Truck advice needed. What would you buy?

[HCJtractor]

I have a '96 F 250 diesel that I use occassionally. Drive it perhaps twice a week to my property, about 4000 miles yearly. I also tow my M6800 Kubota with it on a 25" gooseneck flat top, which is quite a load (13000 lbs. ?? total with an implement) Fortunately, only tow it locally several times a year, and usually less than 20 miles, so it has been adequate for that. Truck has 200,000 miles, and I don't know its history, as I bought it at 178,000. Problem is , I now have transmission problems and anticipate a large expense, but am waiting on a diagnosis and quote. If it costs up to $1000, I will probably have it repaired, but if it goes higher, I wonder if it wise to spend that much on this truck.

My question is, if the repair bill is out of sight, what would you do? If I need to start looking for another truck, what would you go for? Priorities are:

1. Cheap (under $14000 would be nice) as this is not a daily driver
2. Capacity to tow my tractor
3. long bed (for carrying my 4-wheeler)
4. 4-WD
5. Non-dually
6. Dependable, don't need bells and whistles or luxury
7. Prefer an extended cab, not a 4 door

I like Fords, but know there are lots of Dodge fans. I wonder if a F 350 single wheel would be better for my towing. I like diesels, but wonder about a V-10.
As I am shopping around, what truck would you look at? What make, year, model, and engine? Is this a good time to buy a truck such as this?

 

[DIRTROAD]

If it were me, I would try to find another truck as close to the same as the one you have now. This way you will have a parts truck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If its tranny related you will be lucky to get it fixed for less than $2500. Getting another HD truck for under 14K is going to put you in a worse spot, 2 trucks with potential problems.

If it were me I would just get it fixed and chalk it up to a learning lesson. Yes, a F-350 SRW would be better and the V-10 is ok but its no diesel.

Just get it fixed. For your occasional use you will be fine with the F-250 and if you need too add airbags even though I personally hate them its probably your best and cheapest solution.

Chris

 

[HCJtractor]

If its tranny related you will be lucky to get it fixed for less than $2500. Getting another HD truck for under 14K is going to put you in a worse spot, 2 trucks with potential problems.

If it were me I would just get it fixed and chalk it up to a learning lesson. Yes, a F-350 SRW would be better and the V-10 is ok but its no diesel.

Just get it fixed. For your occasional use you will be fine with the F-250 and if you need too add airbags even though I personally hate them its probably your best and cheapest solution.

Chris

O.K. assuming I would spend more than $14,000, but still used and trying to keep costs as low as reasonable, what truck would you look at? I know Ford changed its diesel at some point. What year and model, assuming I found one with reasonable mileage and condition, would serve my needs?

If I start shopping, what trucks should I look at?

 

[RobertN]

I would just look a little newer. I have seen '01, '02 Dodge and Ford diesels in the $10-15k range. For sure you are talking a 100,000 mile+ pickup though.

I looked locally on Craigslist and found a number of '01-03 Dodge and Ford 3/4 and 1 tons for $9000-15,000. Guessing a Chevy Duramax of the same years would be similar.

Any of those trucks would pull the load you mention, easily. And all, are easy to boost up a bit to pull it easier(exhaust, chip ect).

I personally like the RAM/Cummins with a stickshift in those years. Mine has an auto, and has worked fine though. Wish I would got it with a manual. I like gear jammin too though... Buddy had a '01 F450 power stroke with a 6spd stick; it was fun to drive.

O.K. assuming I would spend more than $14,000, but still used and trying to keep costs as low as reasonable, what truck would you look at? I know Ford changed its diesel at some point. What year and model, assuming I found one with reasonable mileage and condition, would serve my needs?

If I start shopping, what trucks should I look at?

 

[Groo]

I'm shopping for an F350 SRW now. a new v10 has a GN tow rating of about 16,000

the v8 is lower

in your price range, you'll need to find a used one.
its hard to find an extended cab work truck. they are either crews or standard

most f350 SRW i see are standard cab v8 plow truck, but probably not so many plow truck down your way

one more thing Dodge V10s go fairly cheap because they are gas hogs, not a big preblem for you.
you might have an easier time finding Dodge V10 extended cab, but it will probable be a 3/4, and not a 1 ton SWR

 

[flusher]

I have a '96 F 250 diesel that I use occassionally. Drive it perhaps twice a week to my property, about 4000 miles yearly. I also tow my M6800 Kubota with it on a 25" gooseneck flat top, which is quite a load (13000 lbs. ?? total with an implement) Fortunately, only tow it locally several times a year, and usually less than 20 miles, so it has been adequate for that. Truck has 200,000 miles, and I don't know its history, as I bought it at 178,000. Problem is , I now have transmission problems and anticipate a large expense, but am waiting on a diagnosis and quote. If it costs up to $1000, I will probably have it repaired, but if it goes higher, I wonder if it wise to spend that much on this truck.

My question is, if the repair bill is out of sight, what would you do? If I need to start looking for another truck, what would you go for? Priorities are:

1. Cheap (under $14000 would be nice) as this is not a daily driver
2. Capacity to tow my tractor
3. long bed (for carrying my 4-wheeler)
4. 4-WD
5. Non-dually
6. Dependable, don't need bells and whistles or luxury
7. Prefer an extended cab, not a 4 door

I like Fords, but know there are lots of Dodge fans. I wonder if a F 350 single wheel would be better for my towing. I like diesels, but wonder about a V-10.
As I am shopping around, what truck would you look at? What make, year, model, and engine? Is this a good time to buy a truck such as this?

That F250 is paid for, so fix the tranny and think about dropping in a rebuilt engine and a new rear end. That will reset your mileage to 0 miles on the drive train and I'll bet you'll spend a lot less than $14K going this route.

Right now I'm looking for a used F350 flatbed and GN trailer to haul my parade tractors around (tractor weight from 2500 to 4500 lb). Like you, I'll only be hauling 6 or 7 times a year.

Yesterday I looked at a 20-ft low-profile PJ tiltbed GN derated to 9950 lb GVWR (so I can pull it with an F350 without a CDL) that's really attractive.

I'm going through the same kind of puts and takes as you on that F350 I'm interested in:

- a $10-15K truck, 1999-2002, extended cab, with 150K+ miles

- or an early 1990s model with 200K+ miles for $4-5K and replace
the engine/tranny/rear end.

Hope to find something in the next month or so.

The quest continues.

 

[Builder]

I have a '96 F 250 diesel that I use occassionally. Drive it perhaps twice a week to my property, about 4000 miles yearly. I also tow my M6800 Kubota with it on a 25" gooseneck flat top, which is quite a load (13000 lbs. ?? total with an implement) Fortunately, only tow it locally several times a year, and usually less than 20 miles, so it has been adequate for that. Truck has 200,000 miles, and I don't know its history, as I bought it at 178,000. Problem is , I now have transmission problems and anticipate a large expense, but am waiting on a diagnosis and quote. If it costs up to $1000, I will probably have it repaired, but if it goes higher, I wonder if it wise to spend that much on this truck.

My question is, if the repair bill is out of sight, what would you do? If I need to start looking for another truck, what would you go for? Priorities are:

1. Cheap (under $14000 would be nice) as this is not a daily driver
2. Capacity to tow my tractor
3. long bed (for carrying my 4-wheeler)
4. 4-WD
5. Non-dually
6. Dependable, don't need bells and whistles or luxury
7. Prefer an extended cab, not a 4 door

I like Fords, but know there are lots of Dodge fans. I wonder if a F 350 single wheel would be better for my towing. I like diesels, but wonder about a V-10.
As I am shopping around, what truck would you look at? What make, year, model, and engine? Is this a good time to buy a truck such as this?

UGH. I remember those days. I feel your pain. I spent over $10,000 in the 90's rebuilding Ford transmissions. My advice would be to go to someone like BTS, Suncoast, monsterbox, etc. and get a better transmission from them. They make custom built trannies for guys that have Ford diesels that tow heavier loads. You may not want to hear this, but stock ford transmissions were junk and that's why there's dozens of Ford aftermarket transmissions companies. Don't go to Ford, you'll get a reman that'll puke again in 25-50K miles. My mason lost his trans in his '97 F-350 at 70K. He got a reman and that took a dump at ~100K miles.

The difference with the aftermarket guys are that they can install heavy billet converters, with more clutch material, a deeper pan for more fluid capacity and a shift kit to get rid of that long slipping shift pattern.

They don't cost much more, usually about the same as a ford reman stock trans.

Once I equipped my Fords with aftermarket transmissions built by people who know the difference between a diesel truck transmission and a passenger car transmission, I had no problems. I think once you get a quality built trans, you like the way your truck drives a lot more and save a lot of money compared to buying a new (used) truck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That F250 is paid for, so fix the tranny and think about dropping in a rebuilt engine and a new rear end. That will reset your mileage to 0 miles on the drive train and I'll bet you'll spend a lot less than $14K going this route.

Right now I'm looking for a used F350 flatbed and GN trailer to haul my parade tractors around (tractor weight from 2500 to 4500 lb). Like you, I'll only be hauling 6 or 7 times a year.

Yesterday I looked at a 20-ft low-profile PJ tiltbed GN derated to 9950 lb GVWR (so I can pull it with an F350 without a CDL) that's really attractive.

I'm going through the same kind of puts and takes as you on that F350 I'm interested in:

- a $10-15K truck, 1999-2002, extended cab, with 150K+ miles

- or an early 1990s model with 200K+ miles for $4-5K and replace
the engine/tranny/rear end.

Hope to find something in the next month or so.

The quest continues.

Why do you need a F-350? Any newer 1/2 ton with all the goodies will do the job. My current 1/2 ton pulls 7,000# over 150 miles every week. Has 6,000 miles of which about 5,000# are towing and its given a honest 9.4 mpg pulling.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

O.K. assuming I would spend more than $14,000, but still used and trying to keep costs as low as reasonable, what truck would you look at? I know Ford changed its diesel at some point. What year and model, assuming I found one with reasonable mileage and condition, would serve my needs?

If I start shopping, what trucks should I look at?

In the Fords the only years to watch for are the late 2003 and 2004 6.0PSD. I have a 04 and its not been in the shop a single time. My 06 has been in once for a faulty dash cluster.


I would just fix the truck you have if it does the job. Get a good aftermarket tranny with a 60,000 mile warranty like the ones mentioned above or a Jasper. Any other will cost you more to buy, plate, and insure.

Chris