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[Todd780]

Old vehicles are cool and have character, and that makes messing with them and driving them around a fun hobby (most of the time). When it comes to a vehicle that I'm depending on, whether as a daily driver or for long trips, I don't want to have any doubts about it's reliability. If I'm concerned about having vehicle problems that can't be resolved with a spare tire or a booster pack, I'm shopping for a new vehicle. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way with any vehicle. If I chose to depend on an older vehicle and I could predict what was likely to give me issues well enough to be carrying the correct spare parts for a roadside/trail repair, then I believe I'd just go ahead and do a little PM and nip those problems in the bud so I could leave the spare parts at home. A side benefit of that is that it's easier to work on a vehicle in a garage/shop than on the side of the road or trail.

Agreed. I believe I have the same mindset. I've owned and DD'd many old / classic cars. But, I don't think I'd do it now.

 

[JaSAn]

. . . I can hook up the autocal find out exactly what's going on and fix it quick. While you are tearing apart your carbs to change jets, clean it or adjust the bowl I can log onto a laptop and Change my fuel/air map on the go.

I think it's more about your refusal to learn the new way things are done instead of hanging onto old tech. Your the only one missing out on anything.

The issue isn't refusing to learn new things, it is new vehicles are more complex and most of the added complexity is not repairable. You remove and replace, requiring a replacement part. Auto parts stores are few and far between on Forest Service land.

If you get an OBD-II code P2105 and its your throttle position sensor you better have a replacement.
My old tech 'throttle position sensor' is two bell cranks, two rods, and a spring; easy to McGyver.

 

[Todd780]

To each their own. I do like old vehicles. Owned many. But wouldn't want to DD one anymore. Some prefer it.

No right or wrong answer. Just do what you find suits you best.

 

[billiebob]

At what point do you stop carrying spares? Do you have a spare driveshaft? Axles? Wheel bearings? CV joints? Shocks? Springs? Do you just tow an entire spare vehicle behind to ensure that you can always fix anything that might break? At some point you just have to trust (hope?) that the vehicle is not going to break. You can't be prepared for every possible failure. I think many of us have more trust (hope?) that a vehicle that just rolled off the factory floor a couple\few years ago is likely to be reliable. Sure, things can go wrong, but as you mentioned, that is why I *do* have a satellite communication device and credit cards....

"You can't be prepared for every possible failure"

of course you can, it is called maintenance..... no need for parts
but the theme of the thread is technology has so surpassed the ability of even dealership trained mechanics
yer truck might be perfect but a faulty sensor can kill it

YES to VISA and Cell Phones, Satlilite Phones..... til the battery goes dead..... then you need a match fer smoke signals

every time I see yer handle, 4000# of goat, my mind goes here
No technology involved


tell me you don't want to live where this could be yer daily driver Todd n Natalie

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have driven my '85 farther from home than anything else in the fleet multiple times.

I enjoy driving it what can I say.

It is also fun/simple to upkeep and modify.

I am content, I sell parts for newer stuff for a living but nothing newer appeals to me on anywhere close to the same level.

 

[billiebob]

Almost off topic but when everything else fails, a signal fire, rescue fire signal always works. the bush pilots first / last resort.

 

[plainjaneFJC]

Almost off topic but when everything else fails, a signal fire, rescue fire signal always works. the bush pilots first / last resort.

I was thinking about the guy in Oregon that burned his new jeep to the ground on YouTube ?

 

[billiebob]

not this guy ??? cuz this is a winner signal fire

 

[billiebob]

The other thing trending is Super Size Me.....

1942, this was about as light as a tracked war machine could get.
I call it a thing of beauty.

 

[Todd780]

"You can't be prepared for every possible failure"

of course you can, it is called maintenance..... no need for parts
but the theme of the thread is technology has so surpassed the ability of even dealership trained mechanics
yer truck might be perfect but a faulty sensor can kill it

YES to VISA and Cell Phones, Satlilite Phones..... til the battery goes dead..... then you need a match fer smoke signals

every time I see yer handle, 4000# of goat, my mind goes here
No technology involved
View attachment 706707

tell me you don't want to live where this could be yer daily driver Todd n Natalie

Fun weekend car? Sure! Commute 110kms everyday to work and back with 6 months of winter... no.

I'd probably pick a goat a few years older though. Always been partial to the '68 and '69's.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

"You can't be prepared for every possible failure"

of course you can, it is called maintenance..... no need for parts
but the theme of the thread is technology has so surpassed the ability of even dealership trained mechanics
yer truck might be perfect but a faulty sensor can kill it

YES to VISA and Cell Phones, Satlilite Phones..... til the battery goes dead..... then you need a match fer smoke signals

every time I see yer handle, 4000# of goat, my mind goes here
No technology involved
View attachment 706707

tell me you don't want to live where this could be yer daily driver Todd n Natalie

There certainly is technology involved, just technology that you are more comfortable with.
From Mirriam-Webster: technology - "the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems", "the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area "

I've noticed a definite trend whereby folks seem to think that the only acceptable technology is that which was available when they were in high school\first learning to drive. And no thanks, I would not particularly like to drive something that handles like a boat and has zero modern safety features...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Lol, my dd was built a year before I graduated high school.

After driving it for 17 years if I could buy a new one just like it I would in a heartbeat.

 

[RoyJ]

I've noticed a definite trend whereby folks seem to think that the only acceptable technology is that which was available when they were in high school\first learning to drive. And no thanks, I would not particularly like to drive something that handles like a boat and has zero modern safety features...

I would partially agree with this (that it's an age based thing). But I'd also add there is an objective limit to technology - once it's absolute beyond our control, like modern ECUs and sensors, some of us reject it due to the nature of our hobby.

Case in point: the big Right to Repair lawsuit against John Deere. It's not that farmers shy away from high tech, but that it's out of THEIR control. Your ability to rush harvest your grain is entirely dependent on dealer availability to calibrate a sensor with their proprietary computer.

That's why they're asking for access to that computer. That's actually embracing technology, just demanding control over it.

Same with modern cars, if EVERY diagnostic code is made open source (not just basic OBD2) - where an average owner can buy a $200 tablet scanner from China loaded with every BMW/Audi/Land Rover code (legally), I bet more in this crow would embrace new tech.

 

[billiebob]

I would not particularly like to drive something that handles like a boat and has zero modern safety features...

Agreed, but my TJR got written off because the air bags and clock spring thingy cost too much, it was a 30kph, 20mph accident..... there was NO body damage.... the airbags added nothing, I've survived worse accidents without injury. We are not talking "handles like a boat" nor do 17 airbags add value. If an airbag was a $20 item, there would be value but we crush vehicles today for no valid reason other than the corporations profit from new sales. not maintenance. Even cell phones today are a write off once the battery dies. You cannot buy a new battery for anything Apple...... THAT is the issue. We are in a world where sales, growth, is based on new sales, not maintenance. And industry is working to kill the shops, mechanics since they extend vehicle life,.... killing new car sales. Not only are cars getting exponentially expensive.... the alternatives are disappearing..... engineered obsolescence IS what drives engineering in ALL industries today.

You are completely missing the point. It is not that we want another 1972 Chevy Vega...... we just want back Henry Fords desire to build it better.

 

[billiebob]

Agreed, but my TJR got written off because the air bags and clock spring thingy cost too much, it was a 30kph, 20mph accident..... there was NO body damage.... the airbags added nothing, I've survived worse accidents without injury. We are not talking "handles like a boat" nor do 17 airbags add value. If an airbag was a $20 item, there would be value but we crush vehicles today for no valid reason other than the corporations profit from new sales. not maintenance. Even cell phones today are a write off once the battery dies. You cannot buy a new battery for anything Apple...... THAT is the issue. We are in a world where sales, growth, is based on new sales, not maintenance. And industry is working to kill the shops, mechanics since they extend vehicle life,.... killing new car sales. Not only are cars getting exponentially expensive.... the alternatives are disappearing..... engineered obsolescence IS what drives engineering in ALL industries today.

You are completely missing the point. It is not that we want another 1972 Chevy Vega...... we just want back Henry Fords desire to build it better.

View attachment 707024

Give me this with a electric powertrain..... I'd buy it instantly. And it would become my overlander.