Should I let my kid buy a LP powered pickup?

ErinP · #1 04/19/15, 03:45 PM

My 15 yr old has been working for a neighboring ranch for a couple of years now. A few months ago, the boss traded an old half ton for a neighbor's mid-80s Toyota pickup that had been converted to run on LP.
My son absolutely loves this thing and has been wanting to buy it. His father and I have thus far managed to talk him out of it since it can be a real hassle to find somewhere to fill LP. He has since discovered all of the local co-ops in the area have fueling pumps for LP vehicles.

Really, given the age and miles (almost 200k, though not that nearly that many on the conversion itself), it runs great. He thinks it might need a little front end work as there's some rattling, but otherwise just the typical dents and scrapes.

His boss is asking $1500, though the boy says he'd offer $1000 and see where they might meet.

Would you let your kid buy this?
My son is a fairly experienced driver, given his age. (Let's not discuss how he's experienced at only 15, OK?

) And he's becoming a pretty decent mechanic, too.
But, those little pickups were prone to roll, weren't they? They obviously pre-dated air bags. And, the LP tank is just fitted in the bed of the pickup, right under the tool box. I can't decide if that's OK or not...
Obviously he wouldn't be driving it far, I mean, he's 15. He doesn't really have anywhere to go! lol

Thoughts??

agmantoo · #2 04/19/15, 04:12 PM

I see no reason to deny the boy because of the LP conversion. LP engines last longer than gasoline because the LP does not wash down the cylinder walls and the piston and rings common to the engines prior to electronic fuel injection. If there are issues with the LP system the vehicle can be converted back to gasoline without a lot of expense. I converted a JD combine from LP to gasoline due to the need to refuel in the field and it was a simple task and cost very little to do so. Actually I later sold the LP system to a person that wanted to convert a gas forklift to LP and got all my money back.

plowjockey · #3 04/19/15, 04:35 PM

I had a 1980 Toyota pickup 2WD for 16 years, One of the best vehicles I have ever owned. It was more stable than any automobile at that time, IMO, with it's front torsion bar suspension, unheard of on pickup trucks at that time.

You have a 15 year old son, who is interested in mechanics and alternate fuels?

You should be thanking your lucky stars and chipping in on his purchase IMO.

TnAndy · #4 04/19/15, 04:58 PM

Is it the propane, or the fact your 15yo wants to buy a truck that is causing you concern?

SpaceCadet12364 · #5 04/19/15, 06:09 PM

Is it straight lp or dual fuel?

farmrbrown · #6 04/19/15, 06:27 PM

If you don't let him buy it, would you please sell it to me?

Old Vet · #7 04/19/15, 06:56 PM

Do you have a propane tank to fill it from? If not buy one. You can save money by refueling it your self. A 500 gallon tank or even a 250 gallon tank is better than what you will have to buy elsewhere. At 15 I was refueling propane tractors and the like.

ErinP · #8 04/20/15, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnAndy

Is it the propane, or the fact your 15yo wants to buy a truck that is causing you concern?

Yes.

Yeah, the LP conversion is part of our concern. He has no experience with LP, yet. And at the same time, we have an '03 Focus that just needs a little work (with airbags, and low center of gravity, and a gear shift lever that doesn't try to fall out, etc, etc. I mean, this thing IS 30 yrs old!)

ErinP · #9 04/20/15, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

You have a 15 year old son, who is interested in mechanics and alternate fuels?

Worse, I have a 15 yr old who is interested in mechanical engineering, is already ranking his favorite Schools of Mines, and is interested in alternate fuels as well as other green energies like wind, solar, etc.

We'd considered how much there is to be learned from working on your own, crappy vehicles (part of why he's already a fairly decent shadetree) but hadn't thought about the alternative energy aspect in relation to interests and future dreams...

Bellyman · #10 04/20/15, 11:22 AM

I say let him go for it. It'll be a learning experience. He may tire of having to get fuel at more limited places. Or he may love it.

It's not like he'll buy one and only one vehicle and drive that for the next 75 years. Most of us didn't keep our first cars all that long before we traded into something else.

farmrbrown · #11 04/20/15, 12:19 PM

My 1986 Toyota P/U was the first one I ever did an engine rebuild on, it was easy enough with a Chilton's manual.
Something that hasn't been mentioned yet in this thread with all the fretting about finding an LP fueling station........
You know, vehicles CAN run on both gasoline AND LP/CNG with the flip of a switch, don't you?
A lot of conversions are done that way for just that reason. Keep a full tank of gasoline in it and if you run out of your primary fuel, flip the switch and keep on truckin.

ErinP · #12 04/20/15, 12:30 PM

I don't think this one is an either/or conversion... It's a pretty basic home-job. I'll have him ask the guy that did it, but I'm fairly sure it's LP only.

plowjockey · #13 04/21/15, 06:06 PM

Hmmm

30 year old Japanese built pickup truck, with advance suspension and maybe early fuel injection, in great shape?

Not too many of those models around any more.

I can understand his desire. i wish I still had my 80' even though it would be severely rusted..