Too many miles?

[Black Dog]

One thing I learned the hard way about diesel trucks is: Buy one you intend to have for a long time and don't settle for anything less than what you really want. Major repairs won't hurt as bad if you look at them as a long term investment.

Thats kind of the same philosophy I had 4 or 5 years ago when I bought my Cherokee. Just in the first year I owned it I put as much money into repairs as the vehicle was worth, so after that I decided I was going to drive it into the ground and keep it for the long run.

For this truck, which ever make\model I buy and whenever it finally happens, I don't intend to really go wild on the modifications. My intents are to build it up as a tow rig. I most likely won't do a lift kit with big tires, but I will do suspension work just to keep things safe and comfortable. And I won't go too extreme with engine modifications, probably just the standard intake\exhaust\tuner route. After that I'll call it good.

 

[Ford Prefect]

I would not hessitate to low-ball these guys by a lot! Remember that even the dealers are having a hard time moving their trucks. You go in with what you are willing to pay and what is the worst they can say? No?

You meantioned on the first page a truck with Auto, and they were asking something like 8200. Go to the guy, test drive it, check it out, if you like it tell him you will give him the $7500 that you are willing to pay. THEN do not be afraid to walk away. Heck you can even come back in two or three days and see if he has changed his mind.

Most folks are trying hard to sell anything they are selling, so, presure them a little to give you what you want for what you are willing to pay. It is all out a buyer's market right now, so use that advanatage.




Oh, and personally, I like the cummings. Far too many fords eat glow plugs like candy IMHO. Dodge has a jake brake you can have put on the new trucks, might see if they make one for the older trucks to have added. That is a wonderful addition when towing in the mountains... ask me how I know...

 

[Black Dog]

I haven't seen that $8200 truck in a while so I'm guessing it may have sold already, or the guy changed his mind. I wonder if wheeling and dealing with some private party sales, if the truck costs $9500 and I low ball an offer of $7000 and they say no and I walk away, then call back in a week and offer him something like $8000 if they would take it. To me talking down a private sale 15 hundred bucks like that is a success especially if it is within my price range, and after waiting a few days like you suggest would let him mull it over long enough to bend a little farther. It seems like a guy could turn that into a strategy for buying a used vehicle.

 

[Wonderland]

If you are just wanting a tow rig, does even need to be 4WD? Can save a bundle going with a 2WD and a locker.

That or sell the camper, sounds like you guys can't afford the truck to pull it.

 

[Black Dog]

A 2 wheel drive would be fine enough, but really everything I've looked at has been 4x4. I suggested the idea of selling the camper once too because that would save us the monthly payment on the credit card she got just to buy the camper and the answer was no. Just a plane and simple No. So we've been married over a year, she's had the airstream about 2.5 years, and it has been parked next to a barn in Nebraska the whole time having never been camped in. I'd be perfectly happy selling that and getting a little Scamp travel trailer that my jeep can pull but my wife loves the style of the old airstreams.

 

[Wonderland]

A 2 wheel drive would be fine enough, but really everything I've looked at has been 4x4. I suggested the idea of selling the camper once too because that would save us the monthly payment on the credit card she got just to buy the camper and the answer was no. Just a plane and simple No. So we've been married over a year, she's had the airstream about 2.5 years, and it has been parked next to a barn in Nebraska the whole time having never been camped in. I'd be perfectly happy selling that and getting a little Scamp travel trailer that my jeep can pull but my wife loves the style of the old airstreams.

Oh I love those Airstreams too.

But making CC payments on a camper that you don't use...ouch.

I think you can get a better condition truck if you go 2WD, it isn't like you'll be yanking the Airstream down gnarly terrain. I know I wouldn't. Those things are too damn nice. A 2WD with a rear locker can go many places.

Just quickie eBay search

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...Cars_Trucks?hash=item2c530c8d88#ht_826wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002...ars_Trucks?hash=item5886041d0b#ht_7488wt_1167

 

[Black Dog]

They're too nice and they just aren't made for it, ours doesn't have much ground clearance so it is pavement bound the rest of its life. I agree about the credit card payments, but my wife wants to keep it because its so cool and retro and will be nice to have the bigger trailer once we have kids.

A 2 wheel drive would actually be ideal for me, I have the jeep for fun stuff so this truck will be strictly highway and lumber yard. And the better gas mileage would be nice too, that extra chunk of metal in the front end always seems to kill fuel economy for some reason.

 

[Wonderland]

They're too nice and they just aren't made for it, ours doesn't have much ground clearance so it is pavement bound the rest of its life. I agree about the credit card payments, but my wife wants to keep it because its so cool and retro and will be nice to have the bigger trailer once we have kids.
.

You could look at it like a heirloom. You most likely won't loose money on it.

I have looking for a roached out one, even they demand high dollar.

Going to build up a 70's Ford crew cab for our vintage tower. It will most likely be 2WD, since I have a 4WD Tacoma.

 

[Black Dog]

That would be pretty cool to go cruising into a campground with the trailer and the truck both being from the mid 70s. I wonder if a guy could actually find an old dodge power wagon or something similar in good enough shape to work without having to go and restore it from the ground up.

 

[redthies]

YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/QUOTE]

 

[Black Dog]

I think I'll add older trucks to my list of potential vehicles. The whole reason we're keeping the airstream is for the nostalgia-retro appeal, and its been restored and modernized over the years so it is only fitting to have a restored and modernized truck to tow it with. I'm not much of a mechanic (been learning as I go on my jeep), but I'm good enough that dropping in a turnkey engine wouldn't be too terribly hard. And learning body work and stuff could pay off in the long run because maybe just maybe people would hire me.

 

[Wonderland]

I think I'll add older trucks to my list of potential vehicles. The whole reason we're keeping the airstream is for the nostalgia-retro appeal, and its been restored and modernized over the years so it is only fitting to have a restored and modernized truck to tow it with. .

What I am going to do. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38345

It is going to be a project for sure, but I am semi-retired and need/want something to tinker with.

Here is some inspiration:

http://www.oldfordcrewcabs.com/

 

[Black Dog]

Now just minutes after my last post, I find THIS TRUCK on craigslist. I'm tempted on this one.....