Help me make sure I'm not forgetting a hidden gem

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

As the time to trade in the Mustang gets closer and closer, I want to make sure I make the right choice. Criteria are (ideally but negotiable) 20ish mpg, 4wd, solid axles (preferably), decent cargo capacity (possibly working with uncle-in-law's construction company), 4 doors, daily driver, $20,000 and under budget. I'm new to all of this and have been browsing this sub forum religiously for a few months now so I have huge respect for this group of people.

My list so far:
5.9 cummins 2003-2006
5.0l f-150 (ifs i know)
???

 

[ryan212]

What are your goals for the vehicle, Just a pickup, or consider a van or SUV? How old are you willing to go.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

What are your goals for the vehicle, Just a pickup, or consider a van or SUV? How old are you willing to go.

I wanted a JKUR for a while but the wife-to-be more wants a pickup cause "if it's gonna get crappy mileage I at least want the potential practicality of a truck bed to justify it."

 

[Pangle]

Ford Excursion Diesel... 7.3 or a 6.0 that has had issues resolved. With a tuner can get around 20mpg, and 40 gal tank.

 

[schaefer21285]

I do not think you are going to get a 20ish mpg truck with straight axles. My friend has a the Dodge you are describing and he has had to rebuild the front end 3 or 4 times. He does run a construction company but most of his miles are highway. IFS is fine unless you are going to be doing some hard core off roading. I have a 1999 Ford Ranger here in Paraguay with IFS and I drive roads here everyday that most weekend warriors would love and think they needed a 6 in lift with 38s to drive on but my truck is completely stock!

My point is do not get hung up on modifying the truck so much that it is unreliable. Go where you want to go with the truck and if it is not good enough, then modify.

 

[SDDiver5]

Ford Excursion Diesel... 7.3 or a 6.0 that has had issues resolved. With a tuner can get around 20mpg, and 40 gal tank.

x2

You can get one for 20k easily. I was actually just looking at them last night.

 

[surlydiesel]

Since you're driving a Mustang now. I would just get a clean f-150 with the 5.0. It will be plenty of truck for most anything you need to do coming from a 2wd car with only trunk space.

In my experience (I've owned 2 7.3 Fords), you might see 20mpg on the highway, doing the speed limit with stock tires and an intake, mild tune and free flowing exhaust. As soon as you put bigger tires, drive with traffic, idle around town, you're going to get 16mpg at best. Plan on ****ty gas millage, It's a truck. If you have lots of disposable income, buy a diesel. If you want a truck to get your feet wet and enjoy driving it without doing lots of work. Get a clean half ton gasser.

I do however average 21mpg in my 2006 4cylinder 4X4 tacoma. I have oversized heavy tires and don't drive slow by any means. This is the most economical truck I can drive. I refuse to drive a eco car daily. If I could get a half ton truck with a manual trans, I would take the fuel economy hit but they don't make one. So I go with the most fuel efficient thing I can find.

-jorge

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

Ford Excursion Diesel... 7.3 or a 6.0 that has had issues resolved. With a tuner can get around 20mpg, and 40 gal tank.

I do not think you are going to get a 20ish mpg truck with straight axles. My friend has a the Dodge you are describing and he has had to rebuild the front end 3 or 4 times. He does run a construction company but most of his miles are highway. IFS is fine unless you are going to be doing some hard core off roading. I have a 1999 Ford Ranger here in Paraguay with IFS and I drive roads here everyday that most weekend warriors would love and think they needed a 6 in lift with 38s to drive on but my truck is completely stock!

My point is do not get hung up on modifying the truck so much that it is unreliable. Go where you want to go with the truck and if it is not good enough, then modify.

x2

You can get one for 20k easily. I was actually just looking at them last night.

Since you're driving a Mustang now. I would just get a clean f-150 with the 5.0. It will be plenty of truck for most anything you need to do coming from a 2wd car with only trunk space.

In my experience (I've owned 2 7.3 Fords), you might see 20mpg on the highway, doing the speed limit with stock tires and an intake, mild tune and free flowing exhaust. As soon as you put bigger tires, drive with traffic, idle around town, you're going to get 16mpg at best. Plan on ****ty gas millage, It's a truck. If you have lots of disposable income, buy a diesel. If you want a truck to get your feet wet and enjoy driving it without doing lots of work. Get a clean half ton gasser.

I do however average 21mpg in my 2006 4cylinder 4X4 tacoma. I have oversized heavy tires and don't drive slow by any means. This is the most economical truck I can drive. I refuse to drive a eco car daily. If I could get a half ton truck with a manual trans, I would take the fuel economy hit but they don't make one. So I go with the most fuel efficient thing I can find.

-jorge

Really I haven't always heard good things about excursions. Always loved the look of those beasts though! I'll have to check it out now.

Do you have a thread on your Paraguay adventures? Too small with a baby on the way but I'd love to read your experiences in the ranger.

Those tacomas definitely so tempt me I have to say. Some pretty sweet stories I've heard

 

[schaefer21285]

It is not much of a thread yet because I do not have Internet currently where I am living but here is the link.http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-Ranger-4-door-Paraguay?p=1992896#post1992896

You can also check out our website at www.mission403.org this is where we have a blog. There is not much about the truck and adventures there because it is about our music ministry.

We are getting ready to go to Argentina in a couple of weeks, hopefully we will get some good pics. I have another video of the road I am going to try to load today.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Unless you are hauling loads of stone or sand/gravel, you are not likely to need a solid axle truck. Look for the best half-ton you can find. I like Dodge, Toyota, Ford in that order. GM is a no-go for me unless it's really cheap (I own one; never again). For $20K you should be able to find a very nice Ram 1500 or an F-150, or even a second generation Tundra. The recent Tundras and F-150s with crew cabs have really stubby beds, almost useless for construction, so look for a standard bed. One of the hidden gems would be a first gen Tundra. Very reliable and old enough to be reasonably priced. Rule of thumb on used vehicles is to buy the best one of its type that you can find, regardless of make. A good Ford is better than a beater Dodge, and vice versa. Think twice about the solid axle, unless you really need a heavy duty truck.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

I have seen some really cool Tundra's on here. I tend to stray a little more towards domestic but they are very tempting. I really love the 2008 super duty body/interior, but from what I've heard the gas engines are thirsty beyond belief and the 6.4 PS is expensive to run with DEF and all that

 

[ryan212]

6.4 PS does not have DEF, that is just the 2011+ 6.7 a clean 2008 6.4 crew cab 4wd is going to be more than 20K (at least here in Florida) a worn out truck can be found for that price however.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

Oh good! I don't know much past the 5.9 cummins or 6.0 PS. The market in Sacramento by my fiancé is pretty decent right now so maybe something will pop up

 

[Ducky's Dad]

The market in Sacramento

If you are in Sac, start looking east or west on I-80. There are better deals when you get out east toward Auburn or even North toward Redding. If you look south toward the San Joaquin, you might also find deals.

 

[ryan212]

California truck prices are really high. I paid 19,999 for a 61K mile 2008 6.4 2wd work truck back in June 2013 ()ntario California) , for a crew cab, they were 40 in xlt trim.

In vegas you could get a crewcab xlt for 34 from Carmax.

a 6.4 is also nowhere near 20mpg either. In LA traffic, i was lucky to get it over 12 in the week I was there.