Help me choose a work truck (quickly!)

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I am shopping for a diesel pick-up, full bed, extras a plus. However, I have been burned in the past by choosing the wrong year or make of vehicle, only to find out later that "everybody" knows that Brand X always has transmission problems or Brand Y never dies, but only if you get the 1990 model and up. I am looking for something in the mid 80's to early 90's, so that I can keep it under budget. It has to be diesel and it has to be a work-capable truck (no toy boy Hot Wheels (tm) mini-trucks) Anybody got any "everybody" knows advice? I figured that homesteaders would be the folks to ask. Will be choosing pretty soon, so help me! Thanks in advance.

-- Soni Pitts (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 05, 2000

Answers

Well, since you've started the Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge debate... I've owned or used at one point in time or another, most of 'em: Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Jeep, Toyota, International, etc. My first choice for a work truck will always be a Ford, preferably the late 70's. Parts are still available, you can FIX them yourself if you have the know how, and they just run good. Plus I just plain like the boxier look - get that jellybean shaped, fuel injected, computerized, oxygen sensored exhaust, play toy out of my driveway! My 2nd choice would be a Jeep - if it still has a body left on it. If I didn't need a pickup, I'd buy an older (ie pre-SUV size) Cherokee. My uncle used to have one and it was really a versatile vehicle if you took out the back seat.

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), August 05, 2000.

Check out the lots that resell electrical and telephone company vehicles, they come with maintenece logs, and most of them are Dodges. The real workhorse of trucks. Fixing Or Repairing Daily, FORD is not just a cute saying, take stock in starters if you buy an older Ford. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 05, 2000.

Soni, Unfortunately you've asked an unanswerable queston. There is no clearcut better truck (or car for that matter). Ask a Dodge man like me, he'll tell you Dodge. Ask a Ford man, Ford, etc etc. Now ask someone who made their living in the automobile business for 20 years (like me), he (or she) will tell you that whatever you can find that you can afford is a good deal. Just take it to a person you trust, that knows trucks (or cars) and have HIM look it over. Ford made some good trucks and some dogs. So did the others. BUT, the diesels aren't made by any of the big 3 anyhow. They are usually Cummins or Detroit, etc. So the body it's in isn't as important any more. Look around at what's for sale. Does there seem to be more of one than another for sale? Probably a reason for that. I know around here, you can't find a used Dodge, especially, with a diesel. People just don't let go of them. Just an observation, I'm not going to get into a pi$$in contest over "my trucks better than yours".which is where a question like this usually leads. They all made good ones, the all made junk. Take your mechanic friend out with you and find a truck you can afford.

-- John D in Pa (mrmopar@penn.com), August 05, 2000.

I'm not trying to start a brand war (really, I'm not!). I was mainly trying to avoid known losers (like Pintos that explode and my present car prob: a reliable car that happens to cost BIG$$ everytime something does need to be fixed, while the next model up is quite cheap for most parts). I know that everyone has their favorites, and beauty is in the eye.....So, just the facts, folks, and we should be able to emerge from this posting unscathed!

-- Soni Pitts (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 06, 2000.

Chevy has fuel tank mounted on outside of frame. They are on record as burners. Ford has the fuel tank protected by mounting inside of frame. It is a worker. Mine is an "88, 460 engine, 4X4 drive with granny box. Two fuel tanks. It gets 9 miles to the gallon. Pulls ball hitch goose neck stock trailer, fifth-wheel RV, (yes I sold my last load of goats and purchase the RV.)and a two inch receiver which hooks up to 2 6/16 inch ball. If you can load it, It will haul it. For a homestead, get a F-150. On old stick shift Fords, the cab mounts rust out and when trying to back the clutch keeps opening and closing causing truck to jump,jerk and dance but not back up. Go for the auto-matic transmisson. James

-- James (triquest@about.com), August 06, 2000.


You said diesel, right ? I would have to select Dodge than because their diesel is a Cummins. Both the other major manufacturers have had trouble with their engines--Major Problems ! Cummins has been making diesels since before my time. Dodge builds good trucks. I drive a 1974 dodge 3/4 ton myself. Looks bad/runs great !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 06, 2000.

I would look at what is available in your area and when you find a few trucks that intrest you repost your question and ask for advice/opinion on the specific vehicles..............JAY

-- JAY (jay@townsqr.com), August 06, 2000.

Wow, I can't believe I agree with Joel on something. He's right about the Cummins engine. I wouldn't give you give you a dime for the difference in the three American-made low quality trucks, but that Cummins diesel is bulletproof. The only way to get a better truck would be to convince the Japanese to build one.

-- Jim (catchthesun@yahoo.com), August 06, 2000.

Okay, here's what I've found that I really like: Dodge 3500 Diesel, full bed, extended cab (6'4" husband requires extensive legroom), Cummins engine,disengagable 4 wheel drive (can I get 4 wheel drive in a deisel? - Someone said no, but was unsure of themself) prefer some sort of winch and/or snow plow. Alright, guys and gals, let it rip. Am I on the right track? And no drooling and grunting out there, either.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 07, 2000.

OK, here's what GO.com said--Dodge 3500 ST LWB 4x4 5.9 Liter--MSRP--$23,610.00 I couldn't get in CarPrices.com--not web tv friendly. My search said that deisel trucks where under the later site. I have seen 4X4 diesels but I am unsure if they come in the 1 ton size. I'm almost certain they would. That is quite a cowboy cadillac you seek !!!!

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 07, 2000.


Seven years ago my husband bought a '85 Ford diesel 250 with 4 wheel drive. It has been great, except for some few minor repairs, it has been quite dependable. Of course, we don't drive it everyday. He recently thought about buying a new one till he saw the price! Ridiculous. You can do an awful lot of overhauling and restoring on an older vehicle for what a new one costs! Especially if you are able to do most of the work yourself. My husband even converted ours into a dually!

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), August 07, 2000.

my 2 $ worth my son owns a gravel quarry he has both ford &dodge used to run some chev.but they didnt hold up to rought drivers and belive me his drivers and mechanics are used to getting all the truck has in them yes both f&dmake 4wd and1/2 3/4 1 tontrucks the ford,s international harverster engine can be a real headace to start in cold weather,the cummings is a goer sum or winter also all his dodge gets 20% better fuel milage both pull or tow in comparison he prefers 5 speed trans.both in cost to repair and mileage also his shop does all repairs cummings is 1/2 cost of ford myself i have a94 1/2 4wd ford 6 cyc gas it does all but towing i borrow a dodge for all trailering. couldnt resist in mho clemintine cummings built the best engine.... don

-- don summers (uncleduk@netins.net), August 08, 2000.

Soni, sounds like you already know what you want, from the shopping list you posted above. and yes, I'd go with a Cummins diesel in a heartbeat over the others. Allow me to put in a vote on the small-farm/small-truck side for the Volkswagen diesel pickup, if you can find one. I'm looking at a 1990 model right now, but it's been rode hard and put up wet -- with salt. Maine roads, y'know. Might buy it just because it has an indestructible engine, then rebuild the body around it. The alternate plan has already been mentioned -- something pre-1980 with noncomputerized everything. I still have my old timing light, by gorry.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), August 08, 2000.

I saw one today on the highway--Dodge 3500 ST LWB 4x4 with a Cummins--THEY EXIST !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 09, 2000.

I drive a 97 powerstroke and would not trade it for anything. I custom farm so it gets used hard every day. My dad has an 80's 7.3 and swears by it.Hope that helps.P.S. you could by the new chevy/gmc durimax that lists for only 48,500.00. smile next year they will probebly will want 55,000.00.

-- JEREMY ERNEST (tijere1@juno.com), March 14, 2001.


All the deisel mechanics at the Dettroit Fire Dept repair shop say the cummins engine is by far better. The EMS rigs use the same engines as a pick-up truck, some with detroits, some with cummins.In my opinion this is a good test of durabillity.

-- John Slavik (tslavk1@cs.com), April 22, 2001.

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