Tow vehicle? For a cardolly/full trailer...

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^

Hey man Americans have been building trucks for nearly 100 yeas yoda just started in what 98? (full size) I think the its the only thing the Big 3 do right anymore. An why the ford POS when they downsized to the 6.0 diesel it became a gutless pile, now they have bumped displacement back up to 6.3l (I think) an are running sequential twin turbo system that requires a specific "Ford" oil or it will burn itself down. Plus it runs all kinds of emission shit an has to have low sulfer road only fuel. Give me a 05 or older Durmax (04 or 05 LLY is my choice) so you can still run off road fuel or home heating oil in a pinch, that with an allison behind it is nearly idiot proof. All though the cummings in the dodges is a good engine too, just sounds like a ready mix truck an its hard to talk to the guy next to you in the truck when running down the high way, they are kinda noisy compared to the durmax.

[Jscotty]

I thought that "off road" diesel was essentially the same thing without the taxes and with a red dye added to it to detect fraud. I guess I learned something new.

[mrsleeve]

I thought that "off road" diesel was essentially the same thing without the taxes and with a red dye added to it to detect fraud. I guess I learned something new.

It was until the recent popularity of diesel trucks spurred the the tree hugger's to get legislation passed to cut emissions on light trucks. So road fuel as of jan 1 07 is all low sulfer an has to be run in the 07 an up diesels or you destroy almost 3k in emissions bull shit. It wont hurt the older ones to have the new fuel. Thats why I want a dont want a new 1 so I can run off road fuel. Home heating oil is just diesel with out the detergents an the dye, older engines will run on it even the ones through 05 will but you lose alot of performance an they dont really like it but it will do in a pinch an is lots cheaper than road diesel just dont get tank checked with off road or heating oil = big fine.

[Charlie]

I'm getting close to buying a decatied truck, just for a parts/car hauller (400 miles a week at the max)

I *have* to admit, I'm clueless in regards to american trucks. Can anyone point me toward a soild 1/2 ton (or 3/4 ton) that will be VERY cheap to work on? Older, and cheap to do basic matience?

Year make and model?

Thanks!!!

Price range?

You can pick up a 3/4 ton cargo van for 1/2 the cost of a comparable pickup, at least in the midwest. My beast set me back a whopping 1200 bucks.

-Charlie

[mrsleeve]

Vans are a PAIN IN THE ASS to work on. Try changing the the plugs on a late 90- current ford full size van. You have to pull the the tire off an dismount the engine an clock it up 35 degrees just to get to the back 2 plugs.

Did I mention it earlier VANS ARE A PAIN IN THE ASS TO WORK ON. Although its is a good option if you are on a real tight budget.

[RobertK]

Price range?

You can pick up a 3/4 ton cargo van for 1/2 the cost of a comparable pickup, at least in the midwest. My beast set me back a whopping 1200 bucks.

-Charlie

LOL.. We towed an E36 parts car from Gainesville, Ga to Knoxville, TN this past weekend with a 78 3/4 ton Chevy conversion van that had shag carpet all over, stained glass tract lighting, original 70's conversion theme, 2 wasps nests and a city of ants.

It had been sitting for 18 months and Friday we started it up, changed the oil, aired up the tires, filled her up and she hauled ass both ways no problem. (With the exception of having to replace an old Alternator belt in Chattanooga on the way back).

It has a heavy duty receiver hitch and I think my friend is going to be selling it for $500 in the next week or so.

[Charlie]

Vans are a PAIN IN THE ASS to work on. Try changing the the plugs on a late 90- current ford full size van. You have to pull the the tire off an dismount the engine an clock it up 35 degrees just to get to the back 2 plugs.

Did I mention it earlier VANS ARE A PAIN IN THE ASS TO WORK ON. Although its is a good option if you are on a real tight budget.

That's why you don't fuck around with anything that Ford builds. Stick with the General, they're easy.



Four bolts, two clamps and pop the doghouse off.

-Charlie

[mrsleeve]

Charlie bro you are right I hate ford shit anyway Just using it as an example is all. Chevy's arent a pice of cake either though but much better than the alternitves.

[george graves]

Man - I have to thank you all for the advice - exactly what I needed. Lots of leads to follow, and research.

Again - huge thanks to all - really, really appericated.


....

[Jscotty]

That's why you don't fuck around with anything that Ford builds. Stick with the General, they're easy.
Four bolts, two clamps and pop the doghouse off. -Charlie

One thing I liked about my G20 was that I could work on the engine in times of inclimate weather. And whats good about it also is that if you need to do adjustments or pinpoint an exact problem, you can drive the van without the doghouse and the engine is sitting right there beside you. I had to find a vacuum leak once and I had my buddy drive while I examined the engine.

[AndrewBird]

That's why you don't fuck around with anything that Ford builds. Stick with the General, they're easy.

Four bolts, two clamps and pop the doghouse off.

-Charlie

My dad had a van like that once. The fuel filter died while out on a road trip and her had to sit with a cup of gas, pouring a little at a time through the carburetor to keep it running so he could get to a place to fix it. Drove like ~40 miles. lol

[T3HMIKE]

Gfy

[alex]

Mine is on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XLT-Diesel-Crew-Cab-2WD-Long-Bed-SRW-LWB-6-speed-4dr_W0QQitemZ180105161345QQihZ008QQcategoryZ39416QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

6 speed diesel etc

[Jscotty]

Home heating oil is just diesel with out the detergents an the dye, older engines will run on it even the ones through 05 will but you lose alot of performance an they dont really like it but it will do in a pinch an is lots cheaper than road diesel just dont get tank checked with off road or heating oil = big fine.

I doubt that any of the cops here even know how to do a tank check let alone any cops that give a hoot. I am sure it probably happens in parts of the country where trucking is a big industry but around here I have never seen or heard of it happening. In the last 20 years of driving I have never had a cop say to me, "Drivers license, registration, and the key to your gas cap"

[ptownTSI]

i would get a 3/4 ton pickup from any of the manufacturers, get a manual at all costs.