Farm truck?

[BearZDefect]

A friend is looking for a light duty farm truck, budget around $3k.

My first thought is a late '90s half ton. At this price they'd have high mileage, possibly from fleet service.

Which would do better in this service? It would need 4WD with a low range.

F-150: Seems decent overall with a 4.6 although the transmissions may be questionable?

GMC/Chevy: More efficient engines than Ford. What about the rest of the package?

Dodge: Worthwhile?


TIA.

 

[Chris142]

Simple repairs and maintenance are much easier on the GM trucks.

 

[The_Jeff]

3k and 4wd means individual condition above anything.

The 1996 and prior f150s with the 300-6 are pretty sweet.

 

[Boomer]

The 4L60E used in GM/Chevy half tons does not stand up well to abuse. You are better getting a 3/4 ton with the 4L80E trans.

 

[daman]

The 4L80E and Allison's trans are sweet thats all we run and never a major issue.

stick with GM $.02

 

[55Test]

Older F150 with a 5 speed. 6 or 8 cylinder, both are equally as durable and hard working.

 

[BearZDefect]

Thank you for the responses.

Is a 3/4 ton GM (with gasoline engine) of that era guaranteed to come with a 4L80E? In other words, did they put the 4L60E on any 3/4 ton models?

I agree with the "individual condition" point.

What are key things to inspect on a late '90s GM 1/2 and 3/4 ton?

 

[synthetic_crazy]

I would avoid the Dodges, they have transmission issues.

 

[MNgopher]

I notice you say light duty farm work. Define light duty. Seems to me the recommendations for a 3/4 ton are overkill for a light duty truck. I could be wrong.

Agree that at a 3k price point, shop on condition and less on brand. Both the GM and Ford trucks are good. My'99 F150 with the 4.6 has 191,000 miles on it and is the cheapest vehicle per mile to drive in my fleet despite burning more gas. Rarely needs maintenance. Transmission wise, stay away from the manual due to a very low tow rating (97+ trucks). Not a lot of them out there, but be aware. The 4R70W behind the 4.6 does fine, when it was behind the 5.4 it had more issues.

 

[cbear]

I know someone selling a mid 90s Ram 1500 4x4 in Cincinnati. Let me know if you want me to check on the price.

 

[BearZDefect]

Thank you, MNgopher.

Any key things to look out for on an F-150 of those years?

By light duty farm truck I mean that it would not be loaded very heavily, but will be required to move over uneven/slippery/sloping terrain, thus the requirement for 4WD with a low range. Do all 1/2 ton 4WD trucks have a low range? Sorry if the answer is obvious, I simply don't have much first hand experience with trucks. The few 4WD SUVs I've seen in detail from the '80s and early '90s all had a low range, but things change.

 

[IndyIan]

All the older 4WD 1/2 tons would have low range. At some point Dodge did a full time AWD Ram that I don't think has low range but they won't be $3k yet unless they have a lot of miles...

Is he opposed to an SUV and trailer? I use my Tracker with a trailer for farm duty. I tow 3 round bales, 2000lb+ with the trailer at reduced speeds on the back roads with no problems.

In any case an old truck should be bought on condition and not reputation. Around here I do see more late 80's early 90's fords being worked than GM's or dodges of that age but up here rust resistance is a major factor for what trucks are still in service.

 

[MNgopher]

As far as I am aware, if its a fullsize pickup with 4WD in that era, it will have a low range.

Biggest issue I've had with my F150 has been front end suspension components. I believe I've replaced the lower ball joints, all tie rod ends (inner and outer), and the sway bar links. Given the terrain my truck has worked over and the mileage, it is what it is.

Engine wise, my 4.6's have been dead reliable, although I will note not the power leader. At the same time, they have always gottent the job done, even when worked hard. 5.4's have more of a history of blowing plugs.

In our area, trucks of that vintage will be showing some rust. Common points to find it are the lower seam of the tailgate and the bottoms of the door panels.

Other than that, go for the one in the best condition. They are out there, though you may have to hunt a little bit to find em. My last Chevy truck went 240,000 miles before we got rid of it. My current F150 is at 191,000. Both good choices...

 

[addyguy]

I'd take the time to find an older Ford F150 with a 300 I-6 or a 302 and a manual transmission. They are pretty darn bullet-proof for farm work. I wouldn't want an automatic transmission for hauling/rough terrain work, it would just give up after a while.

 

[BearZDefect]

Thank you for all the helpful replies. You have given me very useful information to work with.

Yes, a smaller vehicle with a trailer has been considered, but not favored yet.

 

[Scienceman]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I'd take the time to find an older Ford F150 with a 300 I-6 or a 302 and a manual transmission. They are pretty darn bullet-proof for farm work. I wouldn't want an automatic transmission for hauling/rough terrain work, it would just give up after a while.


This!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: DT466E_bus
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I'd take the time to find an older Ford F150 with a 300 I-6 or a 302 and a manual transmission. They are pretty darn bullet-proof for farm work. I wouldn't want an automatic transmission for hauling/rough terrain work, it would just give up after a while.


This!



I agree this definitely sounds like the way to go for that farm truck.

 

[Kaboomba]

yeah, old Fords are great, but good luck finding one that you can pry from the owner's white-knuckled paws at a decent price (IME).

If you find a truck, Ford, Dodge, GM, 1/2 or 3/4-ton, and it runs good/shifts good and is cheap, that means it IS good and your friend should buy it.