One reason to LOVE your square!

[kwin]

I owned a 2005 Dodge Cummins for a few years, lots of power , decent fuel economy , I like it but it was never a good fit for me, One day the headlights went out, looked for the fuse. HMMMMMM no fuse call the dealer....no fuse the computer must be re-set by the dealer. 140.00 later I have headlights! This happened 3 times in three years.
Tuesday i lost the signal lights on my 1991 Suburban, went to Canadian Tire paid 4.99 for a flasher. Problem solved.
I love simple, uncomplicated and reliable, not a big fan of overly complex and expensive!

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Years ago when computers started taking over the world some Einstein decided that it was time to re-invent the wheel by ADDING something to vehicles to make them better that THEY DID NOT NEED in order to run. Why anyone would add something as unreliable as a computer to a vehicle is beyond me. Especially since the computer CANNOT be bypassed in any way so that if it fails the vehicle is as useful as a nuclear hand grenade. I have seen people who had to give up their vehicles because they could not afford the new COMPUTER to replace the one that went bad. Years ago a movie was released that tried to warn us that computers were unreliable, and if we got too dependant on them they could destroy civilization as we know it. This movie was called "The Terminator" and we learned NOTHING from it. Give me my computer-less vehicles any day.

[GM-power]

Good solid all American truck. What more can I say?
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[statiC10]

Computers aren't all that bad. Look at how good you can make a stock LS truck run just by tuning the computer. Sure it's not as simple, but it has it's advantages. I'll take a computer controlled LSx over anything carb'd any day.

[kwin]

Originally Posted by statiC10

Computers aren't all that bad. Look at how good you can make a stock LS truck run just by tuning the computer. Sure it's not as simple, but it has it's advantages. I'll take a computer controlled LSx over anything carb'd any day.

I in no way disagree with that, but computer controlled headlights? Engine management is fantastic, but there is too much complication in the rest of the systems.

[68GMC_Dan]

Must be a Dodge thing my 2009 Sierra Headlight Just went out and new headlight was plug and play. Still love my 75 Easier to work on.

[kwin]

Originally Posted by 68GMC_Dan

Must be a Dodge thing my 2009 Sierra Headlight Just went out and new headlight was plug and play. Still love my 75 Easier to work on.

On one of our trucks it would have meant replacing a fuse, no fuses for headlights in the newer dodges, "breaker" must be reset by a technician.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by kwin

On one of our trucks it would have meant replacing a fuse, no fuses for headlights in the newer dodges, "breaker" must be reset by a technician.

Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) reset, Unhooking the batteries will usually reset it.
Your headlights are drawing to many amps....Most likely from a bad connection on the bulb to harness connector.

[Rubble]

Yup,I am with the simpler the better.My daily work trucks are an 82 6.2 diesel,86 350, or a 81 CCLB 454, depends on what I want to run that day,no computers.What is 30 years of wear& tear gonna do to that computer controlled LSX?? It will be in the wrecking yard or have been turned into scrap while the carb will still be running and if it quits,I can probably still limp it home!!!
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[foamypirate]

Originally Posted by Rubble

Yup,I am with the simpler the better.My daily work trucks are an 82 6.2 diesel,86 350, or a 81 CCLB 454, depends on what I want to run that day,no computers.What is 30 years of wear& tear gonna do to that computer controlled LSX?? It will be in the wrecking yard or have been turned into scrap while the carb will still be running and if it quits,I can probably still limp it home!!!
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Gotta disagree...my TBI 305 still has the original computer, and it's going on 25+ years old...

[Firebirdjones]

I don't think he means everyone out there, but computers are definately just another electronic device that can bite the bullet without warning. Electronics are funny that way.

I rarely see the engine computer go on the blitz but it does happen. What I see most of the time is the BCM or ABS modules fail. Both of them are also very pricey to replace, and I can do without either one to be honest. The less electronic stuff the better.

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by kwin

I owned a 2005 Dodge Cummins for a few years, lots of power , decent fuel economy , I like it but it was never a good fit for me, One day the headlights went out, looked for the fuse. HMMMMMM no fuse call the dealer....no fuse the computer must be re-set by the dealer. 140.00 later I have headlights! This happened 3 times in three years.
Tuesday i lost the signal lights on my 1991 Suburban, went to Canadian Tire paid 4.99 for a flasher. Problem solved.
I love simple, uncomplicated and reliable, not a big fan of overly complex and expensive!

YUP! I really considered a diesel before I bought my 88 CCDRW. They are nice especially the cummins. BUT, i paid 3500.$ for and old chevy with 32k on clock. Best money I ever spent on a rig hands down. I had a guy at a gas station ask me what kind of milage it got. He was driving a loaded out new ford diesel. I asked him what his monthly
payment was. no payments/no computers/no regrets
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Msd has its uses lol
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[JuicyJ]

Now, there is nothing wrong with electronics. But the manufacture has gone overkill on them. Seems like everything on a truck has a module that controls something. I can never see paying good money on a truck I can't work on.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by JuicyJ

Now, there is nothing wrong with electronics. But the manufacture has gone overkill on them. Seems like everything on a truck has a module that controls something. I can never see paying good money on a truck I can't work on.

My point exactly. The computer decides when the truck is broken and will not run (no bypass to limp home) and only a QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN can fix it. Extortion of the first order.

[chevybuilder18]

ONE REASON.... Its great to drive and show off even though its rusted, its design is sexy and curvy. oops two reasons!

[school boy]

after working on my 01 mustang gt, the space in the engine bay!

.
the space you need to work with isnt there in the gt, but you can fit 2 engines in the c10!

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by school boy

after working on my 01 mustang gt, the space in the engine bay!

.
the space you need to work with isnt there in the gt, but you can fit 2 engines in the c10!

That's because you have that massive stinking mod motor in there

The conventional 302 fox bodies were cake to work on.

[Firebirdjones]

I've been a huge believer in the KISS principle and because of that I've always liked simple carburation and points to run my vehicles. I've always said technoligy peaked for me around 1975

I do however own 2 computer controlled vehicles, both LS powered. My wifes 2000 SS camaro and my 72 Blazer with an LS swap. We drive them daily.

I have the software and tune them both myself, and the software allows me to diagnose any issues that may arrise. In that respect they are easy to tinker with using simple key strokes.

The biggest issues I have with computers controlling too much in vehicles verses my other cars here that run on carbs and points, is that if anything breaks down on the road in your computer controlled car, you are stuck calling a hook to come get you, just too many sensors and gadgets to diagnose.
But when I have an issue in a carbed/points vehicle, chances are very good that I'll get it going and drive away without the expense of a flatbed. They only need fuel and spark to run. Most small parts I can keep in a box in the trunk.
I've even run a small fuel can above the carb to siphon fuel into the carb when a fuel pump died, got me to the next parts store for a $20 fuel pump, changed it in the parking lot in 20 minutes. Try that with fuel injection

[school boy]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

That's because you have that massive stinking mod motor in there

The conventional 302 fox bodies were cake to work on.

its not as big as the 5.4 DOHC engines!

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by school boy

its not as big as the 5.4 DOHC engines!

Those were mainly in trucks with more room though

I did a cam (or I should say cams) swap in a mustang 4.6 mod motor for a customer, not fun to work on for sure so I feel your pain.

You could try your hands on my 69 mach SCJ, I hate just doing plugs in that thing, and it's simplistic compared to a new car. Just no room to work.

[school boy]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Those were mainly in trucks with more room though

I did a cam (or I should say cams) swap in a mustang 4.6 mod motor for a customer, not fun to work on for sure so I feel your pain.

You could try your hands on my 69 mach SCJ, I hate just doing plugs in that thing, and it's simplistic compared to a new car. Just no room to work.

the engine in the pic has the comp 270's cams, but the engine isnt the factory one. i built a aluminum block, 11.5 to 1 with ported heads, ported svo intake, blah blah blah. i actually bolted the k member the the engine and came in from the bottom. still was harder than working on my square

[86c20]

computers are good if and only if they only control the motor and nothing else. when was the last time you saw a cummins computer controling anything but the motor? no power winds or locks or any other bs. they have taken a good thing and put to much in one

[Rubble]

Another one of the simpler features of my old trucks are manual locking hubs and a stick to move the transfer case from 2 to 4wd. When I need 4x4 its there,works every time.Not relying on a switch on the dash that only works when it wants too.All this electronic stuff is great when it's working,but what happens when it dies.And when it dies,it's not cheap to fix like these old trucks.I am kind of a dinosaur when it comes to technology,but if I find something that works,I stick with it.
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[sethv]

So easy to work on, that's why I love my truck! (Even though it's turning into a pile of crap)