In reply to STM317 :
Currently, up to 1/4" steel in 4'x8' sheets. Seems that 3/16" is going to be a normal pickup so two or three sheets of that is likely the most at once. Those are about #250 each. It is for my plasma table. I have been making fire pits lately.
In reply to singleslammer :
Cool projects! If you want a small truck, and you're willing to modify the bed to haul what's needed, then why spend the money for a new truck at all? If you just want a new truck, then go for it, but spending new truck money, and then having to modify it to handle what you want seems unnecessarily expensive when any old Ranger/S10/Tacoma can be modified to haul a couple of 4X8 sheets like so:
For the kind of weight you're dealing with, I'd probably add some vertical support underneath the slats, or make a box that the sheets can slide across but it's not difficult, and it beats a payment plus running costs of a new vehicle in my opinion.
NickD said:In reply to singleslammer :
I'm a GM mechanic, so no word on Chrysler stuff. But yeah, when GM did the redesign in '14, they really screwed the trucks up. The EcoTec3 5.3L and 4.3L are really troublesome engines.
It's funny how everyone is quick to dump on Dodge, but they all have their problems. The carbon issue on the Chevys, and if you buy a Ford today, will you be able to replace the spark plugs without having to buy a cylinder head?
My last dodge pickup was sold with 360K on it. It was still hauling and towing 2 years later. I don't talk to the guy now, but 6 more years later, I'm sure it's still working hard.
In the first 360K miles, the trans was rebuilt once.
tuna55 said:I will vouch for the Pentastar, though mine is in a minivan.
That got me thinking, he wants a light duty truck with a V6 capable of 48" between the wheel wells. You could totally just rock a minivan. I think there is a cargo van version of the Caravan, and you get the same Pentastar and nearly 30 mpg, plus it rides better. If you don't need to tow, or carry really tall things, or gravel, I think that may be a wise choice to investigate.
1800 lb payload, 3,600 lb towing. That suits most 1/4 and 1/2 ton truck owners.
In reply to STM317 :
The new truck thought was due to the insane used prices of trucks and the end of year sales going on. This would be my DD so an older ranger or tacoma isn't going to work for a 40+ mile commute each way for me.
I am fine with adding some risers to get the sheet above the wheel wells.
In reply to DrBoost :
I would love a van. The issue is getting sheets in and out. The distributor uses a gantry system with hoist and wouldn't be happy with me trying to pick up metal with a van.
DrBoost said:NickD said:In reply to singleslammer :
I'm a GM mechanic, so no word on Chrysler stuff. But yeah, when GM did the redesign in '14, they really screwed the trucks up. The EcoTec3 5.3L and 4.3L are really troublesome engines.
It's funny how everyone is quick to dump on Dodge, but they all have their problems. The carbon issue on the Chevys, and if you buy a Ford today, will you be able to replace the spark plugs without having to buy a cylinder head?
My last dodge pickup was sold with 360K on it. It was still hauling and towing 2 years later. I don't talk to the guy now, but 6 more years later, I'm sure it's still working hard.
In the first 360K miles, the trans was rebuilt once.
Hey, I love Dodge. I'm a Mopar guy. I used to kinda like GMs until I started working for them. But at the end of the days, all cars are junk. Some are more junk than others (*cough* VW *cough*) but they all are junk. And if they weren't junk, I wouldn't have a job.
DrBoost said:tuna55 said:I will vouch for the Pentastar, though mine is in a minivan.
That got me thinking, he wants a light duty truck with a V6 capable of 48" between the wheel wells. You could totally just rock a minivan. I think there is a cargo van version of the Caravan, and you get the same Pentastar and nearly 30 mpg, plus it rides better. If you don't need to tow, or carry really tall things, or gravel, I think that may be a wise choice to investigate.
1800 lb payload, 3,600 lb towing. That suits most 1/4 and 1/2 ton truck owners.
He's loading from the top, so it's literally one of a handful of scenarios where a van wouldn't be better than a light truck.
NickD said:DrBoost said:NickD said:In reply to singleslammer :
I'm a GM mechanic, so no word on Chrysler stuff. But yeah, when GM did the redesign in '14, they really screwed the trucks up. The EcoTec3 5.3L and 4.3L are really troublesome engines.
It's funny how everyone is quick to dump on Dodge, but they all have their problems. The carbon issue on the Chevys, and if you buy a Ford today, will you be able to replace the spark plugs without having to buy a cylinder head?
My last dodge pickup was sold with 360K on it. It was still hauling and towing 2 years later. I don't talk to the guy now, but 6 more years later, I'm sure it's still working hard.
In the first 360K miles, the trans was rebuilt once.
Hey, I love Dodge. I'm a Mopar guy. I used to kinda like GMs until I started working for them. But at the end of the days, all cars are junk. Some are more junk than others (*cough* VW *cough*) but they all are junk. And if they weren't junk, I wouldn't have a job.
A preteen Tuna once asked his Dad, a rather accomplished mechanic, after another in a long series of expletive-laced rants about car repair, what cars were actually "good".
"Everything is E36 M3. Everyone makes E36 M3. It's just a matter of what kind of E36 M3 you like to work on"
STM317 said:In reply to singleslammer :
Cool projects! If you want a small truck, and you're willing to modify the bed to haul what's needed, then why spend the money for a new truck at all? If you just want a new truck, then go for it, but spending new truck money, and then having to modify it to handle what you want seems unnecessarily expensive when any old Ranger/S10/Tacoma can be modified to haul a couple of 4X8 sheets like so:
For the kind of weight you're dealing with, I'd probably add some vertical support underneath the slats, or make a box that the sheets can slide across but it's not difficult, and it beats a payment plus running costs of a new vehicle in my opinion.
The boards across the ledges in the bed is how I haul sheetrock in my '97 Ford Ranger with 6 foot bed. I also made a support to put on the open tailgate to hold up the over hang of the 8 foot long sheets. Last week I had 1000 lbs of sheetrock ( 20 - 5/8" sheets) in my Ranger with no problems other than the Lowe's guys making bets the suspension would collapse. It didn't. Ranger is still a 1/2 ton truck even though smaller in dimensions.
I’ve seen multiple trucks in the past where there are actually indentations in the interior bed sides for 2x4s at just the right height to clear the wheel wells. I’m not sure the Colorado does this, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
singleslammer said:In reply to STM317 :
The new truck thought was due to the insane used prices of trucks and the end of year sales going on. This would be my DD so an older ranger or tacoma isn't going to work for a 40+ mile commute each way for me.
I am fine with adding some risers to get the sheet above the wheel wells.
My 4 cyl/ 5 spd Ranger is about the lowest cost/mile vehicle that I've seen with any utility. It gets 30mpg or better most of the year. It costs as close to nothing to register or insure as any vehicle can. Parts are plentiful and it's easy to work on (although mine has needed nothing more than routine maintenance). It's nowhere near as nice as a new truck, but I'd wager that it would take a very long time for the math to work in favor of something new in most cases. Payload is more than adequate for what you're talking about hauling a handful of times per year. They made them until 2011, so they're not new trucks any more but they're not difficult to find in good shape for $5-7k.
I'm not against you buying something new if that's what you want deep down. You may decide that buying new is your best option, but you shouldn't feel like it's your only option.
My big issue is that I have found that I have a better day if I am comfortable on my commute. I did it in a first gen Insight for a while and it was miserable. I am relatively certain that any ranger would beat me up. I am spoiled now. Hard to go back. The F150 was ruled out pretty much on the ride alone.
In reply to tuna55 :
As far as I know they stopped making the Cargo Caravan in favor of the Promasters. Both of which are decent as far as I've heard but just about on either side of the Caravan as far as size goes.
Over the last year my 2.7 Ecoboost has returned an average fuel consumption of 18.8 miles per gallon. It will easily hit the low twenties on the highway, with a best of 24 miles per gallon. This is the six speed -- the ten speed should be better.
For reference, mine is the 4x4 Supercrew. It has been flawless in operation.
It really sounds like OP wants to be comfortable while driving, and who doesn't? Having recently looked at new pick-ups (mostly Chev/GMC) most seemed to have rock hard ie uncomfortable seats. In my finding's only the more expensive trucks had more comfortable seating available (due to a conversion package).
Many here including myself have swapped out seats in the name of comfort in older vehicles. However doing this on a newer vehicle may be a lot more involved and costly?
The colorado with the new diesel gets pretty surprising mpg. I think regarding seats is all the power/airbag etc stuff in them now
In reply to Jaynen :
Yeah, those are nice but that is an $8k premium over a v6 gas truck in my area. That is as listed on Auto trader too. I imagine that I could open the gap up even further with negotiations.
It doesn't really matter at the moment though. I decided to build a new trailer just big enough to haul sheet metal that should tow pretty good behind my Saab. However, the Saab is going to need a new clutch before I do too much towing with it.
In reply to ZOO :
A 2wd extended or crew cab version of that with nice interior would be ideal but will have to wait a while. I will hopefully need a business write-off next year.
I was anti full size until I got one. Ram 1500 full crew, 6.5' bed with diesel. Give it a few weeks and I can't see myself getting a midsize for negligible fuel eco gain, and I've found out how to use the truck in the city with parking etc. Not a real compromise. I'm 40k in and super happy. I've seen regular cab 1500's for sale on Dennis Dillon for under 20k- v6/v8, not the micro diesel.
And regarding all vehicles/trucks being unreliable? WTF? They are all miracles. I am amazed that I don't even have to think about how I'm getting to work, and I own a dodge. We sit in a moving chair, men, a moving chair that offers you heat on cold days and cool on hot days.
18k guaranteed with Hemi. I drove up from Sacramento to buy from them.
In reply to Teh E36 M3 :
That is bonkers. That even has u connect which was the only option I really wanted if I was daily driving it
I've seen some brand new Titans with equally low prices for fleet style trucks.
That is a good deal too. The wife is really not on board with a new truck though. Why are all the best deals on the edges of the country!
unreliable? WTF? They are all miracles. I am amazed that I don't even have to think about how I'm getting to work, and I own a dodge. We sit in a moving chair, men, a moving chair that offers you heat on cold days and cool on hot days.
Agree so hard with this. I think one of the best attributes a car enthusiast can have is a refusal to be jaded.
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