As of now, I do have a 86 D150 pick up truck, overall its a great truck. Its never left us stranded and being a cheap truck we didn't have to care about it too much. It was on daily duty, junkyard runs, picking up large parts for the bird project, etc etc. However, on a couple small fixes we've had issues with part availability at the local auto store, such as upper control arms. I guess they're the same from 72-93 and not a single local store even offered them, it just wasn't in the system. Rockauto doesn't even appear to offer them so off to eBay I went. (feel free to look and prove me wrong)
Online shopping and wait times is acceptable for me and my fun cars (annoying but live-able) but with the truck being as utilitarian as it is, this is becoming a deal breaker. Its more important for me to have as little down time on the vehicles as I can rather than keeping the truck we resurrected to road worthiness.
I'm a huge fan of old stuff since I like the look and whatnot but I don't think its my solution for what I need anymore. What are GRMs thoughts? I'm assuming late 90's and early 00's Chevys will be the most common answer but I'm curious on what GRM thinks is the best vehicle for challenge money/daily duty/part runs and eventually tow duty.
Thanks in advance!
For a DD/truck/tow pig it's really really really hard to beat the GMT800 chassis (99-06 1500). Parts are everywhere, te 2wd rode great empty and it'll still tow 6k+lbs at a minimum.
In reply to bobzilla :
Minus early aughts gm build and material quality, they're a solid tool for the job.
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to bobzilla :
Minus early aughts gm build and material quality, they're a solid tool for the job.
I apparently have lower standards than most. I love our 06.
well, its more of a tool than a creature comfort so early aught GM quality is fine. Also, being used to literal rolling garbage, its probably gonna be a nice upgrade anyways
I went through this same process with slightly higher weight/towing needs recently and ended up with a 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD. So far, I'm happy with the choice.
those 4.6's in fords are pretty reliable from what ive seen, F150s good options or should I pass for other reasons i dont know about?
bobzilla said:
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to bobzilla :
Minus early aughts gm build and material quality, they're a solid tool for the job.
I apparently have lower standards than most.
You like kias, that's obvious
In reply to Patrick (Forum Supporter) :
hahahaha! im in good company with him then
Cactus
HalfDork
6/8/20 9:38 a.m.
I think OBS Fords are the best looking trucks. The newest ones are getting a little long in the tooth, but parts are no trouble at all. If anything they might actually have less rust trouble than the next generation.
For my needs, I don't see the point of upgrading my '96 F350 unless I'm going 2016 or newer. A single decade newer buys a little more towing capacity, but (normal) trucks really only started getting hugely capable pretty recently.
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
bobzilla said:
Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to bobzilla :
Minus early aughts gm build and material quality, they're a solid tool for the job.
I apparently have lower standards than most.
You like kias, that's obvious
And I'm a Hyundai Humper so YMMV
In reply to TurboFocus :
I live in rust belt central. New trucks as little as 5 years old have rust blooms. That's all that killed mine.20 years old Running great 1 quart in 5000 miles. when sold to junkyard.
My 1997 Chevy 4x4 went 371,000+ trouble free miles and took only $1000 in repairs to go those 20 years. ( does not count rue time stuff like a battery every 4 years-40 below in the winter here- brakes, tires, - typically 65,000 miles -normal stuff.
original engine original transmission. 17 mpg in town 19 mpg highway 350 V8
There is a valid reason Fords and Chevy's cost more than Dodges used. It's at the back end of ownership.
TurboFocus said:
those 4.6's in fords are pretty reliable from what ive seen, F150s good options or should I pass for other reasons i dont know about?
They're not super powerful, but will usually run for several hundred thousand miles (see crown vics.) You will have gone thru a few transmissions by then, but....
Rust is the main problem with all trucks of the era (around me at least.)
If it helps, my former boss bought a 2001 Suburban 5.3 4wd with 209k miles. When I left 5 and a half years ago, that truck was at 380k miles and had finally had the original trans replaced and was on it's second waterpump. I heard he finally sold it 2 years ago due to rust but was pushing 450k miles on that 5.3, axles and transfer case.
Sound like early aught Chevy is the answer, whether it's a Tahoe or Silverado. 90s Chevy seems to be the second best bet right now.
We'll see what deals pop up over summer
TurboFocus said:
As of now, I do have a 86 D150 pick up truck, overall its a great truck. Its never left us stranded and being a cheap truck we didn't have to care about it too much. It was on daily duty, junkyard runs, picking up large parts for the bird project, etc etc. However, on a couple small fixes we've had issues with part availability at the local auto store, such as upper control arms. I guess they're the same from 72-93 and not a single local store even offered them, it just wasn't in the system. Rockauto doesn't even appear to offer them so off to eBay I went. (feel free to look and prove me wrong)
I know this doesn't address another tow vehicle but . . .
I have a 74 Dodge W150 so when I am in the parts yards I have an awareness of Dodge pickups when I'm there. There are a lot of them here. So I would imagine there would be upper control arms readily available. For where ever you are try: https://www.car-part.com/
Gmt400. Ive found on the shelf parts in many bumberkeley towns. 14mpg pulling a tow dolly with my c1500 and a neon on the dolly. My only real problems have been with aftermarket parts. And brakes, but i upgraded and have no concerns anymore.
GMT 400 owner here. I have had great luck with my truck, but if I was going to buy a truck now, I'd go for a newer Chevy truck also.
As for the brakes, mine work fine (even while towing) with a new stock master cylinder (although the upgrade is supposed to be using a GMT 800 part) and what my mechanic called "Fleet" pads and shoes.
gmt400 seems to be more available in my price range in the VA beach area, im tempted to get the gmt800 just because the 400's seem to be getting older and im afraid of leaving the fire for the frying pan. the local yards seem to have gmt800s the most.
quick google shows that the chevy towing capacity is just generally higher throughout the years i would be looking at
decisions...
I've always had Fords and have an '82 F100 that I will never get rid of, but if I was in the market for a $2000 work truck right now I would definitely go GMT400. You'll never have the same issue with parts availability that you're experiencing with the Dodge. Between junkyards, rockauto, and local auto parts store, you can cheaply and easily run a GMT400 forever. The most annoying things about them in my experience are falling apart plastic interior, exterior door handle and tailgate handle failures, and door hinge bushing failures; but these are all easy to overlook for a dump run/Home Depot hauler beater.
97-04 (Heritage model in 04) F150s seem to live long enough in Ohio that they die from rust more than mechanical failure. I had an 04 Heritage extended cab long bed with a 4.6, and it was rated for almost 7000 lbs towing. Not that powerful compared to newer trucks, but it was stable on the highway when towing a loaded 18ft trailer. Drives a lot nicer than a GMT400, although they are also a fine choice. Just make sure the spark plugs are torqued to the proper spec, and there shouldn’t be problems with them blowing out.
TurboFocus said:
those 4.6's in fords are pretty reliable from what ive seen, F150s good options or should I pass for other reasons i dont know about?
Just since it seems to not have been mentioned...
Generally, there is little love for the Ford 5.4L. This was considered to be the "big motor" in Ford F150 and was the "small motor" in the Super Duty trucks of '99 and newer.
The 5.4L is known for poor oiling and spark plug failure.
I bought one with 140k miles but as a former Gov't truck it seems to have gotten good maint. The 5.4 doesn't like neglect in oil changes.
So, if shopping F150s stick with the 4.6L small motor and don't be lured by a 5.4L big motor that might be priced cheaper.
If your towing needs are modest, consider a V6 truck(either Ford or Chevy.) These can be the sweet spot of truck value. The V8s sell quick while the V6s go overlooked.
Ford 300 straight 6 w/ 5 speed manual have a reputation of being undestructable
Saying you're in VA Beach, my friend down here on the OBX has a fleet of GMT400 3/4 Ton Suburbans he's slowly selling off. 3/4 Ton GMT400s tow really nicely and you can buy parts in BFE.
The input here has been great, the gmt400s seem like a reliable option but the 800s look like they're an overall better choice (go figure, newer being better).
Because of this I'm going to be looking at an 04 suburban that doesn't run and is currently 1k Obo. I'm thinking it's got a bad battery and bad alternator.
Funnily enough, this will be my newest vehicle I've ever owned; assuming I buy it.
Curious on the price of those obx vehicles as a back up
