a few ‘s up there…

[Pullstart 62,840]

7 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Love the roof rack… should be able to get a few ‘s up there…

We’ll need about 9 passengers to lift them though!

[Pullstart 62,840]

So it’s dark outside obviously, but loading the fire with my flashlight I figured I’d check things out.  He mentioned some bondo on the rear quarter.  I didn’t see it in the pictures, but the right rear has a big Ole chunk about 1/4” thick popping off.  No worries.  I’d rather have a poor dent repair than rust any day!  I noticed the windshield is cracked, something unforeseen.  The tires are 355/60R20’s which is like a 37x14-20.  I’ll keep my eyes peeled for some smaller meats.  If anything, the 265/75/16’s on “The Cadillac” will be great tires to knock it down.  The lift is RCR I think, which is likely Rough Country.  Drop brackets on the lower control arms and extended spindles up front.  I’m not sure how far I’ll be able to drop it, but I’ll try my darndest.  It DOES have a rear anti-sway bar, so that’ll help with stability too.

[Pullstart 62,840]

 

[Pullstart 62,840]

I’ve gotten rid of this 2000 K3500 twice now.  It’s like a bad apple.  It keeps coming back!  The last time it left, I gave it away.  Short time later, I find myself looking for the exact engine I JUST sent down the road.  Well, he is running into some challenges, has learned some things, but is ok giving it back.  I might just end up pulling the engine (transmission is roasted, as is the one he just put in it apparently) with Jada and using it for her truck.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,840]

The one ton truck came home, for the 3rd time…

 

 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

IT... had to be a Chevy... huh Kevin?

 

@Pullstart

 

 

Don

[Pullstart 62,840]

ABSO-FREGGIN-LUTELY @Snoopy11!  

[Donavon 20]

Why didn't you get a ford?

[Pullstart 62,840]

18 minutes ago, Donavon said:

Why didn't you get a ford?

Honestly?  Our family is pretty loyal to the Bowtie.  I like to poke fun about Dodge and Ford, but I realize every brand has their faults.  I just haven’t found Chevy’s yet!  
 

Truthfully, I am pretty familiar with the GM brand.  I am comfortable doing repairs in my shop and have a handful of parts vehicles for one reason or another.

[Donavon 20]

Fair point.

[Snoopy11 5,714]

15 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Honestly?  Our family is pretty loyal to the Bowtie.  I like to poke fun about Dodge and Ford, but I realize every brand has their faults.  I just haven’t found Chevy’s yet!  
 

Truthfully, I am pretty familiar with the GM brand.  I am comfortable doing repairs in my shop and have a handful of parts vehicles for one reason or another.

What I have learned...

 

Nothing like hearing an old Ford run... you just have to be willing to get your hands EXTRA dirty...

 

Dodge just don't run... period.

 

Bowtie... (I will keep my thoughts to myself...)

 

Don

[Donavon 20]

2 hours ago, Snoopy11 said:

Dodge just don't run... period.

agreed