Looking for a good used truck.

[NavyVet88]

I have a 2013 Honda Civic 1.8L with 90k miles and I am starting to feel like I want a truck. I bought the covic when I was stationed in Virginia because work on base was a 94 mile round trip commute 5 days a week. Well I've been out of the navy for about 10 months now and I'm thinking that if like to have a good used truck.

My job/school commute is less than 30 miles round trip now so the fuel economy isn't so much of a concern as it was when I bought the civic. The wife and I like to go fishing a lot when school and work permit and A truck would allow us to go a few more places than the civic of course. The trade value on the civic is $10k and I would like to have a ford or Chevy 2wd.

You guys got any suggestions? 4wd isn't really a concern because that's how a lot of stuff gets torn up imo


I might add that my wife's only complaint of the civic is that it doesn't have a lot of room which in her defense it really doesn't and she doesn't want a higher monthly payment than what we have so I've partially got her on board

 

[WankelRotorHead]

Mid to late 2000's Chevy Silverado or Ford F150

I owned a 2005 Silverado with a 5.3 V8, the engine and transmission were solid and plenty of power. Could get 17-18 mpg (4WD model) on the hwy at 70 mph.

I drive a 2004 Ford F150 with the 5.4 V8 for work. Also a solid truck. Engine is good and powerful (though the 5.3 Chevy feels a little stronger as per the butt dyno). Transmission works flawlessly despite work vehicle abuse. Gets around 17 mpg hwy (also a 4WD), not quite as good as my Silverado did.

Both have has solid drive trains. Both have had little nicky-nack electrical issues (mostly dash lights, switches, radio...nothing major). Both are easy on oil, work vehicles get conventional every 5K (Valvoline bulk) while my Silverado got whatever group III synthetic was on sale and I used the OLM for 8-9k oil changes.

 

[Chris142]

Do your homework. Find out what years and models have issues. Then try to find one with clean oil,clean coolant and hopefully maintenance records.

My f250 had milages written in every filter plus I could see where oil change stickers had been on the windshield and door jamb

 

[CKN]

The issue is a "good used truck" is usually what they are-"very used".

It's difficult to find a decent used truck at a decent dollar amount.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Maybe find an engine and drivetrain that you like.

Ford I think has a 4.6 or 5.4 OHC engine

Chevrolet should get you a 4.8, 5.3, or 6.0 all OHV

You want an automatic or standard transmission?

No V6s? 4.2 Ford and 4.3 GM

 

[JimPghPA]

Some years of ford trucks have a weird sparkplug. It has a long extension that goes deep into the head. These sparkplugs corrode and get stuck in place. When you try to remove them they brake off and require a special tool that only works once. When you go to replace these sparkplugs you end up purchasing one of those tools for each sparkplug. And it is a real PITA to do. My brother had a F150 with those wierd sparkplugs and he was quoted a price of $700 to replace the sparkplug. After the mechanic quoted the price, his father (also a mechanic) saw the truck on the lot and knowing how big of a PITA removing those plugs was told his son that they would not do that job. So my brother ended up trading that truck in for a more recent F150 that does not have the weird sparkplugs. So if you are going to purchase a F150 stay clear of the years that have the problem sparkplugs.

 

[ford46guy]

Look for a Ford truck with the old school 2V 4.6L SOHC engine(Crown Vic). The plug blowout issue was solved by the mid 00s.

The 3V engines have issues with the cam phasers, exhaust manifolds and plugs. Not saying to avoid but be ready for issues.

 

[mclasser]

I think the mid-2000s Ram is better in the styling department than the Silverado & F150. The Hemi's a cool engine but the infamous tick seems to be common in this era of trucks (not sure if Chrysler ever fixed it TBH). Chevy and Ford are probably better choices for reliability, though.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: CKN
The issue is a "good used truck" is usually what they are-"very used".

It's difficult to find a decent used truck at a decent dollar amount.



+1 if you are looking for a two-wheel drive truck you may find a lower end "brand-new" one will not be too much more money.

I've seen some decent deals on new LS WT silverados. The 2016 is redesigned and the dealers are discounting the 15's heavily.

A Ram ST or F150 XLT is also and option. Shop around. The used Truck market is insane. Prices are often so crazy it is only a matter of $2-3k more to get a new one with a warranty.

be patient and diligent. Also the 04-10 F150's with the 5.4L are plagued with cam phaser issues, so keep that in mind when shopping. they will be cheaper than the GM trucks because of this. Do your homework and know what to look for.


GM- the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 are all great.

Dodge- go for the 5.7L hemi

Ford- IMO the 4.6L is the best of the offerings. The H.O 4.6L 3V made 292hp and will tow almost as well as the much more problematic 300Hp 5.4L trucks.

Just some things to keep in mind. Good Luck shopping!

 

[WankelRotorHead]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08

Also the 04-10 F150's with the 5.4L are plagued with cam phaser issues, so keep that in mind when shopping. they will be cheaper than the GM trucks because of this. Do your homework and know what to look for.


Both the 4.6/5.4 3V engines have had cam phaser issues. The good news is that on a used truck, it's easy to tell because it will knock quite loud at idle.

 

[JimPghPA]

Do a google search for "ford spark plug problem removing f150 years" and you will be able to see the sparkplug with the extended lower half. According to one of the sites that come up the bad years for this problem were 2004 to 2008.

 

[donnyj08]

Originally Posted By: BikeWhisperer
Originally Posted By: donnyj08

Also the 04-10 F150's with the 5.4L are plagued with cam phaser issues, so keep that in mind when shopping. they will be cheaper than the GM trucks because of this. Do your homework and know what to look for.


Both the 4.6/5.4 3V engines have had cam phaser issues. The good news is that on a used truck, it's easy to tell because it will knock quite loud at idle.


You are correct. The problem is much more prevalent in the 5.4L trucks, however. Especially the early 04-06 trucks.

I've had a few apart to change the phasers, guides, chains, and the oil pump. It is a real pain on a 4x4 as the front diff has to come out to get the pan off. I always remove the pan if im going to do one as the pieces that break off of the timing chain guides fall in the pan when the guides crack. luckily the OP wants a 2wd which makes the process much easier.

It is also important to note that a truck that has ran for a while with Phaser issues will likely have fouled out catalytic converters from running rich. The trucks are great trucks and they are well built. If the OP can find one that doesn't have any phaser issues then they can be a great buy.

 

[Joe_Power]

Bama is Dodge country. Primarily because they're cheap

 

[NavyVet88]

Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
Bama is Dodge country. Primarily because they're cheap


Dodge also is well known for transmissions that last about as long as a bad case of flatulance

 

[NavyVet88]

Definitely wish the ford ranger would come back

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
You guys got any suggestions?

...and she doesn't want a higher monthly payment than what we have so I've partially got her on board


Sure. Get out from under vehicles you can't afford. You have a 2 year old car that you're paying through the nose for, and now you want to extend those monthly payments out another few years just so you can have a pickup. It's fiscally irresponsible and downright foolish. Especially if, as you claim, you're still in school, your efforts should be focused on getting through school with little or no debt, not investing monthly payments in depreciating assets.

 

[Ramblejam]

Listen to Pop_Rivit...he's on-point here.

Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
Definitely wish the ford ranger would come back

There are a glut of these at auctions now as they're cycled out of fleets; 01rangerxl could be of great help in selecting the best year, options, configuration, etc.

 

[JTK]

Or just wait for fuel prices to skyrocket. All kinds of used truck/suv choices to be had.

If you don't really have the specific need for a truck, as nice as they are, I'd avoid it.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam


Originally Posted By: NavyVet88
Definitely wish the ford ranger would come back

There are a glut of these at auctions now as they're cycled out of fleets; 01rangerxl could be of great help in selecting the best year, options, configuration, etc.



I have noticed a whole lot of used car dealers have at least one white Ranger in stock lately. This pic is from a used car dealer in GA...

For what OP describes, a 2.3L Duratec engine Super Cab would be the best configuration. Those were available from 2003-2011 and are pretty common. Go for an XLT if you want features like power windows/locks, keyless entry, etc. Those features weren't standard on the XLT either, but they weren't available on the XL base model at all. XLTs also have more sound deadening in the door panels and much nicer stereos standard. Lots of fleets bought Sports and XLTs, so there are plenty out there. Sports only come with the 4.0L though.

Even if fuel economy isn't a huge concern, you'll definitely notice going from a Civic to a 4.0L Ranger. Their fuel economy is the same as a full size truck. The 2.3L Duratec gets much better fuel economy, is just as reliable, and even with an automatic it has enough power if you aren't towing.

2011, the final year, got four wheel disc brakes and traction control. I'm not normally one for "nannies," but these trucks can benefit from traction control.

Here is a nice 2.3L Super Cab with power windows/locks, XLT trim, etc...$18K though...

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...80740&Log=0

 

[Dave Hess]

$18K for a used 4 cylinder pickup truck ???
Why so much for that truck.


I agree that you should finish college and wait to buy a truck.