Best nineties tow vehicle

[mattbatson]

A modern 1/2 ton will tow that without any trouble. In a 90s truck, as you already know, you want something a little bigger.


I just bought a 97 Ram 2500 V10 with the 47RE. I'd love to know about your transmission history since you mentioned a rebuild and T/C upgrade. I got mine to haul a 10K 8.5x20 7'6" high enclosed trailer, which is a much harder tow than what you are talking about, so maybe that will be a useful point of information for you?


1995 is the last year of the non-VORTEC gassers in GM/Chevy trucks. So you are basically looking at an old-tech 454 TBI. If you compared a 95 to a 96 you would be amazed at the difference. I was ready to pay $4800 for a 96 K3500 recently (it turned out to be junkyard-worthy though) but I would not have even gone to look at a 95 at any price. That's just my $0.02.

The 4L80 transmission of that era was not exactly bulletproof but if you spend much time looking into it, as I recently did, you find that rebuild or whole replacement cost for them really isn't too bad.

Will the truck tow your loads? Sure. Will you find something better for $4500? I don't know. I would not be in a hurry to pay that much for the truck, but on the other hand, I might be upset if it slipped through my fingers, too. If it was a 96 - 00 I would jump on it.

One last thing, the brakes on Suburbans of those years sucked. The rear drums were weak and didn't adjust easily like they were supposed to, and the front brakes wore pretty quickly as a result. When I traded my 99 Suburban for an 05 the brakes were the nicest upgrade for me.

I hope this helps.

Hey, on the dodge, the tranny was rebuilt by Massdiesel up in maryland. I basically told them to make it bulletproof ...I dont remember all they did, but do remember the two items mentioned.

My buddies is for certain the vortec 454. 100% certain. So it must be a 96?

I drove it and it is very fast and very torquey

He has the huge towing rear brake drums (RV drums or some such?), and they are easily the biggest drums I have ever seen. I dont know if this makes any difference, but he has had no brake problems since he has had it over 8 yrs now. We are best friends, and I have helped him work on it a couple of times...

 

[mattbatson]

ISUZU 2.8 Diesel

Strong reliable economical engine, over 40mpg on a run get a late 90's one as the early ines were rusty at back end.

Isuzu Bighorn in a good example, that is if you are allowed diesels in your state

bighorn? Never heard of em...I'll look em up and see what is out there

thx!

 

[mattbatson]

99 F-350 crew cab 7.3 PSD can't beat it room and power:thumbsup:

yes, but how much do those run?

If I can get this burb for 4500, and it has as much room and power as a 9000 dollar 99PSD....then we would go for the burb, as we are paying out of pocket for this with no car loans.

thx!

 

[mattbatson]

Its pretty much a crapshoot with any 1990's tow vehichle.

The towing characteristics have vehicles have changed NIGHT AND DAY in the last 10-15 years.

I was going to suggest anything with a cummins in it for best tow vehicle, but I see you just got rid of one.:confused2:

You mentioned front suspension liked to wander and the cab wasnt roomy.....

Well anything from the 90's is going to be like that with the front end. And anything that isnt an SUV is going to seemed cramped compared to todays trucks.

So at this point, I really dont have a suggestion for you. It seems as though you are wanting a roomy cab, strong transmission, and good handling front end. Well....I think you are going to have to look about a decade newer to get what you want.

that burban has all of those (if the tranny is strong...still doing my research :thumbsup

 

[mattbatson]

For the older Dodges from the 90's, they make a upgrade kit for the front end that tightens them up quite a bit, it includes a new steering box and power steering unit. Its tough to beat an old 12 valver in terms of durability.

agree with everything you said.

My issue is that the cummins hold their value really well and are expensive. when I sold mine a few years ago, I got 10K for it.
We sold it cause my 3 yr old was born and getting a baby seat in the back was a really bad experience.

thx!

 

[mattbatson]

Tough to beat a 5.9 Cummins. The motor is great, rest of the truck not so. You know the weak spots already.

Ford 7.3 is also a good choice. Front end again wears and auto trannys can be a issue.

Chris

thx, I agree and loved my 5.9.
It does seem like all the nineties trucks had issues.
I guess I'm trying to compare them all and make the best decision.

Trannies are expensive to repair or modify, so that is kind of a priority.

I can usually fix things like brakes or front suspension with little cost.

thx!

 

[cowski]

i would get a 92 to 97 f250 with a 351.

 

[mattbatson]

i would get a 92 to 97 f250 with a 351.

stick or auto?
what are the pro's and con's to this truck, in your opinion?

thx

 

[deerefan]

I agree with most on this one. If money is an option, the diesel may be out of the question as the 5.9 cummins and 7.3 ps are bringing top dollar right now. Any big block (454/460) or V10 from this era will do you well, but they will drain your wallett on gas. I had 2 one ton 90's Chevy Duallies with the auto and 454. Went well north of 200k miles with both with no major issues. They were strong but loved fuel. I got maybe 11-12 empty, 7-8 towing. Both were 96 models, both were 4wd.

 

[cowski]

the 250 is a good off road truck.off road, you want to stay away from a diesel.based on your weight 351 is enough.the front end will go good down the road and it will take a beating,it will have more wear parts than a dodge.frame on the truck should be the strongest.i would buy an auto .auto is easier on the running gear.