Retired Old Lady Seeks Exploring Truck

[whiskeycutter]

Ok guys give an old girl recently retired some advice. What I want:
-Vehicle capable of carrying a camper and towing a small 2 horse trailer
-Reliable and modestly fuel efficient
-Comfortable hiway driver since I live in the east and explore in Utah and Wyoming.
-My exploring consists mostly of forest service roads with modest off road
-Photography and fishing spots are my main goal
I have owned Chevy, Ford, Vw and Toyota so I have no brand preference. I have been all over the West and ready for more. I have driven passenger cars on pretty tough 4x4 roads in my younger days. My favorite rock crawler was a 1954 6 cylinder Chevy panel van that had a granny low that would literally crawl over anything it could clear. It rescued a number of the lifted and loaded 4x4 trucks. I am not a motor head but understand all of the basics. I have had a number of diesel trucks but am not excited about the new ones. My favorite drive was a 2001 F250 7.3l sweet truck, great mileage. Right now I have 2002 F450 7.3l with a custom hauler bed that needs to go, sold the RV that went with it. Thanks for your sage advice and I am enjoying the forum. One accessory that will NOT be on my new ride is TruckNutz*#!!

Thanks in advance
Whiskeycutter

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

A Toyota Land Cruiser 2003+ 100 series with minimal modifications will make your dreams come true.

 

[locrwln]

A Toyota Land Cruiser 2003+ 100 series with minimal modifications will make your dreams come true.

Except for that whole hauling a camper part...:ylsmoke:

I guess I would question why you want to get rid of the 450? What is it's configuration? Just short of it being a crew cab with the long wheelbase, there is no reason why you can't keep the truck you have and make some minimal mods. Sell the hauler bed and put a regular flatbed on it. Northstar now makes campers specifically for a flatbed. It definitely has the capacity to haul and tow pretty much whatever you have in mind. Look in the other sections and see what others have done with their 450/550's.

Jack

 

[Tahoe Diesel]

You never mentioned what price range?

Why not go back with a 7.3 F250 4x4? Sounds like it would fit the bill and it was your favorite. Just make sure it has a fresh transmission (assuming you'd prefer auto), they tend to be a weak point on the Fords.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Except for that whole hauling a camper part...:ylsmoke:

......

Jack

Duh! Just a small detail I missed.:ylsmoke:

 

[whiskeycutter]

The 450 is a crew cab long bed 2wd and you need a 40 acre field to turn it around. I think it would be more cost effective to sell and look for a more suitable rig. Been looking for a 7.3 250 but most are pretty high mileage and still expensive. Problem then is all the rest of the truck is starting to need replacement and I have to go thru a stealership. It seems like all diesel repairs start at 1000 and rapidly go up from there. But I do like a flatbed!!

thanks for your thoughts

Whiskeycutter

 

[Tahoe Diesel]

Another option is a GM 6.5 Turbo Diesel in a K2500 pick-up '96-'99. Way cheaper than a Ford or Dodge diesel, to buy used. But then you'll have to spend around $2k in reliability mods. After that, they are a reliable truck and are much less expensive to maintain due to simple design (less labor costs) and parts are much cheaper.

 

[UHAULER]

What is your budget ? that might help narrow the suggestions down.

 

[whiskeycutter]

I am willing to spend up to $35k for exactly what I want. Looking at GM/Chevy diesel with allison trans 2007 and before.Also looking at new Ford ecoboost 1/2 ton. I tend to get the base models loaded with only the performance stuff. Fancy seats and electronic stuff is just something to break IMHO. I am thinking the 2007 and earlier models don't have all the emissions stuff so by design do better with fuel economy and less upkeep issues. Didn't want to old unless I know who had it before. I take care of my stuff but many people don't.Thanks for your opinions. I also don't mind some upgrades to address known performance issues. Diesel or gas also doesn't matter.

 

[UHAULER]

It sounds like you have it narrowed down. The new F150's look real good.

 

[TCcruzn]

I doubt the F150 will handle a camper and a 2 horse trailer and stay within factory load specs

 

[whiskeycutter]

These are just preliminary thoughts. I am open to all suggestions. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum and I am just trying to tap in. There is nothing worse than buyers remorse!! Thanks again and all opinions welcome. Whiskey cutter

 

[whiskeycutter]

My concern as well, TCcruzn, with a half ton pick-up. All the big three overstate their claims. Hauling it is one thing, getting it stopped or controlling in a panic situation is a different one.

 

[Tahoe Diesel]

I am willing to spend up to $35k for exactly what I want. Looking at GM/Chevy diesel with allison trans 2007 and before.

Ha! Ok, never mind what I wrote before. When you said the 7.3's were expensive, I figured you were on a shoe-string budget. They've been out of production now for what, 9 yrs?

With that kind of budget, don't waste your time with a GM 6.5. I'd definitely be looking into a Dmax/Allison 2500. 1/2 ton is not gonna cut it with a slide in camper and towing a horse trailer. Might even want to consider a 1 ton. Even with a 3/4 ton you're gonna want to add some airbags to the rear springs for when you're fully loaded. Nice thing about the 3/4 ton/airbag combo is you have a plusher riding truck than the 1 ton when you're driving empty.

 

[goodtimes]

I'd skip the 1/2 tons. While they may move it around - they just won't last as long (you'll be at their load/towing limit, and then putting that on semi-maintained roads). The 3/4 tons & 1 tons will be more robust & put up with the rougher (non-paved) terrain better than the 1/2 ton will.

Personally, I'm a Dodge fan when it comes to trucks, but if you take care of them and stick to the use you describe, any of the big three will serve you well.