Best Beast

[lncoop]

I recently jettisoned a very problematic Sierra and picked up an Expedition. Some of you may remember the numerous threads dedicated to the process. So far, I'm very pleased with my decision. However, the plan was to pick up a pick up (like that?) this winter for hauling, hunting, fishing, camping and general abuse that I don't want to subject the Expy to. So, here's the question fellow iboaters. What should I get? Here are the criteria: 4x4, at least half ton (wouldn't mind 3/4 at all), v8 minimum. Give me all your opinions. What you like and why, good and bad things to look for, etc. I want to be well informed when I pull the trigger and I know some of you can help me with that. Come on. Enlighten me.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best Beast

Too broad coop. Narrow it down for us a bit with your budget. Maybe specify gas or diesel if you have a preference.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Beast

Sorry about that. $3500 budget. No preference between gas and diesel. Will be used for towing, but hardly if ever gooseneck class weight.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Best Beast

I always had a pickup until I bought a Tahoe.
And a beefy 16' car hauling trailer to haul the dirty stuff.
It is easier to unload stuff and lower to the ground.
WAY less maintence cost, zero insurance cost, etc.

But I am not going to be hauling two cord of firewood out of the back 40 in the snow and mud either.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Best Beast

Well I don't see a $3500 diesel wheeler in your future...

I think you're down to:

1. Starts
2. Passes emissions (at least it has to in my neck of the woods)
3. Stops
4. Goes in a straight line
5. Hasn't been used for plowing
6. Most body panels are from the same truck
7. 4 wheel drive WORKS
8. Cannot see the road below between your feet from the driver's seat
9. No dead fish lodged under dashboard
10. No hoof marks in radiator
11. Does not bear the name of a bankrupt landscape company

The rest is optional. Others may disagree:

1. Working windows (vice grips for window cranks are -1)
2. Seats mostly of original fabric. More than 30% duct tape -1
3. Working electricals (working 8 track player +2)
4. Doors can be opened without pry bar
5. Doors can be held closed without coat hanger

Other than that big guy, find the most you can out there whether it's Chevy, Dodge or Ford. It's gonna be a process sorting through all the turds.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Best Beast

I know you had issues with your old sierra but for my money, here outside chicago, for $3500 I can get a '96-'99 sierra/silverado with the 350, extended cab long bed 4x4 and with less than 200k on the clock. I'd start with the '96's since they are multi-port injected. Also in far better shape than DW paints

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Best Beast

I know you had issues with your old sierra but for my money, here outside chicago, for $3500 I can get a '96-'99 sierra/silverado with the 350, extended cab long bed 4x4 and with less than 200k on the clock. I'd start with the '96's since they are multi-port injected. Also in far better shape than DW paints

+1000, You wont beat those trucks. I wouldnt be afraid of the earlier TBI version either as those motors were even more durable than the Vortecs but are a little older but I wouldnt pass one buy if it were in nice shape.

Most of those priced vehicles will need atleast one axles worth of brakes within the first few months. Might have a cracked windshield, Probably not much tire tread life remaining.

Dodge and Ford are just about as good but dont have as good of transmissions as the Chevy.
I would avoid pushbutton/electric/electronical 4wd.
Ford auto hubs are known to be junk, Chevy axle actuators are known problems. Any t-case shift motor of that vintage is suspect. And lights and buttons dont get you unstuck.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Best Beast

Ford F150. I don't own one but wish I did.

My BIL owned his own auto parts stores. He knew what makes and models needed the most repairs. He was for most of his life a GM man, but ditched GM after his last two personal GM products required A LOT of extra maintenance and what he saw in replacement parts going out the door. His last PU was a F250 4WD he used to tow a 5ver.

I own an 07 Tundra and love it, but the sheet metal is a bit thin and it takes a dent very easily. Ventilation is needy too. When I bought my truck in 07 my choice was either the F150 or Tundra, both of them 4 doors. Equally equipped, they stickered for nearly the same price. I would have bought the Ford, but the Tundra was 0% financing. That was a no brainer, plus my Tundra being American made was just iceing on the cake.

You however are looking for something a little older, a beater truck. I'd either go with a Ford or an older Tundra 3/4 full sized. Vinyle interiors are great for your purposes.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Best Beast

Also, I believe 96 was the first year for the GM third door. Makes getting in and out of the back WAY easier.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: Best Beast

Well I don't see a $3500 diesel wheeler in your future...

I think you're down to:

1. Starts
2. Passes emissions (at least it has to in my neck of the woods)
3. Stops
4. Goes in a straight line
5. Hasn't been used for plowing
6. Most body panels are from the same truck
7. 4 wheel drive WORKS
8. Cannot see the road below between your feet from the driver's seat
9. No dead fish lodged under dashboard
10. No hoof marks in radiator
11. Does not bear the name of a bankrupt landscape company

The rest is optional. Others may disagree:

1. Working windows (vice grips for window cranks are -1)
2. Seats mostly of original fabric. More than 30% duct tape -1
3. Working electricals (working 8 track player +2)
4. Doors can be opened without pry bar
5. Doors can be held closed without coat hanger

Other than that big guy, find the most you can out there whether it's Chevy, Dodge or Ford. It's gonna be a process sorting through all the turds.

Ha Thats great. Pretty much was my criteria for every car I owned up to age 25 or so (I went through 10 VW's between 15 and 22...). But back then, that was the description of a $600.00 vehicle...

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Best Beast

We bought a new 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 ThunderRoad. It will pull anything that I hook up to it. It's got the 345 HP Hemi.with 17 inch wheel and a 3.55 rear Automatic trnsmission. and a towing package with positration. .Now if you look in the paper real good sometimes you'll see something close to this .If you do ,grab it. I only have 46,000 miles on mine. We use it for towing our 24 ft Pontoon boat and for riding around in the snow. Gas mileage isn't that bag either. I get 13.5 towing the boat.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Best Beast

silver, if you find another one of those for $3500 let me know and I'LL snatch that puppy up.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Beast

2. Seats mostly of original fabric. More than 30% duct tape -1
QUOTE]

Duct tape???!!! What kind of animal do you think I am? I insist on Gorilla Tape. I settle for nothing but the best and expect my fellow iboaters to adhere to the same standards.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best Beast

I got this for roughly $3500 about 4 years ago

Rust free, 5.0, cloth seat, vinyl floor, bedliner, nerf bars, full fiberglass cap, crank windows and manual locks that still work

I basically gave away the cap which I probably shouldn't have. Due to some bad luck the motor was upgraded to a Jasper 5.7 but we won't get into that.....

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Beast

Very nice. Something like that is what I have in mind, maybe extended cab. I've actually done a little poking around the last couple of days and been pleasantly surprised. Looking is half the fun as we know.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Best Beast

If you want something that you are not concerned about taking off road and scratching, etc. Then why not consider going with and older Ford or Chevy, now I realize that you said you wanted at least a V8 but the Ford 300 6cyl, were a fairly bulletproof motor and they pulled very, very well.

I will always swear by my 72 GMC that I had, it was in the family for 20 years and never let us down..........and best of all you can find many of these old platforms from 72-92 in a 4x4 configfuration for well under $3500.

Many of them are still in decent shape as well, and the fuel mileage believe it or not is comparable.