What Causes a Truck to Fail?
Our trucks are a dynamic combination of simple and complex machines. They are constantly on the move and experience all kinds of different harsh climates and driving situations. When you think about it, it is amazing they last as long as they do. Here's a look at what commonly goes wrong.
1. Mechanical Problems
Not even the manufacturers know exactly how long an engine and drivetrain will last before they stop spinning. There are signs to watch out for though, like excessive smoking and loss of oil pressure, or a decrease in power, which indicates an unhealthy engine. A compression test will give you an idea of how long your engine will keep going. In order to catch problems early, it is important to monitor engine coolant and exhaust temperatures as well as oil and boost pressures.
2. Body Problems
Corrosion is a major cause for a truck's early retirement, especially if you live in areas that treat the roads with salt and other chemicals in the winter. Sadly, if your truck is exposed to these solutions regularly, there is no stopping the rust. You will only be able to slow it down. Your diesel engine might keep going, but that may not help you if the rest of the truck disappears.
3. Electrical
Avoid splicing into the wire harness whenever possible. If your electrical system is mostly good but has a few weak areas, it is a good idea to add relays to take the strain off the system. If you have an older vehicle with really bad wiring, it might be easier to ditch the factory system and make your own from scratch, or buy an aftermarket kit. Another option is switching over to a multiplex wiring system like the one from Littelfuse. The big auto manufacturers have switched to this type of system since it eliminates the need to run long power wires from switches to loads. Instead, multiple pods are powered with a single wire and each one communicates with the master module through a single communication line. No longer do you have to physically chase wires-instead you troubleshoot this system by reading the monitor screens. The newer the vehicle, the more reliant the engine is on the functioning of the electrical system. Newer engines use bundles of wires and numerous sensors to communicate with the computer. All those parts need to be working in order for the engine to run. By comparison, older mechanically injected engines don't necessarily have to have any wires going to them, which means a lot less potential for failure.
4. Loss of Interest
Another way trucks fail is when they lose the love of the owner. This happens when the vehicle is no longer able to perform what's expected of it. Your loss of interest might start by not driving it every day, and instead using another vehicle that is more comfortable. It is amazing what new seats and a more modern console can do for an old truck. Oftentimes an overblown modification takes the utility out of the ride.
5. Parts Availability
It is important to plan ahead if you want your truck to last forever. This includes predicting whether or not you will be able to find parts for your truck as the years go by. Just look at how hard it is for those rebuilding classic cars. This is especially true if your truck is an oddball or was only produced for a couple of years. Think of the prices you could ask for if you had a stash of parts thirty years from now.
6. Cost of Repairs
When faced with the dilemma of whether to junk or fix your truck, preplanning is key. For non-enthusiasts it might seem like a horrible idea to throw $3,000 at a $300 vehicle, but they do not see the potential that we see. If you have an older vehicle, it is a good idea to plan for the unexpected fix. You can think of it as a delayed payment. But what happens if your truck gets into an accident? As a general rule, don't total it. Pickup trucks, with their body-on-frame design make for an easy fix no matter how bad it might appear.