$4000 - what would you buy?

[Curtis Mittong]

Ever since I sold my 95 PSD, I have needed another truck. I have $4000 to snag a 3/4 ton diesel for parts beater and summer boat towing. 4x2 preferred, manual transmission slightly preferred, but auto OK. What would you buy, best bang for the buck? Since I just moved and don't currently have anywhere to work on anything, it has to be dead-nuts reliable and ready to drive anywhere.

[Mark Rinker]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Suburban-Chevy-2500-Suburban-6-5-Turbo-Diesel-4x4-Loaded_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a727Q7c66Q3 a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1308Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293 Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZit em160307567440QQitemZ160307567440QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5f Trucks


Better hurry, it ends in <1 hour! :)

[Curtis Mittong]

Nah... SUVs aren't trucks :)

I'm talking about a good old fashioned TRUCK. A couple doors, maybe an extended cab, and most importantly a good old fashioned BED, baby.

In fact, the bed is optional since I'll probably be making a flatbed for it.

[Mark Rinker]

6.5 'burbans are popular, because there is no Duramax powered counterpart, yet.

To bad, I used to own TWO 1994 K3500 flatbeds. They were workhorses, for sure.

What state are you in?

[Curtis Mittong]

Austin, TX. A big dually might not be the best for me, hence the 3/4 ton parameter. I'm thinking ext cab short bed or crew cab short bed. I rarely need the extra length in the bed since most of my cargo happens in a trailer, and I usually put a lumber rack in them anyway for longer things. Plus it would serve daily driver duty, and I work downtown, so daily parking would get tedious with the LWB.

I found a PERFECT example of what I'm looking for just to compare. Unfortunately this one has more options, a ton of performance upgrades, and fewer miles than I need so its price is too high, but imagine this truck with rubber floors, 2wd, cheap wheels, a dented or missing bed, and 185k miles and a pricetag of $5000.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220341244324

[rustyk]

This may be heresy on this forum, but also consider the older Ford diesels with either the 6.9L or 7.3 NA (International Harvester) engines.

I've a 20 year-old E350 LWB with the 6.9, and it just goes and goes, and the only thing electronic in it is the radio.

[Curtis Mittong]

Ok... update. I had been heavily focusing on a 12v Cummins, but today I found an '01 24v for an unbeatable price that bears investigation. 218k on the clock.

I've heard the VP44 is not the best, but is that just because the P-pump was so highly regarded, or is it something to avoid?

At any rate, this one is about 2/3 NADA value and I can't really pass it up. Thoughts on the 24v?

[93GMCSierra]

My brother had a 99 24v, the vp44 IP went south right after he got it, they do have that tendency, though if you make sure the lift pump never goes out, ie replace the oem with something much better, then the ip stays decent, they just can not handle suckin fuel for them selves.
however the power and performance and mileage of that 24v is very nice.
After replacing the vp44 that was one heck of a pulling truck.

[rustyk]

The 24V C5.9L is an excellent engine. Any used vehicle is going to need some things done and money spent on it. I'd say grab it! I'd suspect the tranny will need major work long before the engine (assuming it's in a Dodge).

[BigDiesel]

My brother had a 99 24v, the vp44 IP went south right after he got it, they do have that tendency, though if you make sure the lift pump never goes out, ie replace the oem with something much better, then the ip stays decent, they just can not handle suckin fuel for them selves.
however the power and performance and mileage of that 24v is very nice.
After replacing the vp44 that was one heck of a pulling truck.

x2
My 99' had 100 000 miles on it when I had to replace the injection pump. I didn't upgrade the lift pump due to ext dodge warranty.

[NH2112]

This may be heresy on this forum, but also consider the older Ford diesels with either the 6.9L or 7.3 NA (International Harvester) engines.

I've a 20 year-old E350 LWB with the 6.9, and it just goes and goes, and the only thing electronic in it is the radio.

Over 10 months later, I can second this option. I just picked up a 2WD SRW, crew cab, rack body, 88 F350, with 7.3l/5-speed, for VERY short money, and while it's not going to be anywhere near as fast with a load or as well-mannered as a newer diesel, there's very little to go wrong with it. I'm just hoping to make a little extra money doing dump runs, cleanups, whatever someone's willing to pay me to use it for LOL.