Cheapest way to get a truck

Ranger50 wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: He is saying they aren't EFI, so it isn't turn the key and go. You may have to do a ritual to get it started.

Right. Well considering I have three other carburetored vehicles. One more can't hurt...

Nothing specific.

Keeping cooling systems in top shape, brakes, wheel bearings, fuel systems.

The standard stuff really. What I love about them is the simplicity. What is on the trucks that adds to complexity can typically be stripped off...making it more like a '60s or '70s era truck.

If you're looking for a dedicated tow/work vehicle that you need to use like a truck...simple is good. Now...they also lack almost all creature comforts (save power steering). You know, like, exhaust gasses that don't kill you at a stop light, a/c, tetanus-free undercarriages, ability to make it to the next fuel pump without in-flight refueling, redlines/gears to keep up with traffic on the interstate. They aren't without their drawbacks...but you already know you have to spend money to get a modern/comfy/super-reliable pick'em-up.

Clem

Keep in mind that 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have bigger brakes and therefore stop better. Anything can pull a trailer, but not everything can stop it.

ClemSparks wrote: If you're looking for a dedicated tow/work vehicle that you need to use like a truck...simple is good. Now...they also lack almost all creature comforts (save power steering). You know like exhaust gasses that don't kill you at a stop light, a/c, tetanus-free undercarriages, redlines/gears to keep up with traffic on the interstate. They aren't without their drawbacks...but you already know you have to spend money to get a modern/comfy/super-reliable pick'em-up. Clem

This is one thing that worries me.

How not close to keeping up with traffic is an old truck like that?

In reply to 93EXCivic:

For me, it's not a safety issue nearly so much as a blood-pressure issue. As in, it drives me nuts driving slower than traffic...much less the speed limit. Lol. Hopefully I'll get old soon so that won't bother me as much.

On second thought...scratch that last sentence!

Clem

I had a '90 F-150 XLT Lariat w/ the EFI 300, E4OD and 3:55 axle... it towed 4000 lbs car/trailer combo like a berkeleying champ, wish I never sold it. I liked the '90 so much I later bought a 5.0, 5-speed, 4:10 axle F-150, nice outside but ended up replacing all the hard brake lines and brake hoses while at it. Not a bad job to DIY w/ the right tools and there was plenty of room underneath, not like later models. Either way the F-150 should do what you want for light towing.

The GM side saddle fuel tank issue is bunk.

Ranger50 wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: He is saying they aren't EFI, so it isn't turn the key and go. You may have to do a ritual to get it started.

While that's not specifically what I was saying...it is, in fact, quite true.

Right now I'm battling an issue where the Chevy won't start after sitting for a while. I think it's the "well plugs" in the quadrajet leaking all the fuel from the bowls. I think it's exacerbated (hehe) by maybe something like the fuel line drawing in air somewhere (many somewheres) along the length and not allowing it to prime itself and fire up before the sub-par battery decides it's done for the day.

It will all be solved with a carb rebuild which I pretty much plan (and you should to) as part of the Clemification of a newly-acquired car with a carburetor.

Clem

I have an 87 F250 w/ 351W auotmatic. It will tow anything you can hook to it. It will do 75mph all day long. The only downside is my best mpg has been around 14. I have routinely carried 2k plus in the bed.

I would think you could find an early-mid 90's 1/2 ton Chev/GMC or F-150 for under a grand that would meet your needs. Fuel injection, overdrive, and enough power to pull an LBC on a small trailer. As much as it pains me to say it, Dodges of the same generation were not as civilized (fuel hogs, generally no overdrive, late to the party on EFI, etc.) although they are built like tanks.

Around here, 2wd beater trucks aren't so expensive...but anything with functional 4wd is at least a $1200 buy-in.

I've seen a couple of cheapy 2WD Fords with the 6.9 and 7.3 NA diesels. They'll probably tow the LBC with the garage it's housed in and three neighbors' garages as well if you're not in a hurry. Plus they seem to be long lived...

fasted58 wrote: The GM side saddle fuel tank issue is bunk.

yep. i had a 76 for about 8 years and never blew up.

93EXCivic wrote:

914Driver wrote: Why a truck? With a van you can hide your tools inside and have a place to duck into in case of rain.

Can a dirt bike fit?

Yes it can. BTDT. A raised roof makes it a lot easier, though..

93EXCivic wrote: This is one thing that worries me. How not close to keeping up with traffic is an old truck like that?

The nice thing about driving an old truck is you don't care. My Cummins will easily exceed the speed limit, but I'm usually at or below in the interest of mileage.

So I sit in the right lane and watch the world go by...

There is a '90s Sierra in my parent's yard (owned by a mowing company that rents a barn on the property) with 36k miles on it and it runs but it has been in an accident and the front bumper, grill, passenger's fender, and passenger's door need to be replaced. No clue of the engine but it has a carb. How much would that be worth?

BoxheadTim wrote: I've seen a couple of cheapy 2WD Fords with the 6.9 and 7.3 NA diesels. They'll probably tow the LBC with the garage it's housed in and three neighbors' garages as well if you're not in a hurry. Plus they seem to be long lived...

How are those International diesels? I have seen a few for sale here and there.

There seem to be lots of newer Ford F150s around from the 90s even the newer body style of 97+ for cheap. The newer truck will have better brakes, more modern/powerful/fuel efficient motors and may require catching up on deferred maintenance compared to 70-80s vintage trucks.

93EXCivic wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote: I've seen a couple of cheapy 2WD Fords with the 6.9 and 7.3 NA diesels. They'll probably tow the LBC with the garage it's housed in and three neighbors' garages as well if you're not in a hurry. Plus they seem to be long lived...

How are those International diesels? I have seen a few for sale here and there.

I wish I knew, mainly because I've been thinking about getting a diesel truck as a replacement for my CJ7. However I do need 4x4 (which makes them expensive here) and I'd want the 94-on 7.3 turbo or something with a Cummins.

93EXCivic wrote: How not close to keeping up with traffic is an old truck like that?

I missed this part earlier.

Oh...they'll GO the speed limit. You'll have to do a double take at the gasolinometer as it drops. Also...I've been known to actualy wear ear protection at highway speeds (this is not a truck-only thing for me...more of a windows-down-wind-noise-for-two-hours-at-highway-speeds-makes-me-a-very-mean-deaf-guy kind of thing)

93EXCivic wrote:

ClemSparks wrote: If you're looking for a dedicated tow/work vehicle that you need to use like a truck...simple is good. Now...they also lack almost all creature comforts (save power steering). You know like exhaust gasses that don't kill you at a stop light, a/c, tetanus-free undercarriages, redlines/gears to keep up with traffic on the interstate. They aren't without their drawbacks...but you already know you have to spend money to get a modern/comfy/super-reliable pick'em-up. Clem

This is one thing that worries me. How not close to keeping up with traffic is an old truck like that?

that depends. My '74 Chev has 3.42 gears and it's right at home on interstate. It's also lighter than it looks. Even though it's a long-bed it tips the scales at just a hair over 4000. My dad's 4x4 S10 is actually heavier

Get something with numerically less than (<) 4.11:1 gears and/or an overdrive and you'll be fine on the highway (as long as the suspension and all is in good shape, that is).

Clem

93EXCivic wrote: How are those International diesels? I have seen a few for sale here and there.

A tire company I used to work for acquired a '94 F-250 in trade for an unpaid bill from a customer. Standard cab, long bed with nonfunctioning Tommy Gate, 2wd, AOD, dual tanks, and 7.3 International non turbo IDI. Never did find out if it was a 3/4 or 1 ton, I'd guess the latter as a sticker in the door jamb advertised that it was equipped with the "ambulance prep pack".

It was rusty, the front end was shot, and to say the maintenance hadn't been kept up with was an understatement, a trend my company was more than happy to continue. That said, after new injectors, tires and a tranny rebuild, I did 4-700 miles a day in it for the next year and a half, and the truck never missed a beat.

Fast enough to outrun traffic, handled well, stopped well, and you'd never know there was two tons of grader tires in the bed. The A/C was the coldest I've felt to date. 18mpg, no matter the load or traffic conditions. Always started up fine, provided it was at least 20 degrees F out, it needed a shot of ether for that.

The truck had over 400k on it when I left, still running like a champ. I miss it, and would buy one myself without hesitation. I'd fix up the front end, though.

I think a F-250 is a 3/4 ton by definition. F-350 is 1 ton. At least, that's always been my understanding.

To tow a SBC, go with a half-ton. If you're planning on buying a 28' trailer to tow two SBCs and a whole pile of spares, go with the bigger boys. But they are going to cost you more day-to-day. And duallies are a pain in the butt to deal with in town.

I once borrowed a mid-80's F250 with a 454 in it to take my Locost to an autocross in an enclosed 20' trailer. I could actually see the gas gauge moving as I climbed the last long hill up to the site. That's a Colorado hill, which means it was 2400' in elevation gain.

93EXCivic wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: An f150 with a Max load of 6200 lbs could be had for under 1000. Ant gonna be pretty.

Which model is that? Pretty isn't required. Just reliability.

Search your local CL for F150 with a Max price of 800. Expect 9th Gen or older.

93EXCivic wrote: There is a '90s Sierra in my parent's yard (owned by a mowing company that rents a barn on the property) with 36k miles on it and it runs but it has been in an accident and the front bumper, grill, passenger's fender, and passenger's door need to be replaced. No clue of the engine but it has a carb. How much would that be worth?

Sure it's carbed? A 90's GMC should be a TBI truck.

Keith wrote: I once borrowed a mid-80's F250 with a 454

That had to be an abortion from hell.................