My faithful 1986 F250 w/ 6.9 liter Diesel is dying, and must be replaced.

My needs--Truck is used for light hauling of "stuff" and errand running. A couple of times a year it is used to pull my 5th wheel RV. GVW of the 5th wheel is 6200 lbs. To get that tow rating it looks like I need a v8 of about 5 liters or more and an automatic transmission.

My budget-- I do not want to commit a large amount of cash to a vehicle that is driven about 2-3,000 miles in a year. Budget is UNDER $5000.

My abilities--- I can repair almost anything. Vehicles in otherwise great shape needing some repair do not scare me. It seems that most of the 4 speed Automatics only last 100,000 miles on average.

Must be, or can be made to be a good looking/ running truck. " Work Truck" often means " beat to he!!" I will be using this truck on my vacations, so it needs to look OK; not a beater.
Rust is a deal-killer.
Abused interior is probably also a deal-killer as it usually means the owner did not take good care of it mechanically, either.

I have had great experiences with Ford, but the modular engine seems to have a habit of spitting out spark plugs. Does the 5.4 Trinitron also share this?
I like the 2nd generation Dodge Ram ( 1996 to 2001) to get the OBD2.
I'd consider a Chevy/GMC if it was a particularly nice truck and price.

So what is your experience? What should I avoid like the plague? What is a good reliable truck that fits my budget?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I would stick with a diesel myself. ford dodge or chebby wouldn't make much difference to me, just find a decent one with a sound motor and tranny and go. If it has an automatic be sure to fit a large tranny cooler for towing that fifth wheel.

Tom W

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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.

94 ford f250 with a 7.3 turbodiesel.in 94 they made turbodiesels and powerstrokes.look for one that just says turbodiesel under the fender emblem.

From what I've seen of the full sized Diesel pickup truck market thats going to be a tall order. In fact depending on whats wrong with his 86 F250 I'd say it might be worth 5K as it is.

I'd vote to stretch the budget a bit (7-9K total) and try to find a 89-90 Dodge with the early 6BT Cummins and a 5 speed manual transmission. If you don't want to exceed 5K I'd look for a V8 Ford, Chevy or Dodge in the best condition you can find - I think they all are about the same.

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (123k)
13 GLK250 (135k)
06 E320CDI (323K)
16 C300 (62K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

The 5.4 Triton is more well-known for spitting out the plugs than the 4.6 Triton, but quite frankly, at a $5k budget, the point is probably academic, as the Triton engine line was first used in the 1997 model year for the F150 series and in 1999 for the then-new F250+ Super Duty line. Both are probably out of your budget, particularly the 1999+ Super Dutys. If I were you, I would consider a 1996-1998 F-250 pickup with a gas engine, like a 351. It's pre-Super Duty and gas, so it should be reasonably priced.

I think that you need a way to double your budget. I Just don't see a way to find a decent pickup tough and reliable enough to fit your needs at your price range.

Buy what ever makes you happy. Sit in it and drive it, if it makes you happy buy it.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

One of my customers has 2 one ton fords with 460 and C6 automatics 4wd. One truck is a 1996 and the other 1993. Both were purchaced way below you budget price and are nice looking trucks. only negative I can think of is gas mileage. They will definatly do what you want.

so your looking for something like this?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/car/503000078.html

Edit: This one I mean.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/car/482608014.html

Actually, both are cool.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Pre-1999 Chevy or GMC 3/4 ton. This will give you the tried and true 5.7 liter (350) and the lower ratio rear axle of the 3/4 ton. Should pull anything reasonable and the lower axle ratios are easier on the transmission so trouble in this area is less likely. Fuel economy will be in the 11-14 range across the board but with your low annual use this probably isn't a huge concern. 4WD is a plus but if you find one in your price range it will probably have high miles. The extended cab is a must in my opinion but IIRC you will have to get 96 and newer to have the third door. I also recommend the throttle body injection system ('95 and earlier -at least on the 1/2 tons models) on these especially with your low expected usage. These have two large injectors that are less prone to fouling than the "Vortec" individual injector system.
Just my opinion but I live near the center of the pickup universe and have quite a bit of knowledge in this area. One caveat though is that I've never been a Ford or Dodge fan.
Good luck in your quest.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

I would think for about 5,000$ you could find a nice high mileage F-250 with a 7.3 if you waited long enough. A guy wants to sell me a 97' F-250 powerstroke with 160,000 and a man-tran for 3K. It's a little beat up but still has plenty of life left in it. I would buy it but I can't afford a diesel truck with heavy duty everything and a 23 year old Mercedes-benz together. If you get a cheaper one with a gas motor, you will end up with a tremendous gas guzzler like my dad's 95' F-350. It could haul with the best of em but needed a tank of gas to get it across town. Just my thoughts.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Thanks for the replies, and the advice.
I'd stick with a diesel if I could, but I doubt that my budget will allow. I used to drive the truck 30K miles or so every year--then the diesel was important.
I know gassers will suck in the mileage department, but at 3,ooo miles a year we are not talking about a lot of fuel either way. Also, oil changes in a gasser are MUCH cheaper-using about half the oil of a diesel.
In reading owner's fori--most people like to stick with whatever they have. probably a case of the devil you know.
I am in no hurry--I probably have until well after winter--hopefully 4X4 prices will drop after the snowy season.
350 chevy is a good -maybe even great--engine, how about the rest of the truck? ( Not critcising--just asking)

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Pickup Truck . . . it already has snow tires!

This Is The One You Want

I work at an automall in Frederick. i looked at what we had but everything was a little over your your price range. I will keep my eyes open if get any promising trade-ins.

Why not just spend the $5,000 or less to fix your current truck? It can't be that hosed up.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Ditto from what I see for people with hunting camps and small farms--diesel is a waste if it is going to sit up much of the time anyway (in my experience....with trucks AND boats)