Well, I am going to purchase a pickup truck soon, and I just wanted to know what some of you folks think is the best kind of truck to get. I will not be buying new, I will be getting a used truck. I am looking for something with about a 1500-2500 lb capacity. And It must be available in the USA. Any personal experience is welcome.
I would recommend a 04-08 Ford F-150, as they are reliable vehicles. My dad's F-150 (which is a 05 XLT SuperCrew) has 108,750 km. and it still runs strong!
What do you need it for? How much are you willing to spend? Auto or stick? Are you capable of working on a car? What era of trucks do you like (ie: '80s, '90s, '30s etc...)? There isn't just a "best" truck of all time, it all comes down to application and taste.
Well, I would prefer auto, but most trucks are available in both, so that is not too much of a concern, I would prefer to spend no more than 5000-8000 US dolars, I can do some basic automotive work, and I am learning more, I like the 70's-90's trucks, but I live in the salt belt, so finding something like that will be difficult, I will mostly be using it as an occasional driver and to haul lumber and building materials for small projects. I do like the Cummins. It has a nice deep, throaty roar.
If you have the money; newer Chevy or Dodge 2500s. If not, any old Ford will do; they're like the toilet paper of pickups -- cheap, and you can just throw them away when you're finished with them. EDIT: Diesel Fuel Only
Lot's of old rusty Fords around where I live. Do you know whether they typically last past 160,000 miles?
I am on the RAM's side. Also, Dodge doesn't make pickups anymore. Remember in 2011... Edited out because it is off topic.
You would probably have fun with an older Chevy or Ford then. The '70s C10s are good trucks and they're usually automatic. They're great trucks to learn mechanics on too. Beginning in around 1990 the Dodge full-size trucks came out with a diesel, which would probably suit that role pretty well. '80s TBI square body Chevy's are a little doggy, but they work just fine (excluding their perpetually wobbley steering column) if you wanted something more fun and nimble a 4x4 mini truck would do fine. I'd recommend any small Toyota, 1990 and forward RAM 50/mighty maxs, chevy luvs, or a ford Ranger for the minitruck, but the catch with those is that the automatic transmission models are guttless and horrible, so you'd really need to just go with a manual. If you wanted to go even older some of those cool rounded pickups from the late '40s and '50s are still around and they are great at being 'trucks', at the cost of a little comfort. They built 'em tough back then. You would need to be comfortable with the idea of working on them though. Obviously, they are all manual unless someone changed that in the last 60-70 years. If you have to go newer they are all pretty much the same these days. Just make sure that they are 1996 and newer (obdii compliant), and that the transmission is reeeaal healthy if it's a deisel. --- Post updated --- They split the brand. Dodge pickups are now "RAM" brand pickups.
It is just a brand thing, Dodge/Ram both part of Chrystler. The Dodge brand only makes cars now. Ram is the Chrystler pickup brand. --- Post updated --- Yeah, I like the sound of the C10's, it is easy to find new parts, frames, panels. . . Unfortunately, I can't seem to find one near where I live.
Get a late 80s- early 90s f150 with the 300ci straight six. Most bulletproof engine Ford has ever made, and can actually haul a decent amount of weight. I had 2 tons of rock in the back of our 94, and it definitely was squatting, but it hauled that load in the bed about 10 miles with no issue. Tough as nails. And for about 3k or even less sometimes, you can get one with low miles in pretty mint condition.
Have you tried Craigslist? Sometimes the best way to find an old truck for a good price is to go for a drive with cash in hand and see what you can find. Those trucks are pretty common, but a lot of people who drive old trucks don't want to take the time to list it for sale anywhere.
I have been looking on my local craigslist site, and there are a pretty even mix of Fords, Chevys, and Dodges coming through. Almost any truck I decide on should be relatively easy to find. I am just unsure of which trucks are typically the most reliable, last the longest. . .
@speednsnake is the secret truck guru. if the c10 is the modular v10 that would be a sweet truck to haul stuff in. get your hands dirty whatever you buy. i dont know how hard american trucks are to work on compared to jap economy cars, but unless you have plenty of disposable income, working on your own car is really advantageous. my buddy has been driving his dads late model ram truck with the v6. it makes the same power my civic makes and takes FOREVER to get anywhere. my grandfather has a toyota tundra v8 and for a truck it flies. just my limited experience with trucks, id keep an open mind regarding jap trucks unless someone with more truck knowledge than i do can objectively tell me why they suck.
usually less torquey engine and not designed to take as large a payload. When carrying a large load, you want torque, lots of it. Doesnt mean they suck, just means they arent suitable for all roles, such as the above Skoda
ive never towed anything before but that truck makes 380hp and 400 foot pounds of torque. i felt like i could have towed plenty with that but its not cummins power. the 6 speed auto really made a difference and it even shifted nice.
