Work Truck -- What to Buy

[project240]

I`m looking at buying my first truck for work. I`m wanting to spend $15ish and looking for input. The only thing I really need is an 8 ft box, give me some suggestions.

I like the looks of some Toyota trucks (Tundra, Tacoma)... anybody own either, comments on them.


Ok guys, help me out! What to buy... Also, if anybody has anything for sale, please pm or post!

[410440]

Ford F150/F250.

Cheap to buy, somewhat reliable, built to be abused, its a ford, everyone abuses them hard.


I had one that had almost 400k on it, and ran like a champ.

[Destinova403]

a late 90s/early 00s Dodge Dakota

somewhat good on gas... cheap as heck and reliable

plus itll take a pretty good beating.

my dad has a 98 with 150000 kms on it and we havent had a single problem with it. still runs like a champ.

[weeznah]

chevy 1500 long box.best work truck.
you can get them dirt cheap too

[Weapon_R]

The 95-04 Tacoma's only had 6ft boxes.

[Graham_A_M]

Get an F-250. My brother has a '95 with a 351 windsor with over 900k on it, still runs like a champ and doesn't burn a drop of oil.
It used to be a work truck in the oil patch, so it was shit beat its WHOLE life, and still runs great today. Steering is a tad bit loose, but no complaints at all.
You can't beat that.... honestly
:thumbsup:

[mark4091]

F150's and chevy 1500's

They have a 8 foot at ford with the 4.2l at one of the dealerships right now, the one by calgary honda.... the 4.2 is a good engine perfect for a starting work truck.

[Weapon_R]

Originally posted by Graham_A_M
Get an F-250. My brother has a '95 with a 351 windsor with over 900k on it, still runs like a champ and doesn't burn a drop of oil.
It used to be a work truck in the oil patch, so it was shit beat its WHOLE life, and still runs great today. Steering is a tad bit loose, but no complaints at all.
You can't beat that.... honestly
:thumbsup:

World opinion disagrees with you.

[Eleanor]

Originally posted by Graham_A_M
It used to be a work truck in the oil patch, so it was shit beat its WHOLE life, and still runs great today.

After the 20k rebuild......

[Ymerej47]

My 1999 Ram has 260,000km. Only major work done to it has been o2 sensors (not even major) and cat replacement. This truck has seen nearly everything too. from side swiped fire hydrants to 4ft. mud holes in a 2WD. My truck isn't treated any better than a red-headed step child.

[nbaker00]

What about an 02 Dakota Sport 4wd?
Only 95k and workable on your budget;)

[Sorath]

i`d go with either a ranger/dakota/b2200/f150/ram1500

[BlueGoblin]

I have a Toyota T100 with the 8 foot box. It is no powerhouse (gutless!), but it is a great truck, and absolutely reliable. I would avoid the automatic/3.0 combo though, the 5speed/3.0 is pokey enough. Fuel economy is reasonable for a full size bed

Mine is not for sale (unless you offered me that $15k for it!), but they can be had for the $7k-10k range in fine running shape.

[project240]

Thanks for all the comments. Definitely gives me more to think about.

[sxtasy]

you also need to figure out if your going to be hauling a lot of weight or towing. You can't carry too much with a half ton

[project240]

I know I won't be towing much and most of the times what I'm hauling won't be more than 2500lbs.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by weeznah
chevy 1500 long box.best work truck.
you can get them dirt cheap too

:werd: GM all the way, easy to work on, lots of main-stream models built on same chassis (put Escalade front end on a regular cab, long box)... Denali factory rims, etc...

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by TomcoPDR


:werd: GM all the way....

To the garage anyways. Every one of our work trucks are GMC (sadly, the owner of our company is Don Wheaton, owner of a dozen gm dealerships).

Every single one of them is a piece of crap too. Our 2005 van, with 42,000km, runs like sh!t, and has exhaust leaks. Our 2007 3/4 ton truck, with 32,000km, needs a complete front end rebuild, and our 2001 3/4 ton truck, with 56,000km, needs front end rebuild, had transmission replaced, heater core is shot, and is rusting out already.

None of these vehicles have ever seen offroad use.

[NickGT]

We have 3 - 2500HD GMC Sierra's (2001,2003,2005) pulling very heavy loads, with the occasional off-road use (residential construction) every day. One of them has a rattle somewhere in the exhaust, one had the steering pump let go, but thats nothing. The worst was our 2003 which just recently had the tranny give out. But if you look back to how much abuse these trucks were put through and how much money they've made us - its a drop in the pond. :dunno:

[project240]

Still looking... I think an extended cab long box would work best for me if I can find... slightly entertaining the idea about a work van, but not thrilled about it.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Anyone know a dealer in calgary that carries a heavy inventory in used fleet trucks, looking for an 03 - 04 low k preferably white GMC truck.

[ExtraSlow]

If it's for a work truck, I'd step straight up to the 3/4 or 1 ton models.
How about these:
http://www.usedcalgary.com/classified-ad/5340955
http://www.usedcalgary.com/classified-ad/5602760
http://www.usedcalgary.com/classified-ad/5548788

Like everyone has said, GMC and Ford are very common, so parts aren't tough to find if they break.

I'm a ford guy myself, so that's what I'd suggest.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
Anyone know a dealer in calgary that carries a heavy inventory in used fleet trucks, looking for an 03 - 04 low k preferably white GMC truck.

http://www.shawgmc.com/
http://www.jplease.com (they sell used too)

Sounds like a used work truck you are looking for, so any auction would have these. Regal, Adessa, Ritchie etc.