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In the market for a Pickup truck.. help NS.

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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
title says it, im in the market for my first pickup truck. never had a vehicle, never really been into vehicles, so really dont know shit. was hoping someone on here could help me out.

ill start with the basics. I have about $5000-$8000 to work with. I am getting a loan so the newer the truck the better in terms of the bank letting me do this. I want to eventually be towing around a sled in the back so was wondering if I need an extended bed or if standard is enough? Do I need a 4X4 truck or is a 2X4 alright? I would prefer to have an extra seat in the back for friends but dont want a 4 door just 2 door is fine. Ive been looking around and trucks that are fitting my taste are F-150 obviously, Dodge dakota sports, or tacomas.

help a brother out what should I be getting?
May 1 2010 1:09AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
none of those are what you're lookin for to be honest.

you pretty much want 4 wheel drive.

for haulin a sled, your gonna need a longbed, and at that it may be a tight fit.

id also suggest a 3/4 ton at least, think, Ram 2500 (with 24 valve cummins if you can afford it), silverado/sierra 2500, or ford f250

why spend so much?, i have about 2000 into my 72 gmc 3/4 ton, its hella tough, goes up whatever i want, is cheap to maintain and can tow plenty.

also V8 or DIESEL only.
dont even think about gettin a v6 if you want to tow.
May 1 2010 1:40AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
also to add what i said above;

you say this;

"title says it, im in the market for my first pickup truck. never had a vehicle, never really been into vehicles, so really dont know shit. was hoping someone on here could help me out."

why spend so much? have you ever driven a full size truck?

granted, i like mine, and its a tank, but they arent like your moms suv, at all. in a big truck you need to pay attention, and they really arent that fun to drive.

if you were willing to get a trailer for your future sleds, a little toyota or something would be a lot better for you. easier/funner to drive, cheaper, better on gas, easy to park etc...
May 1 2010 1:45AM
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cclan
Posts: 742 - Karma: 19
word on the little yotas,

90-95 yota pickup 4x4 and a trailer, should be able to suit your needs, very reliable, we've had an 86 yota 4x4 in the family since it came off the lot, with basic maintenance, never left anyone of use high and dry.

90-95s have a 3l if im not mistaken
May 1 2010 1:56AM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
if you want something thats going to break down on you get a dodge or a chevy/gmc. if you want something to last get a ford or a toyota. i'd go with the toyota. my dad had the tacoma and he loved it. now he has the tundra. if you going to be going off road (mudding that kind of shit) get the 4x4 obviously.
if you can geth the 4 door. get the tacoma for sure. very reliable truck.
May 1 2010 3:32AM
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bootleg_BEN
Posts: 2499 - Karma: 44
Get a Subaru......Oh wait...
May 1 2010 3:40AM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
If you want something that wont last get a ford.

regular size bed is fine for a sled
you want 4x4. trucks are bad enough in the snow.

$8000 isnt going to get you anything too new.

i forgot the rest of your questions
May 1 2010 4:11AM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
well they last better than dodge and gmc
May 1 2010 4:14AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
certainly not anything they made after 1985 or so. american vehicals went down hill fast around the late 70's.

but yeah, i would go nissan hardbody, mazda b2600 or a tacoma, all very dependable and still good when you're driving around town and such.
May 1 2010 4:22AM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
they dont make trucks like they used to
May 1 2010 4:25AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
the japanese made tough trucks well into the 90's, and the frontier and taco right now are pretty tough.
May 1 2010 4:31AM
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
so very true
May 1 2010 4:34AM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Alright, for a $5k-8k budget definatley dont look at anything older than 1998 or 99. You can easily find some decent mileage used trucks for around that price. For hauling a sled you will want a longbed and it sounds like you also want an extended cab. You have two options, get a 1500 ext cab short bed and drop the tailgate, or get a 2500 longbed ext cab. Obviously you also need a 4x4.

My vote is for a Chevy, they are damn close to bulletproof, but the interior and all the plastic molding is pretty cheap. Dont listen to 90% of the people that say theyre made of shit, theyre still pissy about the bailout.

Next you could go Ford, but I wouldnt get a ford unless it was a diesel. Big advantage that Ford and Dodge have over GM is the solid front axle used in the 3/4ton trucks as opposed to to IFS.

Main problem with Dodge is shitty transmissions. Dont even think about getting a Dodge unless it has a Cummins badge on it and has had a tranny replacement.


As for Toyota, dont get a Toyota unless its a fullsize truck, which pretty much boots the Tacoma off to the side. The new Tundra's are pretty fun to drive and have a pretty balsy 5.7L, but dont expect to save any gas with one.
May 1 2010 8:27AM
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.travis.
Posts: 1737 - Karma: 46
I had a seirra 1500, ext cab short bed and I hauled around my sled all the time. Definitely want a 4 wheel drive though. I have a dakota now and I love the thing. Bigger than other trucks in it's class (canyon, ranger) but smaller than the full size sierra, ram ect. In my opinion it's perfect size and gets the job done. If you get a short bed the sled may hang out a little but strap it in good and it wont go anywhere. I find that to be a better option than getting a long bed, I don't like the feel or looks.
my 2 cents.
May 1 2010 10:36AM
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Benedetto.
Posts: 2526 - Karma: 64
I bought my 04 dodge ram reg cab long bed for 6000, 84000 miles and its perfect. You don't need a fucking 2500 like that guy said up there to pull around around a sled. A 2500 is for like fuckin horse trailers. I tow a jon boat and don't even notice it.

I prefer American. Good luck buddy.
May 1 2010 10:41AM
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Alex=God
Posts: 2422 - Karma: 139
frontier
May 1 2010 11:35AM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
must be a v6
May 1 2010 11:52AM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
YOU DONT NEED AND EXTENDED BED TO HAUL A SLED!!!!!! sorry

Drop the tailgate, tie her down and your good to go.
May 1 2010 12:31PM
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Alex=God
Posts: 2422 - Karma: 139
My cousin said he might already have a buyer but he is selling a suzuki sv650
May 1 2010 1:56PM
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Evan.Frazee
Posts: 2285 - Karma: -33
If you have the money get a cummins. Best truck youll ever own.
May 1 2010 2:00PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
and if it's a navstar diesel, you'll have a boat load of problems because the engine is so poorly designed.
May 1 2010 5:40PM
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CypressGrove
Posts: 1116 - Karma: 12
Got a 92 F150 Straight 6, 5spd 2WD. It's bulletproof, towed 5,000 lbs through poconos and never skipped a beat. ran high octane in rear tank for hills. Gonna get a 4x4 this summer, same year and motor.
May 1 2010 6:05PM
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skia4life89
Posts: 2400 - Karma: 172
your info was useless..you dont need a 2500 ram or silverado to haul a sled.

althoug what you need to look into if your getting a truck should be, 4x4 and v8. theres no point in a v6 or 2x4 truck. point less, soheres some cheaper options with 4x4 you can get for around 8. ext cab for your friends, and short beds. you dont need a gay long bed to haul a sled either (leave the tail gate down), they look retarted..here you go
1999 or so ford f150 4x4 v8
Click for larger image

1999 or so chevy silverardo 4x4 v8
Click for larger image

1999 or so toyota tundra 4x4 v8
Click for larger image

and to all who say fords, chevys or toyotas suck, your not that knowlegable. everyone has a preference just like anything else in life. every company has proplems, and they get fixed with recals and things of that nature. any make of the three i listed should be straight.
May 1 2010 9:06PM
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Shredneck
Posts: 2051 - Karma: -32
wrong.

I put my sled in my 6+1/2 ft. bed and its fine. just set the track on top of the tailgate (closed tailgate)
May 1 2010 9:32PM
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majora
Posts: 860 - Karma: 157
BUILT FORD TOUGH says it all.

go with the F150 bro, it's the best one out there
May 1 2010 9:46PM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
May 1 2010 9:48PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i saw hauling.

with a sled in the back.

to me, towing doesnt mean, 1 sled. sorry that the rest of ns just isnt into work trucks.
May 2 2010 12:05AM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
every single one of the trucks he posted can tow MUCH more than one sleds. no problem.


May 2 2010 1:09AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
heres what i think of when i think towing...

Click for larger image

maybe im just a hick...
May 2 2010 1:16AM
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i.ski.troll.
Posts: 4692 - Karma: 247
Get a MK1 VW rabbit truck, aka Caddy. Id kill for a Caddy with a vr6 or 1.8t swap.
Click for larger image

Click for larger image
May 2 2010 1:26AM
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i.ski.troll.
Posts: 4692 - Karma: 247
That is if your in too Euros at all...
May 2 2010 1:27AM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
this "fords are pure shit" myth has to go, ever fucking person who doesnt own a ford says it, now granted if you have had a ford and it has shit out on you on several occasions then you me uphold this conspiracy, but i have a fucking ford, a ford explorer, 2door sport, rear wheel, and i've done some unthinkable driving in that car, taken to 100 tons of times, burn outs on a daily basis, erotic driving every day, onto the sidewalk, over curbs, into pot holes, offroading and giant puddle jumping and my fucking ford has had not one single problem, i've driven the shit out of that car, and all that has been wrong with it is a air conditioner that went after 8 years of owning it. The brakes needed replaced but what would you expect, thats a typical thing with any car. now please tell me why they're such piles of "SHIT"?
May 2 2010 1:32AM
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FBGM
Posts: 8184 - Karma: 2,677
CAUSE YOU'RE DRIVING IT.
May 2 2010 1:37AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
some people dont like some vehicles...

i had an explorer, before it got wrecked it was alright, theyre not the best ever imo, mine had sone issues.

i dont like fords, mainly cause theyre ugly as shit and have a garbage ass diesel.
May 2 2010 1:37AM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
no, but its a wide spread belief that just because its a ford its a piece of shit

now fords diesels are garbage and i can believe that, yet appearance is personal opinion and respectable.
May 2 2010 1:52AM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
black betty is for sale. 3 grand. get a piece of 4bi9 history. just got revamped also for being street legal! pm for info!

Click for larger image
May 2 2010 1:57AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
specs?
May 2 2010 1:12PM
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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
okay towing was the wrong word. I meant I just want a sled in the back of the truck I doubt ill be towing anything with it.

So far what im seeing is I need a 4X4, want a V8 if possible, Diesel for sure, dont need a longbed, extended cab also.

I think I will rule the toyota out they dont seem to be big enough, and im gonna rule out dodge because so far one guy has backed them. Thinking Ford, GMC, or Chevy is my safest bet as they are the heavy hitters in the truck game.

Now lets get down to some specific models I should be looking for here. also year helps too.
May 2 2010 1:45PM
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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
like im looking through autotrader.ca and am seeing f-150 but theres 1/2tom, king ranch, supercrew, crew cab xlt. whats it all mean?
May 2 2010 1:48PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
v8 =/= diesel

the best diesel on the market right now (this is fact) is the cummins turbo diesel, which is an inline 6.

if you want a diesel that dodge status is where its at. YOU don't need a diesel though, and since were clarified here, a half ton would be fine.

personally, id recommend a GM product over a ford, thats my opinion.
May 2 2010 2:22PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
1/2 ton is f-150/1500

3/4 ton is f-250/2500

1 ton is f-350/3500

king ranch and all that are just package options.
May 2 2010 2:23PM
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bootleg_BEN
Posts: 2499 - Karma: 44
Dodge has the best diesel. Fords new diesels are pretty good, but thats the new diesels not the ones you are looking at. Dodge makes good trucks.

i had a buddy that owned several different dodges through high school and he drove them like a high school kid and he never had problems, he had both diesels and gas dodges and they were all about the mid 90's models.

My uncles has a new megacab cummins. He has had some transmission trouble, it was shifting hard, but it was covered under warranty.

If you can find a chevy/gmc that has the Allison transmission, that will most likely be a great truck. Allison makes some of the best transmissions for trucks.
May 2 2010 2:32PM
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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
aight word man thanks for the help. what dodge model you think like you said earlier the sport is too small or somethign for hwat I want?
May 2 2010 2:36PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
well, provided you want a diesel, ram 2500 and up with the 24v CTD, but on the magnum v8, which is still a good engine, ram 1500 would definitely do the trick. extended cab, standard bed if thats what you want, you can find 5 speed or auto easily.
May 2 2010 2:43PM
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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
aight thanks a lot man I think im going to go with either a dodge or GMC they seem to be in the right price range and there is a lot of them in my area. thanks a lot for the help man I may be messaging you in the future you seem to have your truck game on lock.
May 2 2010 2:50PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
diesels suck dick in the snow.
May 2 2010 2:56PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
you have no idea what you're talking about.
May 2 2010 8:44PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
i bet you're that one child who loves to get into convos about subjects that you have no idea about. no, i don't bet, i guarantee you are.
May 2 2010 9:07PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
A toyota sr5 from 88 with 200,000 miles will get you further then a 2000 f150.

just saying...

Older toyota's are bomber.
Tacos pre 2005,
sr5's
T100's
Hilux's
older Tundra's

all keep running well beyond what you will put it through.
May 2 2010 9:17PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
hahah wwayyy back we bought this hilux used just for a beater/plow truck. it was so much fucking fun, the previous owner had lifted it ludicrously, unnecessarily high. one time at a stop sign this lady rear ended the fuck out of it. she totalled her car completely, but the hilux was fine except for a shredded rear tire. she had just straight up driven under the truck from behind hahaha.
May 2 2010 11:54PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
i hilux diesel would be a great call if you're fine with RHD. if not the SR5 V6 would be great too.
May 3 2010 1:20AM
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