Recommend me a truck?

I've decided that my next vehicle will be a truck. I also don't really have an idea on what I should get. The budget im shooting for is $5,000, though I don't have to meet it, and depending on the truck I could go up. It's going to be a daily driver, so I want it to be comfortable, and I don't want it to be a project that i have to work on. I know I eventually want to pull a car trailer, but i don't have that right now, so it's not a necessity.

I've owned an 89 f150 with the I6/4speed and an 04 Ram 1500 with a 4.7/auto, the 89 worked great as a truck, and actually pulled a trailer better than the ram, but the ram was more comfortable.

Lastly i don't have a specific brand i prefer, however I really don't like F150's from 97-03 as i just don't like the look.

So what are your guys thoughts?

My big problem with Rams (at least in that budget range) have super cheap plasticky interiors that rattle and buzz. For me that is a large part of the comfort aspect. I like quiet. I don't mind loud exhausts or engines, but repetitive squeaks and rattles annoy the crap out of me.

I have owned a few 97-03 F150s and really love them. You can find a nice example for $4000 with under 100k pretty easily around here. Comfort is pretty high in my opinion as long as you get the XLT. The XL seats aren't awful, but they don't recline and they're a solid bench instead of the 60/40. Neither the 4.6L nor the 5.4L will win any races, but they will run a VERY long time.

Dad is a die-hard Chevy guy. He has an 04 Duramax, an 08 Duramax, and just sold a complete lemon 04 HD1500 with the 6.0L. When I say lemon, I mean Grade A Country Time. Of all the Chevy trucks that he (and I) have owned, I will say they are pretty comfy for my butt. The quality of materials isn't quite up to Ford level. The leather in his Dmax and the cloth in his 6.0L have both disintegrated before 100k, and he has step bars so its not like he's sliding off the edges. My last F150 just started to show wear in the cloth at 146k. With a Chevy, I suggest the 5.3L instead of the 6.0L. The power and torque outputs are similar enough you won't notice, but the 6.0L tends to guzzle fuel at a disproportionate rate. It may make 10% more oomph, but it takes more than 10% more fuel to do it.

Overall, I would say Ford for the "better" truck, Chevy for 10% more problems but 10% more comfort. The two Dodges I owned were just abysmal. I owned one for two months. I bought it from a friend who needed help, drove it for 2 months, then sold it. I couldn't do it. The other one I owned for a year and desperately wanted rid of it but I didn't have money to buy another vehicle. I just hate them. The door panels encroach on your arm, the cupholders are basically under the dash, the radio requires leaning forward to reach (and half the time the seatbelt locks when you move), the dash rattles like its shivering, and good luck if you need to rebuild the Automatic tranny. Easily twice the cost of a GM. And in my experience running trans repair shops, they tend to go with much greater frequency than GM or Ford.

So long story short, can't go wrong with a Chevy or Ford, but I don't like the Ram.

Thanks for the input. Ive driven several early 2000's chevy half tons and really liked those, so i was leaning towards trying to find one. I also agree with you on the dodge front.

As far as ford, do they have enough power for towing? I've driven several v10 duallys from that early 2000's era, and found they just don't seem to have enough power, or at least tow like i would expect something that to tow like.

I've also driven a 2012 gas f250, and really liked that truck, but it is definitely out of my price range.

Had a '99 F150 with the 5.4,it sucked as a tow vehicle.Power was ok but the gearing was completely wrong and limited towing with OD off(OD towing wasn't an option,hunted up and down even on level ground)to barely 65mph due to the engine screaming along at 3k.Drank fuel like nothing else I've towed with.

Followed that with an '07 F150 with the 4.6,slowest full size I've been in...truly lousy to get up to speed(empty,loaded,downhill whatever) BUT the gearing was really good for towing OD off and mileage was halfway decent.

The new'ish dodge hemis I've been in just want to rev and not really go anywhere until you continue to throttle up and then they REALLY rev and sorta go.Can't see towing anything with one being any fun.

I like the GMT800s (99-06/07?) I've driven, though most of my experience has been in a Duramax. The iron block LS variants go forever, but it seems like every truck around here has rusty rockers.

You could probably get just about the nicest GMT400 around for your budget. They're older and you don't get the LS, but they're better built trucks.

1st gen Tundra might be pushing the budget unless regular cab and high miles, but would make a better DD than the above, IMHO. Super comfortable for a truck and just the right size - big enough to be useful as a truck, but doesnt feel like a Peterbilt. I've towed a Cherokee on a U-Haul trailer (maybe 5k total weight) with one just fine. Reliability is typical Toyota, although on the downside there is a timing belt to maintain and the frame rot issue is a concern.

NBraun wrote: Thanks for the input. Ive driven several early 2000's chevy half tons and really liked those, so i was leaning towards trying to find one. I also agree with you on the dodge front. As far as ford, do they have enough power for towing? I've driven several v10 duallys from that early 2000's era, and found they just don't seem to have enough power, or at least tow like i would expect something that to tow like. I've also driven a 2012 gas f250, and really liked that truck, but it is definitely out of my price range.

Even the V6 has enough for towing, at least for me. Of course everyone wants huge power and torque numbers for towing, but its really not necessary in my opinion. I have towed 10k lbs with a 4.6L (it was a 98, so 215 hp) and it didn't win any races but I had no problem topping the hills at 65. Same goes for the 5.3L chevy or the 4.2 I-6 in a Ford. If I need real towing power, I borrow one of dad's Dmax trucks

That 98 F150 had 3.42s I think. My current 02 F150-7700 has 3.73s and the 5.4L. Again, it won't win any races, but plenty of oomph for towing 10k. (disclaimer: the max tow rating on my current F150 is 8800, but I tend to stretch that a bit for short distances)

None of them (at least the 4-speed autos you'll be seeing) should be towing in OD. I might think about it on something newer with tow/haul mode since it ups the pressures, but the OD band is just not up to the task in any of them.

A suggestion: The F150-7700 I have (also sometimes marketed as an F250LD) is a pretty good compromise. I know you said you don't really like the styling, but follow me on this train for a minute. The 7-lug F150s have all the F250 goodies like the 4R100 transmission, the 10.25" rear, all come with 3.73 posi, extra fluid coolers, stiffer springs, boxed frame, etc. But they don't sell for any more than an F150. You get almost all the benefits of a 3/4 ton without the price tag. Chevy's 1500HD was the same way; its a 4L80E with a 9.5" SF rear and 8 lugs. Not quite as beefy as the Ford, but overkill as a 1/2 ton.

My F150 5.4L 3.73 truck is getting 12 commuting and 14 hwy, so it likes to drink. I never checked towing because I don't want to know.

One more train of thought here... you mentioned that your budget doesn't have to be what it is, so I'm assuming a truck will improve your life 5k-worth but you see no need to spend more, right? But if you want, step that budget up to $7000 and look at Dmax 3/4 trucks. You will certainly appreciate the Allison trans, the 600 lb-ft of torque, and the 20+ mpg doesn't hurt either. Not to mention the three best reasons to buy a diesel are 1) resale 2) resale and 3) resale. I've owned several used diesel trucks and quite literally sold them for exactly what I paid. Of course, I am a very shrewd buyer and savvy seller, but they really hold value.

I can't recommend a Ford diesel in that era unless its a 7.3L stroke, but most are either clapped out or if they're nice they bring stoopid money. Don't fall for the cheap 6.0L 'stroke trucks. There is a reason they're so cheap.

I like my 6.0 powerstroke. It's got north of 350k

Furious_E wrote: I like the GMT800s (99-06/07?) I've driven, though most of my experience has been in a Duramax. The iron block LS variants go forever, but it seems like every truck around here has rusty rockers. You could probably get just about the nicest GMT400 around for your budget. They're older and you don't get the LS, but they're better built trucks. 1st gen Tundra might be pushing the budget unless regular cab and high miles, but would make a better DD than the above, IMHO. Super comfortable for a truck and just the right size - big enough to be useful as a truck, but doesnt feel like a Peterbilt. I've towed a Cherokee on a U-Haul trailer (maybe 5k total weight) with one just fine. Reliability is typical Toyota, although on the downside there is a timing belt to maintain and the frame rot issue is a concern.

I would be up for either one of those trucks too. I think i might have a hard time spending 5k on a GMT400, but you're right, it would buy a very nice one, especially being in the upper midwest.

Even the V6 has enough for towing, at least for me. Of course everyone wants huge power and torque numbers for towing, but its really not necessary in my opinion. I have towed 10k lbs with a 4.6L (it was a 98, so 215 hp) and it didn't win any races but I had no problem topping the hills at 65. Same goes for the 5.3L chevy or the 4.2 I-6 in a Ford. If I need real towing power, I borrow one of dad's Dmax trucks That 98 F150 had 3.42s I think. My current 02 F150-7700 has 3.73s and the 5.4L. Again, it won't win any races, but plenty of oomph for towing 10k. (disclaimer: the max tow rating on my current F150 is 8800, but I tend to stretch that a bit for short distances) None of them (at least the 4-speed autos you'll be seeing) should be towing in OD. I might think about it on something newer with tow/haul mode since it ups the pressures, but the OD band is just not up to the task in any of them. A suggestion: The F150-7700 I have (also sometimes marketed as an F250LD) is a pretty good compromise. I know you said you don't really like the styling, but follow me on this train for a minute. The 7-lug F150s have all the F250 goodies like the 4R100 transmission, the 10.25" rear, all come with 3.73 posi, extra fluid coolers, stiffer springs, boxed frame, etc. But they don't sell for any more than an F150. You get almost all the benefits of a 3/4 ton without the price tag. Chevy's 1500HD was the same way; its a 4L80E with a 9.5" SF rear and 8 lugs. Not quite as beefy as the Ford, but overkill as a 1/2 ton. My F150 5.4L 3.73 truck is getting 12 commuting and 14 hwy, so it likes to drink. I never checked towing because I don't want to know. One more train of thought here... you mentioned that your budget doesn't have to be what it is, so I'm assuming a truck will improve your life 5k-worth but you see no need to spend more, right? But if you want, step that budget up to $7000 and look at Dmax 3/4 trucks. You will certainly appreciate the Allison trans, the 600 lb-ft of torque, and the 20+ mpg doesn't hurt either. Not to mention the three best reasons to buy a diesel are 1) resale 2) resale and 3) resale. I've owned several used diesel trucks and quite literally sold them for exactly what I paid. Of course, I am a very shrewd buyer and savvy seller, but they really hold value. I can't recommend a Ford diesel in that era unless its a 7.3L stroke, but most are either clapped out or if they're nice they bring stoopid money. Don't fall for the cheap 6.0L 'stroke trucks. There is a reason they're so cheap.

Well i might have to open up my options to those F150 years.

I was also going to bring up the budget. I chose $5,000 because that's what I already have set aside and can pay for outright. I'm slowly realizing though, that what i had in mind for $5,000 trucks are more in the $7-10 range.

So since I plan on keeping it for a long while, is it worth it to open my budget? If so how much more?

I'm not sure where you're at, but there are no duramax's that cheap around here, and if they are they're clapped out. Otherwise they would be on the search list too.

Finally, i'd be willing to travel for the right truck at the right price range. Living in the upper midwest means rust is normally inevitable so I figured i could get the same truck, rust free, for cheaper in the southern states. However i'm not even sure how to start searching for a truck like that.

Thanks for the input guys!

I'm a Ford guy for the most part. I think GM made some nice trucks but I just don't like them as much. Dodge? Crappy interiors and front suspensions always seem to wear out. I just don't like sitting in them.

So, the Fords...I don't know where you live but one of the biggest problems with Fords post-96 is rust. They are horrible. Its rare I see a F150 that doesn't have swiss cheese for rocker panels. Better if you can move up to a Super Duty as those cabs don't rust but...wait...the beds are junk! They rust over the rear wheels but worse yet the crossmembers under the floor rot out and take the bed floor with it. Just try to find a replacement bed for a SD; you can't! Everyone needs one.

Then you have the ejecting spark plugs/seized spark plugs of the Triton engines and I just hang my head in shame. I don't need these headaches.

What did I buy? A '93 Lightning for $3500 (admittedly a steal, but you can find them for $5k pretty regularly). Very similar HP to the 5.4 Triton, Windsor reliability, really comfy seats and it will hold its value. Note though that they do have a lot of unique pieces on them and are not just a F150 with a hopped up motor.

5.4 Fords are a real risk. I don't think I've ever done a prepurchase, or more often, a post purchase check where it didn't need major engine work. About one in a dozen you might fix with chains and phasers, but most of them have no oil pressure at idle, so all the phasers in the world won't fix that. I presume that's why they wind up on the lot. They also seem to drink gas towing.

Chev without the cylinder deactivation, I say.

Best condition, lowest mileage that meet your needs in that price range.

Seems every brand has glitch somewhere.