ORIGINAL: sproulman
ORIGINAL: DougE
I hada 96 and a 99 Jimmy.They ate hub assemblies and ball joints on a regular basis.They also got crappy mileage.I've had 1/2 ton trucks and never replaced anything.My trucks gets used hard as I haul heavy loads of hay and horses on a regular basis.Insurance premiums were alsolower on the 1/2 ton trucks.I have a 3/4 ton HD now and while it gets,a little worse fuel mileage,it isn't much worse than the small ones.However,the ability to stand up to heavy use,isn't even comparable.
I've roade along with R.S.B on several occassions.A small tinker toy wouldn't cut the mustard.
gm had problem with BALL JOINTS,they did not put grease fittings on them,NOW THEY DO.
no way a bigger vehicle is saving.it is money pit.
if rsb needs to haul a 800 pd bear, use a trailer.
go to K&l auto in renovo area.
they repair the trucks from DCNR.
go talk to them.
they are broke all time,even local WCO retired was in there a LOT with his vehicle.
smaller vehicles will break too but COST TO REPAIR IS GREAT DIFFERENCE FROM BIGGER VEHICLES.
trust me, our study for 2 years opened many eyes.
just getting a 6 cyl vrs a 8 cyl saved a ton of money on gas/oil/repairs on engine alone.
just going to bias ply tires vrs radial tires saved over million.
radials get 5 times flats as a bias ply do and the bias get hole in bottom that can be repaired BUT radial gets hole in sidewall, cant be repaired.
15 inch tire is much cheaper than 16/17