OT: How ridiculous.....

[simcgunner]

My work and hunting truck is a 03 Lincoln navigator pulls anything I need to, travels good holds lots of guns ammo and hunting dogs. I went looking last year for a replacement as I was hitting 200000 miles . Since I put in a new transmission last year and brake rotors combo tires, shocks and still could not find anything I liked better I had a new Jasper engine in mine and still driving the truck I like.

[AmarilloMike]

Last month I bought a new/used 2012 Ford Expedition EL limited hunting truck. My old 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 has 195,000 miles on it. It was a one owner with 40,000 miles on it when I got it. My new one is 15" longer, has the factory towing package, 4x4, one owner, 50,000 miles. It has more bells and whistles than I can currently operate. I was looking for a one owner, <=50,000 miles, towing package, 4x4, and leather seats and this one fit the bill. $28.5K. AutoCheck is a wonderful tool when looking for a used vehicle. Not fool-proof but it is helpful.

I took the third row seats out of my new Expedition and put it in my old TruckVault drawer. Then built a unistrut kennel on top of the drawer sleeve for my five bird dogs. Anchored the kennel to the third row seat belt and seat belt shoulder hanger attach points (removed the third row seat belts). This is the 5th Expedition I have had this TruckVault in.

Also used metal baker rack shelves for the ceiling of the kennel. A puppy completely chewed the headliner out of my last Expedition and had started on the insulation. Also got all the middle row and second row shoulder/seat belt straps.

Best,

Mike

[mc15426378]

Mike, being this is a bigger truck can Joe now ride in the front vs in the back with the dogs?

[AmarilloMike]

I used the extra space to enlarge the kennel - just for Joe.

[Birdman]

Trucks, First of all are not an investment, lol I have several trucks/suv. They have 350K plus on them. They are Yotas. Still run like tops. But I change oil often and put oil additives in etc. Drive a little Corolla for gas mileage trips. I can't imagine justifying spending 65K on a pick-up.

Gman

[bbman3]

I bought a 4x4 F150 first year they were offered 1977 and also have it and two others and no way I can afford a $60,000 truck or need it. Bobby

[3birddogs]

Mike, am in the same situation as you right now. My 2006 Lincolon MK LT has 180,000 on it. I had to put a new tranny in it last January. The good thing about an old truck, is that you can beat it around a little, put a few scratches on it and not lose any sleep over it. While in the UP last week, my air conditioner stopped working, hopefully just needs recharged. I have always had a cap on my trucks, so that is an extra $1500+ for another cap. Probably try to get another year out of her, so you will see me driving her to the Southern next spring.