Thoughts on how safe our trucks are

[RustyBucket]

I did a father/son project on a '69 Nova with my middle son when he was a jr. in high school. Swapped out a 250 I-6 p.glide for a mild 350 muncie 4spd, disc brakes and freshened up the A/C. He drove it to high school 2yrs., graduated in '99 and then U. Miami for 3yrs. .. I got it back when he went in the Air Force. 1 minor fender bender, a couple of tickets... happy story.
I have no delusions that 60's - 70's veh.s are as safe as modern cars & trucks. At least he wasn't dying for a motorcycle like I was when I was his age.

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by davepl

If you're 55 in the left lane with a 55 limit and there are cars backed up behind you, you are breaking the law.

Saying that "Oh, they don't need me to follow the law and get out of the left lane because I'm already going the speed limit" is a fallacy - you AND the guy that's about to speed are BOTH going to break a law. One doesn't absolve the other. It ain't football and major fouls do not offset.

The biggest risk I face each day is where my 55mph, one-lane-each-way road goes through a shopping district where people pull out of Safeway at 20mph on the highway.

Speed kills, but deltas in speed kill quicker. Ten people doing 65 in a 55 is probably safe until they encounter grandma doing 45 or Timmy on his phone.

No tickets, no accidents, not pulled over since 1987. Outta my way. Unless I'm in my '70 GMC, then I'm the guy going 50. But I'll do it in the slow lane like the law says.

Depends on the state , in cobb county ga, this is actually a law , rediculous to
me , what do posted speed limits mean , according to this law , we have too many laws

[Mapearso]

These trucks are 40+ years old. There have been major advances in safety and technology in this time.

Get a new(er) vehicle for daily driving. Why risk ANYTHING when it comes to a loved one? Even more so when it comes to a teenager.

Good luck with your decision. You are being responsible and asking the right questions

[67ChevyRedneck]

I thought I'd kick this discussion in another direction (just a little bit)... does anyone else that has lowered their truck feel "less safe" in it? Or maybe those with roll pans?

I sure as hell do. My truck was stock height for the first +/-18 years I owned it. Now that it's down low, I can't help but think that anything I may hit or that might hit me is going to completely miss the bumper/frame and the body is going to adsorb all the impact, and depending on hard of a hit, or how high the other vehicle/object is, my truck and myself could be in for a pretty bad day. Even the bumper height of most small economy cars is higher than my bumpers are now.

I honestly feel "less protected" in my truck now. :/

The rear bumper on my 2015 Silverado is about were my headlights are now...

[joeydurango]

Shoot, Jesse, I felt small in my lifted K10 compared to all the new trucks! I'd come out of a store and find it parked next to a 2014 Ram or something, and it would look tiny...

[67ChevyRedneck]

This was at stock height... they look even more cartoonish side by side now. Pretty sure the new Colorados are bigger than the C10!!!

[GASoline71]

I wrecked my 1972 GMC C1500 almost 2 years ago. I swapped ends on a wet road and ended up hitting a ditch quartering in on the drivers side front corner at about 45 MPH. Bent the frame and did some cosmetic damage.

The drivers side door flew open on impact. I was clearly able to see the ditch as the door swung open. The only thing that pretty much saved my life is my lap belt as it held me in the seat. The door slammed back shut and bruised my thigh, hip, and elbow.

I walked a way from that crash and am still rebuilding my truck. But that belt saved my a$$. Even for just a lap belt.

I still feel safe in these old rigs. I actually feel safer than I do in my 2006 K2500 Silverado. Don't know why... but I do.

Gary

[Hdogkuvachio]

As a 15 year old driving an old truck daily I can tell you that even though they are far less safe than newer vehicles it is still a good lesson in defensive driving because a lot of new cars are so quiet and reliable that you don't have to pay attention to driving near as much as an older one that you have to worry about locking up your brakes etc. So even if it isn't her daily driver it is a good thing to let her drive it every once and awhile

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

These trucks are far safer than any new vehicle whether it be car or truck. Even with tank in cab. There made out of real steel.

Might depend on accident type. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtxd27jlZ_g