|
|
|
1983 GMC Sierra 3500, 6.2L Diesel |
Model specs:130 hp |
Some might call it a hooptie, but I called it battle-scarred. This truck had lived a long, rough life before I ever touched it. I picked it up off of a farm, covered in rust and in fairly rough shape, but the engine ran like a top. This was my first diesel-powered vehicle, which was also an interesting new challenge. The truck was far from road worthy, but I eventually fixed some of its major flaws, got it back on the road, installed a hitch, and even replaced some of the more deteriorated body panels. It towed quite well considering it was not turbocharged and the 4-speed trans + diff combination would only allow it to get up 55mph without it sounding like all hell was going to break loose. That said, it was full of character and felt indestructible. Sadly, the truck was totalled when I was hit by a drunk driver on I-64, just West of Charlottesville. My girlfriend and I were returning home from a delivery of furniture to Virginia Tech, travelling 55 in the right lane with my flashers on (b/c I was going under the speed limit) when a 19 year old driving an Oldsmobile slammed into the driver rear of the truck. I am a fairly observant driver and he was travelling fast enough that I didn't even realize that he was approaching until I heard the screeching tires in time to see the headlights tuck under my bumper. The truck fishtailed and nearly rolled. He drove off into the woods. We suffered minor whiplash but the truck took the brunt of the impact and it showed. His car was destroyed yet he survived with minimal injuries, as always seems to be the case with drunk drivers. We eventually discovered that he had a BAC of 0.14, but despite this and the fact that he already had a pending DUI in another county, the judge let him off with a slap on the wrist. I have a problem with our judicial system when a 19 year old on his second DUI hits somebody and still doesn't get punished... Anyways, my insurance gave me less than half of what I had put into the truck and it took 10 months to get a decent settlement from his insurance company (we didn't want to get a lawyer, but it eventually became evident that they had no intention of working with us when they wouldn't even pay our medical bills and we nearly went into collections because of it). Overall, a very shitty experience that I hope to never endure again, and a sad way to remember this neat vehicle. |
Modifications:Push-button starter (b/c ignition was unreliable) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |