1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

[timswi]

Found a Dodge locally, 2003 1500, Laramie, Quad Cab, 4WD (manual shift transfer case), 6.25 FT Bed, automatic transmission, 5.7L V8 Engine, tow package, 103k miles, pretty much loaded at a dealer that we have had good relations with in the past.
Its been sitting on the lot for a few months (has an PA inspection sticker that expired in Aug) and they are asking just over $10k
It appears that it is rated to tow 7500# (with a 150# driver and a quart of fuel :laughing. Should this be enough truck (assuming that they want to come down in price)? I see them on Ebay (2002-2005 with under 150k miles) going for $5-10k depending on the truck.
Is there something like an Oasis report for Dodge trucks? Not sure I like it that much (would prefer a Ford), but others in the family like it and a bird in the hand...

Aaron Z

Watch the front suspensions in those, they are considered a maintenance item from those that have them around here...Ball joints etc...Not dissing, just sayin'..There are some butt-kicking cool Dodges around here.

 

[Piston]

For your uses that you listed, I think you'd be fine with just about any 1/2t or bigger truck. For only 5k miles a year, and barely any of it towing anything appreciable, you have a lot of choices. I'd go with whatever the best deal you come across is, within reason of course.

Aren't most half tons listed with around 7k lb tow capacities? You don't need more than that.

Nothing you listed requires a heavy duty pickup truck. What's wrong with 9 or 10mpg when you only drive 4-5k miles a year?

 

[Danny C]

Like Piston said, just about any 1/2 ton will easlily do what you want it to do. You may however, have a difficult time finding a crew cab with a 6.5ft bed, especially at your price point. The 5.5/6ft beds aren't that bad. I've had three now and I get my 4 wheeler in it or my snowmobile, pickup sheets of plywood, etc. I'd be surprised if it's a real issue.

I recommend finding a truck that is in your price range with all the other things you want and if it's a 1/2ton; it's a 1/2 ton. If it's a 3/4 ton, it's a 3/4 ton!

 

[aczlan]

Watch the front suspensions in those, they are considered a maintenance item from those that have them around here...Ball joints etc...Not dissing, just sayin'..There are some butt-kicking cool Dodges around here.

Good to know. If we go that route, I will have them put it up on the lift so I can get up close and personal with the front end to see how it has fared BEFORE we agree on a price...

For your uses that you listed, I think you'd be fine with just about any 1/2t or bigger truck. For only 5k miles a year, and barely any of it towing anything appreciable, you have a lot of choices. I'd go with whatever the best deal you come across is, within reason of course.

That's more or less the plan. I would prefer a Ford (and it appears that we could get a good deal on one down in NC), but we may end up with the local Dodge...

Aren't most half tons listed with around 7k lb tow capacities? You don't need more than that.

True

Nothing you listed requires a heavy duty pickup truck. What's wrong with 9 or 10mpg when you only drive 4-5k miles a year?

Nothing major wrong with it, its just starting to get rustier than we would like (wheel wells, bottom of the doors, etc. Typical rust for a '97 Dodge in NY) and its starting to nickle and dime us.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Like Piston said, just about any 1/2 ton will easlily do what you want it to do. You may however, have a difficult time finding a crew cab with a 6.5ft bed, especially at your price point. The 5.5/6ft beds aren't that bad. I've had three now and I get my 4 wheeler in it or my snowmobile, pickup sheets of plywood, etc. I'd be surprised if it's a real issue.
I recommend finding a truck that is in your price range with all the other things you want and if it's a 1/2ton; it's a 1/2 ton. If it's a 3/4 ton, it's a 3/4 ton!

We haul hay, wood and other stuff fairly frequently, so we will need at least a 6' bed. 8' would be nice, but that would be a pain to maneuver sometimes with the crew cab, so its looking like 6' would be a good compromise...

Aaron Z

 

[britt2020]

I would look into a 94-98 dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins and 5 speed tranny. Granted the back seat is a little tight, but these trucks will do everything you stated you do and get great fuel mileage for a truck of that size. I specify 94-98 just because in my mind the Injection system in these years were pretty trust worthy. Starting in 98.5 they went to a VP pump, which is electronically controlled and prone to failure, I know this because I have a 2001 that I have replaced the VP pump on. Another truck you may look into is the mid 90's Ford crew cab with the International 7.3 diesel Just a thought anyway. Good luck.

 

[aczlan]

I would look into a 94-98 dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins and 5 speed tranny. Granted the back seat is a little tight, but these trucks will do everything you stated you do and get great fuel mileage for a truck of that size. I specify 94-98 just because in my mind the Injection system in these years were pretty trust worthy. Starting in 98.5 they went to a VP pump, which is electronically controlled and prone to failure, I know this because I have a 2001 that I have replaced the VP pump on. Another truck you may look into is the mid 90's Ford crew cab with the International 7.3 diesel Just a thought anyway. Good luck.

Good ideas, but my father in law (who owns the truck) is looking for something newer than the current '97, so going older would not work. I like the International diesels (my parents had one in a '94 F450), but this one will need to be a newer truck.

Aaron Z

 

[Piston]

Good ideas, but my father in law (who owns the truck) is looking for something newer than the current '97, so going older would not work. I like the International diesels (my parents had one in a '94 F450), but this one will need to be a newer truck.

Aaron Z

It sounds like you've answered your own questions with this thread. I'm interested to see what you end up with. I think your smart to skip the diesels, your paying a premium just because it's a diesel, and you have no reason to justify one. You'll get a newer nicer gas truck, versus an older diesel, for the same price. :thumbsup:

 

[britt2020]

Good ideas, but my father in law (who owns the truck) is looking for something newer than the current '97, so going older would not work. I like the International diesels (my parents had one in a '94 F450), but this one will need to be a newer truck.

Aaron Z

I see where your coming from. I guess it's all in how you are going to use the truck. To me If it were primarily a work truck that hauled loads regularly the overall ability and dependability would be the key points. Being that this is a tractor forum I'm sure you are aware that new does not necessarily mean better. At the minimum I would get a 3/4 ton, even if it's not a diesel this gives you a much heavier built vehicle to work with. Gas motors in a 3/4 ton do tend to drink fuel, but I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

 

[aczlan]

It sounds like you've answered your own questions with this thread. I'm interested to see what you end up with. I think your smart to skip the diesels, your paying a premium just because it's a diesel, and you have no reason to justify one. You'll get a newer nicer gas truck, versus an older diesel, for the same price. :thumbsup:

That's my hope. This is also a "backup vehicle" that gets used as a daily driver when my car or my wife's car is in the shop, so going to a newer, nicer truck with better soundproofing and road manners would also be a plus...

Aaron Z