Old Mail Truck Uses and Benefits for Modern Times

The old mail truck may seem like a relic of the past, but it still has a lot to offer in modern times. Its spacious interior can be repurposed as a mobile storage unit or workshop.

These trucks were designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them perfect for outdoor projects or events. Their durability is a testament to their well-built construction.

Old mail trucks can be converted into unique living spaces or tiny homes, providing an eco-friendly and affordable housing solution. Some people have even turned them into cozy guest houses or offices.

Their large cargo capacity makes them ideal for hauling heavy equipment or supplies, reducing the need for multiple vehicles.

The Grumman LLV postal van was first introduced in 1986 as a purpose-built vehicle for the United States Postal Service (USPS). It was designed to meet specific requirements, including serviceability, maneuverability in tight areas, and economy of operation.

The LLV was developed in partnership with General Motors and other firms, and it was built to last for 24 years. The USPS ordered 99,150 Long Life Vehicles, with an option for an additional 54,000, making it the largest vehicle contract ever awarded by the USPS.

The LLV was designed with a simple and basic platform, featuring a ladder frame and a live axle and leaf springs at the rear. It was powered by a modest 2.5-liter inline four engine, later replaced by a 2.2-liter four.

Here are the key specs of the Grumman LLV:

The LLV was engineered for residential mail delivery, and it has proven to be a reliable and durable vehicle. Despite being over 30 years old, many LLVs are still on the road, with some estimates suggesting that over 100,000 are still in service.

Identifying a mail truck is relatively easy, as they are typically brown in color.

The most common type of mail truck is the Grumman LLV, which was used by the US Postal Service from 1987 to 2013.

Mail trucks can be identified by their distinctive shape and size, with the Grumman LLV measuring 22 feet in length and 7 feet in width.

In the US, mail trucks are usually equipped with a liftgate to facilitate the easy loading and unloading of packages.

The Grumman LLV has a cargo capacity of 2,500 pounds, making it suitable for carrying a large volume of mail and packages.

Explore further: Track Us Mail to Canada

Identifying a mail truck's year can be a fun challenge. The first digit of the number on the truck tells you how old it is! It will be a 7, 8, 9, 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, corresponding to the years 1987 to 1994.

A 7 means the truck is a 33-year-old from 1987. A 4 means it's a 26-year-old.

If you see a 0 as the first digit, like the LLV in the Deseret News article, it was built in 1990. That's a healthy 30-year-old truck!

Over 163,000 mail trucks will soon be retired, making them available for public consumption.

The Grumman LLV mail truck is based on the first-generation Chevrolet S10, which dates back to 1982.

Production of the LLV began in 1987 and ended in 1994, so even the newest ones are old enough to get a Bud Light at the local pub.

Despite their age, the LLVs have been in service for a long time, showcasing their remarkable toughness.

You won't be able to tow a race car with an LLV, but you could use it as a support vehicle at the track to store spare parts.

The LLV's engine is the 2.5-liter Iron Duke inline-4, which wasn't exactly powerful, and the three-speed automatic transmission doesn't help with speed.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Tractor Trailer Speed Limit

The Grumman LLV has a unique right-hand-drive configuration, which is a departure from the typical left-hand-drive position of vehicles in North America.

This configuration positions the driver on the side of the vehicle closest to the curb, allowing the carrier to easily grab sorted mail and place it into mailboxes without having to leave the seat.

The LLV features a large metal tray that can hold three trays of letter mail, mounted where a passenger seat would normally be.

The vehicle has a 1,000-pound cargo capacity, double what the Jeep DJ-5 could hold.

The LLV has a tight turning radius and a low-geared, three-speed transmission for hauling heavy cargo.

The body and final assembly is by Grumman, while the chassis is made by General Motors, based on the 1982 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.

The LLV is powered by GM engines, including the 2.5-liter inline-four TBI Iron Duke and the 2.2-liter inline-four SPFI LN2.

The front wheels have narrower spacing than the rear wheels, which can make the vehicle difficult to control in snowy conditions.

The LLV has an estimated average combined EPA fuel economy of 17 miles per US gallon.

In actual use by the USPS, the average fuel economy is about 8.2–10 mpg-US, which is significantly lower than the estimated EPA rating.

Suggestion: 2 Post Truck Lift