And if he isn't towing more than a couple thousand lbs, a 4.2 with a 5sp is also a truck that won't stop. Much love for the older bowtie brand myself, but those 97-03 Fords 4.2 and 4.6 were like adamantium.
What old half ton to seek out
- Thread starter Orangepeel
- Start date
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
I have had 4 GMT400s. Get yourself a GMT800, it is better than the 400
Do you need to pass emissions or safety inspection? I'd go pre-obd-ii if you have to, lots of little nags pop up on 20-28 year old vehicles.
I'm very fond of my 91 F150 but the 351w in it dates back to the 1960s if not earlier. At least it's fuel injected. And I re-capped the ECM, something they all need. It gets 14-15 MPG vs the 18 from my Silverado 4.8 and makes less power. Despite that I really like the first generation fuel injected trucks-- Chevy and Dodge too, particularly the Magnum motors that came out in 1992-ish.
They call my truck a "bricknose" and it comes with cool stuff like triangle vent windows.
I'm very fond of my 91 F150 but the 351w in it dates back to the 1960s if not earlier. At least it's fuel injected. And I re-capped the ECM, something they all need. It gets 14-15 MPG vs the 18 from my Silverado 4.8 and makes less power. Despite that I really like the first generation fuel injected trucks-- Chevy and Dodge too, particularly the Magnum motors that came out in 1992-ish.
They call my truck a "bricknose" and it comes with cool stuff like triangle vent windows.
I also vote GMT800. The 400s were good for their time, but that time was long ago.
One overlooked strong contender is an '04-08 F150 with 4.6, which will still be 2V. The 4R70 is tough and usually goes a long time.
However, a GMT800 5.3 or even 4.8 is much quicker than the 2V 4.6.
I only mention the Ford because they kinda fly under the radar. I find the road manners and comfort equal to a GMT800.
But do not consider a 3V for even one second.
One overlooked strong contender is an '04-08 F150 with 4.6, which will still be 2V. The 4R70 is tough and usually goes a long time.
However, a GMT800 5.3 or even 4.8 is much quicker than the 2V 4.6.
I only mention the Ford because they kinda fly under the radar. I find the road manners and comfort equal to a GMT800.
But do not consider a 3V for even one second.
Give me an old Dodge with either a slant six or a 318 with a 727 transmission. Easy to repair and parts are super cheap. Nice wide cab and gauges for info.
I had a 1990 ford F-150 300 inline 6 four wheel drive. It was one of those half tons that sat really high off the ground from the factory. I would love to have one of those again without tons of rust. That would be my pick.
GMT800
Yep. Just buy the 5 gallon bucket of bondo for the rust holes in the truck.
Back axles have been musical chairs through the years, but the point was that the bigger truck got a more robust setup than the 8.5"/8.625" half ton rear with sloppy spiders as the miles march on. The models I am familiar with were 8.25" (half) or 9.25" (HD) front.
I'm of the mindset that if your occasional use, special duty pickup gets 14 mpg, it's not that different than it getting 12.
I propose that the torsion bar setup doesn't ride poorly unless it's been cranked and the jounce bumpers are trashed...well, unless the rest of the system (pitman, idler, tie rod ends, intermediate shaft, column bearing, and steering gear) has been neglected.
I don't have any problem getting any parts for my '93 F150.
I don't know where you live but Ford's, generally, held up better in the rust belt in those years you are looking at.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i own one and service many torsion bar GM trucks. the coil sprung GMT 800 trucks ride much better aswell as road manners being improved. much less wearable components in the steering system. the 10 bolt isn’t as bad as most make it seem. don’t attempt to do burnouts or power slides and they will last just fine.
The GM trucks have a ton of parts available for them. There is a good reason for that. You'll need 'em.
The most reliable old truck is.....
The most reliable old truck is.....
I had one of those, I don't really recommend the M5OD, and I like manuals. No durability related complaints, just that the shift quality is on par with a 1970s truck, long throws, long clutch engagement. Get one with a 4R70.
Also the early 4.2s had problems with intake gaskets dumping coolant into the crankcase. It was fixed after 99 with a new set of gaskets, the 2000+ came from the factory with the updated parts.
Growing up in crazy hot TX as a kid without AC equipted vehicles, those vent windows were life savers. Dads old Dodge also had a floor vents mounted on the kick panels just above the floorboards. Working in tandem with the vent windows, it provided a very nice breeze.They call my truck a "bricknose" and it comes with cool stuff like triangle vent windows.
They call my truck a "bricknose" and it comes with cool stuff like triangle vent windows.
The M5OD Mazda trans is the most awful truck stick shift I've ever driven. 1st gear is way too tall and 3rd gear always makes noise. Even if you've kept the fluid in them (ATF) via the plugs that have a reputation of failing they make noise.
The New Venture trannies in Dodges and often GM are heaven.
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I've owned a 92 C1500 since new. Went from new, to used, and now classic/antique status (state inspections no longer required). Pretty simple to work on for the most part, some a pain like most vehicles. I'm having to order most mechanical parts for it now, as less places have items in stock. Also, I've had several repair shops and a couple dealerships say no to repairs. No problem since I have tools and a workshop.
I learned to drive on an M5OD/300. I'm probably a better driver for it. But it's tiring day-to-day with the relatively long throws.
I have two random pet-peeves on the GMT400s: doing anything on the doors is a PITA and the doors are needy. Yes, once you learn the tricks they're actually not bad but the whole design is stupid. And second, the "circuit board" on the taillights is dumb and unnecessary.
My complaints carry little merit because if you fix those things once, they'll be good for your lifetime (unless you use Dorman parts). But they still bug me.
I've got a laundry list of pet-peeves with '87-97 Fords, too
If you don't care about doors falling off and dashboards turning into craters, the 2nd Gen Rams are actually quite durable. The trick is finding one that doesn't wander all over the road; I love solid axles but Ram made questionable choices with steering boxes and track bars
I have two random pet-peeves on the GMT400s: doing anything on the doors is a PITA and the doors are needy. Yes, once you learn the tricks they're actually not bad but the whole design is stupid. And second, the "circuit board" on the taillights is dumb and unnecessary.
My complaints carry little merit because if you fix those things once, they'll be good for your lifetime (unless you use Dorman parts). But they still bug me.
I've got a laundry list of pet-peeves with '87-97 Fords, too
If you don't care about doors falling off and dashboards turning into craters, the 2nd Gen Rams are actually quite durable. The trick is finding one that doesn't wander all over the road; I love solid axles but Ram made questionable choices with steering boxes and track bars
JHZR2
Staff member
That would be my choice too - any old 4.3 or 350 Chevy C/K, any age. They did sell some with the 305, but not sure if they’re desirable… they maybe the economy of the 8 with the power of the 6 type deal…
Or else a Dodge Ram. I know they can run the distance and still work great in the 94+ version. I don’t know much about the pre-94 dodge rams, but have always liked them and wanted one.
I’ve seen the pre-94 dodge trucks, including some with the slant 6, for really cheap.
Sorry but, that correlates to GMC/Chevy & Ford in my parts besides Dodge.
I remember when I worked at the Ford dealer we had one of those 4.2 engines come in with a major knock...turned out it had hydro locked from intake gasket failure and bent a rod. We actually tore it down and replaced the rod and piston. I always figured those engines were junk because they were based on the 3.8.
I was told they did a lot of warranty repairs on the Mazda based m5od.
