Searching for a tow vehicle

I have decided it is time to buy a truck. I have been looking at everything from 1/2 to 1 ton under $2500. I would really prefer a 3/4 ton but might settle for a GMT400 or 800 1/2 ton. It also needs to be 4x4. 

I had my eye on this 2500HD, it was listed for $1800. The body looks rough but not too rotten compared to some of the other ones I have seen, it is probably worse in person. It also has 350k miles. The price is down to $1200 now, am I crazy for considering this?

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-chevrolet-silverado-2500/6624565145.html

With you budget, how much do you plan on putting into the truck once you buy one? 

You want the tow-pigs to be reliable and safe. Which usually means, buying low requires decent amount of work to bring it up to snuff.

If you're looking for cheap 1/2 tons...  My sister has a '97 Chevy 1500 4x4 extended cab "conversion" truck.  Bumpers are rusted out, tailgate brackets rusted out and need to be replaced, seats are a little torn, and it needs a new intake manifold gasket.  Plan is to replace the gasket, put on new bumpers, fix up the tailgate and sell.

My Dad has an '03 F150 4x4 extended cab with the 5.4 and a brake controller.  Body isn't too rusty, but the underside is a little bit rough.  Needs a left rear brake line, has the typical leaky exhaust manifolds, and the right rear spring shackle rusted through, pushing the spring up through the bed.  Plan on that one is to replace the brake line, fix the spring shackle, and weld a small patch into in the bed to cover the hole from the spring, and then sell.

I'm betting that one or the other would go awfully cheap since they both already have other cars.  They're stored over at the workshop now and I keep telling them that the could summon the car repair elves by leaving a bottle of whisky on the workbench, but so far nothing...  I think they both just want to be rid of them.  I'm not sure of the mileage on either truck but I'm almost positive they're under 200k.

you need a dodge neon

yupididit said:

With you budget, how much do you plan on putting into the truck once you buy one? 

You want the tow-pigs to be reliable and safe. Which usually means, buying low requires decent amount of work to bring it up to snuff.

What he said!   

Then there is the whole question of reliability.  Do you want to work on getting your race car ready or your tow vehicle fixed to go to the track with?  

I bought an early Chevy pickup to tow my race car. Upgraded the steering,suspension, and brakes with modern stuff  put a modern engine and well respected transmission in. Got  the instruments and dash all set up. Then spent months getting everything running right and reliability able.  

It really looked cool and running it around to test it I felt good.  But there was always something left to fix or upgrade or do better etc. In the end I sold it and bought a reliable but boring tow vehicle. 

In reply to wae :

Interested in the Chevy, is the intake manifold gasket bad enough that it wouldn't drive back to Columbus without fixing? I'm not a fan of that body style F150. 

In reply to EvanB :

You might need to stop and top it off on the way, but it's not *that* bad yet.  No visible white smoke out the back and no coolant drips visible anywhere, but it does consume coolant.  She took it to a local reputable garage and got the intake manifold diagnosis.

I'll warn you, though:  It's kind of a weird color combo.

I am well versed in buying at the very low end of the market. Even bumping my budget up to $3-4k (which isn't going to happen) would require me putting money into a vehicle. My current daily Montero was purchased at $400 and still has less than $1000 in it after 2+ years and 30k miles even after new tires. It is just too close to the limit towing a full trailer and I could use something with a bed for home repair shenanigans. 

The main concern is if 350k miles would keep you away from a Chevy 6.0/4l80e that is in otherwise decent mechanical shape. 

In reply to wae :

If you are by the shop and can snap some pictures to send me that would be appreciated. I will be ready to buy next week. If it is light blue and pink I will definitely buy it. 

I have thought about buying this one just for the graphics and wing:

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/dually-diesel-for-sale/6628757334.html

Professor_Brap said:

you need a dodge neon

That's the last thing I need. 

Just surfing around on your behalf... 

Suburban Big Block 4x4 

Another Suburban 2500 asking $1,800

2wd Super Duty asking $1,700

'93 Dodge D-250 w/ 360

I wouldnt be scared of a 350k 6.0 4l80e as long as there has been some regular maintenance.  That example looks like the frame may be about to rust in two though.

Right now I would go with a lifted K5.  

Lifted K5 in Denver - first year of boxy style

What are you towing, and where?  Those things are a big factor in what kind of truck is required.

Towing an open trailer with cars ranging from 1500 to 4000 lbs anywhere from 30 miles to 1000 miles one way. Mainly it will be for towing my Miata to races or dragging project cars home. 

You need a 7.3L F series based ambulance. 

EvanB said:

 

The main concern is if 350k miles would keep you away from a Chevy 6.0/4l80e that is in otherwise decent mechanical shape. 

Yes, it would.  I don't have any specific experiences that make me say that but that really seems like several really expensive assemblies are very near end of life.

Just under 140k.

Oh wow, that is awesome. Is it a long or short bed? How does the frame look for rust? Get me a price if she wants to sell as is.

https://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-international/6624128173.html

You could tow whatever you want AND have a place to stay on those extra long adventures!

EvanB said:

Oh wow, that is awesome. Is it a long or short bed? How does the frame look for rust? Get me a price if she wants to sell as is.

If you get it and are concerned about it making the trip, you’re welcome to do the intake manifold gaskets in my driveway.

EvanB said:

I have decided it is time to buy a truck.

You already have a truck.  Photographic and videographic proof exists.

On the other hand, just because you have one of something has never stopped you before...

In reply to Knurled. :

*Queue shot of 5 Volvos and two MIatas in driveway* The Volvo truck is just a fun exercise in "why the berkeley not," I still need something to tow bad ideas with. 

Slightly over your budget but it should make up for it in reliability. Beating a dead horse but Sequoias tow great as long as you're not hauling over about 6-7k, are pretty bulletproof, and are the bang-for-the-buck steal in the Toyota line that don't hold their value like all the other Toyota trucks since I guess they're not cool. But it's just a Tundra without the pickup truck/4Runner/Land Cruiser tax....

In your area:

This one has 171k miles and it is listed as "low miles!" because....Toyota.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-sequoia-sr5-v8-4wd-3rd/6631413229.html

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-sequoia-sr5-v8-4wd-3rd/6631413229.html

There are a couple more closer to $4k. 

EvanB said:

In reply to Knurled. :

*Queue shot of 5 Volvos and two MIatas in driveway* The Volvo truck is just a fun exercise in "why the berkeley not," I still need something to tow bad ideas with. 

I meant your Montero, which is a truck, and has already towed many bad ideas.