Which truck would you buy

The 4.6 2V is a bit easier to work on than the 3Vs. I really like the long bed.

I really like GMT800s also.

I find the 04-08 F150 more spacious, but you risk some weird Ford electrical problems like the FPDM (corrosion, actually), ghost dome light and BRAKE light.

I've owned my '07 F150 2V from 185k to 240k and honestly hardly ever open the hood.

The 5.3 has better driveability.

I'd base my decision on condition.
 
Also the weird access doors on '04-08 regiular cabs are actually genius IMO. They allow you to have a "normal" size primary door which is most appreciated in tight parking places or if you try to hug a gas pump.

In '09 the door grew to effectively cover all (most of) that space and thus you're swinging a much longer door. My non-profit has a '12 Ram regular cab which suffers similar design choices and if you're trying to squeeze out you notice that giant door.

Oddly, the '04-08 extra cabs got a longer door (same size as '09-14) presumably to make up for the lack of a B-pillar. I learned the hard way when I ordered the incorrect LF glass for my '07 which I replaced due to streaking/etching from years of being rolled down.

Finally, me being me, I keep the back of my cab loaded with tools. I like the weird little doors because they afford good access when I need it ;)
 
Orangepeel said:
Not sure where you live but $3500 isn’t getting you a decent running driving truck especially not a 4x4 around here. All of these prices are pretty much standard around here. They aren’t out of line with our current market.
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Plenty in southern ca to choose from.

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Yeah but they'll be rust free and easy to work on as a result. Take it to a rustbelt state and your mechanic will be thrilled to work on it.

I just don't know how to coordinate buying out of state--do you just wire a check? Or do you fly and hope you will find something that can make it home? buy there, wire back home for temp plates (if it's private sale)--or hit car lots?

It always sounds like a good idea to buy down south, but I've yet to figure out the logistics of doing so.
 
Those prices seem too high. Around here (central Texas), I’ve seen decent work trucks in the 3,000-5,000 range. My son just turned 14 and would really like a truck, so I’ve been casually looking at FB Marketplace. The best deals seem to be on ‘94-01 Dodge Rams (unless you want a Cummins, then you’ll pay dearly). Definitely avoid the 3.7 and 4.7 Rams of the following generation, but those are cheap and can be had with a 5.9 LA V8 or Hemi. I also really like the OBS Fords and any of those engines are good. The AOD transmission is probably the weak link on those. I’d be willing to buy a truck with faded paint and minor cosmetic problems to keep the price down.

I’m originally from the rust belt and it’s totally worth it to travel for a non-rotted truck.
 
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Jetronic said:
he'll go lower. why ask 7 then say you'll take 6. that makes 6 the starting point.
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I went and looked at it and pointed out it needed tires etc I offered 5500 he said no. I said let me know and left he then messaged a day later and said 6k is the lowest he can take. So I’m taking him at his word but it makes sense.
 
Orangepeel said:
People say run from them all but with no reason why. So can you elaborate? Why would you run from all 3?
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These are very old vehicles that seem overpriced. Here's what you do. Ask them for a carfax on the truck so you can see if they have been wrecked. If they don't have one, offer to pay for the carfax. If the truck has been wrecked you offer much less for the truck, etc.,etc.,etc. Hope this helps.
 
I agree on the prices, they seem a bit high. The OBS is neat, nice style and the 300 six is a great engine, but more of a cruiser. Priced to be a toy, not a daily. The 06 and 2000 are equal in my book, if they were in the same condition. My impression from your description is that the Chevy has rust developing on the outside. the frames on these are also prone to rust. simple choice, go for the truck with the least amount of rust.
 
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That 06 Ford would be my pick. I like the access doors, reliable powertrain and looks to be clean with little to no rust with working A/C.
 
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The Chevy might be the most solid of the bunch, those were incredibly good years. Iirc also has more usable torque while the ford needs to spin. Not that the 5.3 will win any tractor pulls but it is a solid motor.

Of course the one I’d want is that 96 if I could swallow the price. However, maintenance history matters and I seem to recall ford throwing hoses and pipes everywhere back then, making maintenance harder.

Both fords probably handle better.
 
I like the '06 and the Chevy, although I think 7200 is too steep for the Chevy especially with that many miles. I've always had a soft spot for the 5.3 and just that generation in general.

The F-150 4.6 is a great engine. Little to no rust is a big plus as well.

Which one did you like the most?
 
I'd buy the Chevy. Should you have a trans issue they are cheap and easily available. Solid trucks overall. Price might be a little high.
 
Orangepeel said:
I went and looked at it and pointed out it needed tires etc I offered 5500 he said no. I said let me know and left he then messaged a day later and said 6k is the lowest he can take. So I’m taking him at his word but it makes sense.
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Patient my friend he will call back
 
Orangepeel,

Markets are different county to country, state to state. If you are not concerned about the price and you want an opinion on what to get out of those examples the 2006 F150 is the winner. The 4.6L engine is a 300K engine, the tranny is 200 ~250K and some can do 300K but not much more. Overall these are very reliable trucks minus a few issues below:

-You will need to replace the FPDM asap due to corrosion. This has and will leave you stranded. It is a cheap fix.
-Coil on plug / packs go bad.
-EGR, EGR tube can rot out, and exhaust manifold studs break.
-IWE's can go bad, and they stick enguaged thankfuly.
-The instrument cluster can have multiple bad solder joints that need reworked.
-Third brake light will leak water.
-Intake manifold can leak coolant due to warping.
 
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