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What old truck should I get?

What truck for my intended use?

  • 89-93 Dodge Cummins

    Votes: 26 57.8%

  • IDI Ford 7.3 Diesel

    Votes: 12 26.7%

  • 300 I6 Ford gasser

    Votes: 2 4.4%

  • 6.2L GM with Solid Axle

    Votes: 2 4.4%

  • Anything else that would be better?

    Votes: 3 6.7%
  • Total voters
    45
Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
Please help me make up my mind……

I am in need of a big truck to do all the things that I can't accomplish with my 86 Toyota short bed. I'll be hauling a trailer (car hauler) occasionally and also use this truck to go on long trips once in awhile other than that the truck won't get used allot.

I definatly want a diesel engine for fuel mileage (possibly maybe maybe an inline 6 gasser..... maybe) and I'm not too worried about power either. I’d like a 4x4 3/4-1ton crew cab but single or extra would be ok, and drw or srw doesn't matter either. I'd really like to find something for under about $6000 so high mileage and a rough body are acceptable.

Here's what I'm thinking:

1. Dodge Cummins 89-93 though hard to find one worth having for under $6K, but probably the most reliable/powerful out of any on my list.

2. Ford with a 7.3 N/A or Turbo (pre power stroke) There everywhere and can be had for cheap.

3. Ford with the 300 I6. There cheap, and have enough power for what I'd be using it for I think.

4. 6.2L Chevy/GMC preferably 91 or older with a Solid axle*.

What do ya think I should get? Any years to avoid in these trucks? What to look for? Thanks for the help :D

*I had a 6.5L Chevrolet, and refuse to go that route again..... POS! The mechanical 6.2L (although way less powerful) is a better engine IMO with killer mileage so it’s still an option.
 
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Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
I think it's a no brainer. STAY AWAY, repeat stay away from the 300 I6 Ford. They don't get much better mileage than the V8s and the power sucks.
 
SLC97SR5

SLC97SR5

IDIesel
Location
Davis County
The IDI 7.3 is pretty sweet, add a down pipe, an EGT gauge, turn up the pump and you are producing very close to the first run Strokes. The Ford's are easy to work on, but it's hard to argue with a Cummins. Forget the Gas and cross the Chev off your list.
 
Maverick

Maverick

old-school
Location
Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
Bart said:
I think it's a no brainer. STAY AWAY, repeat stay away from the 300 I6 Ford. They don't get much better mileage than the V8s and the power sucks.
Click to expand...

LOL I was gonna say the same thing. I'd rethink the 300...we had one in a shop truck and it SUCKED towing anything above 30mph. And without overdrive, it sucked even more.

Get the Cummins with the NV4500. Do not get the other 5-speed. No idea on the auto.
 
B

bobdog

4x4 Addict!
Location
Sandy
Bart said:
I think it's a no brainer. STAY AWAY, repeat stay away from the 300 I6 Ford. They don't get much better mileage than the V8s and the power sucks.
Click to expand...

I had a 81 F150 with the 300 from when it was new until 2002. It was a great truck and a great engine. Never a problem with the motor at all. It was no match for a Deisel but it pulled a 21 foot boat or my jeep no problem (you would not go 70 over parleys but you did not drop below 50 or 55 either). As the current owner of a gas V8 Ford pickup I can say that the 300 did get much better mileage. I would buy one again and wish my current truck had the big 6.
 
Maverick

Maverick

old-school
Location
Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
bobdog said:
I had a 81 F150 with the 300 from when it was new until 2002. It was a great truck and a great engine. Never a problem with the motor at all. It was no match for a Deisel but it pulled a 21 foot boat or my jeep no problem (you would not go 70 over parleys but you did not drop below 50 or 55 either). As the current owner of a gas V8 Ford pickup I can say that the 300 did get much better mileage. I would buy one again and wish my current truck had the big 6.
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Are you kidding me? The 300 I drove had EFI and the 4 speed (T-18? NP435?) 3.55 gears and teeny tires. It was an '88 I think. Granted, below 30mph, it was great. Flat towing my jeep it was a complete dog above 30, it really surprised me. There is no freakin' way it would have held 50 towing a jeep over Parleys, even flat towing. I pulled a flatbed trailer to Wyoming once (16') with about 500 lbs on it and was SO glad it wasn't a jeep. We had that truck from '97 until we replaced it in '02 with a 4.6 chev 1500. Maybe you had the Herbie version.:rofl: Or 4.56 gears...

Since I'm posting to this thread again, if I needed a cheap truck, and didn't need the extra cab, I'd get an '87 3/4 chev or mid-90's F350 (but crappy mpg). Since the IFS didn't bug me, and I do need more room, I'd buy my '95 chev again too...but I'd make it a 2500. 15-17mpg and towed my jeep ok too. I'd probably get a '96 to get more power.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...on=&max_price=6000&cardist=500&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...on=&max_price=6000&cardist=360&superSpotlight=

The 350 will fetch 15+ mpg. The 454 won't. You're not gonna get much better than 15 with any of the rigs you are looking at, plus you can fit 6 people, all your camping gear, and tow your junk. The drivetrain is pretty much bullet proof. Make sure the codes in the glovebox include GT5 (4.10 gears) and G80 (rear locker). GT4 is 3.73, and GU6 is crappy 3.42.

Have fun!
 
B

BumpaD_Z28

Member
Location
Logan, UT
Like the above post suggests

My vote would be a 96-98 (maybe 99 if it is a 3/4 ton) Chevrolet/GMC with the vortec 350 ...

To start another idea:

As a side note I haul a car on a flatbed behind my 1/2 ton a couple times a year (with a weight distributuion hitch, etc.) And yes a 3/4 ton would be "better", but with trailer brakes etc. I don't feel that it isn't safe ... Do you REALLY need a 3/4 ton ???

~DaVe
 
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Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
The 300 does seem like an odd choice huh? I figured that with the 5 speed, EFI and 4.10's that i'd shoot for it would be fairly decend for pulling and milage, but i don't know. I was also thinking about a 454, V10, or 460 but unless I could find one for super cheap than the cost of fuel just isn't worth it to me. Also the IFS GM's are just not an option to me--I know that they are great for most people, and have an ultra plush ride but If i change another pitman/idler arm again I'll go crazy :rofl:

If cost wasn't a concern I'd go the Cummins route, but man they know what they want for even a 300K mile beat farm truck. Mabey paying a little extra is worth it? Thanks for the reply's keep em' coming :D
 
B

BumpaD_Z28

Member
Location
Logan, UT
Rot Box said:
I'd have to say yes :) Bigger brakes, typically lower gears, beefier transmissions with better coolers and stronger axles are peace of mind to me. But it's all opinion I guess...
Click to expand...

As long as you intend use all of that equipment...

Isn't that Brown truck still on the west side of the road in Smithfield ??? Maybe they will go down (way down) on the price by now ....
 
Tacoma

Tacoma

Et incurventur ante non
Location
far enough away
I'd get the Cummins, but you need to learn to spell it before they let you have one. :D


Adding an intercooler isn't hard, just costs a little bit. :D
 
Paul R

Paul R

Well-Known Member
Location
SLC
If you find an old ford diesel definately go with a turbo... I had a N/A 6.9 and it dragged a lot but overall it did decent I guess... My vote would be the cummins even if it costs a little more...
 
Maverick

Maverick

old-school
Location
Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
Rot Box said:
I'd have to say yes :) Bigger brakes, typically lower gears, beefier transmissions with better coolers and stronger axles are peace of mind to me. But it's all opinion I guess...
Click to expand...

Not to mention the most important reason: better control in an emergency situation. Of course...less chance of failure that would lead to an emergency situation.

It's not how often you're going to tow, it's WHAT you are going to tow.
 
M

Meat_

Banned
Location
Lehi
Maverick said:
Not to mention the most important reason: better control in an emergency situation. Of course...less chance of failure that would lead to an emergency situation.

It's not how often you're going to tow, it's WHAT you are going to tow.
Click to expand...

Which is exactly why I have a dualie
 
mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
Get a chevy with a 454 and natural gas. Power is great and CNG is 63 cents a gallon right now. I can pull my jeep to moab for 15 bucks each way.
 
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