Well used farm truck: What would you look for?

[rbstern]

The Explorer Sport Trac I've been using as my sorta-farm truck is being pressed back into service as a daily driver, as my son is taking one of the other family vehicles off to college.

I need to replace the Sport Trac with a beater pickup to keep at the rural property for various hauling and towing duties. Would like to keep my expenditure under $5K, and pick up something that isn't pretty, but can still do hard hauling and towing work. This vehicle will sit idle for a week or two at a time, and might see an average of 100 to 150 miles of on-road use a month. I'd like to get a heavy duty model, so I won't run into future tow limitations as my needs change.

So, thinking about the last 20 to 40 years of pickup truck models, what would you look for? What would you avoid? Gas? Diesel? Long bed? Dually? I am a bit partial to Ford, but for old pickup trucks, I'd consider anything with a good reputation for toughness and reliability.

 

[LD1]

I'd avoid diesel. Not that I dont like them, with limited use, sitting alot, added cost upfront, and extra weight driving on the fields......I'd personally look for a gasser.

I'd also stick to SRW, unless towing requires a DRW. SRW are cheaper to put tires on if/when needed, and easier to do other maintenance like break work.

Would help to know if you were looking for a stick or auto. Some models had issues with the auto trans but not the stick.

5k would buy a pretty decent tuck around here. certainly not what I would consider a beater. But really, anything from say mid 1990's to about 10 years ago is gonna be a pretty good field truck. They all have had issues. Pick a brand/model/engine and I am sure someone is gonna say "those models were known to have issues with......"

Also, are you looking 4wd or 2wd? For a field truck....hope you are looking for 4wd. And I'd avoid anything that has an electric/push button to engage. Get one with a stick for 4wd/2wd

 

[bspeedy]

I am partial to Fords, as well. My vote would be for a Mid-90's F250 with the 351 engine and manual trans. Somewhere from 1992-1997. I'd get a long bed 4wd. It will be a LOT better farm truck than your sport trac and has fuel injection and good reliability. I guess some answers to the question depend on how heavy you will haul. I love my diesel, but I would not recommend diesel for very occasional use. Good luck.

 

[rbstern]

I'd avoid diesel. Not that I dont like them, with limited use, sitting alot, added cost upfront, and extra weight driving on the fields......I'd personally look for a gasser.

I'd also stick to SRW, unless towing requires a DRW. SRW are cheaper to put tires on if/when needed, and easier to do other maintenance like break work.

Would help to know if you were looking for a stick or auto. Some models had issues with the auto trans but not the stick.

5k would buy a pretty decent tuck around here. certainly not what I would consider a beater. But really, anything from say mid 1990's to about 10 years ago is gonna be a pretty good field truck. They all have had issues. Pick a brand/model/engine and I am sure someone is gonna say "those models were known to have issues with......"

Also, are you looking 4wd or 2wd? For a field truck....hope you are looking for 4wd. And I'd avoid anything that has an electric/push button to engage. Get one with a stick for 4wd/2wd

Either stick or auto is fine, although I have used the Sport Trac to help my nieces get some driving experience on their way to getting a license, so auto might come handy with future youngsters/learners.

2WD v. 4WD: My Sport Trac is 2WD. Got stuck a couple of times over the years, had to use the tractor to unstick it. I've got 62 acres, but most of it is wooded, and the open areas are drivable without 4wd. Every once in a while the local boat ramp has been a problem, but I've always managed it ok with 2WD. No question 4WD is great for an emergencies, but it just hasn't come up much in my use.

Good tip on the stick v. electronic engage. Didn't know that was an issue.

$5K is my top end. Would love to spend less (I still have a trailer purchase coming in the near future).

 

[rbstern]

I am partial to Fords, as well. My vote would be for a Mid-90's F250 with the 351 engine and manual trans. Somewhere from 1992-1997. I'd get a long bed 4wd. It will be a LOT better farm truck than your sport trac and has fuel injection and good reliability. I guess some answers to the question depend on how heavy you will haul. I love my diesel, but I would not recommend diesel for very occasional use. Good luck.

I assume long term durability on the 351 and trannies Ford used in that era of F250 is good?

 

[dodge man]

I agree, I'd also stay away from a diesel, mainly due to the fact they demand a premimum price used. Just my opinion, but its the nickle and dime stuff that kills you on an older vehicle. It can add up in a hurry, brakes, shocks, U-joints, altenator, water pump, power streering etc. If your the kind of person that fixes their own stuff, that can save a lot of money but take up a lot of time. I'd also stay away from a rusty vehicle if at all possible. If the body is rusty, that also means every bolt on the truck is rusted on once you go to fix something.

 

[farm boy00]

I agree to go with the mid 90s ford. Good trucks from what I've had. Had a 95 I think 250 with a 302 or 351 and 2wd. Towed a 14ft gooseneck with dovetail loaded with round bales mainly and did great. I would for sure go with a mid 90s 250 or 350 with a 351 and manual 4x4. Can find decent ones for 3k here. DON'T buy one with auto 4x4. They are ok but can have problems working when needed but that's more of a higher end model option anyway. Haven't ever heard good from the 90s chevys that are put to farm or personal plow trucks. The auto trannys always seem to go out.

 

[farm boy00]

I also wouldn't be afraid of a super duty ford but they may push higher Into your budget. Would recommend if buying a super duty don't buy one that's sat for a long time unless you are ready to go through the brakes and don't get one badly rusted

 

[dieselcrawler]

A gasser superduty truck can be found in your price range. Tough trucks, auto trans is the weak link in the diesel models (ask me how I know!) But haven't heard as meny issues with the gasser versions. I'm betting you could find a regular cab 4x4 with manual windows/locks in your price range and have a grand left for the maintenance needed.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Ford V10. Hands down the best bang for your buck and can tow as well as the diesels from the 90's.

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