I've been looking at used pickups for a while and had some interesting observations.
My criterion was a 3/4 ton pickup in the 1993-2002 age range, a price range of $5000 to $10,000, and mileage varied from 85K to 263K. It had to be 4 wheel drive for use in the winter. I looked at a 12 Chevy/GMC's, 9 Fords and 6 Dodges, all from private owners. 3 of the GM's were half tons and one Ford was a half ton (not meeting my 3/4 ton criteria, but they were nice enough to warrant a consideration). The rest were all 3/4 ton.
GM: Years ranged from 1994 to 1999 and mileage from 98K to 195K. All but 2 had at least some surface rust, ranging from small bubbles forming at the cab corners and over the rear wheel wells to rust holes that I could put my hand into. 8 had engine or transmission replacements or rebuilds at some time in the past. Most of the ads read "XX miles on NEW transmission!" and seemed to be a selling point for the owners. 8 were auto, 4 were manual transmissions. There were no diesels.
Ford: Years ranged from 1993 to 2001 and mileage from 120K to 263K. 1 had some serious rust holes over the rear wheel wells and the bottom edge of the tailgate was rotted away. 2 had minor rust starting around the rear wheel wells, the remaining 6 were rust free. 3 had transmission rebuilds or replacement in the past, but there were no engine
rebuilds/replacements (that I was told about). The truck with the most mileage was a 1999 F250 Super Duty with 263K (gas engine and automatic transmission). Surprisingly, according to the owner this truck never had a rebuilt engine or transmission. There were 2 diesels, all were automatic except for one of the diesels.
Dodge: Years ranged from 1996 to 2002 and mileage from 85K to 178K. One had some light rust started around the bottom of the cab and wheel wells, the rest were rust free. One had a transmission replaced, one had some valve/lifter work done, but no engines had been rebuilt/replaced (that the current owners would admit). One was a diesel and it was also the only manual transmission.
It appears that the GM products were the worst of the lot. I looked at so many GM's because frankly I wanted one-I like the looks of them. But they seemed to be the roughest of the trucks that I viewed. There is nothing scientific about it, it's simply personal observation compiled from my notes.
I finally settled on a black 1999 Dodge Club Cab 4X4 with 85,000 miles for $5200. 5.9L gas engine and automatic transmission. It's been sitting since the owner passed away almost a year ago-the son did say he used it 3-4 times since dad passed. No rust, a couple of small door dings, and it has been garaged most of its life. More "features" than I really wanted, but given the mileage, condition and price I couldn't pass on this one. Since it only has 85K on it, and I only plan to put on 2,000 or so per year, it will be a long time before it sees 100K. I plan to use it for some landscaping over the next couple of years, I'll also pick up a trailer to haul my tractors to shows (perhaps once or twice a year). I might look at investing in a snow plow for it since plowing with an open tractor at -10 with the wind blowing is starting to get uncomfortable (I have a long rural driveway).
When I filled up the fuel tank I knew why I didn't have a pickup as a daily driver. I much prefer putting $15-20 each week into the Hyundai. $47 to fill it up from half made my wallet cry out in agony.
I went by Advanced Auto on the way home and picked up a 5qt jug of Maxlife 10w30 ($16.99), an STP oil filter ($3.48), a Purolator air filter ($5.99) and a PCV valve ($2.99). The oil was changed Sunday, along with the air filter and PCV valve. I'm planning to change the transmission, differentials and transfer case fluids the next couple of weeks. I then plan to do annual oil changes.
At some point this summer I'll put an engine block heater on it for cold winter starts. I'm still debating on parking it in the shop for the winter (I have an empty bay) or just leaving it out. We'll see.
All in all it was an interesting experience, and I ended up with a pretty decent truck at a price that I felt was reasonable. I also met some very colorful people while I looked at trucks.
My criterion was a 3/4 ton pickup in the 1993-2002 age range, a price range of $5000 to $10,000, and mileage varied from 85K to 263K. It had to be 4 wheel drive for use in the winter. I looked at a 12 Chevy/GMC's, 9 Fords and 6 Dodges, all from private owners. 3 of the GM's were half tons and one Ford was a half ton (not meeting my 3/4 ton criteria, but they were nice enough to warrant a consideration). The rest were all 3/4 ton.
GM: Years ranged from 1994 to 1999 and mileage from 98K to 195K. All but 2 had at least some surface rust, ranging from small bubbles forming at the cab corners and over the rear wheel wells to rust holes that I could put my hand into. 8 had engine or transmission replacements or rebuilds at some time in the past. Most of the ads read "XX miles on NEW transmission!" and seemed to be a selling point for the owners. 8 were auto, 4 were manual transmissions. There were no diesels.
Ford: Years ranged from 1993 to 2001 and mileage from 120K to 263K. 1 had some serious rust holes over the rear wheel wells and the bottom edge of the tailgate was rotted away. 2 had minor rust starting around the rear wheel wells, the remaining 6 were rust free. 3 had transmission rebuilds or replacement in the past, but there were no engine
rebuilds/replacements (that I was told about). The truck with the most mileage was a 1999 F250 Super Duty with 263K (gas engine and automatic transmission). Surprisingly, according to the owner this truck never had a rebuilt engine or transmission. There were 2 diesels, all were automatic except for one of the diesels.
Dodge: Years ranged from 1996 to 2002 and mileage from 85K to 178K. One had some light rust started around the bottom of the cab and wheel wells, the rest were rust free. One had a transmission replaced, one had some valve/lifter work done, but no engines had been rebuilt/replaced (that the current owners would admit). One was a diesel and it was also the only manual transmission.
It appears that the GM products were the worst of the lot. I looked at so many GM's because frankly I wanted one-I like the looks of them. But they seemed to be the roughest of the trucks that I viewed. There is nothing scientific about it, it's simply personal observation compiled from my notes.
I finally settled on a black 1999 Dodge Club Cab 4X4 with 85,000 miles for $5200. 5.9L gas engine and automatic transmission. It's been sitting since the owner passed away almost a year ago-the son did say he used it 3-4 times since dad passed. No rust, a couple of small door dings, and it has been garaged most of its life. More "features" than I really wanted, but given the mileage, condition and price I couldn't pass on this one. Since it only has 85K on it, and I only plan to put on 2,000 or so per year, it will be a long time before it sees 100K. I plan to use it for some landscaping over the next couple of years, I'll also pick up a trailer to haul my tractors to shows (perhaps once or twice a year). I might look at investing in a snow plow for it since plowing with an open tractor at -10 with the wind blowing is starting to get uncomfortable (I have a long rural driveway).
When I filled up the fuel tank I knew why I didn't have a pickup as a daily driver. I much prefer putting $15-20 each week into the Hyundai. $47 to fill it up from half made my wallet cry out in agony.
I went by Advanced Auto on the way home and picked up a 5qt jug of Maxlife 10w30 ($16.99), an STP oil filter ($3.48), a Purolator air filter ($5.99) and a PCV valve ($2.99). The oil was changed Sunday, along with the air filter and PCV valve. I'm planning to change the transmission, differentials and transfer case fluids the next couple of weeks. I then plan to do annual oil changes.
At some point this summer I'll put an engine block heater on it for cold winter starts. I'm still debating on parking it in the shop for the winter (I have an empty bay) or just leaving it out. We'll see.
All in all it was an interesting experience, and I ended up with a pretty decent truck at a price that I felt was reasonable. I also met some very colorful people while I looked at trucks.
