I need a truck

Happy Carmore wrote: I would say check Atlanta craigslist and auto trader. Get a GRMer to check it out and fly down and finish the deal. Save thousands and get a rust free truck.

That's probably what I am going to end up doing. I talked to my dad, and we may make it a weekend event. We are thinking about picking 5 trucks, fly or drive down, and check them out until we have a winner.

I still can't get into the van/SUV idea. My dad and I have a lot of engines. Even just moving an engine from one barn to the other becomes difficult without a truck. Especially because the building with the most engines has an over head crane.

I appreciate all of the enthusiasm, though!

Is it just me or does anyone else think that vans drive like absolute trash compared to a pickup of the same era?

Rodan wrote: BTW, first year for an intercooled 7.3 was 1996, IIRC, but the new body style ('99-03) was a nicer truck, IMHO, and I had both.

My 96 is not intercooled. It may have been an option, but I don't think so. I don't think they started the intercoolers until the Super Duty bodystyle in 99, but I'm not positive.

TheV8Kid wrote:

Happy Carmore wrote: I would say check Atlanta craigslist and auto trader. Get a GRMer to check it out and fly down and finish the deal. Save thousands and get a rust free truck.

That's probably what I am going to end up doing. I talked to my dad, and we may make it a weekend event. We are thinking about picking 5 trucks, fly or drive down, and check them out until we have a winner.

There are a lot of GRMers around Atlanta, so you may be able to start with a higher number of trucks and recruit some folks to pre-screen. Just pay them in beer when you come down to test drive the final choices.

TheV8Kid wrote: I still can't get into the van/SUV idea. My dad and I have a lot of engines. Even just moving an engine from one barn to the other becomes difficult without a truck. Especially because the building with the most engines has an over head crane.

Your concerns are completely legitimate, getting a 3/4 ton axle for the duramax into the back of the truck was a nightmare with my canopy on it.

I have decided to sell my 04 Ram Hemi. Haven't posted anywhere yet. Not in any real hurry. 114k miles, entire life in Alabama, looks like new underneath, very few scratches, no dents, easy life, very good condition. I only ever towed with it once, bought my S2000 in SC and brought it back to AL. Has factory tow package with few other options. Obviously won't tow like a diesel but this truck will last a bunch of years and won't cost you much. $4800

As mentioned earlier in this thread, 1999 was the first year for the intercooled 7.3L's.

SVreX wrote: As mentioned earlier in this thread, 1999 was the first year for the intercooled 7.3L's.

My '95 was not intercooled, but I swear I remember looking at later pre-super dutys trying to figure out an upgrade... maybe they were aftermarket. Wouldn't be the first time I misremembered details.

viccath5 wrote: I have decided to sell my 04 Ram Hemi. Haven't posted anywhere yet. Not in any real hurry. 114k miles, entire life in Alabama, looks like new underneath, very few scratches, no dents, easy life, very good condition. I only ever towed with it once, bought my S2000 in SC and brought it back to AL. Has factory tow package with few other options. Obviously won't tow like a diesel but this truck will last a bunch of years and won't cost you much. $4800

Is it a 3/4 ton? Short bed? Extended or Crew cab? 4X4?

ram 1500, short bed, std cab

viccath5 wrote: ram 1500, short bed, std cab

I'd like to get a 3/4 ton, with at least an extended cab. Also, if I am going to get a gas burner, I think I should probably stick with what I am familiar with (LS). Thanks for the offer!

Speaking from someone that has lived in the north (WI) and the south (TN) - don't be afraid of the higher mileage in the south.

Since you don't have to drive it every day, your options are more open. There are good buys on higher mileage used trucks.

Craigslist: Atlanta, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Charlotte, Alabama cities, Columbia SC etc

I have a friend that has a 1 ton 2wd crew cab Dodge Cummins 2002 - he gets 17/18 in town unloaded and 20-22 highway (manual trans) stock truck.

I have a 99 GMC 4.8 with 280,000 - 4x4 ext cab Z71. I can tow safely but I'm not going to break speed records over hills.

The new 5.3 GM gas motors Chevy/GMC 1/2 tons are incredible trucks. They are also $40K.

I noticed in sniffing around recenty on and off for used diesels, that higher mileage Ford/Cummins duallys are a good price point. People that can only have a truck for a daily, aren't going to go dually and try to put it in the parking ramp at the office each day.

I think there are several board folks here in the south, that would spy out a truck for you if needed.

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5511540691.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5511540691.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/ctd/5523294232.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5530288496.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5524908123.html

Fords:

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5516198737.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5491001643.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5529116659.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/5486727469.html

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/ctd/5524533917.html

My 2000 f250 7.3 6spd manual might be too far away and needs some work, but it has new tires, will have new brakes, and while it needs the front end done I can have it to the Ford dealer before you flew up. Nothing like an Alaska road trip...

Furious_E wrote:

Paul_VR6 wrote:

Furious_E wrote: Dang it, I just saw a nice looking 'Burb 2500 with a for sale sign on it a couple Saturdays ago and now I can't remember where it was parked. Somewhere in the greater Carlisle area, so not far from you at all.

I would be interested in this one as well.

I'll see if I can make time on Saturday to wander around and look for it. Think I remember what road it was parked on at least.

Crap, just remembered I never posted anything here, but the 'Burb was gone when I went to look.

Well, this is what I ended up with. It may look familiar. Turns out Fords were on sale, so my parents bought a new truck, and I bought their old one. I know the history on this one, so it is a great deal all around. I am excited!

It is a 6.0L, with 135000 miles, that has had the EGR delete. We are pretty familiar with these, so it doesn't scare us. As of right now, I am thinking about changing out the radio to something that has an auxiliary input, and I would like to install a rear facing camera. Anything else you think I should add to the list? Does anyone have any experience with the SCT tuner, specifically the towing tunes?

congrats on the purchase!!!

Double score!

I have a neighbor with a 99 7.3 Ford Dually that tows an enclosed trailer and Vega. He has a Bully Dog tune he really likes.

I've heard bad things about Bully Dog and longevity, but I have no personal experience, and no knowledge on the SCT for diesel. I have had an SCT canned 93oct tune in my Mustang for the last 100k and been very happy with it. Frankly, given the quality of most diesel "performance" modifications, I prefer to keep the boost and management stuff on mine stock.

As for radio, I picked up a JVC unit for under $100 that has bluetooth (with an included microphone), a USB aux port with ipod control, Pandora and iHeart Radio app control over bluetooth, and is Sirius Satellite ready - but no CD player. Since the Too Fiddy is going to be our long distance tow vehicle I wanted as many options for entertainment as possible. The controls are a little fiddly since they cram it all into a single-DIN unit, and sound quality isn't reference but it's not bad. I'm still on factory crap speakers, so that's probably not the head unit's fault.

I know for the 7.3s, it's preferred to have at least EGT and hopefully transmission temp gauges before any big tunes. I'd imagine with the 6.0 this is even more important. I have a dp tuner in my 7.3 and love it - in addition to power, the transmission feels way better than stock in terms of shift points.

We own an SCT tuner for the truck, but the problem is that I don't think I can turn off the EGR check engine light flag without installing one of their tunes on the truck. I would prefer to just keep the stock tune on the truck.