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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

^^^^^^^^^

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've pulled my E30 many times on the dolly with my 92 Blazer that has a 350 in it.. and it was done effortlessly. I also attempted to tow it with my Ford Ranger. It did the job, however it had that "tail wagging the dog" feel. So I say that anything that weighs 5000 lbs. or better with a V8 is the way to go.

[BDSax]

if i was to get a truck id go with a Toyota Tundra. American manufactures just do not know how to build cars. Now if i had to go american, Ford F350 turbo diesel.

good luck with the find

[mrsleeve]

Chevy's are the way to go. If you need to put a tranny in a 1/2 ton ditch the 4L60(E) aka 700r4 they are crap for towing, never ever pull in OD. swap it out for a 4L80(E) out of a 3/4 or a 1 ton. Its basicly a turbo 400 with OD an you cant hardly kill em an you can pull in OD.

BTW I have an 04 colorado I will sell you, I pulls E30's on a full trailer no problem.

[euroshark]

I have a '91 Chevy 2500 you can have for $900 even.

[ColdAccord]

not sure if it has to be a pickup, but jeeps are pretty straight. cherokee and grand cherokee. i've towed many e30's on full trailers, also use it to tow mine and my buddy's trackbikes. inline 6 leaves you plenty of room tow ork, and if you want you can get the v8 but i thought the i6 is enough.

[AndrewBird]

Look into an older Dodge Dakota. Some came with a 5.2L V8 that has tons of power for towing.

[hugh jass]

if you really want to tow properly, plan on towing a lot, and not have it be a white knuckle experience, get a 3/4 ton diesel. i tow for work and we tow a lot of stuff from atvs to tractors and we only run diesels. the torque, drivetrain, brakes, rear suspension are all meant for towing on a regular basis. you can tow with a 1/2 ton gasser, but if you're pulling more than 5000 lbs, it won't be easy - acceleration, mileage, and especially stopping will all be harder.
if you're on a limited budget, try to find an older second generation dodge with the 12 valve cummins motor. it is absolutely bulletproof and very easy to work on. the older ford superduty trucks with the 7.3 diesel are also good. the newer ford diesels are a nightmare. i have a 05 dodge 2500 diesel and love it. you can pull 12,000 lbs all day long and not wear the truck out.