What would you pay for a new Bumpside?

[MaxKlinger]

Somewhat abstract thought here:

If you could buy a new Bumpside for the same price of a new (comparably equipped, so relatively stripped down) F150, would you buy it? Would you pay $25,000 for a truck that has no air conditioning, is less crashworthy, less reliable, and is less fuel efficient than a F150 40 years its junior, but is in pristine condition (great paint, straight body, no rust)? If so, why?

No right or wrong answers here. Just thinking aloud.

EDIT: Ok, here's a little clarification: This "New Bump" would have no zinc galvanizing, but a modern epoxy/polyurethane paint system, chassis undercoatings, and sprayed-in bed liner to prevent rust. It would have a new wiring harness with modern wire insulation that isn't brittle or dried. It would be capable of hauling and towing like a new truck, albeit it would still have drum brakes. It would still lack a lot of the modern comforts that we have become used to (heated seats, air conditioning, power windows, power steering, etc). It would have no warranty. It would still have a traditional drivetrain (carburetor, no overdrive, ignition points).

[Ranchero50]

I couldn't bring myself to pay that much for a new truck. I was looking at the 2013 Mustangs. The GT is starting at $30k now and as much as I truely want one and can almost afford one once I kill some personal loans I can't justify $30k for any car.

Our generation of trucks were right at the beginning of the comfortable truck realm and I don't think you could still get a very basic no frills truck past '98 or so. I'm curious when AC became mandatory on the trucks.

Jamie

[MaxKlinger]

Not only is air conditioning mandatory, but so is an automatic transmission. Ford no longer makes a truck with a stickshift.

[forrestbump]

Since this is a hypothetical anyway...

I'd buy one as long as it was built here in North America, doesn't have all of the cheap interior plastic that new ones have and the sheet metal, chassis, forged suspension components were the exact same thickness as what are on my old truck now.

Keep the wiring harnesses the same diameter as our old stuff...have you seen the thickness of the looms in new vehicles? ...scheeze...

I'd probably even prefer an old carb'd motor with a dizzy...just build it with better tolerances and high end electrical connectors.

This is just a quick, off the top of my head, answer. If I gave myself more time, I'm sure I could give a more, in depth and detailed answer.

...to sum it up, a combination of the best of both worlds I guess would be what I'd like to see...

[mybros71]

This question is an interesting one. At first I thought NO because I have grown acustomed to the comfort and versatility of a newer truck. I like to carry on a conversation with my wife at 75 miles per hour and have a warm butt at 5:30 in the morning. But then again, when I bought my nice comfy new truck, I also bought an extended warranty. I have a bumper to bumper warranty until the truck hits 125K miles. It cost me about a thousand dollars. The biggest reason I bought the warranty is because I don't want to get caught paying several thousand dollars or more when the transmission or engine has a catastrophic failure or even worry about it happening. Stress reducer. And this truck is now 5 years old. I likely won't have it more than 5 more because I'm not going to want to keep it after the warranty runs out.

Now. If I could pay 25K for a new 71 F-100, I would not buy a warranty and I could expect to keep the truck for 40 years or more. I know this becausde I have two 40+ year old trucks in my driveway which are just as reliable as my super comfy new truck and I can fix anything on either with readily available and reasonably priced parts and tools I own. My modern truch doesn't even have a transmission dipstick or fill port.

When is the last time someone bought a brand new truck and thought about keeping it for 40 years. I bet the dash won't make it 20.

The ultimate question is...how bad do I want to talk to my wife.

[MaxKlinger]

Ok, here's a little clarification: This "New Bump" would have no zinc galvanizing, but a modern epoxy/polyurethane paint system, chassis undercoatings, and sprayed-in bed liner to prevent rust. It would have a new wiring harness with modern wire insulation that isn't brittle or dried. It would be capable of hauling and towing like a new truck, albeit it would still have drum brakes. It would still lack a lot of the modern comforts that we have become used to (heated seats, power windows, power steering, etc). It would have no warranty. It would still have a traditional drivetrain (carburetor, no overdrive, ignition points).

[mybros71]

Where do I sign?

[mk]

Would you pay $25,000 for a truck that has no air conditioning, is less crashworthy, less reliable, and is less fuel efficient than a F150 40 years its junior, but is in pristine condition

Fortunately, this scenario is possible, as the low mileage survivors coming up for sale occasionally do tend to trade at that level and often less. The advantages of warranty, a/c and safety are obvious but I'd take the bump. The ability to add the advantages of safety, comfort and a/c among others appeal to me as well as just plain love of the body style. Might cost a little more to go your own way but until the perks I enjoy are legislated out of existence, I'll keep 'em.


mike

[cdeal28078]

I would buy one before I'd pay that for these new trucks a man can barely work on himself. I do think the old trucks can be made just as comfortable and quiet as the new trucks. You can have a hot butt in the morning real easily. I have auto and PS with Disc brakes now. I don't need power mirrors because once they are set they are set and nobody else drives my truck. I could put power windows in but don't want them. Something else that breaks pretty often. AC and cruise are pretty easy to add. I will do these some day when I can pay for it easily and justify it. It is a little harder to quieten these trucks down but I am sure it can be done.
I would like the better paints of today with the under coatings of today plus the air bags and 3 point seat belts. The belts can be done easily though I just ain't done it. Several have on here though.
Yes, I'd buy one if the metal was the same like said and it was not loaded down with a bunch of plastic.
Good subject and should be interesting.
clint

[mybros71]

I don't think putting airbags in is a very real possibility because you need the engineering in the front end to go along with it. I think at the end of the day, we are going to want a lot (not all) of the things we have on a modern truck on this modern bump side but it still be a bump side that we have come to love. This merging of old and new would come at a cost that would put us well above the 25K mark. If you look at new dynacorn Mustang bodies, they have a few improvements and cost 15K bare.

That being said, I guess the dollar figure I would pay is well above 25Kthe because it would be SWEET!

[GreyStep]

I think it's a great question.... I think the older trucks have a charm and character the new trucks lack... From the mid '90's to now the F Series have lost something... Granted the big dualies are great for towing but I think I'd go with retro style... I know I can live without AC, disc brakes, XM radio, Navigation, etc. don't have it in my Bump now... Although if money was no object I would really consider upgrading to air assist suspension, efi and TKO 500 tranny for much improved fuel economy and ride quality.


Hell a Lil love, por 15, spray insulation, and rustolium (sp?) my truck will be around for another 20 years easy.... LOL

[Whateverman]

$25000 ...hmmm....
even though it would break my "no vehicles over $1000" rule i would seriously consider buying a brand new bump....
....but after 20+yrs with my ol' pig i have learned that although i can live without power windows ,I would definitely want power steering (which my truck came with) & power disc brakes (which i swapped into my truck) ,an overdrive trans (man or auto) along with a decent stereo,a comfortable seat ,a tilt column and some good cupholders capable of handling anything from a gas station coffee to a super big gulp or i'd hafta pass on the new ride and spend the $$$ putting the rest of my necessities into my ol' pig

[PhantomoftheBumpside]

I'd pay the $28K for a F150 5.0L XLT 2 door, for a comparable All New F150 V8 Bump.

[mjhaltom]

The big 3 have all made it clear that nostalgia sells. Maybe some of the old styling could return in a modern truck. Personally I would;t make $500 a month car payments when I could buy a decent runner ever 3 months for that $$$. Just my

[ezernut9mm]

as much as i like these trucks, there is no way i would pay that much for one. i won't pay that much for any vehicle ever again. i paid 4k for my 02 ranger and i thought that was too much. . the only "modern" conveniences it has are a/c and air bags.