In about a year my 1998 F-150 with 220k will be ready to be replaced.

That truck (v-8, 5.1L IIRC) is barely adequate for pulling an 18ft trailer with a tractor and bushog attached. Even with overdrive off, it accelerates slowly. At speed it is strongly influenced by the trailer weight (yeah, I have it balanced, slightly tongue-heavy, tied down with a 6 inch strap across the waist, a 3 inch strap forward and two, 3-inch straps aft, brake engaged, 1st gear & lowest range). I'm thinking about buying a 5th wheel trailer instead of the bumper hitch.

I do the routine farm chores of hauling hay to livestock, fencing materials, etc. Oh yeah, and a welder. I wont be doing hauls longer than an overnight.

I'm not interested in fine carpeting -- I'd rather have rubber mats and synthetic upholstery. Something I can pressure wash inside and out.

Due to a lengthy and positive experiences with Ford trucks, I'm inclined to look for an F-250 4x4 diesel. But I sure am open to suggestions. I'd like you to donate a Unimog, for example.

Whatcha got?

I like my Fuso FG but not many people opt for that for a farming workhorse.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'd take a close look at a Dodge with the inline Cummins engine.

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Jim

Would never have thought of that one, Kerry. Thanks.

Looks much more than capable. Dualies with 4x4 would meet all of the challenges. It might be more truck than I need, but that's just pictures.

The engine (as a read online) seems pretty good. Ditto suspension.

The downsides:
Lifting heavy stuff up high into the bed and having to always tie everything down or lift even higher if I put in side panels.

My (limited) experience with cab-overs was never pleasing.

Howdy Bot,
What Jim said.

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

The Fuso FG stock is not that comfortable in the cab. I replaced the bump stops with Aeon Rubbers and it made a world of difference. But unloaded the ride would be stiff.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

My S-in-L has a 3000, I think it's an early 2000's he bought used. The drive train and transmission have been reliable and have plenty of power. he has replaced all of the wiring between the firewall and dash. Also the dashboard. he had frequent and spurious electrical problems that nobody could isolate so he said "Ferk dis chit" (he is a real mechanic, not just on Saturdays that are pretty) and eviscerated that sucker. Now it runs good and no random electrical ghosts. Never did find the cause. I like driving it. Plenty of guts, even with 4.5 tons behind it and it tracks well at highway speeds.

So I'm kind of thinking about a similar truck, but I couldn't handle the job of full replacement of all that wiring, so I'm kind of shy about that one. Reminds me of the ghost wiring issues I had with my E320, w124......

I drive by a major Mercedes Benz dealership that has a couple of Sprinter "pick-up bed" configuration models on it's lot. A couple look to be dual wheel trucks. Might not work for towing the heavy rig you are(reads as up to 7,500 lbs.) but they've got one hell of a bed for pilling stuff on, aluminum drop sides. Purrrty!

A friend of mine had a F-350 crew cab with the Powerstroke diesel. Power was nice, but the combination of the relatively narrow stock tires and very heavy diesel engine meant that the front end would sink into soft earth pretty easily. He swapped it out for a Dodge 2500 with a gas V8, which was much more capable in such a situation.

If you like Fords, perhaps a gas F-250? Gearing would be more suitable for towing, and I think that the gas 6.2 L engine in newer models is more powerful than that mild 5.4 you have in your current truck.

I've never had a single wiring problem on my 03 Dodge with cummins and six speed. 206K miles.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'd stick with an F series...the F250 should fit the bill quite nicely for you. If you want synthetic interior and rubber mats, you may have to have the dealer locate one for you and have them ship it to your locale. A little time consuming, but this way, you're getting what you want and not having to pay the cost of leather, carpeting, premium DVD system, etc. You want a reliable truck, not a livingroom on wheels.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I service a 2001 Dodge with the in line 6 with 200k miles and have never had to deal with any wiring issues.

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Jim

An unmolested 94-98 dodge cummins would be nice.

Unmolested is the key word with used trucks. It seems many young males feel like they must render a truck useless before they can get on with their lives.

Performance wise our old 1991 F250 with the fuel injected 460, overdrive and 410 limited slip rear is up to the job. Torque, gearing and brakes make a truck. A gasser is lighter and has more margin for load. Myths of mileage are greatly exaggerated in my experience.

Parts are getting to be an issue. Parts stores carry many inferior products for old trucks. I have three failed starter solenoids in the cab now. The cheap AZ part is the only one that worked, go figure. I am going to have to return the signal switch in the wrangler too.

It has taken thirteen years to put 60K miles on the truck. Don't spend a bunch of money on something that you realistically won't use that much. Many months we have spent more on insurance than any other truck expense.

^ reflects my experience regarding parts and insurance.

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Jim

1985 GMC Sierra 2500, pulls a 16' dual axle gooseneck with 4020D Deere, whatever implement (don't have a round baler and I don't haul the 16' disk), 350ci and 5 speed.

A bit heavy on the gas, 14mpg loaded or unloaded. Goes as fast as I need it to go.

H rated tires.

Cold air.

Better steel than anything you can buy today, and simplicity in itself.