1/2 ton or 3/4 ton?

[aczlan]

Looking like we will replace our current "farm truck" sometime this year.
Its a 1997 Dodge 1500 4x4 with the 318 V8 in it. It has 197k miles, its getting rusty (rockers, fenders, etc) and its starting to nickle and dime us.
We tow a 3000# 6x10 trailer a few times per year and in the summer, we have a few (4-6) slow (5-20MPH) local (<5 mile) runs with haywagons loaded with 150 30-40# hay bales (6000-7500# trailer weight). Otherwise, it gets used for random light stuff, probably less than 5k miles per year.

Should a newer (2006+) 1/2 ton handle this? Looking to improve on mileage (currently 9-10MPG) and get a little more cushion when hauling haywagons.

Requirements:

• 4x4
• Crew Cab (big enough to get car seats in the back)
• At least a 6' bed (would prefer an 8' bed, but that would be long)
• No rust

Any thoughts?

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looking like we will replace our current "farm truck" sometime this year. Its a 1997 Dodge 1500 4x4 with the 318 V8 in it. It has 197k miles, its getting rusty (rockers, fenders, etc) and its starting to nickle and dime us. We tow a 3000# 6x10 trailer a few times per year and in the summer, we have a few (4-6) slow (5-20MPH) local (<5 mile) runs with haywagons loaded with 150 30-40# hay bales (6000-7500# trailer weight). Otherwise, it gets used for random light stuff, probably less than 5k miles per year. Should a newer (2006+) 1/2 ton handle this? Looking to improve on mileage (currently 9-10MPG) and get a little more cushion when hauling haywagons. Requirements: [*]4x4 [*]Crew Cab (big enough to get car seats in the back) [*]At least a 6' bed (would prefer an 8' bed, but that would be long) [*]No rust Any thoughts? Aaron Z

I would look for a 09 or later F150 or Tundra.

Chris

 

[gkh7890]

Aaron,

Based on your requirements......Ford is the only truck out there in the half ton arena (in recent years) that gives you a v8, crew cab & 6' bed. Not sure when they started with the 6/6.5 bed on the half ton (probably in '09 like Diamondpilot suggested), but all the others will be the useless little 5'3" to 5'8" beds. Dodge gives you a choice....short crew cab & 6' bed or a big crew cab and 5'8" bed or so. Chevy/GMC's crew cabs are all 5'8" beds (until the new '14s came out).

My experience was w/ a '00 GMC Sierra, Ext cab, 6.5' bed......5.3v8, 3.73 gear, 4X4........pulled 2,500# trailer w/ 4K to 5K tractor/equipment. Would go 25 miles or so......sucked the gas to do it (maybe 10 to 12 mpgs???).

Just a thought, but I'd look for a nice used 3/4 ton crew in GM or Ford.....both give you a nice sized crew cab and 6.5' beds and some w/ 8' beds. Gas or diesel (you'll pay premium for diesel though). You'll never want for more towing capacity and they can definitely handle what you are wanting to throw at them and probably will never blink. Dodge makes a nice "mega cab" that is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton....both are truly 3/4 tons but they badge'm that way......this gives you a really nice, spacious cab, Hemi V8, 6' bed, and plenty of towing capacity!

I've sold my truck but would like to get a 3/4 ton just to have and pull with.....use it more like you're describing so these are the trucks I've been watching for and checking out.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Merry Christmas!
Greg

 

[aczlan]

I would look for a 09 or later F150 or Tundra.

Looking to spend less than $10k, so something that new is probably out.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Just a thought, but I'd look for a nice used 3/4 ton crew in GM or Ford.....both give you a nice sized crew cab and 6.5' beds and some w/ 8' beds. Gas or diesel (you'll pay premium for diesel though). You'll never want for more towing capacity and they can definitely handle what you are wanting to throw at them and probably will never blink. Dodge makes a nice "mega cab" that is 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton....both are truly 3/4 tons but they badge'm that way......this gives you a really nice, spacious cab, Hemi V8, 6' bed, and plenty of towing capacity!

I don't think we put enough miles on to keep a diesel happy, so it will probably be gas...
Not sure I want a Dodge after working on the brakes on the '97 (cant keep the front brake sliders from freezing up) and seeing how fast my wife's '02 Caravan with 117k miles has rusted out...

Aaron Z

 

[Wolfy]

Sad that a small 318ci V-8 gets the same mpg as a Ford V-10. Maybe look for a 05 or 06 Ford with the 5.4L 3 valve?

 

[aczlan]

Sad that a small 318ci V-8 gets the same mpg as a Ford V-10. Maybe look for a 05 or 06 Ford with the 5.4L 3 valve?

It gets mostly in town driving and the brakes are always sticking, so it could get a little better mileage...

Aaron Z

 

[haveissues]

Looking to spend less than $10k, so something that new is probably out.

Aaron Z

I'm not sure what the market is like up there but around here less than 10k doesn't buy you much truck. I was looking in the less than 15k price range for something similar last year and had no luck. I ended up buying new.

 

[mikehaugen]

I'm not sure what the market is like up there but around here less than 10k doesn't buy you much truck. I was looking in the less than 15k price range for something similar last year and had no luck. I ended up buying new.

I just saw an '04 chevy 2500 ec lb 4x4 with 8.1. I think it had around 85k... asking 9 grand. I almost had to go see it. Pictures looked good, but I guess you never know.

 

[haveissues]

Yup, you never know till you go look at it, could be a good deal. Went to go look at a titan on a dealer lot that was over an hour away. I had 2 questions over the phone-Any leaks on the rear end and how is the interior. He sounded offended for me even asking. Well, once I got there the rear end was leaking and the drivers seat was trashed. Plus all 4 tires were balled and it was rotted underneath.

I was in almost the same boat as you-replacing a 98 ram 1500. Low mileage but falling apart. I guess I felt that '06 was the oldest I was willing to go back else I felt as I wasn't moving forward enough with something older. Once I figured in tax savings on writing off a new truck it was a no brainer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For 10k or less your best bet is a high milage 6.0L 2500 GM gas truck. They go cheap and are pretty capable. Kinda match today's high capacity 1/2 tons.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

For 10k or less your best bet is a high milage 6.0L 2500 GM gas truck. They go cheap and are pretty capable. Kinda match today's high capacity 1/2 tons.

I'll get a Dodge before I get a GM :stirthepot:. The shop I use also goes to the auctions to get some decent trucks to resell, so I am having them keep an eye out.

Aaron Z

 

[JimRB]

Your 10K pricing is challenging where I live. Trucks down here are solid as can be at 10 years with no salt. I would probably want a 10 year old truck from Atlanta over a 5 year old truck from some salt belts. 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.7L HEMI

 

[EMB5530]

Less than 10K!!!
Yea, thats what I was looking for too. Something 4x4 extended cab 3/4 ton and it is impossible unless you want something more worn out than good. So I still have the old '84 F-250 reg cab flat bed and the wife and I strap the carseat in the pass side and my wife has to deal w/ the shifter getting thrown around in front of her.:confused3:

 

[aczlan]

Your 10K pricing is challenging where I live. Trucks down here are solid as can be at 10 years with no salt. I would probably want a 10 year old truck from Atlanta over a 5 year old truck from some salt belts. 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 5.7L HEMI

I agree, but thats what the budget is, so I have to work with that. I lived in ATL for a few years, so it is in my list. I also have a couple of friends in NC/SC who I would trust to 3rd base a truck for me. If either of them said that it was good, I wouldn't have a problem hopping on a plane with a 1 way ticket...

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'll get a Dodge before I get a GM :stirthepot:. The shop I use also goes to the auctions to get some decent trucks to resell, so I am having them keep an eye out.

Aaron Z

Trust me, I hate GM more than anyone. But the gas 2500 trucks used around here are a good buy often going for 50% less than a same year/mileage 1/2 ton.

Chris

 

[ovrszd]

I bought my truck off Craigslist four years ago. It's a 2000 SuperDuty 7.3L Diesel Lariat extended cab shortbed. Bought from original owner at 9 years old with 100K miles and all service records. Very straight with new brakes and almost new tires with flip down gooseneck ball setup. Paid $12K. I'm still driving it 80K miles later and only put tires and brakes on it. Shop patiently. Go heavy duty. A gasser in that range can be bought significantly cheaper.

 

[jack707]

If it was me I would get a 25003/4 ton Dodge diesel 4x4 gas trucks are cheaper but they have to work hard at pulling and the diesel gives you more torque and HP.

 

[aczlan]

If it was me I would get a 25003/4 ton Dodge diesel 4x4 gas trucks are cheaper but they have to work hard at pulling and the diesel gives you more torque and HP.

Thats great and if we did much more towing I would go that route, but we MIGHT drive 5k miles per year of which 20-30 miles are pulling more than 3000# (those 20-30 miles are generally going less than 15MPH as we are pulling a loaded haywagon) and diesels don't generally like sitting around doing nothing, so unless we get a screaming deal, we will be getting a gas truck.

Aaron Z

 

[ovrszd]

If it was me I would get a 25003/4 ton Dodge diesel 4x4 gas trucks are cheaper but they have to work hard at pulling and the diesel gives you more torque and HP.

A friend of mine drove a DuraMax for 4 years, 100K miles. When he bought a new truck he went with the 6.0L( I believe) gasser. Last Summer he hauled his old Blazer back here to Missouri from Colorado where he lives. After he'd returned home with it, again pulling the trailer and Blazer, I was talking to him on the phone. Asked him how his trip was. Said good,,,,,, but I'm trading my truck for another Diesel. I asked why. He answered he got tired of listening to the gasser turn 4K rpms to do what the diesel would have done at 2K rpms.

If I was buying a used Dodge I'd go for an early '04 or older to stay away from the smog stuff on the Cummins. You can find them around here with 100K miles and very straight for $10K - $12K depending on how equipped.