Shifting gears

[wikun]

I just got home from Afghanistan and I want to revamp my vehicle situation. I sold the Excursion, and bought a 98 GMC Sierra C1500 ext cab and now I am looking for a new expo/offroad vehicle (read toy). Before the excursion did double duty but not well. Offroad it was to big for the likes of truck haven and sand dam at Ocotilla Well. On the road it was big. So I am looking for a new direction. I am head over heals for the dodge redux build. I read it every day on deployment. So here is my thought process. Late 80's F150, Gas, Solid front axle, ext cab, flat bed for stuff and possibly erecting a tent on the back. Ideas, faulty thinking, flaws in vehicle choice??? I would like to hear from all of the fans of the large auto makers. I am not stuck on the F150. Just figured, newest maker to have a solid front axle stock. GMC/Chevy ditched them in the 80's and dodges are a bit expensive (i think). Let me know what you guys think and post pictures. I am a budget builder. Awesome built rigs are great, but i enjoy the challenge of sourcing parts and fabbing myself. THE FLOOR IS NOW OPEN.....:coffeedrink:

 

[bftank]

ford f150 ditched solidaxle in 1980 iirc.

if you like ford i would go with a 70's extended cab f150 or f250. dana 44 front 9inch rear. runs forever good suspension and roomy. it would look awesome as a shortbed flatty.

the 80's f150 aren't horrible. they actually ride good. the suspension is just hard on bushing and balljoints. solid axles are easily swapped in.

might consider looking for an f250 with the idi 6.9 or 7.3 diesel, good mileage simple diesel.

older fords are easily upgradeable suspension wise.

couple years ago i passed on a 1985 f350 crew cab 4wd with 6.9 and stick for 2800. still kicking myself.

if you don't mind regular cabs, chevy's are a dime a dozen. easy to work on. cheap to upgrade. diesels are useable but can be more finicky.

70's j20 jeep would be fun to see as well.

it's hard to beat the possibilities of an 89-93 extended cab cummins though.

 

[1leg]

Solidaxle in chevy up to 1991 in the Suburban and full size Blazer. easy to find Heavy duty 1ton axles to swap in. If you must have 1/2 ton Truck you can get a straight axle up to 1987 with overdrive and fuel injection.

SAS are pretty easy on these years too. Check out CK5 website if you need more 4x4 chevy info.

some local CL finds

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/1729823602.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/1729823602.html (no smog needed)
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/1721447502.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1721252521.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1719917420.html (odd ball)
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1718957261.html ( lots of chrome)
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1718136772.html (this is the one)

 

[inked33]

dodge had a solid front axle in their half ton truck up to 2001. my 97 has 195,000 miles and still running strong. people have complained about the transmissions being weak in the 94-01 but i personally havent had any problems with mine. axles wont hold up to well off road if you run anything bigger then a 35in tire but 3/4 ton axles are a straightforward swap. im not sure how much your looking to spend but you can find a 1/2 ton ram for a good price if you search around a little. hope this helps

i am curious though if you found the excursion to big for the places you like to go why look for a full size truck?

 

[1leg]

Nice find on CL

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/1731474420.html