Reality is even if this gentleman spent 5 grand fixing his 25 year old truck way cheaper than 75 thousand for a new one

I agree with you MOSTLY. Often, these days, the 25 year old part may have more life left in them than a crappy new part would.

As a side note when replacing parts that are still working, a person could always put the part back in the box it came in and keep all those little parts in the trunk. If a part ever did fail for some reason you'd have an immediate backup on hand that you know works.

"The longer you drive that old car, the more it pays you back."

Ever notice how many good reputable mechanics at small shops drive 90's cars. It's not because they are poor.

I have a 1995 GMC1500 Sierra.. 250 k on this dude and it runs like a champ.Preventative servicing is the NAME OF THE GAME😊

I appreciate the warning about having a family at the beginning

I drive a '99 GMC Suburban K2500... I'm a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Good stuff Jimmy. Keep 'em coming....

The best time to buy a car is when you don’t need one. The worst time to buy a car is when you need one RIGHT NOW! Same logic here.

Jimmy, I agree with you, but you missed probably the most important part: have some fun fixing things, and having the satisfaction at the end of another job completed!

Your right! Those people saying your just throwing parts at it are the ones I pass right by when there broke down on the highway😂

The problem is the new parts they make now days dont last as long as the originals...

People have asked me why I'm always working on my truck. I just tell them I'm making it new one part at a time. I agree with your approach with one small caveat. You can't always assume a part is good because it's new. A lot of the parts now are made in China and can be hit or miss, even AC Delco parts.

1997 GMC Yukon owner, I think we share a similar outlook on maintaining older vehicles. Its cheaper to fire the parts cannon every once and a while, than to constantly trade up to newer vehicles like some people do.

Each owner has to decide to what extent or frequency they replace parts. The older the vehicle the more sense it makes to replace iffy or suspect parts. One thing i learned early as a new mechanic, is that you never throw away a old part being replaced, not till you have the new part installed and working properly. You may have to refer back to the old part for one reason or another, and being able to do so can save you a lot of grief.

Nothing wrong with replacing parts that are 25 years old. It makes you feel good, all the power to you. Great content as always. Cheers from Sydney, Nova Scotia

All my year 2000 and older Suburbans have hit nearly 300k miles, and taken me through ridiculous terrain and weather. I've done all of the work myself, except for a fuel pump replacement, and your videos helped me immensely, so many thanks my friend.

Your logic is sound. You are manifesting a perfectly maintained vehicle. Good work.

Absolutely. A few years ago, I bought a 2004 Grand Cherokee Limited on a whim from auction and was thinking I'd just address a couple of things and flip it for a profit, but I ended up liking it, so I went through the effort of parts bombing the crap out of it as a preventative maintenance endeavor. Soooo many new parts and the thing starts, idles, and runs like a champ. One of the biggest improvements I made was having the cylinder heads redone. The heads on this engine (4.7 V8) are known for dropping valve seats, so I had new seats installed and had them peened in place as well. Those seats aren't going anywhere now. And everything else I did, it might actually be a shorter list of what I didn't replace. I'm doing something similar on the 2002 Silverado Z71 I got that was my uncle's old work truck, though mostly, that's a cosmetic endeavor as the interior was completely trashed. These older vehicles are fantastic. New enough to still be able to find parts and not be plagued by the struggles that come with carburetors and whatnot, but old enough that the parts are cheap and wildly plentiful. A couple years ago, I paid off my 2017 Mazda and I'll never buy a new car again. It's just not worth it.

I'm 72, drive an 09 Ford Explorer, and also replace anything that's "due" to fail. AND...I do my own work and throughly enjoy it. This morning I replaced my front brake pads even though the ones on the truck could go another 20K. The truck has 155K miles, and runs like it's brand new, and I know it won't break down on any of my long road trips. Nothing more frustrating, and expensive, than to break down while on the road.

Preaching to the quire man. My '99 Suburban k1500 with 310K miles is still running strong because of the same mindset.

Jimmy, I'm right with you on replacing parts as preventive maintenance. Sometimes I purposely shoot the parts cannon to just renew some things that have got old while fixing a problem. Sometimes I diagnose and just fix the problem. Just always keep in mind, replacing it with a new part, doesn't mean it's not the problem or you could have just created two problems. New doesn't always = good. Even with OEM parts. I have had some bad ones. I totally understand your line of thinking though and I do it sometimes myself. Keep up the good work!

Being a parts changer is what most "mechanics" are today so keep up the good work.

You learn to love and appreciate the car if you work on your car. This is something we all should know and do.

Use a small ziptie to secure the(broken)plastic plug for the MAP sensor, works great.

It makes sense to keep your vehicle in good condition. Better to replace wear items on your own time rather than when they fail.

I have 2 trucks, one is a 73 the other is a 76. They run good, they are reliable, replacement parts are cheap. I can go through these trucks bumper to bumper, new engine, transmission, suspension, breaks, etc for around 10,000 and have a truck everyone loves. Might not have all the bells and whistles a modern truck would have but I'm not into all that crap anyway. My old trucks will still be running when most of today's trucks are in the junk yard. I can just keep fixing them as long as I can get the parts.

I've a '78 Ford Econoline work van. 400,000 miles, and it still runs like new. I inherited it in '91, with 5600 miles on it. It has served me well all these years. I've done all the work. Parts are still available, cheap. I rebuilt the body 15 years ago. I also don't drive it in the winter.

I have a 1994 Silverado with over 400000 miles and do the same thing. Keep up the good work and great videos.

Jimmy, I totally agree with you.

You have the right mind. Constant vigilance. Similar to the nauticle mind. No break downs at sea. I do like you do. My truck is a little simplier. It is a '65 F100. I use the 300 -6. I have been driving/maintaining it for going on 43 yrs. I keep a pocket sized notebook (in the 3rd one now) to keep up with "events." I also use a magic marker and write the date on a new part. All the best, like your style a lot, Pete

I have a 2003 Chevy 1500 4X4. I also believe in my own repairs and staying on top of things. She just turned 308,000 miles and runs great. Love the truck!

Them GMT400 as long as there's no rust they going to last forever with basic maintenance. This is most durable truck GM ever built

I agree I drive a 94 c1500 truck every day it’s called preventative maintenance 👍🏿

That's how classics are made. You are adding a ton of value by keeping the truck alive and in like new working shape, if you ever decide to sell it. I've an 05 Silverado 4.8L and I'm not selling this girl anytime soon. Even if I spend a few 100s here and there on repairs and maintenance, I know her better than anyone, it's mine, payed off, and it's super easy and fun working on it without all the modern sensors and plastics that are a pain to diagnose, expensive to repair, and add nothing to the fun of driving a truck. Not to mention I get people knocking on my door all the time asking if I'm salling it, the demand for these well kept "old" trucks is still very high, and new trucks way too expensive.

1ROAD, If I'm replacing something with a clip like that, I get out the old HEAT GUN & heat it up too where it's more pliable, WORKS 90% OF THE TIME.

I agree 100% always saying sometimes Amazon sells counterfeit parts . Nice video totally agree.i do the same 👍

I drive a 30 year old truck and it still runs like a champ. 1994 Chevrolet 1500.

Thanks for the advice. While I completely support what you say and do (I drive a 92) I have to add that it's quite probable you are getting counterfeit parts at a discount online vs oem. Keep up the great videos.

For a truck that old with the simplicity of it shooting a parts cannon is actually worth it. Now I have a 97 GMC Sierra and I have software that eliminates me from having to do a parts cannon via laptop.

Good video I do pretty much my own work whenever possible. Preventive maintenance is the way to go.

You make a good point here. Do your maintenance regularly and do it right. Then it won't even matter how old your vehicle is.

I had an old generator. Ran ok once started. Finally went to fix it. Discovered the tip of the spark plug was Broken and very worn. Once replaced generator fires right up on 1st pull and runs better. Sometimes you just need to replace parts. Good job too 🙂

Wish more people believed in doing proper preventative maintenance. You're an inspiration, I'm looking for a 90s daily now!

Here I am just wishing I had my own garage to do these stuff.

I have a 2002 Z 71 , I have to say of all the new vehicles I’ve had in my lifetime. This one is the greatest. It has been literally flawless from the day. It was driven off a lot brand new to present I put three sets of tires on it. Three new batteries, change the oil as scheduled in the manual it has never failed. Me still has all the original stuff on it. I too, have changed the hoses and the water pump strictly just because of the mileage and age there were no problems the factory battery lasted eight years before I replaced it simply the greatest truck I’ve ever owned and I will keep it forever. It will definitely outlast me as I am now 68 years old.

Jimmy you and I think the same I just bought a 71f250 high boy I'm replacing all the original parts!, it ran good but runs even better now! And it beats the hell out of a new 60,000 dollar truck with over 500 sensors on it!

I get it Jimmy. I had to put a new fan clutch on my 2008 Silverado with 83K miles. While I was under the hood I replaced the water pump too. I love the parts cannon!

many times original factory parts are better than factory replacements. I bet your old MAP sensor was made in the USA or Japan which is better than the China one.

Couldn’t agree with you more. I would always justify a part by comparing it to a new truck payment, pretty easy to get there. Great job sir

I have a 94 K1500 so same vintage as this Suburban. I recently had the EGR go bad as well so that was causing a big vacuum leak. I decided to go the EGR delete route since I'm in a state that doesn't do emissions testing anymore and It's running so much better now. Much better throttle response too.

I feel you man! The thermostat on my daughters Jeep went bad at 110k miles. I figured while I’m draining all the coolant it was time for a new water pump, hoses, serpentine belt, idler and tensioner pulleys, and of course the thermostat. Hopefully good for another 110k!

Man you are so right, I have a 1991 Dodge D250 Cummins and I do what you do , I know those parts are 30 years old. 345,000 miles and still tickin over. Two lift pumps in 15 years. GREAT. Enjoy your channel.

Good preventative maintenance is always a good thing. Remember tho: even new parts can be bad or fail.

The problem of just throwing parts at it is you can create new problems changing to many sensors at once and often, if you fix the problem, you may not be sure which new sensor fixed the problem. Conversely, an example; I had to change the intake gaskets on my 4.3 ltr. at about 125k. While I was in there with the top of the engine dismantled, I also changed the injection spider, the water pump and power steering pump. They were all originals working perfectly fine but since I was already half way there I changed them, they are high wear items and buried under there so while I was at, boom, all at once. I rebuilt my front end also and changed the front CV axles concurrently because I had it all apart and the ones I had on it were approaching the end of their usable life. There was a time in my life I might not have had the funds to do it that why but that's not the case anymore so it just makes sense.

Those pre-Vortec gen-1 SBC TBI systems are so simple and reliable!!!

Ten years ago I purchased a 1999 Burb to use as an RV. We had it in tip top, like new, condition all the time - ready to drive coast-to-coast at a moments notice. It worked out great! Last fall my wife and the Burb were in an accident. The difference between walking away and passing away was the Suburban. Sadly, the Suburban didn’t make it. I have since replaced it with another 99. 3/4 ton with hydro-boost brakes(The brakes on the 1500 are a real weak spot). The process of restoring to like-new has begun……

The fact that you save money buying parts online and do the labor yourself gives you knowledge and you know what you have done already so definitely worth it. New vehicles are way more computerized and complicated not to mention the unreal cost.

Jimmy, my thought process is the same as yours when it comes to automotive maintenance. I did the same for a '91 Ford Ranger, now with 200K miles. Electrical parts and common failure parts were super cheap especially about 8-10 years ago. I seen it as a win-win situation.

Thanks for your great videos. They are very informative and easily understood. I've been a maintenance mechanic nearly 50 years and I can attest to a well maintained preventive maintenance program saving major breakdowns of production equipment. Keep up the great work and don't pay any attention to the "parts cannon" nay sayers !

I'm so glad I took your advice - I switched out a MAF sensor and my fuel trims went back to normal...so happy!

That's how we roll; Appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm

Spot on! I've been doing the same thing with my '98 Suburban. PLUS, I travel remotely in Aust. often on my own, so I like knowing stuff is good (but I also carry spares as you just can't buy stuff for these trucks in Australia.

love the channel man! I have a 1995 chevy silverado with the 5 speed and 5.7 TBI. I have been restoring/modifying it slowley over the past few years. I totally agree with you on replacing 25/26 yo parts, replaced suspension in front with brand new, and feels like a brand new truck suspension

I have an 05 tundra and last year I went on a trip. I changed the front brakes and checked the rear. As well as front and rear shocks, alt and belt. All were not failing though it gave me piece of mind. And that's enough for me.

I completely agree with you. I have a 95 Ford ranger and I've been doing the same but I do keep some of the parts that are worth it just in case sometimes the new parts (cheaper made) don't last as long

That is a super clean truck for a 95! I have a 98 Chevy pickup that’s totally rotted out in some areas it’s a shame the rust got to it because it’s otherwise in great shape and runs perfectly. You’re lucky you got such a clean example of a 90’s GM.

My 1995 Suburban with a 350 throttle body engine ran 300,000 miles with no problems until rear quarter panels started to rust. Now I'm running a 2008 Sierra with over 200,000 miles. No fancy TV screens on the dash for me! My truck runs and feels like new without the new price tag.

I have the same philosophy of preventive maintenance. I do pick and choose which parts to replace based whether or not the failure of the part will cause the vehicle to be stranded on the side of the road.

Recently did the map sensor on my 88 k1500. That along with the TPS and IAC helped alot with idle and throttle response. I was getting a surge in my throttle so I went with all three and now my truck is running amazing

Some of the new electric parts don't work well either. I bought a few of them over the years. Awesome video thanks for sharing.

This man must be my damn clone. I fire the parts cannon for literally every reason he said. And the experience is awesome. You learn something. That's why doing it yourself, is so wonderful.

U remind me of the the old saying they don’t build them like they used to. great job, I love the older trucks built by mechanics and not engineers that never take them apart.

I agree, and if it's not too expensive to "fire the parts canon" like newer vehicle that require parts that cost more than these older rigs are valued at

I do the same thing keep it up

Bought new in 96 ,dodge lg bed 4x4 club cab 1500 slt, 5.2 magnum. Great truck w/ 110k miles now ..my baby..has yet to let me down, towed my 19' boat, snowmobiles,jet ski's , etc . I do most all maintenance myself except left front axel bearing and cv joint. So far replaced water pump, rad hoses every thing else is original. Love this old easy to work on truck...79 yrs old shade tree mechanic. Great video/ great advice.

I like this guy because I think just like he does. I fired off the parts cannon when I bought my 70 Buick GS 350 with 95,000 highway miles back in '78 and drove my family in that car without breaking down on the road for 10 years and another 87,000+ miles. Water pump, coil, timing chain and gears, oil pump, carb rebuild, ball joints and steering idler, shocks, disks pads, rebuilt master cylinder, rebuilt brake calipers, fluids all around many times, wiper motor. I bought it for $900 and preventative maintenance over the course of time might have cost $2000 with all work done by me. 10 years.. not too bad and it was still running when I parked it.

Well all I gotta say is the manufacturing process is not 100% and bad new parts can and will leave you scratching your head

Did you see Hoovies garages new video? He seems to agree with you about this truck.

I agree 100% with the points you made in this video. The fact is plastic, rubber, paint simply deteriorates over time. It's unavoidable. Might as well renew it and keep that stuff going.

I am with you 100%. I drive a 1996 Dodge Dakota with a 318 V8. I just like hearing it run like an old Singer sewing machine, humming right along.

The word cheap has always scared me.

Did you change that old spare tire out with one that matches your current tire sizes yet? I see tons of lifted truck guys failing to do it. Running 35” or bigger tires with a 30” spare on can prove disastrous for ones axles/differential . Did you re-torque your lift kit yet?

Treat your everyday driver like you would an aircraft. Moderate incremental improvements when and where necessary. Sound and sensible.

Having several trucks and cars and fixing them myself is much more satisfying and cheaper than than a payment for one new vehicle! I know them inside and out and can fix them without a shops 120 - 150 an hour bill to do next to nothing!

You got a lot of faith on Amazon. You should look into all the fake OEM parts on Amazon

Buddy you couldn't be more wrong with the parts that are purchased today in 2023.. I'm a full-time mechanic and have been for over 30 years I can tell you with absolute certainty you do not want to pull a 25-year-old part off and replace it with a new piece of Chinese junk. You cannot guarantee that it'll work out of the box you could not guarantee to ever work like the original OEM part was designed for. Can't even trust new OEM parts compared to the old ones. If that part has made it 25 years without causing a problem you're a fool to change it....

Amen ROAD1! Its called bench marking the vehicle, so you can trust it! The SMART THING TO DO! REALLY REALLY SMART! Especially soft components like belts, hoses, seals. I did the same with my two 35 year old vehicles. Two 1986 Toyota 4X4 SR5 Turbo Extra-cab pickups. These are real unicorns. New injectors, fuel pump, fuel gauge sender, bypass hoses, radiator hoses, radiator, valve tappet screws, belts, spark plugs, spark plug wires, heater control valve, battery, air filter, turbo charger rebuilds, all sensors were tested, oil changed with factory filter, ALL fluids changed front to rear, greased ALL zerk fittings EVERYWHERE (most folks don't grab a grease gun or are too lazy), new shocks, sway bar end links, brakes, plus inspected EVERYTHING. Doing the fuel pump and fuel sender also gave me the opportunity to drop the tank to clean and inspect it. Man was it GROSS! How the hell did leaves and bugs get in there??? I don't regret doing this AT ALL. Took a bit of time. A few weekends, but worth it. After I finished, I treated it with new BFG KO2 tires. Icing on the cake! Runs and drives like a new vehicle. Money well spent, and I have vehicles worth more than what I paid for them, and can trust them like a new car. I could have just drove them after changing the fluids, but the... 'I need to know its ok' wouldn't have been there. They tap key start and have ZERO ISSUES! People can have their car payments for 5 to 7 years+. NOT ME! Thank you for taking the time to create the content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Love the channel and thumbs up. By the way, what camera (model, etc) do you film your channel with?

I just bought my first car, a 1988 s10 blazer. I honestly dont know much about cars, but with the repair manual and just a bit of research you can fix a lot by yourself on these older vehicles. They are great to learn. Greetings from Bavaria, Germany

next time on 1ROAD rebuilding my motor becuase i dont wont it to fail just joking, i dont blame you for changing parts before they break if they are cheap

By the way, these GMT-400 trucks and SUVs (in beautiful brand new condition or with low miles) will go up in value

I agree with You 100% ! I do the exact same thing as You do with My 2004 Silverado with 104,000 miles on it ! In 20 years I've only bought 2 batteries for My truck . That's because in the fall of the year I take My battery out, put it on the picnic table and scrub it down with hot soap and water . It's called preventative maintenance. It's what I learned working for General Motors The Buick, Flint, Michigan Retired 😃

I fully agree. I have no problem chasing things around with parts because I now have the comfort of knowing those parts are new, not old.

The reason they are so cheap is that sometimes they are counterfeit.

Acdelco doesn’t mean good now a days. On these old gms I’ve had really good luck with standard parts or denso

100% agree. chucking new parts at them is one less thing thats randomly gonna fail due to age. keep the working original as an emergency backup.

Parts cannon! So true! Great video! 1)The most expensive thing you have when fixing it yourself, is your time. 2) Never buy cheap parts. OEM stuff is usually the best.

It's always nice to be able to change all the parts on your vehicle, but some people don't have a money tree in their backyard 🤔

This is just how to take care of any vehicle there is no excuse to have a hafe broken vehicle domestic or foreign!

You are so right!! One make’s hay while the sun is high and fixes a roof before it’s raining.