Help me decided on a truck for the family and farm

mightybooboo · #41 12/20/10, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Both hubby and son have Dodge Diesel with Cummins engines.

Over 200,000 miles on both trucks. Get GREAT fuel economy. Very little repair needed.

Around here the Dodges rule.Cummins,awesome.You see as many as Chevy+ Ford combined here,amazing as D is #3 seller overall.

As four a 4door,I like the ext cab myself,a little shorter overall.Get 4 door and a full bed and that truck is a righteous pain in a parking lot.And offroad that extra length is again a minus.

We have the dodge and that back seat is plenty roomy and reasonably comfortable,it isnt a luxo sports car,but very practical.

mightybooboo · #42 12/20/10, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Town

Sounds like you got a good one. The last Duramax pickup I was around needed a $3800 injector job at 160K. I have known of several Ford 6.0L Powerstrokes that had to be replaced in less than 100k. I do like the the venerable 7.3 engine though.

If a person routinely pulls heavy loads for long distances a diesel makes sense. For occasional towing they do not.

Cummins,end of story.Only thing close to it is a 7.3....after that why bother,get a weak gasser.

And I dont tow at all,I drive up and down a Mtn in snow and ice and carry some loads,and average 17 mpg in a 6000 lb truck with 4x4 and 4.10 axles.

They make sense far beyond towing.Just drove it home in pouring rain with 60 mph winds and that truck was rock solid,stable,and pushed thru that weather without a second thought.Added about 2 lbs extra pressure from the turbo though,LOL,ran 8 lbs instead of 6,though it will push 20,no straining here,it just does,that simple!

Ive never had a gasser with that rock solid strength a diesel has,and have been thru just about every monster gasser engine made,they feel like hollow over revved toys compared to a diesel thats solid torque without zing zing zing!!!! of a gasser.220,000,42 psi oil cold,39 hot and idle....find me a gasser doing that at 220,000.

13 years old and Im not even considering trading it in,its just getting broken in now.

Its not towing,its torque and heavy duty build and miles and economy on why a diesel.

Get a diesel you will wonder why you never figured it out earlier.

mightybooboo · #43 12/20/10, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGFarm

I second the opinion for an old Suburban. You can get them pretty cheap and with a gas 350 (5.7) cheapest engine to fix, good and strong and have been around forever. Trannies are good and strong too, and cheap to fix.

Mike

350 is weak with a load or going uphill in mtn passes and economy not good at all with a load,but the 350 can be replaced very reasonably with a new crate motor from Chevy,thats a great thing.

mightybooboo · #44 12/20/10, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Fields

Maintenance on diesels is expensive. Get a stick shift because auto tranny is very expensive to replace.

Disagree,but 13 qts of oil isnt as cheap as 6.What other maintenance is there besides a fuel filter and wiper blades?Spark plugs,wires,coils.....none of those.So they dont fail on your Diesel....ever....or get wet and short out.

Auto or stick,its a life style choice there,there are + and - for both.Dont imagine a clutch on a 4x4 is either easy to do or cheap.

want cheap,get a horse and buggy?

mightybooboo · #45 12/20/10, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler

But seems very mis-placed for the tasks you have outlined - haul 5 people and a 750 lbs of feed bags. A 1/2 ton pickup with rear end gearing for normal travel, not trailer hauling, with a gas engine will likely give you a better bang for the buck.

Just my opinion, for the little that is worth.

--->Paul

Agreed,just had to reply to the diesel posts above,you are completely right on what you posted Paul,that would be just right for them.

sticky_burr · #46 12/20/10, 04:53 AM

well sad to say but in my opinion the most exiting new truck out there is a ... mahindrana its a bloody indian truck

it has been EPA passed but there is some hold up getting them o the road idk what it is probally money. the 4 door 5 passenger ~30mpg and hauls 2600+ pounds 2.2 diesel. they need to just contract with ford or some one to sell them at ford dealers

i have always had fords but i hate all new trucks all plasticy ewww

ErinP · #47 12/20/10, 08:54 AM

Quote:

the most exiting new truck out there is a ... mahindrana its a bloody indian truck

We had a similar conversation on another board, and this kept coming up there, too.

Quote:

13 years old and Im not even considering trading it in,its just getting broken in now.
Its not towing,its torque and heavy duty build and miles and economy on why a diesel.

I agree.
Though I'm biased toward the 7.3 first and the Cummins second. Really, the only thing wrong with a Cummins is that it's in a Dodge.

kirkmcquest · #48 12/20/10, 10:37 AM

I bought a 2000 ford f150 recently (4 door 6 and a half foot bed). It only has 64 thousand miles on it. It being old and a little rust underneath I had to put about 600 bucks into it for some minor stuff.

The thing about ford is that they are relatively easy to fix and repair costs usually reflect that (if you have a good mechanic). It's a great truck, runs good, I have taken it off-roading a couple of times and was impressed.

If you want a decent, reasonable priced, easy to fix truck...I would recommend the ford f150 (it isn't the most purchased truck for nothing).

agmantoo · #49 12/20/10, 11:22 AM

If Cummins made the entire truck that is all that would be on the road for farm use. Since they only provide the engine I will remain with Fords. My older farm truck is a '89 F150 that is driven every day (my cattle are at a different location than my home) and it is a salvage vehicle that I got from the insurance sale 20 years ago.

rambler · #50 12/20/10, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

Agreed,just had to reply to the diesel posts above,you are completely right on what you posted Paul,that would be just right for them.

I hear you....

In _my_ location, a diesel truck is a very difficult choice. Our pickups rot away the body & frame in 15 years or so from the road salt, causing one to throw away a pickup with 200,000 miles on it. That's about right for a gas engine, only 1/2 used up diesel engine.

Then when it's zero and below, a diesel just has issues starting. One can do it, but there are issues period. We are having a cold winter again, hasn't been to 20 degrees in some time (just made it today), and it's not even winter yet. It's a real issue to consider.

A 2wd pickup is the most worthless, saddest thing 'here'. Only people who don't know what they are doing run full sized 2wd pickups. 'Here.' You get on our perma- snow & ice for 6 months of the year, and a rear wheel, 2wd heavy pickup is hapless. Then make it a diesel with the very heavy front end, and oh what a sad thing! But - that is a 'here' thing, because of our weather.

For me, wife & no kids, a pickup is all about hauling stuff, not people, so for me, a short bed is a joke. Why bother? If you can't lay down a sheet of plywood and close the tailgate, it's not worth owning. Again, that's for my situation.

Again in my climate, a duallie pickup is a summer-only vehicle. There is just zero traction on snow & ice. You better need those duallies most of the time for pulling a gooseneck trailer most of the time and that trailer better be loaded most of the time, or you will be going no where but in the ditch. We had an ice storm a week and 1/2 ago, and most roads are still ice coated, even the state roads, with gravel & salt, the ice has not cleared it's been so cold. No one is driving duallies around here, they are parked! Duallies are set up for hauling big gooseneck trailers. It's not for a heavier load in the pickup box, nor for a bumper pull trailer. It's for gooseneck work. Anyhow around here that's how things are set up. Singles will handle a load you can fit in the bed, and bumper pull trailers shouldn't really get over 12,000lbs to control well at speed which a single axle should be able to deal with. Duallies are best used in non-frozen conditions with a gooseneck trailer on it most of the time...

So, I have to park away all my own ideas about what makes a good pickup, and try to fit what this person's goals are. I hear in that location, 2wd pickup works fine if you stay on the roads.

With no salt on the roads 1/2 the year and warmer winters a diesel might make sense tho it will cost more up front and when it needs repairs or maitenence it will cost much more to do so - it will need those repairs less often tho. A gas engine pickup would do for their needs and likely be a cheaper, better option tho. Less invested in it, less insurance cost, easier to find shops to repair & maintain it - just the oil changes become a problem, no one stocks the bigger oil filters, etc.

Duallie just doesn't fit the jobs they list for the pickup. Totally wrong fit for what they want to do.

Full ton pickup also seems to be a big drain, costs more to buy, is heavier so will get poorer milage, should be geared for pulling so gets much worse milage, will give a very stiff ride to the family & rabbits. A 1/2 ton would seem to fit better, maybe a 3/4 ton but even that seems overkill.

Certainly they need the full crew cab, to seat 5. No question there.

While you can find a crew cab with a longer box, they are _terrible_ awkward to manuver or fit in a parking stall or fit in a shed and they get heavy (fuel milage) and suffer from traction problems in 2wd, so I'd go with a short bed for their needs.

It's odd to suggest they should look for a pickup that is almost totally opposite of anything I would like, but different options for different needs.

What they found is kind of an odd duck - probably a pretty rare configuration? Heavy diesel with a short box and crew cab in 2wd. Can't use some goosenecks with a short box, so it is almost a specialty truck, anyhow would be 'here'.

Now, if that's the truck they like & want, go for it! Cool little beast, as long as it does what they want & they understand what it is, no problems with them getting it.

My set of vehicles and farm implements don't all fit the 'practical' set either.

--->Paul

mightybooboo · #51 12/20/10, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

If Cummins made the entire truck that is all that would be on the road for farm use. Since they only provide the engine I will remain with Fords. My older farm truck is a '89 F150 that is driven every day (my cattle are at a different location than my home) and it is a salvage vehicle that I got from the insurance sale 20 years ago.

Love my Cummins,Hate my Dodge is a common sentiment.that said the cruddy front end and poor rear brakes(Newer have disc after what,2001 or so,and the poor front end linkage has been fixed too)) and inadequate auto trans can all be upgraded easily in the aftermarket when they go,at that point they turn into SUPER truck looking to do 500,000 miles with the only TRUE medium diesel engine in a pick me up truck.

Glad I got mine,still have the rear brake upgrade to do,that is,change out wheel cylinders to the sl larger Chevy that bolts in for a whopping ten bucks a throw and I am set set set with a truck that will most likely outlive me,does for many others.

mightybooboo · #52 12/20/10, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler

I hear you....

In _my_ location,

A 2wd pickup is the most worthless, saddest thing 'here'. Only people who don't know what they are doing run full sized 2wd pickups. 'Here.' You get on our perma- snow & ice for 6 months of the year, and a rear wheel, 2wd heavy pickup is hapless. Then make it a diesel with the very heavy front end, and oh what a sad thing! But - that is a 'here' thing, because of our weather.

Full ton pickup also seems to be a big drain

Certainly they need the full crew cab, to seat 5. No question there.

While you can find a crew cab with a longer box, they are _terrible_ awkward to manuver or fit in a parking stall or fit in a shed and they get heavy (fuel milage) and suffer from traction problems in 2wd, so I'd go with a short bed for their needs.

but different options for different needs.

--->Paul

Again,you covered it all.A 2wd pickup is embarrassing with hills and ice,PARK IT!

Neighbor has the f350 full bed king cab,thing is WORTHLESS! Can barely get up our road and on his inclined driveway has trouble parking it,no traction with a 4by and Diesel,cant imagine what that truck cost!

Dodge guys just shake their heads,diesel or gas,standard or ext cab.We hit 4wd and go.

20 degree's is rare here,so that said,ice,snow,hills,a diesel 4x4 ext cab is just what the dr ordered.Might disagree on needing that full cab,there is a lot of room in my back in the ext cab,much more than my car actually,and while seat is firm,its fine for an hours drive and bring a pillow if going to Gramma's on the other coast.

Climber · #53 12/20/10, 06:13 PM

My dad has always driven Chevy/GMC's and I have always liked Toyota's. I currently have an '05 Tundra Access cab that is perfect for medium duty hauling (small tractor on trailer) and it fits our family (wife + 2 kids). My next truck will be another toyota but I will get the full size cab next time. I have buddies who run Fords and Dodge's and they like them a lot as well.
As someone else mentioned, you could get a lemon regardless of your choice. Although, I have personally run my Toyota's very hard and they seldom need work and I have had 4 Toyotas and never bought one new. Gas mileage is decent as well.

Good luck with your choice.

KMA1 · #54 12/20/10, 06:35 PM

My 2 cents worth:

I think Fords tend to be a little cheaper and like others mentioned, more Ford pickup sold than the others combined. I have a 1995 Ford F350 crew cab dually gass burner 460 cid that I bought in 1997. My wife and I both love it. But we have some things to pull. I think with the prevelence of crew cab today you could find about any model used with crew cab. But I would caution against getting too much truck due to the fuel costs. Sounds like a half ton pickup would do, and the heaviest I would recommned would be a 3/4 ton unless you find a real deal on a one ton. Doubt you would ever recover the extra fuel costs, not to mention tires. Hope this helps.

KMA1

fantasymaker · #55 12/20/10, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highlands

We use an Ford E-250 super extended body cargo van. This provides driver and passenger in cab. Seating for a crew of four behind them. A chest freezer behind that. Then the back of the van is fenced off with utility/cattle panel, fiberglass and plywood to be our animal transport space for hauling live pigs down to the butcher each week. The back space is also able to be used to pick up supplies. This works very well for us. I like it that everything is kept inside the shell of the vehicle and not exposed to high winds in our cold climate. With the spacious back area filled with hay bedding we can set it up so the animals can self-preload the previous night such that they're already to go at 4am when we hit the highway.

Suggested:
1. Snow tires studded - have
2. Heavy duty springs - have
3. Get an E-350 next time instead of E-250
4. Fiberglass the stock cage all the way up to make cleaning easier.
5. Undercoat

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Read about our on-farm butcher shop project:
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/butchershop
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/csa

LOL sounds like I HAVE the Van you want,its a EX Culligan 1 ton van.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Fields

Maintenance on diesels is expensive. Get a stick shift because auto tranny is very expensive to replace.

LOL nope maintenace is Cheep ..repairs might cost a bit more but are very rare. Get a auto so you dont HAVE to repair your tranny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk

Full sized vans can be had for cheap. Look for a passenger van that was owned by a church, they often have low mileage and there is not much market for such monsters. They can do almost anything a truck can except haul a fifth wheel and they keep your stuff dry and secure.
.

GREAT POST...and I have seen vans set up to pull a fifthwheel!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy

.................Do a google and find car trader.com , then do a search for a chevy 1 ton van with a Duramax diesel ! Look for years between 2002 and 2007 , before all the EPA smog equipment became necessary , look for low milage below 50,000 . They'll probably get 20mpg on the highway and can haul a bunch of weight , not too mention all the cargo room available . , fordy

A ford or Dodge diesel van will be about the same in cost and milage....VERY CHEEP

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMA1

My 2 cents worth:

I think Fords tend to be a little cheaper and like others mentioned, more Ford pickup sold than the others combined.
KMA1

And vans

mamato3 · #56 12/21/10, 08:43 AM

Alright 3rd post let me see if i get shut out again lol. This will be the 3 time im attempting to post because im in a hurry you guys don't get to hear about everything we went to go look at ill just give you a quick list. 1st truck we like a 200? ford lariat high miles but looks well cared for 4 door 3/4 ton gas. Then we seen 2 or 3 Chevy silveradoes all 3 were 4x4 used gas i think there were 1/2 tons but i can not remember much. Any got to go.