Reasons to drive an old car
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I love owning old cars. I still have a few but my old truck before I got married is probably my favorite. It is a 1979 Dodge PowerWagon. I love the fact that if you had a problem you could actually work on them and diagnose the problem without a code reader! Still have it but it needs a rear-end right now. My youngest brother wrecked that. But I have a spare that I need to put in so I can teach my kids how to drive a 4 speed.
ND Mike I love my 73 power wagon with the 4 speed. It’s been a great truck and it’s built like a tank.
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Chef those slant 6s were great motors. My first car was a 1973 Plymouth Duster but that had a 318 with a 3 speed on the floor. Got into lots of trouble with that car…especially when I put a 340 in it!!!
ND Mike my first car was a 72 challenger with a 340 in it. It’s very easy to get in trouble with those. I sure wish I had it back.
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Jonathon said in Reasons to drive an old car:
So I a 2002 Toyota Tundra, I got a great deal on it and I refuse to give it up now, I will drive it until the wheels fall off! So, one thing with it is it has some issue with a battery. It drains them very slowly. In the 3 years I have had it I have replaced the battery 3 times. I JUST did it last week and I went out to start it this morning and it wouldn’t start. Out of annoyance I punched the steering wheel (because I am a mature adult) and the light for the open door and the battery light came right on. I went to start it and it almost started, so I punched it again, this time while laughing and I got it to start no problem.
Anyway, it must have an issue with some wiring in the steering column so I will look at it tonight. Anyway, it made me laugh.
Ask any technician and they will tell you some of the toughest problems to diagnose are intermittent electrical problems.
If you can reproduce or eliminate the problem by moving or tapping on things, that can help to isolate the actual source of the problem.One challenge can be disassembly of the steering column covers to allow you get to the wiring harness inside. Sometimes the original assembly methods are not obvious and a shop manual and Youtube videos can really help.
Once you are inside the column, you are going to want to locate the wire harness and inspect all the plug in connections to the ignition switch or other components.
Also, gently moving/twisting/tapping on the exposed plugs, connectors or switches while trying to operate the ignition can help further isolate the exact location of the intermittent connection location.Probable failure points are plugs/connectors and switches like the ignition switch assembly. Sometimes switches wear out, but often they just get dirty and develop high resistance.
Aerosol contact cleaner is your friend and sometimes can restore dirty switches and connectors back to working condition with a minimum of effort. If a connector is worn or loose, you may have to replace it although sometimes they can be carefully re-tensioned with tools so they make good electrical contact.
As with practicing medicine, the first rule is to do no harm. Work slowly and methodically. Know your limitations and when to back out.
Good luck.processhead i couldn’t agree more. Electrical gremlins drive me nuts! So frustrating and I sometimes…ok most of the time…do not have the patience to work through electrical problems!
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ND Mike I love my 73 power wagon with the 4 speed. It’s been a great truck and it’s built like a tank.
cdavis I would love to have that truck. I had a 73 also with a 360 4 speed. Sold it and wished I would not have.
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ND Mike my first car was a 72 challenger with a 340 in it. It’s very easy to get in trouble with those. I sure wish I had it back.
cdavis i hear ya! I have a feeling your a Mopar guy like me!
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processhead i couldn’t agree more. Electrical gremlins drive me nuts! So frustrating and I sometimes…ok most of the time…do not have the patience to work through electrical problems!
ND Mike said in Reasons to drive an old car:
processhead i couldn’t agree more. Electrical gremlins drive me nuts! So frustrating and I sometimes…ok most of the time…do not have the patience to work through electrical problems!
My background and education is electrical/electronics so I am kind of the opposite, I generally can work through the electrical issues.
The mechanical issues I will occasionally take on, but am more likely to pass those off to someone with more experience.
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ND Mike I’ve been a Mopar man my whole life.
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cdavis sweet me too! Still have quite a few between my 2 brothers and I!
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ND Mike my brother also loves the Mopars. He has a 74 power wagon I’d like to have but he won’t part with it. He put a flat bed on it with a hydraulic hay spike on it and uses it on his farm.
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kyle I’ve been a GM guy from the start of driving. With that said I am ordering in July a Ford F-250 with the 7.3L Godzilla motor. I hope I don’t regret it but I just don’t care for the new GM products anymore.
twilliams I bought a 2017 F-350 dually for my retirement present to myself from the first career. It hauls around a 41 foot 16,000 plus lb. fifth wheel camper with no issues. I hope you have as good of an experience as I’ve had with mine so far.
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Jonathon if you have a smart steering wheel with many switches attached their in could be the problem as some of the semi trucks in years past had them and were more problems than benefit some driver5s that had them ,they were called smart wheels they would pull the cover and blow the inside out with air to get the dust and other things out of the switches just don’t set off your air bag
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Jonathon if you have a smart steering wheel with many switches attached their in could be the problem as some of the semi trucks in years past had them and were more problems than benefit some driver5s that had them ,they were called smart wheels they would pull the cover and blow the inside out with air to get the dust and other things out of the switches just don’t set off your air bag
craigrice said in Reasons to drive an old car:
Jonathon if you have a smart steering wheel with many switches attached their in could be the problem as some of the semi trucks in years past had them and were more problems than benefit some driver5s that had them ,they were called smart wheels they would pull the cover and blow the inside out with air to get the dust and other things out of the switches just don’t set off your air bag
A 2002 Tundra won’t have too much in the steering wheel and column. The ignition switch and possibly a couple other switches for cruise and horn. Could be a good candidate for some DIY repairs.
Paul
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craigrice said in Reasons to drive an old car:
Jonathon if you have a smart steering wheel with many switches attached their in could be the problem as some of the semi trucks in years past had them and were more problems than benefit some driver5s that had them ,they were called smart wheels they would pull the cover and blow the inside out with air to get the dust and other things out of the switches just don’t set off your air bag
A 2002 Tundra won’t have too much in the steering wheel and column. The ignition switch and possibly a couple other switches for cruise and horn. Could be a good candidate for some DIY repairs.
processhead it would depend on the modle/options
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YooperDog Did you go to Boys Tech High School in Milwaukee? My Father went there and learned his trade as a wood pattern maker. We used to go to their football games in the early to mid 60’s.
Bob Stehlik yes. That building is now torn down and replaced with a new one. I think the name is Allen-Bradley high school. There was a lot of history in that place and many learned good skills for the work force.
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nope the spyder only came with a manual transmission - most were 4 speed, but occasionally there would be a 3 speed.
I’ve had several corvairs over the years with the 2 speed powerglide (aka powerslide) transmission usually with a gear selector (forward, neutral, reverse), but one with the push buttons.
alanburkholder I remember my uncle having one and a neighbor use to be a collector.
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Another reason to drive an old car is so Jonathon can still play his cassettes…
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Another reason to drive an old car is so Jonathon can still play his cassettes…
HerbcoFood said in Reasons to drive an old car:
Another reason to drive an old car is so Jonathon can still play his cassettes…
That would be his Techno-beat cassettes…so he can sing along…
Paul
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HerbcoFood said in Reasons to drive an old car:
Another reason to drive an old car is so Jonathon can still play his cassettes…
That would be his Techno-beat cassettes…so he can sing along…
processhead He then will pull out his walk man with the cassette insert so he can jam out like it’s 2005.
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processhead He then will pull out his walk man with the cassette insert so he can jam out like it’s 2005.
HerbcoFood said in Reasons to drive an old car:
processhead He then will pull out his walk man with the cassette insert so he can jam out like it’s 2005.
Ok, I am getting a mental image now that I am not altogether comfortable with.
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processhead He then will pull out his walk man with the cassette insert so he can jam out like it’s 2005.
HerbcoFood said in Reasons to drive an old car:
processhead He then will pull out his walk man with the cassette insert so he can jam out like it’s 2005.
No way, Jonathan was definitely jamming this on his boombox.
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