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Message
Buying a used 3/4 ton...what should I be looking at?
Posted on 1/22/21 at 7:45 am
Posted on 1/22/21 at 7:45 am
Right now I have a 2014 Tundra that I love. But I need something to pull my 38' 5th wheel and my tractor on a 30' gooseneck.
I'm starting to work on a dilapidated horse farm I bought and build a house out there in the next year or two.
Whatever truck I buy will probably be treated like a work truck with tools and materials thrown in it. It'll likely be neglected and beat up more than my trucks typically are until the house and property are set up.
Between the costs of a new one and not wanting to tear up a nice truck, I'm looking for a decent truck with moderate mileage that will be reliable as a daily driver and reliable pulling my camper and tractor for the next 100k miles.
I would like to find something decent for no more than the value of my truck - low to mid 20's. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to spend less either. But it seems every truck in that price range has over 250k miles or looks ragged out. The price of used 3/4 ton trucks is shocking.
I've been mostly looking at silverado/sierra but I'm not married to the brand. Should I go diesel or are the moderate mileage gassers a good option? I would like to keep it under 150k miles or so.
What year/engine combo should I be looking at?
I'm starting to work on a dilapidated horse farm I bought and build a house out there in the next year or two.
Whatever truck I buy will probably be treated like a work truck with tools and materials thrown in it. It'll likely be neglected and beat up more than my trucks typically are until the house and property are set up.
Between the costs of a new one and not wanting to tear up a nice truck, I'm looking for a decent truck with moderate mileage that will be reliable as a daily driver and reliable pulling my camper and tractor for the next 100k miles.
I would like to find something decent for no more than the value of my truck - low to mid 20's. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to spend less either. But it seems every truck in that price range has over 250k miles or looks ragged out. The price of used 3/4 ton trucks is shocking.
I've been mostly looking at silverado/sierra but I'm not married to the brand. Should I go diesel or are the moderate mileage gassers a good option? I would like to keep it under 150k miles or so.
What year/engine combo should I be looking at?
9
Posted on 1/22/21 at 7:52 am to DownSouthDave
A Chevy 6.0 gasser is probably your best bang for buck. They are bulletproof and reasonably affordable. Great brakes and drive train for heavy work as long as you're not too worried about being the fastest guy up the hill.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 7:58 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
What would you consider high mileage? I had 150k in my head as the most I would want, but that's based on nothing.
Anything particular to look for in these trucks before buying?
I might put 100k on it before trading it in.
Anything particular to look for in these trucks before buying?
I might put 100k on it before trading it in.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 8:03 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
A Chevy 6.0 gasser is probably your best bang for buck.
found me a '03 last year with 82k miles. it's a freaking tank.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 8:12 am to DownSouthDave
I would stay away from an out of warranty diesel truck, unless you’re a mechanic or wealthy. jmo
Posted on 1/22/21 at 8:15 am to DownSouthDave
I'm in the exact same boat except I have a 2012 Tundra.
The Ford 6.2v8 seems to be the most solid platform for a 3/4 gasser. There's a FB group dedicated to 6.2 Superduty owners and I've seen countless trucks on there with 200k+. If you're just after reliability with no real concerns of gas mileage, I'd look into that.
The Ford 6.2v8 seems to be the most solid platform for a 3/4 gasser. There's a FB group dedicated to 6.2 Superduty owners and I've seen countless trucks on there with 200k+. If you're just after reliability with no real concerns of gas mileage, I'd look into that.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 8:17 am to DownSouthDave
I had one that had about 235k on it when I sold it. One transmission rebuild but otherwise no problems. Spent its whole life hooked up to heavy stuff. Its still running around problem free and I wish I had never sold it. It still had the original brakes at 235k miles 
200k is no big deal for those things if they haven't been abused.
200k is no big deal for those things if they haven't been abused.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 9:04 am to DownSouthDave
quote:
Buying a used 3/4 ton...what should I be looking at?
Get on CarGurus and look for the Ford 250 gassers. Search XL trims. I scored a 2011 grey crew 4x4 with cloth and 36k miles for 26 with TTL. Dealer even delivered it to my house from Texas.
XLs can be had for cheap as long as you don't mind the vinyl floors. I did install the automatic headlights and a 6 way power seat base myself. Radio/speakers as well.
When I was looking at trucks in 2018 there were leftover new 2017s in Houston on dealer lots for 32k. White crew 4x4 XL.
Going to katskin mine when it's paid off.
I do wish I had the 4.30s. but the 3.73s have been fine. Great truck. Pulls awesome. They upsized the brakes after 2012. Stops awesome. My favorite part when I'm pulling.
This post was edited on 1/22/21 at 9:06 am
Posted on 1/22/21 at 9:35 am to thejudge
I had an F250 gas with the 4.30 rear end and it was an ultra badass truck. I loved that thing. Significantly more powerful than my old Chevy was and all around a better truck. I am not sure it would have handled 20 years of hauling heavy like my Chevy did but no reason to believe it wouldn't have. It rode much worse than the Chevrolet did. Really wish I still had it, but it was a single cab and I never realized how much stuff a woman can bring on a single day trip somewhere.
This post was edited on 1/22/21 at 9:38 am
Posted on 1/22/21 at 9:39 am to DownSouthDave
Honestly I would just keep the tundra
The new 7.3 Ford gassers are nice though
The new 7.3 Ford gassers are nice though
Posted on 1/22/21 at 9:47 am to X123F45
quote:
new 7.3 Ford gassers
Depending on how life is going i think ill get me one of these in a few years.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 9:56 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Same here I want a tremor package in xlt trim with the 7.3 gasser. My 2012 diesel still trucking along with 159k miles. Will keep it till 200-225 then get into a new truck.
4:30 gears with locking rear differential and limited slip up front. Stock lift with 35’s
4:30 gears with locking rear differential and limited slip up front. Stock lift with 35’s
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:12 am to bayoudude
The truck I had probably would have cleared 37's from the factory. It was super tall. I wouldn't upsize the tires though. You'd lose all of the towing fuel economy and pulling power advantage of the deep ratio. Mine would get as good as 11.5 mpg pulling my boat if I tried and was super strong. I bet it'd outrun the ram diesel I have now pulling under 8k or so pounds.
If OP is willing to look that new than the Ford options are great. The electronic locker was cool but I preferred the auto locker in the GM.
If OP is willing to look that new than the Ford options are great. The electronic locker was cool but I preferred the auto locker in the GM.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:22 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I got the 2020 Chevy 6.6 gasser. Happy so far
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:27 am to thejudge
I don’t know why more people don’t drive XLs. People always bitch about truck prices but XLs are not that expensive, considering.
This post was edited on 1/22/21 at 10:31 am
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:30 am to jimbeam
The XL gasser prices are very fair compared to the rest of the market and they're well equipped. Mine had Bluetooth, cruise, steering wheel controls, power windows and doors. It was more equipped than my 2002 Chevy was, and that truck was an SLT.
You are spot on correct.
You are spot on correct.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:32 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:What more could a man want?
Mine had Bluetooth, cruise, steering wheel controls, power windows and doors.
I didn’t have power anything or cruise in my old 250. shite I even had manual mirrors. Talk about a pain to adjust the passenger side by yourself
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:34 am to jimbeam
Oh yea it had heated power windows also. IMO it was perfect. Just the right amount of nice things but still had rubber floors.
It was a fine arse truck and now that I think about it, it was very significantly more truck than my old Chevy was.
It was a fine arse truck and now that I think about it, it was very significantly more truck than my old Chevy was.
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:35 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
wouldn't have. It rode much worse than the Chevrolet did.
You are correct.
I forgot i put a set of adjustable ranchos for $350. Took like an hour. Set on 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. I also aired down a bit on tire pressure. Changed my tpms settings with forscan. Run 60 in front and 50 in rear.
Rides like my.old half ton now.
I love it
Posted on 1/22/21 at 10:43 am to jimbeam
quote:Broom stick or skinny pecan limb.
I didn’t have power anything or cruise in my old 250. shite I even had manual mirrors. Talk about a pain to adjust the passenger side by yourself
Or stand by the passenger door and aim the mirror towards the head rest baw.
This post was edited on 1/22/21 at 10:45 am
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