Buying Advice What to look for in buying a pickup.

edlegault · Mar 5, 2012

In the near future we will looking for a pickup to use for various tasks: hauling 4x8 plywood, drywall and some lumber, etc.; towing a couple different type trailers (rv/camping, utility trailer and possibly a small dump trailer); and general transportation on and around new piece of land purchase (dirt, mud, snow).

My requirements are 4x4, 8' length bed and tow capacity of up to 7000# maximum. Most towing will around 3500#. Of course good fuel economy would be nice, but I understand the fallacy of that wishful thinking. Two (or more) fuel tanks would be good, too, but not a deal breaker.

This will be an extra vehicle, not my only transportation. The geographic lay of the land is near sea level, small hills with an occasional venture into the mountains (camp trailer).

I have owned in the past, but do not have now, 3/4 ton suburban, 1/2 ton 2wd and 3/4 ton 4wd pickups and have driven 1 ton pickups and even small dumptrucks over the years.

I'll be basically retired and don't have to get anywhere in a big hurry.

We typically buy good used vehicles and keep them for several years. Do NOT want to buy a new vehicle.

Not to start any flame wars, but let's compare:

1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton,
diesel vs gasoline,
automatic transmission vs manual,
6 cyl vs 8 cyl
or anything else you can think of.

thx.

yankeerider · Mar 5, 2012

Suggest you take this to the Trailers/Transportaion forum, or maybe a moderator can move it for you. There's hours of reading on this topic for you there!

George2615 · Mar 5, 2012

I bought my 08 Chevy 1/2T ext cab. 4x4 about a year and a half ago. I looked for a truck that was loaded with options as they seem to have a better trade in value later. Mine came with stainless steel running boards, hard tonneau cover w/ lock, 5.3L, auto, Tow pkg, HD cooling, 3.73 locking diff, low miles (19K), upgraded wheel/tires. Pretty much everything I would have wanted if I had ordered it. I can tow about 8000lb. although mostly its 7500 or less. I did have to add my own trailer brake controller since the previous owner had not ordered it.

From your description of use it seems all you need is a 1/2T. If your not concerned too much about resale or trade in later get a basic regular cab work truck. For the occasional amount of towing a gas engine is probably better than adding the extra expense of going 3/4T with a diesel. Service and parts costs are higher on diesel but they will win out on longevity. An automatic would serve your purpose and it seems to me that those with 5 or 6 speed autos get better mileage than those with only 3 or 4 speed autos.

nwngunner · Mar 6, 2012

For what your wanting to do,i would take a look at like a 2000 dodge 2500 in the 24valve diesel. It will have plenty of power to pull what ever you want, also with the way the economy is you can get one on the down low.

You can get them in an auto or a 5speed. The only issue in the 5speed is the 5th gear nut coming loose in the transmission. How ever there are fixes out there for that.

You can make some serious power of the engine with minor upgrades and fixes. Would make a **** of a work truck.

Raspy · Mar 6, 2012

I was about to suggest a Dodge Cummins too. But if you do go that route, a stick would be better if you are getting an older truck. You might want an auto, but the Dodge trannies cannot stand to be overheated and the earlier models were weaker. Also the 24 valve ones can have an expensive injection pump failure if the lift pump fails, and they do definitely fail. A better choice would be a 12 valve model between '95 and '98. Try to avoid the late '98 through 2002 24 valve models unless you upgrade the lift pump and will settle for a 5 speed stick.

If you get a later one, you get a better tranny, either a 6 speed manual or a 48RE auto with an excellent cooler, much better brakes, a better diesel injection system and more power. These are the "3rd gen" models starting in 2003. These trucks aren't perfect, but have no serious engine or tranny problems. The 2003 and 2004 models built before Jan 1, 2004 get better mileage and, if equipped with the Federal emissions package, have no catalytic converter. And if you want more power, it's very easy to do.

Johnp33 · Mar 6, 2012

I would buy a gas motor, before you ever think about a Dodge go to a transmission shop and ask them what transmission they work on the most.
When I bought my new truck, I could have gotten a big discount to buy a Dodge. I bought the GMC, Duramax. Ford was not in the picture, a 12 valve Cummins with a standard transmission is a great unit, ones with a P7100 injection pump are even better.
A Chev with a 5.7 is a great unit, heavy half.
Every unit you find you have to do a lot of checking, and have it inspected.

nwngunner · Mar 6, 2012

The nv4500 hd transmissions that came in the 3500s and i think some of the heavy duty 2500s dont have near the issues that the smaller ones do. I know the nv1500 and 2500 transmissions were crap.

As for the 24valve Cummins, its why i susgested a few upgrades. I know there is also an issue with a pin under the timing cover that can come loose and tear your timing chain and gear apart.

I know that i have had zero issues with my dodge 3500 v10. A buddy of mine had the 24valve cummins. I wish the brakes on my dodge were a tad softer. How ever when you are running with a load they are fantastic, just super strong when empty.

The diesels while the upkeep cost is more, there is much more that can be done to tune it. I have seen these getting 25mpg just running on the highway 12-14pulling. I know when i run with my dodge v10 i get 15 on the highway and 9-10pulling. Its why it sits in the barn waiting to work. I would drive it every day if i could get 20 out of it.

Also another thing you have to consider when you are looking at a truck. Consider the gearing and the axles that you will have. If i were getting a truck to work on the farm i would want a live front axle not ifs. I wouldnt want anything but a 4.10gearing or lower. Lower going to eat gas more and going to limit your top speed. I am not sure if even the newer trucks came with anything lower then 4.10s, 3.73s are going to be better on gas but limit your hard pulling ability.

Make sure what ever you get is either 15inch rims or 16inch rims. Anything but and your going to be paying out the butt for new tires.

Rancher Ed · Mar 7, 2012

I would look for a 3/4 ton pickup from any of the brands, say 2000 or so up till as new as you want to spend the money for. For what you are wanting, a gas engine is fine, and it is really your choice on the transmission, either will work fine and should stand up behind the gas engine fine. You could get by with a newer half ton, but I'm pretty sure you will have a lot more trucks to choose from it you are looking at 3/4 tons, and prolly better prices too. (Hard to find 1/2 tons with 8' beds)

As far a 6cyl vs 8cyl, you won't fine any 6cyl in 3/4 tons, just V8s and some V10s, and either one should be fine for what you want. If you were going to tow a 12 or 14k trailer, you would want the bigger engine, but even the base gas engines in 2000 and newer 3/4 tons will have plenty of power for your needs.

Ed