starting truck suggestions?
- Thread starter BigPoo
- Start date
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T-Bone
Well-known member
I've owned just about every brand of truck in this category. I currently have a '98 dodge 1/2 ton 360 extended cab shortbox. It's a good truck, the only complaint I have is with the mileage. Mine makes 10-11 on a good day, 8 mpg pulling my 2 place usually into a stiff crosswind. The truck pulls it ok. It's geared with 3.55's, so it's pretty eager to downshift. If you end up with one of these, I would definately put a shift kit and tranny cooler on it. I have one on mine. It makes a world of difference.
You can't really go wrong with the chevy either. It'll probably make better mileage than the dodge. And you can't beat a small block chevy for durability.
I would stay away from the triton engine'd ford's. I had an '01 with the 5.4. It got pretty good mileage (14-16 mpg), but it blew the #1 spark plug out of the head 3 times before it hit 100,000 miles. I got it fixed the last time and got rid of it.
You can't really go wrong with the chevy either. It'll probably make better mileage than the dodge. And you can't beat a small block chevy for durability.
I would stay away from the triton engine'd ford's. I had an '01 with the 5.4. It got pretty good mileage (14-16 mpg), but it blew the #1 spark plug out of the head 3 times before it hit 100,000 miles. I got it fixed the last time and got rid of it.
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tcpeterson
Member
So i'm assuming you are looking at full-size? If not for a first pickup a toyota or nissan 4x4 ex-cab are both good little pickups. The will pull a 2-place, not the greatest but they will do it, and they get better mileage then a full size.
If you are looking at full-size you can't go wrong with a mid-90's chevy. Right now i still have my 94' ex-cab short box 350 5-speed that i bought my senior year of high school. Used to get 16-17 mpg empty. Now with lift/tires and 250,000 miles it doesn't do as good. Needless to say since 2002 i have only had to replace the radiator, alt, clutch (219,000 miles), and a couple cv joints. It's been a great pickup
Good luck, you will always have a place for your first pickup.
If you are looking at full-size you can't go wrong with a mid-90's chevy. Right now i still have my 94' ex-cab short box 350 5-speed that i bought my senior year of high school. Used to get 16-17 mpg empty. Now with lift/tires and 250,000 miles it doesn't do as good. Needless to say since 2002 i have only had to replace the radiator, alt, clutch (219,000 miles), and a couple cv joints. It's been a great pickup
Good luck, you will always have a place for your first pickup.
I've actually been very happy with the 5.4 in my Expedition... same motor as the F-150 and it still runs very good with 130,000 on it. The only motor related problem I ever had was that I had one of the coil packs fail about a year ago. Otherwise very happy.
As far as Dodge rigs go I dont have much experience with them. My friend has a 2000 Dakota and that thing hauls arse... He bought it new and has put 48K on it and only had to replace the battery. Pretty good mid-size truck IMO... Something else to consider if you wanna save a little at the pump.
As far as Dodge rigs go I dont have much experience with them. My friend has a 2000 Dakota and that thing hauls arse... He bought it new and has put 48K on it and only had to replace the battery. Pretty good mid-size truck IMO... Something else to consider if you wanna save a little at the pump.
I'd look into a 97-03 f150. My first truck was a 96 f150 and I loved it, little fuel thirsty tho. Now I have an 04 f150 and its by far the best truck i've ever owned
I've got a 98 ford F150 I've had it since 64k and now its got 125k on it and I couldn't have asked for a better truck. I've had it the last 6 years and the only real issue i've had with it was blowing a spark plug out of the head at about 110k which was a quick fix. My truck seems to drink fuel but its got a chip, k&n intake kit and true duel exhaust with 33s and I've got a heavy foot. I'd say I get about 12-14 miles per gallon which isn't bad for that truck. I would highly recomment the triton 5.4 motor to anybody looking for a good all around pick up. I'm actually looking to sell it to upgrade to a diesel if you'd be interested in pictures.
X2 on the 5.4. With a little tuning and an intake they go pretty good. I have an edge programmer and exhaust and a K&N intake on mine and its a rocket
i got 3 95 chevs, put dynoflow exhaust on em and all have over 200k on em and no major issues, 2 auto;s one 5 spd
Get a GM product for that price range. Get a manual transmission and most of your maintenance issue's will be solved.
$3,000 it should be on its 3rd or 4th tranny by now so be ready to put in the 4th or 5th tranny. my 96 5.2l ram needed a tranny at 67,000 mi. my buddys 2000 ram 5.9l was on its 3rd tranny at 120,000 mi. other than the P.O.S. tranny and the bad MPG I like the RAM. they are good looking and comfortable to drive but need more money to keep them going than ford or chevy. sorry but its true.
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I'd stay away from the half ton dodges. they look nice but the people I know that have had them had nothing but issues. One had to replace the motor after about 6 months of driving, one had the complete front end go and pretty much everyone else I know with a dodge has replaced the tranny. The older chevs are awsome and the older and newer fords are awsome too
I also see you're in Lanley BC. Have you checked out the repo sites? Not sure if you mentioned above but what are you wanting to pay?
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BigPoo
Member
I am willing to pay 5,000. I have all of the in's due to the fact that my dad's friend is the body specialists at springmans. if any of you have a truck you are willing to sell please pm me.
Buy whatever one you can find that is in the best shape, don't worry about brand.
I'd honestly be looking for old men who are selling their trucks. Like look for "Grandpa's Old Truck" ..... literally. Don't worry about whether or not it's a Dodge or a Ford or a Chevy, when you're limited to $5,000 buying a truck you want one that hasn't had the sh!t kicked out of it.
Outside of that, they all will do the job for you pretty well equally.
I'd honestly be looking for old men who are selling their trucks. Like look for "Grandpa's Old Truck" ..... literally. Don't worry about whether or not it's a Dodge or a Ford or a Chevy, when you're limited to $5,000 buying a truck you want one that hasn't had the sh!t kicked out of it.
Outside of that, they all will do the job for you pretty well equally.
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BigPoo
Member
thanks everyone for the replies! I am getting a 1996 dodge ram 1500 4x4 ext cab, short box, 174xxx kilometers with magna flow strait pipe and a bunch of little things(leveling kit, gps..etc) and if you are wondering what i paid for it i paid 4700 canadian and a go kart.
Thanks alot
Dallas
Thanks alot
Dallas
Congrats on the truck, post up some pics when you get it! Sorry I didnt realize your buget was 5,000 I assumed it was higher for some reason. Sounds like a good buy
