Derek from Vice Grip Garage is back with another entry in his long-running “Will It Run” series, this time setting his sights on a forgotten square-body crew cab pickup. His videos have earned a loyal following for one simple reason: viewers never know whether they’re about to watch a triumphant revival or a mechanical disaster unfolding in real time. This latest adventure promises more of the same, with a truck that has been sitting long enough to test even Derek’s resourcefulness.
The appeal of the series goes beyond wrenching. Part of the fascination comes from how consistently Derek manages to coax dead vehicles back to life. Some fans credit his skill; others insist nearly anyone could achieve similar results with enough time, tools and willingness to travel across the country to find neglected projects. His success rate does raise the question. Is it talent, persistence or simply years of practice that keep these old rigs from staying buried?
Anyone who has tried resurrecting a long-abandoned vehicle knows the outcome can swing either way. The process is equal parts diagnosis, improvisation and luck. Even experienced tinkerers can be humbled. The experience of rescuing an ’87 Chevette comes to mind—an effort that came surprisingly close to working before the car self-destructed in dramatic fashion. When an engine decides to transform its entire coolant supply into a plume out the tailpipe, even the most determined rescuer has to admit defeat.
That unpredictability is what makes Derek’s newest attempt so compelling. Square-body trucks have a reputation for durability, but years of neglect can turn even the toughest rigs into uncertain prospects. Whether this crew cab fires up or fights back is part of the draw, and the journey often becomes just as interesting as the result.
For fans of Vice Grip Garage, the real question is never just “Will it run?” It’s whether the chase, the troubleshooting and the unexpected failures make the adventure worth it. If past episodes are any indication, Derek’s latest challenge will deliver exactly the kind of mechanical storytelling his audience has come to expect.
