The story of your truck

[kennythewelder]

Share the story of your truck. Put the how what when and where, ECT.

 

[kennythewelder]

I will go first.
I bought my 1997 Chevy Silverado, Vortec 5.7 L, 3 door extend cab, in 2002, for my wife. It had 83,000 miles on it, and it was in near show room condition. I was driving a 1993 Chevy WT, with a 4.3 L V-6, and it was such a good truck, that I really wanted another truck simulator, but nicer. In 2009, the transmission went out, in my 93, so I told my wife then, ether give my the 97, or, I am going to buy a brand new Ram, with a Hemi. So, she agreed to give me the 97, and we bought her a 2004, PT Cruiser. We totaled our the PT Cruiser in 2012, and we bought a 2004 Toyota 4 runner. Well, all of these years later, I still have the 97 Silverado. It now has 267,000 miles, and runs grate. The rear end started making noise about 3 years ago, so I rebuilt it, with an Easton true trac, and a new set of 373, gears. About a week and a half later, I blew up the trans, so I had the transmission rebuilt it, with a HD master rebuild kit, Corvette servos, hardened sun shell, ECT. Through the years, I have done so many mods, to my truck, that I decided to sit down and write them all down. It took up 2 pages to write them down. I have not been in the engine, any farther than the intake.

 

[OldCracker29]

I haven't really put any mods on mine. I bought it in 2018 with 180k on it and have just done the normal maintenance and replaced wear and tear parts. It now has 284K on it and still runs great. I've put Amsoil in it since I've owned it. It does use a quart of oil between changes, which I change every 5k miles. I have replaced the stock shocks with Biltsteins. I did have the tranny tuned to get rid of the damn torque convertor shutter. I also have it oil sprayed every October and it shows...no rust anywhere.

 

[Darkanion]

Not much of a story to 'er at the moment. I bought the truck as the pandemic was winding down and we were told we wouldn't be returning to the office. (I damn sure wouldn't have bought a 3/4 ton pickup for commuting.)

I've done some road tripping with the truck and I plan to do more ... AFTER its paid off and I don't have to worry about making that payment if/when I get laid off. They've already done 2 rounds? (3, maybe? Kinda lost count) since "return to the office" and I figure it's just a matter of time before my number is up.

I believe this was on the first trip after buying the truck, up in the mountains (nearing the summit of Ophir Pass, I believe) in Colorado.


Later in that trip after more dirty backroads in Colorado. lol


Trying to get pictures of the monsoon storms in Arizona.


Any "plans" for the truck at the moment? At SOME point, put some 35's on it to fill up those wheel wells a little better. Probably a bed cap... and I haven't thought much beyond that. I currently have a DECKED draw system in the bed, loaded up with various things and a bed cover so it's not obvious there are things in the bed.

I have some other thoughts, but nothing firm enough to talk about as any sort of "plan," yet. We'll see where things go!

 

[MOPWR2U]

I bought my truck in 2022 after a 10 month wait for it to be built and shipped to the dealership. I come from a desert racing background, so suspension and power were my main considerations when ordering. I wanted to keep this truck forever when I ordered it, and I see no reason to do otherwise after 2 1/2 years of ownership. I take it to the desert for a spirited drive, then clean it up and park it in the garage until next time. It just turned over 7,000 miles, so hopefully it will last as long as I do. I've made a few changes to it to help it work better in the desert and help it stay looking nice. Namely, mudflaps and rocker panel steps to keep rocks off of the paint. Then, it had total body PPF applied with a ceramic coat on top of that. I installed 100,000 lumens of offroad lighting that punches a hole in the dark and turns nighttime into day. And I installed a steel dual battery tray that won't break like the stock plastic tray after a hard landing, and an on-board air compressor. I'm really enjoying this truck. It is such a joy to drive, and I'm convinced it is the best quality and best performing vehicle I've ever owned.

Here's a picture just after the ceramic coat, probably the best it will ever look.

 

[kennythewelder]

I bought my truck in 2022 after a 10 month wait for it to be built and shipped to the dealership. I come from a desert racing background, so suspension and power were my main considerations when ordering. I wanted to keep this truck forever when I ordered it, and I see no reason to do otherwise after 2 1/2 years of ownership. I take it to the desert for a spirited drive, then clean it up and park it in the garage until next time. It just turned over 7,000 miles, so hopefully it will last as long as I do. I've made a few changes to it to help it work better in the desert and help it stay looking nice. Namely, mudflaps and rocker panel steps to keep rocks off of the paint. Then, it had total body PPF applied with a ceramic coat on top of that. I installed 100,000 lumens of offroad lighting that punches a hole in the dark and turns nighttime into day. And I installed a steel dual battery tray that won't break like the stock plastic tray after a hard landing, and an on-board air compressor. I'm really enjoying this truck. It is such a joy to drive, and I'm convinced it is the best quality and best performing vehicle I've ever owned.

Here's a picture just after the ceramic coat, probably the best it will ever look.

View attachment 8597

Awesome, grate story.

 

[kennythewelder]

Thanks to all who have replied to this thread so far.

 

[NMRam]

Bought this truck a couple years ago after a failed attempt to downsize to a Tacoma. Was planning on another half ton (probably F-150) but ended up finding this one in the same price range. Started out as a plain jane one step up from base work truck. Shortly after getting it, started getting lots of dpf codes…so ended up running through a pothole and all that stuff fell off. Upgraded the stereo from the little base one to 8.4” Uconnect. New wheels and tires (which were junk…I don’t recommend Milestar Patagonias). Full set of neoprene seat covers to keep the interior looking decent. Added a cold air intake and updated 75hp tune. Put on a full front bumper replacement and another new set of tires…which were wider so they threw mud everywhere. Last mod was flares. Pretty much done with what I have planned. Will probably do a 2” leveling kit and new shocks sometime in the not too distant future and may also do a rear replacement bumper. Have put a little over 40k miles on it since I’ve had it and love every minute. I should have bought a diesel years ago. Pics are when I bought it and last week.