My dad is really pi$$ing me off right now. I turn 16 next month and he told me to start looking for a truck. He wants me to have a full size-I don't have a problem with that. I found a 1982 chevy c-10 lowered, custom interior, aluminum wheels, rebuilt 305, bright yellow. He told me "its lowered, you'll be scraping groundhogs off the bottom all the time" Its only lowered 3 inches. He also said "its been altered so now its worthless" and I told him whatever I get I'm not leaving it stock, he said "oh yes you are". We are not on speaking terms right now. I need to convince him to be more open minded on the subject. I think its a real good deal for $3200. I'd think he'd be more concerned about the 305. Anyway, if you have some good advice either to convince him to be open minded, or how to get the truck, please help. Advice only, please, no comments about chevys or your own truck.

Thank You

 

I know you won't want to hear my reply, and being only 16 don't think you'll agree with me, but you should listen to your father, or at least respect him and ask for clarification.

A wise man once told me, and I've found it to be true: "you know you're grown -up when you come to the realization that your father was right." Now, maybe his reasons for telling you no don't match to your's, but there has to be more than just the basic reasons as to why he is saying no. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to enter into some real dialogue with your father and discover where you both can compromise.

Realize, that until you turn 18 and begin to provide completly for yourself, your father has not only the tight, but the obligation to care for you. And, the worst that can happen is for you to jeopardize any realationship with yor father over such a trivial matter. There is plenty of time in your life for what you wish, and if you'd find yourself tomorrow without your father, I highly doubt that you'll be speaking in terms of, "he's really beginning to pi$$ me off.

Just my .02 worth, but then again you asked for opinions. I'm sure that you'll get many to uphold your position from yor own age group, but consider the true level of experience and concern from that perspective.

 

I haft to agree with Hunter! If you want to customize a truck, buy one and customize it the way you want it with your own money (it is more personal satisfying). Maybe Dad would be a little more compliant with your wants. I bought my 1st truck with my own money, but I did have my Dad there to help me pick out a trust-worthy one. My Dad was there cause of my respect for his experience and trust that he would find me a reliable truck. Also if I remember I didn't get my first one I wanted either.
Good Luck

 

You both have good points, but I have been looking for a truck for about 2 months already. It is not the first one I have looked at and it won't be the last since its already been sold. I would have put my own touch to the truck, but my dad seems to want to leave everything be the way it is.
He is an auto mechanic so I know I would get a good vehicle when the time comes. He has not had the best looking vehicles. They all served a function and didn't need to look good while doing it. Its just that the only problem I have is when he said I can't customize my vehicle. He has said that about my quad too[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] I had big plans for that truck. How would you like it if you had to leave your atv stock, replace worn out parts with oem instead of better aftermarket? Its just his attitude towards it. I know when I get a truck he will have me hauling all kinds of junk in it. I don't want to beat on it. Thats what he does to his cars.

 

Cummins and Hunter are both right. Somebody on here said not too long ago, that there's a funny thing about Dad's. Can't remember for sure, but it went something like "in your teens, you and dad don't get along too well-you think he's an idiot. in your 20's you begin to realize maybe your dad ain't an idiot afterall, he seems to be getting a little smarter. by the time you reach your 30's, you realize hey, your Dad's a genious, the time you guys spend together gets that much better every day."

Might not be exactly right, but it's close. For the record, I'm 25. Back when I was 16, I had saved up several thousand dollars to buy my own truck myself. I looked at several vehicles, found one that I definately wanted for sure-A lifted Chev 3/4 ton sitting on 35's with a blown 350, heavy duty running gear, paint job, interior, stereo-you name it. Then, Dad came in to inspect. You know what, I didn't get that truck. My heart was broke, man I was definately pi$$ed for quite some time. A few weeks later, Dad had found a truck for me to look at. It was a basically stock '80 Chevy 1/2ton with a rebuilt 350. Only thing on it was a brush guard with 2 fog lights and a roll (beauty) bar. It was strait, looked alright for a two tone black/gold center stripe. Anyway, Dad was determined that that was the truck I was to buy, so we took it home.

Within a few months, I had ordered a lift for it, then tires, began to build it myself-custom the way I wanted it-not the way somebody else had built it for themselves. Sure it took me a few years to do it, but I learned more about that truck and mechanics in general-how things work, etc. and had such a good time doing it that today, I actually thank my Dad for letting me buy that truck. (sshhh! don't tell him I said that! he doesn't need to hear it) Anyway, after a few years, I had that truck built, damn near perfect for my liking-it was now a TRUCK.

I guess my point is, maybe you should just listen to your dad this time. While your views and my views differ slightly with one respect-the lowering (I'd never be caught dead in anything lowered!) -you'd probably be better off to shop around, find a really good condition truck-probably basically stock- that you and your Dad can both agree on. After you get it home, drive it for a while, since you're only 16, you'll have to proove to your Dad that you are responsible now, and won't go out and kill yourself in the thing (deep down he IS slightly worried about that too), then after a few months start to modify the truck yourself, doing a few little things here and there. Before you know it, your new "plane, stock" truck will transform into your new "bad _ss rig" customized to YOUR liking. While it might be a hard bullet to swallow now, a few years down the road, I bet you'll feel the same as I do now, and thank your dad for the experience.

Best of luck,

Mike

 

I agree with what you are all saying. I wanted an S-10, he wants me to get a full-size. I want to customize it eventually, he wants me to leave it stock forever. Hell, my sister couldn't even put a stereo in her car until she was 21, and he still didn't like that. I'm not saying that is soon as I get it, it will be scraping frame or crunching cars. If I get a 4x4 its getting lifted to the sky, if its 2wd then I'm lowering it a few inches, I couldn't use a lowrider, I just think that it looks better and handles better when its a little closer to the ground.

I think his real problem is with my friend. He got a '96 S-10 when he was 15 1/2, now it has fast bag air suspension, caddy tail lights, 20 inch rims, shaved everything, sunfire seats, gibson exhaust you can hear for miles(literally), and a billet grill. My dad thinks I want a truck like that, I don't.

I know I'll find the right truck eventually, I just don't want him telling me what I want.

 

Dirt I feel for ya!.............My dad had his own gas station, he had all the tools and the place,I could have built anything I wanted to pay for. He refused to let me buy anything big and bad. I grew up riding Old fart snowmobiles and motorcycles. I got a 104mph in a 50mph when I was 16, and drove old fart cars.

I'm 39 now, do what I did. GET A RIDE AND SPEND THE REST ON CHICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure It sucked then, but as you get older nobody remembers or cares! They'll remember you, work on that. It's not as much fun as a cool ride, but it's true.

If you end up getting a sweet ride though.........Man I wish I were you!.............There were a couple chicks that really went for guys that had sweet rides...................Hmmmmmmmmm, but they have 6 kids and are on welfare now.

Kinda sorry you asked now, aren't you?

Good Luck Buddy!

 

An ancient saying from one of the wisest men that ever lived said...my son my law do not forget, and my commandments may your heart observe because length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you.
At times listening to your parents is the hardest thing in the world to do. BUT they have been where you are. I did not realize the perspective my parents had when I was a kid. There are THOUSANDS of things that your parents have experienced that you will NEVER know about. They are basing their instructions to you on their experiences. Be smart enough to understand that they DON'T stay awake at night thinking of how to screw up your life. They DO stay awake at night thinking of how they can direct you in a way that will benefit you. Be a man and be obedient. It will be the most truely masculine thing you'll do for a long time. And you won't believe how it will improve your relationship with your parents.

 

Cowboy that was me who wrote that. Thanks for acknowledgement.

Now for the question at hand. Who's paying the Dime. If it's your Father you should accede to his wishes. He is only thinking of you, he probably sees how other guys your age act in their lowered trucks. He probably wants other people to recognize that he has raised his son to respect other people. It is a natural feeling that parents have. I know, for I are one. I have 21 Y.O. daughter and a 19 Y.O. son. Only time will tell if I did the job right. The same goes for your Father.

 

Minehunter-
I thought it was you, though I couldn't remember for sure-didn't want to list somebody's name, then be wrong. Thank you though, you might be surprised, but it kind of hit home I guess you could say, kind of made me think a little, and yes, you were right. (of coure, the kid in me still says SHHHH!!! I didn't say that!) heh heh heh [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Hey, just thought I'd let you know though, I made it down to my dealer today to get the jets (for both 'Cats). We looked through every service manual he had, from '99 to present, couldn't find a 138 anywhere! It had listed as the 150 stock, with the 140, 142, 145 and 147 as "optional" jets. I went ahead and ordered two of the 140's, as he didn't have them in stock-they'll be here on Tuesday. He had another carb laying in the shop, so he showed me exactly how to do it, so I feel much better now seeing what it looks like. I'll back the adjustment screw down 1/8th turn at the same time, then make a few full throttle runs to check the plug, make sure it looks OK. Hopefully I can get it all done on thursday or friday, as I'm heading back to the ranch on friday afternoon for the weekend. If it all goes as planned, I should have a full report for you next week on how it performed, and hopefully, a significantly higher gas mileage increase as well!

BTW-we did a "check-over", and with 1,200 miles or so, at around 8-900 with the 'Claws, we feared a bad bearing. Luck was on my side though for a change, as it turned out the jam nut was backed off just a hair. We pulled the cotter pin, tightened the nut, it's perfect, as it should be. I'm changing ALL fluids after my ride next weekend though-(oil, diff's, etc.) A question for you though with your jet swap-did you keep the stock AC filter-I assume you had the blue foam one they had stock on the Auto's???, or did you swap it out for a K&N? I was just wondering if the stock filter had enough airflow for the new jet?

Anyway, Thanks again,

Mike