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The Truck Project
Happy March 30th! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. So, I wanted to share something positive going on for us.
My husband has had mini trucks since we’ve been together (15 years), and they’re always used trucks. He and his dad always worked on cars and motorcycles, and I don’t even know if his parents have ever bought a brand new car. I’ll have to ask! My FIL just always fixed whatever was(is) broken, and my husband does that, too.
Anyway, when Joel’s little red truck broke down about 2 years ago, he said it was time to say goodbye to it. But he really needs a truck for all kinds of things. Projects all the time and sometimes side work building decks, or picnic tables, etc. For him to go without a truck ..But, even basic trucks anymore are priced at ridiculous amounts.
So, we started looking at used trucks. This was probably April 2020. We debated: buy new and take on payments (we had no car loans at that moment, and had just paid off our daughter’s Corolla), or try and come up with the money for half or ….
We started saving money. Here and there. Joel hustled side jobs; many people wanted decks built in the spring of 2020. He also works a side job as a go-kart race director once a month. I put my dual credit stipends into the pot, and we just kept at it. Also, we were lucky too in that we were able to keep our jobs during the 2020-present of this pandemic, we didn’t have debt besides the house mortgage, we had no major health issues/surgeries.
We were able to purchase a 2015 GMC Sierra at auction in April of 2021. Y’all, I was terrified. Joel and his BFF – Mr. B, an auto tech teacher, who is amazing with auto anything, bought the truck online. OMG. I tried to stay calm. It only has 86,000 miles on it, but the front end was pretty damaged. The insurance company had totaled it, and this why it was at auction. It freaked me out to buy this way.
Again, luckily, Mr. B knows everything about autos, and he has lots of connections in the industry. Let’s just say that without Mr. B’s help, it would have cost way more for repairs! Way more! Yes, it’s taken a while year for Joel to get everything completed. And for us to get more money together to get those repairs completed. BUT, it’s ready to go! I honestly wasn’t sure for awhile! At one point, the truck went to a guy for frame repair and didn’t come back for 3 months. But this gentleman was doing it as a side job on his own time on the weekends. It was worth the wait.
We’re now just waiting on the front seatbelts to be unlocked (from the wreck). There was so much that had to be fixed on this truck. My husband has worked so hard on this for a year. And Mr. B has been a lifesaver.
But now, we have a full sized, basically new truck! New to us! It has a new paint job and everything is running great. It has GPS, stereo system, big double cab, seat warmers- what the heck?!? (lol)
It took us a couple of years, but we got what we wanted. Yippee! Joel won’t use it for his commute, but I’m sure he’ll be using it a lot. I’m really glad he has almost a new vehicle (I don’t think he’s ever had an actual new vehicle in his life), and we didn’t have to take on any debt, at least for now.
Sorry, I know this is a long story just about a used truck, but we’re really happy! It’s just cool and much needed in our family. Best wishes to you all. Peace – b
Thanks for Spreading the LOVE!!!
20 Comments on “The Truck Project”
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Don’t be sorry, this was a good read because I love pickup trucks! Your truck is basically my 2015 GMC but it’s a short bed, 2 door standard cab which I much prefer. Just wish it had the small block V8 but the V6 does a great job, better on fuel too. The four door trucks are like a car with a truck bed on the back to me… 😂
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Hi John, thanks for reading! How cool! I think ours has a shorter bed as well. Do you still have yours? Like you, I’d prefer just the two doors, but this works well for travel (hopefully!) with 2 of our larger dogs. My husband is building an insert for the back to raise up the back seat and then we can put down cushions etc. to make it more comfy and protect the seat itself. I’m not sure what size engine it has. I need to find out!
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You are welcome! I have owned my truck since it was brand new in 2015 and could never sell it. It has too much sentimental value, I would like to dock it in a storage fascility but a new or used car or truck makes no sense financially. Four-door trucks are great for families and businesses and more, but I am a purist and can’t see a true pickup truck having four doors… 😂🌮
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Beautiful looking truck! I wish I were handier with working on automobiles. I’ve only bought one new vehicle ever. They lose thousands of dollars of value when you drive out the door. People who purchase a vehicle every year or two are flushing money down the toilet. I do a ton of research when I buy a car/truck, but I’ll drive them for 10-15 years.
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Hi Pete! I hope you are doing well! That’s great that you’ve been such a smart shopper! I’ve had a couple of Honda Civics new that I paid off and had a decade plus. But my husband has found several used cars, plus this truck, which have been solid purchases. I guess people like the newness and the nifty new gadgets, but we’d rather have something that works well and doesn’t break the bank! Some loans now are 6-8 years long. No way!
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What a great tale. There’s no way I ever could replace my car, even with a used vehicle, given today’s prices, so I’m hoping mine holds out until I can’t drive any more. I have a Toyota Corolla, and I got 356K miles out of my last one, so I’m optimistic!
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Hi! I’m not sure how I missed this! We’re a Toyota and Honda kinda family (except for the used GMC truck lol). That’s really awesome about your Corolla, but I’ve heard of others with stories like this! I’m sure it will hang in there. I’ve had 2 Honda Civics back to back. The one I have now has about 220,000 (yr 2009) and like you, I plan on driving it for a few or several years more! Just having some AC issues, but I think it just needs a few things replaced. You are so right: both used and new car prices are insane right now. No thanks! Take care!
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Thank you for sharing a wonderful story!!.. it can be an inspiration to many, especially in today’s world… it may be a used truck to some, but for your family it is something special and you can be proud!… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song
in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
of people you love.
(Irish Saying)
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Hi Larry, I hope your weekend is going well. And thanks for stopping by and reading. We are so excited! Still waiting on seatbelts, but they’re getting fixed and will hopefully be back soon for install. It’s been a slow, long process, but worth the wait! Take care, friend ❤️
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Wow! That has taken a lot of ingenuity and patience!👏
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Nice truck!
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Thanks! We had to get the seatbelts unlocked and just got them back, so hoping my husband can get them installed this week!
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Seatbelts are a bonus. 👍
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Right!?! 🙂
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Super pix.
Awesome fix.
Best of luck
with the truck!
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Thanks!
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Wow – that truck looks brand new. Nice job! The sweat and patience was worth it. 🙂
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Thank you!
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and it looks like it can pull a travel trailer!
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Hopefully, this is the plan! 🙂
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