If I were going to buy a Pickup Truck?

[Warren Bone]

So...I'm thinking I might get a Pickup truck.

If I do I'll want a full sized one (eight foot bed); no toy trucks for me!

And, I probably can't afford a new one so it will be a few years old.

And, I'd like four wheel drive; and can you still buy a truck with straight shift/manual transmission? On the floor?

So...what make do you all suggest?

Around here we have lots of Ford F-150s; Chevys and Dodges and GMCs.

Any experiences or insight?

Can all these be had with diesel engines?

Oh...and how much would I expect to pay for a truck that's a "few" years old?

warren.

 

[Delta]

I looked for a long time and bought an '81 GMC 4x4. Other than being automatic, it was what I was looking for--well maintained and with a lumber rack. Paid $2,500. Figured new enought I could get parts and old enough I could do some of the work--and someday might be considered classic old.

I spent a lot of time looking on ebay--not that I wanted to buy something I hadn't driven--but I did find quite a few close enough I could go see if I wanted. I found a number of "restorations" of some great old trucks that were a far cry less expensive than new ones. I would have gone with a '65 like I used to own had I found one close. They were in the same price range. But, ebay was a good way to get a feel for the market and narrow your search at the same time. I'm thinking 71 and earlier are without the smog stuff that complicates working on it yourself and cuts into performance.

You are in a big enough market you will find what you want. Nothing you look at will be one-of-a-kind; take your time. Be honest with yourself about what you want it for. If I just wanted to drive a cool truck I'd pick up a 41-47 chevy, or one of the 47-mid 50s. You'll pay more for a nice restoration, but it will never loose its value. I just couldn't see buying one of those and then using it to haul trash to the dump--which was one of my big chores.

Have fun.

 

[Ogre]

Check out CarMax http://www.carmax.com/ If they have or can find what you want, I don't think you can go wrong. I have never received service like they give. Relative bought a used Durango at what they felt was a fair price. Several months later he took it in for 36000 mile service which included rotating tires. Cost was $313 which she also felt was fair. On the way home, she noticed a wobble - turns out that on the right rear they had only replaced 2 of the lug nuts. Calls them (8PM) they came out, towed the car back to the shop and gave her a loaner. When she picked it up the next day they had replaced all the studs even thouigh they looked OK. Person responsible had been severely reprimanded and is on probation. Here is your $313.00 back, the loaner is on us and your next service is also on us.

I was so impressed I took my wife's 89 Daytona in for A/C work. Needed to be retrofitted at a cost of $400.00 Told them to go ahead. Lasted about a week. Took it back and was told the hoses were so old they were leaking and needed to be replaced at a cost of $600+ for labor and parts. Said he'd split it 50-50. We talked a little, very politely when he said to heck with it, we told you the $400.00 would fix it so we'll replace the hoses totally at our cost. Didn't even charge for a windshield washer pump I also had them replace.

When was the last time you received service like that?

 

[dieseltrooper]

The Dodge 3/4 & 1 ton's have had the Cummins TD for years...

I look at www.autotrader.com quite a bit. You can do an advanced search to isolate the features you want.
www.kbb.com for pricing
www.alldata.com for recall and tech service bulletin info

 

[Silverback]

Warren,

If you want a diesel, particularly a used one, there's only one choice.

Ram/Cummins.

If it's in your price range, get one with the six-speed manual, it's quite a bit stronger and more reliable than the five speed.

The truck will fall apart around the engine before it dies.

 

[Warren Bone]

My old car is a '77 Benz with a 240 Diesel...I've grown to like the diesel engine so I might look for a truck with one.

Thought I'd look for a used pickup for not too much money but one that would last me for a good many years.

We live out in the woods and need a truck now and then.

Thanks for the info.

Is one make considered better value than another? Like Ford vs GMC, etc?

warren.

 

[Kamelot]

I honestly think as for make and model its really your own prefrence. Some years were good on ford dodge and chevy some were bad. As for like quality and such, I beleve that varies also from year to year. Now I personally am tilted more twords chevy as a truck then ford or dodge but I was raised around those. IMHO Its your personal prefrence. But If I wanted a pickup id find a old volkswagen single cab with fold down bedsides, sure cant haul much but looks cool


Kamelot

 

[intothatgoodnight]

I second the Dodge with a Cummins diesel engine -- friend has a mid-90s 4wd crew-cab, full sized bed, with the Allison automatic transmission -- has 250K miles, and no trouble -- doesn't use it to tow, per se -- his commuter vehicle. Cruises down the highway at 80 without any problem -- just loafs along, and turbo Cummins has all the punch one could want in both around town and highway maneuvers -- no lack of get-up-and-go. Gas mileage is close to 20MPG on the highway, with standard, narrow, radial all-season truck tires.


intothegoodnight

 

[Synap]

Just a passing thought before this thread passes away..

If buying used American, go for the 3/4-ton over the half. For one used price range is remarkably close. And all the construction is more heavy-duty..frame & steering gear especially. Many of the drive-train components are interchagable across brands. Axels are interchangable with the 1-tons..putting duals on the rear axel makes a 1-ton. This all sorta includes 3/4 Suburbans (basically a PU with a permanent shell and removable seats LOL)

Been looking around myself and see that there are a lot of nice early 80s 3/4 4x4s out there coming into the private sales market. They go fast when advertized tho. Check out nearby small town classifieds.

OTOH, I've been driving an 84 Nissan 4x4 PU that sounds like a crete mixer that's gonna blow up any minute. Been like that for the last 100k+ miles and still gets the 20 city and 25 hwy it did when new. Can't say much good about what's left of the paint job tho. LOL

 

[Doc1]

Warren, I like that 240!

Warren,
Diesel is the only way to go. I hope you're planning on hanging onto that Merc 240. It's an excellent survival and "peak oil" vehicle. Our trucks are small, old Isuzu diesels, but I know you want something bigger.
As an investment, I like old American classic trucks. One of the best daily drivers I owned was a '55 Chevy 2nd series. Drove the wheels off of it and naturally made a profit when I finaly sold it. It's still easy to do that with old US trucks if you buy smart and don't wrap them around a telephone pole! Unfortunately, you can't find much in the way of classic old diesel trucks. Lots of good advice on the thread regarding newer diesel trucks.
With the approach of ever more expensive fuel prices, I don't really know how strong the markets going to be for gas powered vehicles of any sort.

Best regards
Doc