Butch loves his old truck.

By John ‘Butch’ Dale
Guest Writer

About five years ago, I decided to buy a truck. At that time, I owned a newer Toyota 4-Runner SUV and an old Mercury Grand Marquis. My wife drove the SUV and I drove the old car, which I also used as a “farm car.” I used the car to haul feed, animals, trash … and believe it or not, I could fit six bales of hay or straw in the trunk! Yes, it was time for a truck. Perhaps a new one.

John ‘Butch’ Dale

One problem. The price. I could not believe the prices of new pickup trucks, some of which approach six figures. Even the price of used pickups with 100,000 miles on the odometer are outrageous. I bought the 2005 Mercury for $5,000 from an older couple who no longer drove. It had 18,000 miles on it! It now has 104,000 miles and is still going strong. I wanted to find a truck like that.

I looked at classified ads and online for two months, but no luck. Then one day there was an old truck for sale on Craigslist … “1996 Ford Ranger, good condition, $1,700.” I called the owner, to find out the details … “Four cylinder, body and paint good, tires good, headliner torn up, brake lines may need replaced. Mileage 64,000.” Yep, I bought it, and I still have it … mileage now 74,000. It runs great and will likely outlast me.

I have always liked old trucks. It goes back to the times I was growing up on the farm.

The first truck I remember was Dad’s 1947 International. It had a flathead six-cylinder engine, three-speed column shift, and a starter pedal on the floorboard. The body was good until I decided to drive it by myself when I was 7 years old … hit a concrete post and ripped off the rear fender. OOPS! I didn’t drive by myself again until 1961 when I was 13 years old and our “new” farm truck was a 1952 Dodge. I was allowed to drive it to baseball practice when my Cushman scooter was broken down, and also to the Bowers elevator to haul corn.

I never wrecked it, but I did run over my brother one afternoon after unloading chicken feed. Fortunately he was straddling the front wheels … WHEW, that was a close one … He only suffered a few scrapes.

My brother and I rode to town many times in the back of that old Dodge truck. And sometimes I rode on TOP of the cab to catch more breeze on a hot summer day. Of course, Dad only drove 30-35 miles per hour. Old trucks were built differently. The suspensions were a little stiff, but the engines were simple, and they didn’t have all of the electronics like trucks do today. They are easy to work on and just require basic tools. Anyone with common sense and basic mechanical skills, including me, can work on them.

My 1996 Ranger is pretty simple, too, and I saved tons of money … just like back in 2000 when I decided to buy a new small utility tractor at a cost of $17,000. Before signing the purchase agreement, I spotted a 1951 Farmall model H tractor in the dealership parking lot … same model I operated as a youngster. It was $2,000 and included a Woods rotary mower. Yep, I bought it, and it stills runs great.

Dad’s old trucks had crank windows and no radios, and I doubt if they could’ve reached 55 mph. My Ranger has crank windows, and the radio doesn’t work. That’s good! I like peace and quiet.

I remember becoming aggravated a few years ago when I got behind an old neighbor farmer who drove 20-25 mph down our road. He didn’t care who was behind him. But guess what? Nowadays I drive my truck slowly down the road, too. The impatient drivers behind me can just suffer. I don’t care. I’m happy!

At my age I appreciate not only the older cars, trucks, and tractors, but also many other things that remind me of my childhood. And if my 1996 Ranger ever kicks the bucket, I am going to buy another truck. Does anyone know where a 1947 International might be for sale?