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Thinking about getting a pickup truck

AMCRambler

AMCRambler

Diamond Member
So the woman and I are looking hard for a first house to buy and the more I think about it, the more sense it makes for me to get a used pickup truck to help with moving everything. Once the move is done I could also use it as a winter car and park the GTO during the cold months. Working for an electric company, I still have to go to work when other people get call in for a snow day.

So here's my criteria. I want this thing to be cheap and reliable. I'm looking to spend $4,000 tops so we're not talking a late model truck. Something from the mid 90's would be fine. Mileage I'm not too concerned about, just want something in good working order that I can maintain. 4x4 would be a must for the winter driving and I'm thinking a full size pickup with a nice long bed for moving stuff. Extended cab and a trailer hitch would be a plus too.

I've been looking at what's out there and it looks like my main choices are:

Ford F-150
Chevy Silverado 1500 / 2500
Dodge Ram

Any other suggestions? Any common problems with these models worth mentioning? From my browsing it looks like all the Fords rot out around the rear wheel wells. I noticed on Craigs List a lot of the Dodge Rams mention they've had their transmissions replaced too. Any other chronic problems I should look out for?
 
You sure you want a full size? A compact pickup can give you the same bed length + Extended cab and be more fuel efficient, as well as easier to work in and out of the bed with. Not criticizing, just curious before lots of suggestions start pouring in.
 
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
You sure you want a full size? A compact pickup can give you the same bed length + Extended cab and be more fuel efficient, as well as easier to work in and out of the bed with. Not criticizing, just curious before lots of suggestions start pouring in.
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Really? I always thought the full size pickups had a longer and wider bed. I guess it's just bigger engines and more towing capacity when you go up to the full size trucks then?

If that's the case, I don't need a full size then. I could do with something like a Ford Ranger or a Chevy Colorado/S-10 probably. Toyota Tacoma's are nice little trucks. My pops has one of those but I think the resale on a Tacoma would put it out of my price range.
 
My first and only pickup is a '00 silverado 2500 4x4 3-door. It's got leather seats, a front bench seat and a foldable rear bench seat. It's the most useful vehicle I've ever owned. I've towed 10k lbs even though it's only rated for 7k. I've towed a 7k lb boat+trailer regularly. If I didn't have the larger moving needs, I'd go for a 1500 suburban or tahoe.
 
Originally posted by: seemingly random
My first and only pickup is a '00 silverado 2500 4x4 3-door. It's got leather seats, a front bench seat and a foldable rear bench seat. It's the most useful vehicle I've ever owned. I've towed 10k lbs even though it's only rated for 7k. I've towed a 7k lb boat+trailer regularly. If I didn't have the larger moving needs, I'd go for a 1500 suburban or tahoe.
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How reliable has it been for you? Any major mechanical issues? Any frame or body rust trouble spots?
 
Well.. its not that cut and dry.. I'll make a comparison to the F-150 and the Ranger.

The F-150 gets a 5.5' box, a 6.5' box, and an 8' box. The Ranger gets a 6' box or a 7' box. The 7' box is only available on the regular cab and since you mentioned you wanted an extended cab that would mean only the 6' bed is available to you. The bed in the ranger between wheelhouses is also around 10 inches narrower, (40" vs. 50" on the F-150).

If you need longer than a 6' bed, and wider than 40", then I apologize for erroring you, a full-size pickup will suit you better. After I thought about it I found I didn't need all that bed space and really like the better ride / better off-road handling of the compacts. So I stuck with those.
 
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Originally posted by: seemingly random
My first and only pickup is a '00 silverado 2500 4x4 3-door. It's got leather seats, a front bench seat and a foldable rear bench seat. It's the most useful vehicle I've ever owned. I've towed 10k lbs even though it's only rated for 7k. I've towed a 7k lb boat+trailer regularly. If I didn't have the larger moving needs, I'd go for a 1500 suburban or tahoe.
Click to expand...

How reliable has it been for you? Any major mechanical issues? Any frame or body rust trouble spots?
Click to expand...
Quite reliable. ~100k miles. There was a problem with the posi clutches in the rear end but a fluid change seems to have silenced it. Had to get new brakes and tires ~80k miles. It has mostly highway miles on it. The 4x4 has been used but not much. I'm pretty careful to never engage it and try to turn on hard surfaces. No rust - amazingly enough. It has never been garaged.

The baby trucks are lesser in every way to full size trucks. They may get slightly better mileage but, in my experience, the little engine has to go into passing gear to keep a consistent speed with even a slight grade on the highway.

I wouldn't use a full size pickup (nor a baby) as a commuter unless I was always carrying a lot of odd-sized stuff.
 
Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Any other suggestions? Any common problems with these models worth mentioning? From my browsing it looks like all the Fords rot out around the rear wheel wells. I noticed on Craigs List a lot of the Dodge Rams mention they've had their transmissions replaced too. Any other chronic problems I should look out for?
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that any of the models you mentioned are going to be great. I'd recommend an F-150 because that's what I have. It's really a fantastic vehicle. I got mine used with 60k on it. Whoever owned it before me must have loved this car because it was absolutely spotless.

I have no issues with rust or rot. In fact, I haven't had any issues at all since buying it. My vehicle is an '01 supercrew.
 
You really can't go wrong with any of the trucks from the "big 3". For brand new, I'd put Dodge at the top based on the motor and rear coils. For used, I'd look at a ~'06 F-150 based off of the availability and recommendation of edmunds.com. I've never really liked the look of the Chevy trucks, so I've never considered one.

My 97 Dodge 1500 is still going like a tank, even after a bunch of Syracuse winters ... although the brake lines and air conditioning have failed from rust. I obviously replaced the brake lines, but decided that AC isn't that big of a deal. I think it's nearly impossible to kill a Dodge 360.

My dad had a 2003 Dodge 1500 with the Hemi ... great truck. I loved that motor.

Edit: I missed the $4000 part on my first pass. Disregard the previous.

Go make buddy, buddy with the owner of a used car lot and have him call you when something beat up, but reliable comes in.

My dad got an '89 GMC pickup for $500. A bit rusty, but it runs great. The starter recently went, but that was a quick job. In fact, most work on a small block chevy is quick.

My 97 Dodge would go for < $4k, but I think I'm going to ride it out until it dies.
 
All I can say is good luck finding something for $4,000 that isn't beat to hell and back. People think that their used trucks are worth their weight in gold and the asking prices are ridiculous.

Unless you go for a 4 cylinder compact, the gas milage between full size V8 and compact V6 is pretty marginal.

I think for your needs a Dakota is a good option. It's an excellent "tweener" size with one of the most functional beds you can get in a non-full size and it has a V8 option that actually gets equal milage to the V6 versions. Prices are also pretty reasonable on them. One negative is that their extended cab options don't have the 3rd/4th door.

I've drove a few and they are pretty comfortable and quiet highway cruisers.
 
Chevy / GMC would be my first pick.

ford 2nd and I don't care for dodge, esp the older ones.



But great condition ford would be better then a beat up mistreated GMC/Chevy. So with your budget I would look for all GMC, Chevy, and ford and find the best truck.
 
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Well.. its not that cut and dry.. I'll make a comparison to the F-150 and the Ranger.

The F-150 gets a 5.5' box, a 6.5' box, and an 8' box. The Ranger gets a 6' box or a 7' box. The 7' box is only available on the regular cab and since you mentioned you wanted an extended cab that would mean only the 6' bed is available to you. The bed in the ranger between wheelhouses is also around 10 inches narrower, (40" vs. 50" on the F-150).

If you need longer than a 6' bed, and wider than 40", then I apologize for erroring you, a full-size pickup will suit you better. After I thought about it I found I didn't need all that bed space and really like the better ride / better off-road handling of the compacts. So I stuck with those.
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I gotcha. So bed sizes over lap a bit except for the width. Don't apologize this is all good info and something I hadn't even thought about.

As far as bed size goes, we don't have anything bigger than a queen size bed to transport and the frame all comes apart so if anything, I can just leave the tail gate open and strap it all down. The mattress can hang over the sides. My couch is also about 7 feet and I've moved that in my dad's little Toyota Tacoma, so maybe I can get by with the smaller size truck.

I'll have to check out the Dodge Dakotas that VI mentioned too. Thanks for the input guys.
 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Chevy / GMC would be my first pick.

ford 2nd and I don't care for dodge, esp the older ones.



But great condition ford would be better then a beat up mistreated GMC/Chevy. So with your budget I would look for all GMC, Chevy, and ford and find the best truck.
Click to expand...

 
I have a '97 F-150 Flareside that I've used to move myself no less than 5 times and I've helped at least 2 other friends move too. It's my daily driver that I've had for slightly more than 9 years now. I repainted it blue after a parking lot incident with a Nissan Armada's bumper plus the hood was starting to show cracks and cat scratches. I did have to replace the idle air controller and something about the headlight switch was iffy, I don't remember the details of that.

My father-in-law and brother-in-law both have early 90's Silverados. They seem to be good trucks, both have also had paint problems but seem pretty good mechanically however they are both 4x2. Both have over 250,000 miles. My father-in-law replaced the trans and rebuilt the motor on his but both of those were within the past couple of years. He is the original owner. Brother-in-law might be the 2nd owner of his.

I think either the Ford or Chevrolet would be a good pick. I'm not too familiar with the Dodge, and don't personally know anybody that owns one.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
If you just need a light truck to haul stuffs around, get a Toyota. They'll run forever.
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Or rust up like the small ones or have engine problems if V8 etc...


Current Toyota is not old toyota. And when it comes to full size Truck GMC/Chevy or Ford win that.
 
I bought my truck last summer when gas prices were $4/gallon for $7K with 119K miles

It's a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado regular cab short bed with the 5.3L V8, 4x4, and Z71 package. It's got a few dents and dings, but it runs solid. I've put a magnaflow exhaust, K&N, corvette servo, and had a data-logged tune that removed a lot of the nannies like torque management.

It's got 125K on it now and runs very healthy. The engines Gen III V8 / LS series engines from 99 and up are very stout and much different than the previous SBC 350s.

For 4K, I'd look at the 96-99 classic Silverado or Sierra trucks. The Vortec 350s in that year range were pretty stout. The drive line is pretty similar to the 99-2006 trucks. Same transmission, similar transfer case, same differentials for the most part.

The front diffs are weak as they are an aluminum case IFS style. The rear diff's, if they are a 10 bolt, aren't that great either, but as long you are doing burn outs or 5K RPM launches they should be ok.

The nice things about the GM trucks is the glove box with have a list of RPO codes. That will let you know the options on the truck. Look for the RPO code G80. This is the Eaton automatic locking differential. Search youtube for g80 and see how it works. It's better than any clutch type LSD on the market, but they aren't great for street use... i.e. doughnuts and burnouts.

 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: SSSnail
If you just need a light truck to haul stuffs around, get a Toyota. They'll run forever.
Click to expand...

Or rust up like the small ones or have engine problems if V8 etc...


Current Toyota is not old toyota. And when it comes to full size Truck GMC/Chevy or Ford win that.
Click to expand...

I have an '08 Tundra that I traded my 04 F150 for, and I'm much happier with it. Better ride, more power, more towing/payload. And it just feels like it's better put together.
 
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Well.. its not that cut and dry.. I'll make a comparison to the F-150 and the Ranger.

The F-150 gets a 5.5' box, a 6.5' box, and an 8' box. The Ranger gets a 6' box or a 7' box. The 7' box is only available on the regular cab and since you mentioned you wanted an extended cab that would mean only the 6' bed is available to you. The bed in the ranger between wheelhouses is also around 10 inches narrower, (40" vs. 50" on the F-150).

If you need longer than a 6' bed, and wider than 40", then I apologize for erroring you, a full-size pickup will suit you better. After I thought about it I found I didn't need all that bed space and really like the better ride / better off-road handling of the compacts. So I stuck with those.
Click to expand...

also need to figure the engine power. if he is going to be hauling a bed full of logs he wont be going very far in a ranger/ dakota/ colorado.

i have a 01 dodge ram 2wd and have put 80k on it in 3 years of owning it. pretty damn solid truck. i had a chevy before that, ran it to 190k miles. if taken care of they will last forever. i dont really like fords, but the managers at work have all new F-150s. have been buying them for a couple decades now i guess, the owners truck went for 300k before he needed a new one. the regular crews are all using chevy 2500 HD service body trucks, so far they have been hugely reliable. the old 2500 and 3500 pick ups lasted forever as well.

our ranger got turned into a "shop truck" when they tried to deliver 1200lbs of gear on a trailer and it wouldnt get up the freeway onramp. now it delivers submittals and is used for crap jobs.

the colorados we have are for the superintendents that go site-to-site a lot but dont need to carry tools. they are pretty quick and fairly strong, but lack the towing power for real work. they are also not very comfy for long trips.
 
Yeah Tacomas are great but hard to find in the 4k range that isn't thrashed, so a FS F150 or Chev. If you figure smaller is the way to go for FE then a 4 cylinder Ranger/B2000 is about best bang for buck, if you want the crew cab but smaller truck a Dakota then or if you can find a good deal on the Nissan
 
I'd recommend the little I4 Ranger because I have one and love it, but you can't get 4x4 with the 4 cylinder. Adn by the time you put a v6/8 in the little trucks you're close enough mpg wise to just move up to a full size.

And I guess I'm a ford fanboi when it comes to trucks because I think the F150 is standard for dependable and capable.

I haven't seen one lately, generally I see the imports as having nicer creature comforts and modernity inside and the F150 shining in overall truckness.
 
Originally posted by: Turin39789
I'd recommend the little I4 Ranger because I have one and love it, but you can't get 4x4 with the 4 cylinder. Adn by the time you put a v6/8 in the little trucks you're close enough mpg wise to just move up to a full size.

And I guess I'm a ford fanboi when it comes to trucks because I think the F150 is standard for dependable and capable.

I haven't seen one lately, generally I see the imports as having nicer creature comforts and modernity inside and the F150 shining in overall truckness.
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+1.

The I4 Ranger is a great, capable, dependable truck. If you need 4x4, or the ability to regularly tow a lot of weight, then go full-size. For most "everyday" hauling (furniture, TVs, etc) the Ranger is great!
 
FWIW, I worked with a guy who had a Ranger (2004, I think) and he was constantly having problems with it. I now work with a guy who has a Dakota, and he says he'll never buy a Dodge again..

I loved my Tacoma - will be difficult to find one for $4k, though. I ended up replacing mine with a Tundra because the used Tacomas were so damned expensive..
 
No one seems to be asking the important question, which is "what are you going to do with the truck?"

When I was in the market a few months ago, I needed badass offroad/4x4 capability with respectable hauling and towing capacities. I went with a Tacoma because it had all these features. If I had needed a monster hauler or tower, I would've gone with a Tundra or F-150. But these trucks are too heavy, too long, and don't maneuver well, making them poor offroad choices.

So, OP, I ask you: What will this truck be doing? Because I can't lay out any pros/cons for you without that information.

If you're just hauling lighter loads (1000lbs or less) and need 4x4 for winter safety, you'd be a lot better off with a mid-size like the Tacoma or Frontier. If you're going to be dumping ton after ton of sand and gravel in the bed for landscaping, go with an F-150. If you need to pull a 5th wheel, the Tundra is your truck.

It all depends.
 
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