comapring the big 3 trucks

[ram_man]

I am in the market for a beater truck, i realize the most important thing is condition.
Having said that i am looking to spend 1500 o so.
Who had the best set up from say 1985-95 ive owned a chevy cheyenne with the 4.3 and a ford with the 302 did.t have either all that long but.did like the chevy. General opinions and common issues of each make to watch out for. I do not want a brand war. I realize they all build decent trucks. Thanks everyone.

 

[ls1mike]

1500 won't get you much. What is wrong with your Ram?
I have had an 88 Silverado 3/4 ton 350/700R4. Was a good truck. Nothing really every broke to speak off. Tunes up and routine maintenance. I sold it with 210,000 on it.
I also had an 89 GMC 1 ton 454 Turbo 400. Great truck. When I sold it, it had 180,000 miles on it. 90 percent of it towing. I had to do a radiator, TBI gasket, water pump and injectors.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Having said that i am looking to spend 1500 o so.


Can you be a little more specific?

Compact/Midsize, 150, 250, 350?
Regular, Ext, Crew Cab?
2, or 4 wheel drive?
Automatic, or manual?
Etc...

 

[ram_man]

My ram was my grandfathers. I am going to start restoring it this spring. I make due with the ram right now but once I start fixing it up I wont be using it as a truck anympore itll be a perfect condition truck I will drive on weekends and special events and such. But I have started doing regular work for people and a truck is very handy. All I need is a beater I dont care about the looks or if its starts with a screw driver as long as it can serve as a truck itll do fine.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Having said that i am looking to spend 1500 o so.


Can you be a little more specific?

Compact/Midsize, 150, 250, 350?
Regular, Ext, Crew Cab?
2, or 4 wheel drive?
Automatic, or manual?
Etc...



sorry I forget little trucks are actually trucks. Reg cab full size 2wd or 4 doesnt matter 4wd would be nice but harder to find. And manual is strongly preferred but not a must either.

 

[barkingspider]

U can get a Chevy S10 with a 4.3 V6. THE 4.3L is a great engine

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
U can get a Chevy S10 with a 4.3 V6. THE 4.3L is a great engine


im not sure an s10 would handle hauling cars and trucks very well? Maybe it would im not sure.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
im not sure an s10 would handle hauling cars and trucks very well? Maybe it would im not sure.


Hauling cars & trucks? What kind of weight are we talking about?

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: ram_man
im not sure an s10 would handle hauling cars and trucks very well? Maybe it would im not sure.


Hauling cars & trucks? What kind of weight are we talking about?


Probably 6,000 tops. With the majority in the 3,000-4000

 

[dave1251]

Good luck.

 

[Boomer]

Don't buy an 88 Chevy with the 305 engine. Major issues...I know from experience. That was the year of the big body change and the young engineers cut out a lot of casting support webs or something in the small block. There was a raft of cracked blocks and leaking head gaskets. The dealer in Altoona PA where mine went when it cracked had over 50 blocks replaced by the time mine went.

 

[jimbrewer]

Well, I assume that this is to be a utilitarian vehicle. Your best bet is to buy the one with the best set of tires.

 

[ClutchDisc]

The 4.3 in an S-10 could probably handle that.

 

[KD0AXS]

F-150 with the 300 Inline 6.

 

[Phishin]

I love my 1990 K1500. Dang near bullet proof. Paid $2k for mine 2 years ago.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
F-150 with the 300 Inline 6.


That's what I was gonna say.

 

[Ramblejam]

So, people are recommending a F-150 with the 4.9L I-6? Interesting...

RamMan specifically stated that he "strongly prefers a manual", and will tow up to 6,000lbs. on occasion. Would any of you like you research what the factory rated towing capacity was for that truck with a manual transmission?

 

[nwjones18]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
F-150 with the 300 Inline 6.


This...

 

[nwjones18]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
So, people are recommending a F-150 with the 4.9L I-6? Interesting...

RamMan specifically stated that he "strongly prefers a manual", and will tow up to 6,000lbs. on occasion. Would any of you like you research what the factory rated towing capacity was for that truck with a manual transmission?



Ok get a F-250 with the I-6..

 

[Chris142]

No problem finding nice stuff at that price as long as you dont need a 4x4

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/4310176089.html