Timing belts or chains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis essential component can have a catastrophic effect on your engine if it fails and will destroy it often beyond repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is vital to renew timing belts and chains at the recommended time-frequency in order to avoid such failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often people mistakenly believe that vehicles with chains don\u2019t suffer from this problem, but they are mistaken. Although a timing chain will last longer than a belt, it will still require replacement according to the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hoses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you look inside your truck\u2019s engine, you\u2019ll see a variety of different hoses. These are required to carry out a variety of jobs and carry air or fluids around the engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time these hoses deteriorate and require replacement. A leaking hose can cause engine performance issues or even a catastrophic loss of fluid that could result in a breakdown or even a serious accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ensure your hoses are checked annually when you get the vehicle serviced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Good brake maintenance is essential to prevent accidents. Replacing brake pads, discs, and calipers, as required, is a critical part of your vehicle\u2019s maintenance. Have your brakes checked every six months, along with the brake fluid lines, hoses, and brake fluid level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steering and Suspension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need a qualified mechanic to check the steering and suspension of your truck during its annual service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have personally had the misfortune to be driving a truck with a trailer when the steering failed. I lost all ability to turn to the left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a scary experience and happened without any warning. Luckily I was only traveling at low speed as I had animals in the trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read the Manual<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As with anything, having a good working knowledge of your vehicle is powerful. Read the manual carefully and get to know how your truck works. Pay particular attention to maintenance schedules and correct procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless you have received proper training, you won\u2019t be able to safely do all the necessary jobs yourself. If you aren\u2019t 100% sure how to do something, always get the help of a professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have the skillset and time to restore an old truck, then it may be worth doing as considerable savings might be made. If it\u2019s a classic, then you may even be able to sell it and use the proceeds to go towards a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Older trucks were built more simply than the modern ones of today, and although they lack some of the modern safety features, they are often more durable, and the engines can easily outlast the high-tech versions we see in new models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note that this article is meant only as an overview and is in no way meant to reflect the full facts, regulations, or legislation regarding any legal aspects mentioned at any level. Complete information must be sought from the appropriate official bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have other farm truck articles<\/a> available on our site. Take a look to find out more in this guide<\/a> about registering a farm truck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s be honest, they just don\u2019t make things the way they used to. New trucks can cost a fortune and have many electronic components which often go wrong and require a computer technician rather than a motor mechanic to repair. Older, solidly built trucks without all the razzle-dazzle technology of today can seem almost indestructible … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":10281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[95],"tags":[43],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10287"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10287"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11163,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10287\/revisions\/11163"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}