FlyLow - 8/1/2013 22:06

gre48733,

  Congratulations on completing your formal education and enjoying good job prospects.  My '97 Z-71 4x4 with 325K fits me well--just re-skinned it a few thousand miles ago with Michelins so the dang thing had better keep running. My wife bought it for her truck at 40K but when she found the Burb, it became my truck.  I kept records and it runs 12-13 cents a mile for maintenance and gets the same 16 mpg it always got.  Has the original, untouched 5,7 engine, second transmission and other regular stuff.  After going through two alternators, I had one rebuilt and carried it under the back seat.  That was 150,000 miles ago and I haven't needed to use it.  Funny how that works. 

  One of the reasons I keep it is that as I see the future, there is value in heading on into town with a truck that looks like it isn't worth stealing, and the occupants aren't worth messing with.  A well-used topper adds to the bland package, concealing whatever I'm hauling and a nice coat of road dust completes the package.  Meanwhile, the F-250 earns the highest truck theft rating in San Antonio and I can do without that sort of hassle.  Maybe it's just me.

Take care and I hope you have a great time finding and driving what works for you.  Stetts