Pickup Truck Needed

JimMorrissey · Sep 1, 2006

So when a LARGE cable company took over our cable company recently, they promptly took my work truck away from me for personal use. I guess I understand, but it was part of my "package" when I was hired four years ago. Oh well, I guess I have to buy a truck like everybody else.

Anyway, I now need a truck. The truck needs to be able to pull my dump trailer (7500lb capacity) with electric brakes. It doesn't need to be perfect. It's just a work truck to pull my trailer and not kill me in the process. I'd like an airbag if possible.

So...What is the rig to get, any suggestions? I am looking at a F350 now for $9995 with 89,000 miles on it. It has been plowed some, but is in OK condition. I've read some bad things about them on the Web, but figure you can find that about most anything made these days. I figure a Ford or Chevy is prob my likely option, but a Dodge is not out of the question. Was there ever a "must have" pickup truck built within the last ten years? I've got no problem with diesels either

jimg · Sep 1, 2006

I think Id be glad to get a truck w/o rust in good mechanical condition. If its plowed Id be careful that the transmission and frame are in good order esp the transmission. Ive seen instances where automatics were used to shuttle w/ very bad consequences to the innards of the transmission. My mechanic showed me the damage and the bill!!! Its not like youll be able to order what you want and will be dependent on whats available at the time you purchase. As long as it meets most of your needs then Id call it good. I wouldnt buy on brand but condition, how it was maintained to date and mileage assuming it meets your needs.

I bought an old F150 2x4 several yrs ago w/ 108K on it and over the next 5 yrs put another 180K before it refused to run. It didnt look the greatest but did everything I needed it to do and found it operated pretty good in the snow (was in NH at the time). I bought it via a private sale (vs a dealer lot) and got all the infos I needed as to how it was treated. I also had my mechanic completely inspect it prior to final sale which I think is good $$$ spent. In the time I had it I spent $$ on 2 or 3 new fuel pumps (a Ford design problem) and a refurbed computer. In the end I thought, given the cost of the vehicle, the maintenance costs were about in keeping w/ the trucks age and mileage.

Shimon · Sep 1, 2006

When you say "airbag" are you talking about the kind that saves your life or the kind that helps your suspension?

What year is that F350? Is it diesel? Do you want a diesel?

A mid 90's F250 with the Powerstroke would be a good truck if you can find one. I have always liked the Ford and Chevy construction over Dodge. Don't bother flaming me if you are a Dodge fan...I'm just giving my opinion.

qstott · Sep 2, 2006

About 4 months ago I bought a 2003 F350 FX4 with a 7.3, long bed super cab. It had 52,000 miles and the basic goodies, A/C, PW, CD, AT, etc. It was $21000. I had a Sport Trac before that. My Sport Trac got 15 mpg, and the F350 gets 15 mpg (around town). I'm very happy with my F350! The only downside is that it takes a 10 acre field to turn it around. The Sport Trac was "nimble" compared the the F350. It sits up high enough to see over most vehicles, pulls like a tractor, has plenty of acceleration, and is very comfortable to ride in. I've seen some of these 7.3's run over a million miles without any major repairs. One guy I know has 850,000 on his, but has replaced the clutch 4 times. He pulls hot shot trailers from NC to Texas. What a pleasure to ride to the lumber yard, and load 8 ft lumber in the back and close the tailgate. A well cared for auto (IMO) will cost less to maintain over the miles than a straight shift. I hadn't planned to buy a vehicle, but this one came along. The deciding factor was that 2003 was the last year of the 7.3. The early 2003's had them and they changed to the 6.0 the same year. The 6.0's are not bad engines, but they tend to suffer from some electronic quirks and injector problems. The new 6.4 will be out soon, and is reported to be much improved over the 6.0. The diesel will give you much better fuel mileage than gas. In my area diesel fuel cost about the same as hi-test.

I think the 7.3 is the best engine that Ford has ever produced and was happy to find one at a reasonable price. When I bought the Sport Trac I paid 18,000 that was about the same age and mileage. The F350 is much more vehicle and well worth the extra 3,000 difference.

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

I'm thinking airbag as in save your life.

The F350 is a automatic 1999. The body is in good condition, but it was a work truck. I have heard bad things about the Ford transmission when pulling heavy loads. "Super Duty" is not the choice of words for many that own them apparently.

It seems to me that the guy was pretty busy (I called the old owner out of the phone book) and I don't know how well busy business owners (one guy doing everything) take care of their machines. The owner said he wasn't "religious about it", but did change it??? He owns a lawn care business in the summer and plows 20 drives in the winter.

Like to hear more about the power stroke diesel options....I don't want to spend more than 11K or so. The truck will only get used on the weekends to go to the dump or haul stone. I'm thinking 6K per year or less.

Sigarms · Sep 2, 2006

Not that you would be interested, but thought I'd offer.

Wife is from around Calais, parents still live up there and we do visit. As a relocated yankee myself, you may want to look at trucks owned down here in the south. Father in law just sold his F150 with 100k on it, but boy, Vermont winters take a toll on the body. Couple of years ago traded my tacoma for a T-100. Tacoma spent some time in central N.Y and W.V. About 30k difference in mileage between the two vehicles, but man, what a difference no snow and salt make on the undercarraige (sp?), body and engine. Looked like the truck I was getting was NEW.

Do a search for used trucks in N.C. I travel allot, wouldn't mind taking more pics of a truck your looking at.

From what I've found, used vehicles do seem cheaper down here as well.

FIL is a retired lineman for the local power company up there, so he's familiar with trucks and driving them. Since we go up and they come down, and if you wanted to make the time to look down here, I'd be willing to try and help.

Figure you may not want to go that route, but thought I'd offer anyway.

Did a search via autotrader and found a bunch of 350's and 250's within 75 miles of my place under 11k

AutoTrader.com - Cars For Sale: Car Details

AutoTrader.com - Cars For Sale: Car Details

AutoTrader.com - Cars For Sale: Car Details

AutoTrader.com - Cars For Sale: Car Details

Keep in mind, a mid 90's "local" truck down here in N.C is nothing like what you'd be used to body wise up in Vermont.

Good luck.

Donnyj · Sep 2, 2006

First off, Ford does not produce the 7.3 or the 6.0 diesel engines. Navistar makes those engines and I believe they will also produce the 6.4 as well. Stay completely away from the 6.0 engine. Your best bet, if you want a diesel, is to find a 00 to 03 7.3. Much better engine, in my opinion. One thing to consider is the cost of diesel fuel and maintenance. Oil changes on the diesel are high. Common breakdowns are also expensive, such as water pumps, injectors. Everything just cost more with a diesel. Depends on what your needs are. I really believe for most homeowners the gas engine makes better sense. Lower price for fuel, lower intial cost in buying the vehicle, lower maintenance cost. Yes the diesel does get better fuel mileage, but watch out for the over inflated claims of fuel mileage. A good engine is the 6.8 V10 engine. Great pulling power and really no major problems. We see plenty 6.8 and the old 7.5 engines here with really no major problems with high mileage. The 6.0..... well nothing gets better fuel mileage than a 6.0...... stays in the shop or hooked to a tow truck.

Diesel wise with a Ford, stick with the 7.3.

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

Sig,

That is one **** of an offer! I will certainly look at your link and consider the options. Much appreciated.

JimMorrissey · Sep 2, 2006

Good info. I was thinking diesel only because I wanted the torque to pull trailer across dirt "roads", which are really field trails at low speeds AND I was thinking the diesel would be longer lived. A good friend who owns diesels also told me to just get a gas engine for the exact reasons you mention.

I wish I had some more money to spend on it, but limits are limits for something that will sit 95% of its life with me.

NoMo · Sep 2, 2006

Used trucks are getting cheaper all the time and your requirements are pretty basic. Maybe consider an older '96-'97 F250 with a gas engine... should be about half the price of that '99 with a questionable maintenance history.