It really depends...different years/models can be good or bad based on exactly which engine/trans is in them...even within the same year/model. And values can fluctuate wildly even within 2 identical trucks, just based on mileage, care, and condition, especially with older lower priced stuff...could be cheap because the guy is "giving it away", or could be junk...and not always easy to tell mechanical condition without a mechanic going over it. With trucks the popularity or rarity of a configuration can make the price change a good bit too, like 4 door long bed vs 4 door short bed, or maybe a small V8 with a stick shift in a 3/4 or 1 ton...that always kills the price, nobody wants a 4 door dually with a 350 in it (for example) but it could be a bargain if you just want a wood hauler though...
From this: Buick Towing Capacity, Buick Tow Ratings - Towratings.net Seems the newer Buicks are better at towing.
2010 F250 XL 5.4l gas (obviously)...165,000 miles, soft trifold tonneau, 4 way tow ball, power windows, locks, cruise control, aftermarket remote start, brand new front brakes (pads, rotors, calipers)... definitely needs rear shocks, leaks tranny fluid, newer tires, 4 way tow ball. Rust on wheel wells, a little at bottom of doors and some at a couple of the clearance lights. Bought her new, one accident and two embarrassing FHC Moments. First one, could not get up the cliff at walt's GTG so I had to get out and lock in the hubs...second, broke down on the Ohio Turnpike about 35 miles from home heading to @Backwoods Savages's GTG!!
Another vote for early 90s ford f150 with an inline six 300 and a 5spd. I sold mine this year, it was so great. Had it for about 7-8 years, over 200k, got more than I paid for it and it was definitely used. The engines just go and go. The fellow is still using it to haul wood! With a little trailer they are a perfect wood hauler imo. I went to a diesel as I needed space for family of 5 and more towing capacity. Diesel maintenance is more expensive. Another option at least out here in Ca where our registration costs are high, is get a suv and trailer. Trucks are definitely a premium cost, a old bronco, blazer, durango etc. is pretty cheap and can still pull a good load of wood.
Don’t forget though she can’t drive a stick. Although clutches are much cheaper to replace than trannies. I wasn’t saying she should get a old ford, just that it was my personal favorite truck I’ve had. They are getting kinda old at this point. Everyone around me had one when I was a teen. One friend had a 350 with the 460 big block, that same friend had a 250 with the small 8, 302. Another friend had a 350 with the 7.3 diesel power stroke. My father had an 86’ with the in-line 6, but it was an earlier gen. I think 7. Still had the square looks though. Those trucks were special, at least to me.
lots of people don’t know how to operate a manual transmission. Heck nobody is born knowing. But it can be learned if you put some effort in. If you can drive an old ford tractor your halfway there.
The old 8N I have is low geared; plus, it doesn't have synchronized transmission so it cannot be shifted in motion. I did see Dad shift it in motion when we were on the highway and going fairly fast but Dad was an expert on such things and I would never attempt it myself as I would end up damaging the transmission.
So it can’t be shifted in motion or it can? speaking of Ford I believe it’s was Henry Ford that said “weather you think you can or think you can’t you are right”
So........... What is the budget for this truck? Will it be a one time lump sum payment or is there an monthly amount/time frame (financed) that you are trying to target? I get the impression that you are just kicking tires.
Oh, OK, I thought one couldn't shift an 8N while in motion; I thought I read that on the Yesterday Tractor forum. Maybe I read it wrong.
You can definitely shift on the fly with the old Fords...a Ford 600 (8/9N) and a 801 diesel was the main tractors I ran until I started working for the neighbor in Jr high. (well, I guess there was a few stints in a JD 5020 too)
I was hoping I could find one and just pay cash. I think the 2004 Ford F-150 was $4300; it had around 200K miles; it was scarfed up quickly. That was a bit more than I was thinking of paying but the truck was in good condition. What I was hoping with this thread is to avoid getting something that I should avoid. I trust real people's views over some reports on the net. I did tell my BIL to keep a lookout because he knows a lot of people. I was thinking of an extended cab; not a full rear seat but an area I could put groceries. I may sell the Buick; it is worth around $800.00 and the body is in good shape; transmission replaced, and the engine doesn't smoke. I don't need a four passenger vehicle; no one has been in the back seat of my car since I got the Buick; a driver and passenger seat is all I need.
Well, some are saying it can. I watch a video where a 10 year old shifted a big rig without using the clutch; that surprised me.
You should be able to find a decent early 2000's F150 extended cab in 4x2 for $3-4k...if you need 4x4 then things get a bit tighter...still possible if you sit and wait on the right deal to come along...but when it does, you need to react NOW...the best deals are often gone in a couple hours...
Yup. Used to do it a lot plowing snow in the Mack. Lived in that truck many a winter, sometimes 40 hours at a go, no breaks. Plowed for the state for 15 years in everything from a 3/4 ton pickup, to a dually one ton dump, to a large 6 wheeler, to a 10 wheeler, to a triaxle. Also did commercial lot plowing, and hauling as well as driveways, with garden tractors, compact tractors, backhoes, loaders, you name it. Don't miss it at all. Now I get to plow when I want, where I want, and if I want.
