big news guys and gals i now have a goal

Starting to save for my first truck, gonna take care of some personal fees first then gonna buy a beater truck then when it dies ill scrap it but I'm gonna get a chevy so it won't die

Goals are crucial. You'll be amazed at how much harder you'll work when you have one.

One of my trucks is a 1987 Chevrolet R10 (Half ton). It only has the 305, but it's plenty of truck for me.

Chevrolet/GMC switched from carbed engines to EFI for the 1987 model, so I'd probably go with an 87 or newer (Unless you're comfortable working on a carburetor). The 1987's hold their value well- they're the last year of the body style, and the only year of that styling with fuel injection.

I used to have a 1989 3/4 ton. They're great trucks, too.

I'd look for a half ton with a 305 like I have. The fuel mileage is a little better than the 350, and it's still plenty of truck for most things. I've hauled plenty with it (I have 1300# on it now). Even with the trailer on (1000# in bed, towing another 3500#), I was able to do 55-60 MPH easily. The 305 isn't as powerful as the 350, but it sure beats my Ford 300. In my mind, Chevrolet trucks are far and away superior.

Check about setting up an LLC. I don't know Wisconsin laws, but here's how it worked for me in High School:

I sold computers, so I had an LLC and sales tax license at age 16. My truck (1995 F-150) was insured to the company, and I was the only person in the company. So, I ended up with a truck that cost me about $25/month to insure. The way it was set up, I was allowed to drive it to school and for other personal things.

I found a guy who does vehicle recycling, and got free tires in exchange for bringing the rims back (I still do this), and I was able to deduct the insurance on my taxes. I learned how to do my own work.I lov e working on my trucks... usually.

I legitimately used the truck for business, though. It was a lot of trouble to go to, but for a 17 year old man, it was a way to save a lot of money. Since a mechanic really screwed up on my Chevrolet (Made a non-running truck worse), I did what I had to do. I worked until 1AM many mornings before going to school. I don't remember a lot of History class.

If you have the drive like I do, that can work. But, a job is a much nicer option. You know how much money you'll have every two weeks. There's no shame in taking a job. If my career were to hit a hard time, I'd be grateful to work at WalMart or McDonalds.

Dont get a beater, Get something descent. Start with a smaller truck like a Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma to start. Then when the $$$$ is there, Get the big truck. In my opinion, experiance, Get a ford. BMP (Beg my Pard)

I've had a terrible experience with a 1995 F150 and a 1997 E350. But, the Ranger was a good truck with the 4.0.

For a "smaller" truck, I'd get a Dakota. I had one with the 3.9L V6. I hauled over 1600# in the bed, and pulled over 4000# (At different times). You get all the big truck perks, with the packaging of a small truck.

Get something that'll last a while, though. If $500-1000 is the difference between a rusted 1/2 ton that's falling apart and a decent 1990s truck that'll serve you well, spend the money. I bought a "junker" box truck- it was the worst purchase of my life, and ended up eating a lot of profit.

Make sure to get any truck that you want inspected. Especially for rust. That's what ultimately killed my E350.

Originally Posted by hunterandscrapper

I'm gonna get a chevy so it won't die

That made me laugh. I'm a Chevy guy but they suck sometimes. Both of my Chevy's are down at the moment.

There was a kid in high school that thought the same thing of Toyotas. If one of us had to work on our truck, he'd make some snide comment about how a Toyota would never die.

In the spring of my senior year, his transfer case split apart and puked on the road. He had to be towed by an unreliable Dodge.

After 20 years, the make is nowheres near as important as the owners. I like Chevrolets because I can service them. If I didn't do my own work, a Ford would be fine.

Apparantly not a Toyota, though!

Originally Posted by greytruck

Dont get a beater, Get something descent. Start with a smaller truck like a Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma to start. Then when the $$$$ is there, Get the big truck. In my opinion, experiance, Get a ford. BMP (Beg my Pard)

I am going to agree with greytruck on this one. Get a nice smaller truck like he said, then when you got the money step up to something nice. That's how I did it in high school. Had a Chevy S-10 for 6 years then got a nice Chevy Silverado.
If Bloomer was closer to me I would definitely offer you a part time job scrapping stuff here. Do you have access to a truck and trailer now? I am just thinking out loud right now and typing.

Originally Posted by johnuppy

I am going to agree with greytruck on this one. Get a nice smaller truck like he said, then when you got the money step up to something nice. That's how I did it in high school. Had a Chevy S-10 for 6 years then got a nice Chevy Silverado.
If Bloomer was closer to me I would definitely offer you a part time job scrapping stuff here. Do you have access to a truck and trailer now? I am just thinking out loud right now and typing.

Pm me

Got a truck? You can always find a way to make a buck.

I'm going to be honest. I bought my truck. Single Cab long bed 2002 GMC 2500HD. I bought the truck with scrap, I fix the truck with scrap, I fill it up with scrap, the only thing I don't have to pay for is insurance. Oh and I am also 16. So I guess I have an unfair adavantage that I don't pay for insurance. But I picked up this truck with 79,xxx miles on it, rust free for 6G's. It has manual windows and manual locks but I can deal with it

Not to be a downer but this early in your time and bussiness. All money will be gone towards your truck. Now this is more fun to have a truck to drive then just saving the money I guess. But dont expect to doing that well unless your pulling some real money at 16. I just had to drop another $3000 in repairs on my truck.

At 16 you got time and energy to learn to fix it yourself.