Well used farm truck: What would you look for?

[Sprinklerman]

Get on craigs list and see whats out there . Also go to some car dealers and see what they have taken in trade , the stuff they wholsale out .

 

[motownbrowne]

I'm in agreement with most of the previous posts. I've got a '90 F250 with a 300CID straight six. It's 2wd with a 5 speed. I can haul 4,000# in the bed and not be above my GVWR. With a frame mounted hitch receiver and a brake controller, I can tow relatively heavy loads, but I can't be in a hurry. The ZF transmission in the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks from this generation is very good. I've gotten very good service from this truck.

In your situation I'd buy a 4wd truck with a V8 and an extra cab. I bought my truck for lots of cross country trips hauling maple syrup, and it's been great for that, but for use around the farm, and few highway miles, spring for the 4x4. I think you'll be glad if you do. Also, around the farm, the cab tends to fill up with junk, so an extra cab would be really handy.

I think in your budget, your gonna be looking at pre-97 trucks with the ideal configuration, or post-97 with a major compromise, like only 2wd, no extra cab, tons of miles, or really rusty. Personally, since it's mostly for use around the farm, I'd buy an older rig. Newer would be nice on the highway, but those old Fords take a beating and can be had pretty cheap.

 

[GLyford]

If you're in GA, then whatever still runs, will do the job and is a price you can afford sounds about like the limitations...up here in the rust belt you have to add "and isn't rusted out yet." That really cuts down on the available candidates...

 

[rbstern]

I'm in agreement with most of the previous posts. I've got a '90 F250 with a 300CID straight six. It's 2wd with a 5 speed. I can haul 4,000# in the bed and not be above my GVWR. With a frame mounted hitch receiver and a brake controller, I can tow relatively heavy loads, but I can't be in a hurry. The ZF transmission in the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks from this generation is very good. I've gotten very good service from this truck.

In your situation I'd buy a 4wd truck with a V8 and an extra cab. I bought my truck for lots of cross country trips hauling maple syrup, and it's been great for that, but for use around the farm, and few highway miles, spring for the 4x4. I think you'll be glad if you do. Also, around the farm, the cab tends to fill up with junk, so an extra cab would be really handy.

I think in your budget, your gonna be looking at pre-97 trucks with the ideal configuration, or post-97 with a major compromise, like only 2wd, no extra cab, tons of miles, or really rusty. Personally, since it's mostly for use around the farm, I'd buy an older rig. Newer would be nice on the highway, but those old Fords take a beating and can be had pretty cheap.

Would love to find an older F-250 long bed with a straight six. Have always heard good things about those. Older is fine with me. Creature comforts are not needed. The truck would be for getting chores done, not for dinner out on the town.

 

[rbstern]

If you're in GA, then whatever still runs, will do the job and is a price you can afford sounds about like the limitations...up here in the rust belt you have to add "and isn't rusted out yet." That really cuts down on the available candidates...

So true. I was underneath the Sport Trac the other day (removing a bird's nest), and I couldn't help but marvel at how corrosion free that 15 year old vehicle is. True for any vehicle I've owned since living in the south.

 

[rgr33]

My farm truck is a 2003 Ford F-150, probably out of your price range, but it has been bullet proof so far. Nothing fancy about it, 5.4 L engine, AT, always reliable. Perhaps an older version of same would work well? My buddy has a 96 Chev 3/4 ton equipped about the same that has been a good truck too, he paid 1800 bucks at a city equipment auction.
Over the years I've come to realize I'm not as good a vehicle evaluator as I once thought, so I value a good rig when I get one and tend to hang onto them.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I'd look at government sales and companies that are liquidating their fleet trucks. My friend runs a landscaping company and bought a 2006 2500hd reg cab 2wd with 180,000 miles on it for $3500. He found a company that was upgrading their fleet and selling their former trucks for little to nothing.

 

[rbstern]

I'd look at government sales and companies that are liquidating their fleet trucks. My friend runs a landscaping company and bought a 2006 2500hd reg cab 2wd with 180,000 miles on it for $3500. He found a company that was upgrading their fleet and selling their former trucks for little to nothing.

Saw one such vehicle on craigslist already. Will keep my eyes peeled for more.

 

[bspeedy]

Not sure how far you are from ATL, but this one speaks to me for some reason: 1997 Ford F25 Heavy Duty XLT

No affiliation with the seller.

Trans rebuild is probably in the neighborhood of 2 grand. Less if you DIY. I have a great trans shop that I trust, so I would be more likely to buy a truck with trans issues if it is a good deal. Seems like a solid truck. Rust at tailgate bears investigation into condition of the rest of the body. New-ish Michelins probably cost him 900 bucks. Depends upon mileage, of course.

Just one option. I would not go with a 1/2 ton truck for farm use, but that is just my preference.

 

[motownbrowne]

Would love to find an older F-250 long bed with a straight six. Have always heard good things about those. Older is fine with me. Creature comforts are not needed. The truck would be for getting chores done, not for dinner out on the town.

I'm nowhere near you, but I'm getting close to selling my truck. If it's something you're interested in, send me a PM. It'd be well within your budget even after a plane ticket. It's only been in Wisconsin for 3 years, so it's not a rust bucket like all the other trucks here.