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**Efibroncoman** · 06-11-2009, 11:39 AM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

I sold my Dodge Diesel about 7 months ago, and aside from the enjoyment that comes with filling idiot driver's cars full of black smoke with my 500HP diesel, I don't miss it. Definitely don't miss the payments!!! I did buy a $2000 1992 GMC 2500. So I still have the 3 car thing, but no payments on my truck. It does what I need it to, and it has a top to keep the rain out! Don't get me wrong, when I get my bronco finished, I plan to drive the tires off of it. But when all else fails, I think it is nice to have a cheap POS to get you to and from work, or to run and get parts for the other vehicles.

**u14** · 06-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

I am a subcontractor and for ten years my bronco was my only truck. I just used a trailer. If the economy keeps going down I'll do it agian.

**Sierra Backwoods** · 06-11-2009, 12:05 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

I bought a utility trailer years ago. Waaaay cheaper than a truck (though I do have a truck, too.).

I paid $250 for the trailer, then sold the Dana 44 that was under it for $100 and replaced it with a free axle from a horse trailer. I towed the trailer to eastern Wyoming and back on a pronghorn + deer hunt.

I beat the hell out of the trailer, it costs me nothing to insure, there is no engine, tranny, etc. to maintain, and the registration is cheap.

**71BRONCO71** · 06-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

been doing it since 2005. I wish i had an F150 to tow the boat with though. 4 door 5 1/2ft Bed, 2wd, 22's, Slammed to the ground.

**Spaceburger** · 06-11-2009, 12:37 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

I have a beater Toyota Paseo I drive to work and back 34mpg.
I bought a Toyota Tacoma 4 door pickup to be both the "nice car" and my temporary boat tow truck and miscelaneous Home Deport rig.
I bought Toys so I didnt have to work on them and leaves me time to get my EB's up to where they need to be.

**CityHick** · 06-11-2009, 12:54 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Hmm.... This utility trailer idea seems like it might be a viable option.

I have grown extremely accustomed to having a pickup truck and it is difficult to think about not having one - but as I mentioned before I'm starting to wonder if I'd get by without it and not really miss it. It has been hands down the most reliable and trouble-free vehicle I've ever owned, and even with nearly 154K miles on the odometer, it still runs great. I'm just starting to think that 154K miles is enough and maybe its time to move on. New trucks are damn expensive - it would cost me well over $30K to replace it with anything comparable.

The boat sat unused in my side yard for probably 3 of the 7.5 years I had it (granted it was a hand me down that only cost me registration and insurance to keep), but it was taking up space and deteriorating from neglect. A buddy bought it so at least it's "still in the family".

I know the EB would tow a utility trailer around town with no sweat. I might miss the convenience of a loaded pickup with AC and all the options, but the EB is so fun to drive, even with its spartan interior.

**Bronco Brian** · 06-11-2009, 04:16 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

OK my .02 on getting rid of your truck 1. is it paid for? If so see how much PL/PD Ins. would be. I have been to the con and Fordyce driving the bronco. it is a pain in the summer HOT. I was at the Rubcion 1 time and left the truck at home lost a wheel bearing (driver side) out side pollock Pines screw'S up the brake backing plate. Got it fixed so I thought. Went on up to the Con and kept getting a poping sound but it went away just as fast as it came. Started up the bowl and no go one of the guys I was wheeling with says I thought you had a locker it that I say I do well it's not working. So I turn around to come home broke the pass. axle and the driver won't move the Bronco. Axle was bent and won't hold a bearing. Spend the night on Loon Lake Dam Limp it to phone service call the wife (8:00 A.M.)to see if see can find any one to bring my truck and a friends trailer to pick us up. Well we find someone to come pick us up (10P.M.) and bring just us home get home about 3:00A.M.
Than I go stright to bed till 10:00 A.M. go rent a trailer drive back to the Con and pick up the Bronco home 12:00 A.M.. NEVER AGAIN WILL I DO A FARAWAY WHEELING TRIP WITH OUT MY TRUCK AND TRAILER. And if al else fail I can trailer someone else that is broken rolled won't run ECT. it will happen sooner or later.

Want to add my truck will sit for weeks some times but it sure is nice when I need it.

**Broncrick** · 06-11-2009, 04:17 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Run a 99 Xcab 4x4 Tacoma here, love the A/C cruise etc and my wife can handle the 5 spd. My Bronc isnt really a daily though

**CityHick** · 06-11-2009, 04:34 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Brian -
Yes my truck is paid for... bought it summer of 2000, and had the pink slip by February of 2002. I had very low expenses back then

I definitely hear you about the truck and trailer thing and maybe I'm being an optimist, but of my friends (and friends of friends) who wheel, nobody trailers their rigs, everybody drives to and from the trail. I know there are a lot of trailer pullers here on this site. My back up plan is 200 mile AAA towing service. That will get me home from Tahoe no sweat should I need it.

I would not consider my EB a daily driver unless I had no other choice, like the truck being in the shop for a week or something, but that's never happened (knock on wood).

It is not an easy decision to part ways with my truck and not replace it - it just seems to me that the EB can serve at least partial truck duty for me. As I mentioned earlier, this is just a wild idea at this point. I would really love to buy a new truck but the $40K price tag and the looming threat of $4.00 gas has me a little spooked at the moment. My truck is getting up there in miles though.

The more I've thought about it though today, the more a cheap 3rd car seems to make sense. Who knows what that will be, maybe a used TDI.

Thanks for the input guys.

**Bronco Brian** · 06-11-2009, 05:08 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

If you maintained your truck that is not much. My work van has tonight 229292 on it. It just came back from its yearly inspection my boss drove it from Hayward to Ukiah Said wow for as old and as many miles that are on it, it sure runs good. tell him thats why I don't want someone else junk ( I don't drive enough mile to grt a new one just a new to me. the one I was using while mine was gone was 3 years newer and beat to s%^T

**Sierra Backwoods** · 06-11-2009, 09:54 PM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

When you buy a newer car or truck, it is a consumption item. The value goes down as you use it and it gets older. Basically, you're pissing away money.

When you buy a classic vehicle, like an EB, the mileage doesn't matter and neither does the age. It's the condition that counts, and that is something most of us improve on as a hobby.

Sure, you won't get out what you put in, but you'll lose a hell of a lot less money than if you buy a new car/truck every 2-4 years. You can have two or three decent classics for the price of one new car.

I run a heep and a Bronco because one of them is always up on blocks for either a repair or an upgrade. We almost flat towed the heep to SW Oregon last fall, but scrambled up a trailer at the last minute. Thank God, because the rear end went out on us. It is nice to trailer a trail rig, but you don't need a $40,000 truck to do it. Buy an older truck, one that you can work on yourself.

**CityHick** · 06-12-2009, 05:28 AM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Mike - I agree with you about the rapid depreciation of newer vehicles - that is part of the reason I bought an EB vs. a new Jeep Rubicon.
The thing my truck has going for it the most is that I know its whole history as I am the original owner. Keeping it on the road has been little more than gas, tires, and oil. I've had a few small things come up but that's it.
I have actually thought about robbing it's powertrain and putting it all into a 70-72 Chevy pickup, but I'd miss the extended cab too much. (yes, I'm a closet Chevy guy who happens to like EBs and classic Mustangs, along with a few other old Fords).

I can't think of many classics that get decent mpg outside of a beetle, and I will not drive a beetle! It would be cool to have some kind of classic to commute in though.

**Fungus232** · 06-12-2009, 08:09 AM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

I used my Bronco as a daily driver for a couple of years and have a utility trailer that helped out hauling all kinds of gear and even got me through 2 moves! I had an '06 Mustang GT for awhile too that allowed me the down time on the Bronc to make some upgrades. Family forced the trade-in on the stang for something more practical as a dd, 2004 PSD crew cab. Now I can get the fam around AND have a tow rig/ hauler for extended trips with the Bronco. I LOVE having a truck again and it ain't bad on mileage being a diesel...

BTW, my first car was a beetle when I was 14 so don't knock'em too bad! Upgraded to a '76 Scout II w/ 392 V-8 when I was 17 and that thing was a TANK at 6200# GVWR...

Sounds to me like you need another EB with a fuel injected V-6 for a commuter!!!!!

**Sierra Backwoods** · 06-12-2009, 09:55 AM

Re: Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Just be sure to calculate total cost of ownership; not just fuel, but taxes, insurance, repairs and depreciation.

A bunch of idiots traded in their 20+ mpg rice burners for an expensive Prius, then the price of gas dropped. Even with expensive gas, they are most likely worse off with their purchase. Just wait till they have to replace the batteries at $6000+. You can buy a lot of gas for $6000+ (hell, you can buy another car, like an EB!)

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Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

Anybody use their EB as their only "truck"?

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