Sorry I haven't logged on in a while. We're busy getting ready to move to NorCal. I'm looking for another truck (F250/350) to tow our 18' gooseneck stock trailer. It will become a work truck when we get settled in Trinity County so It needs to be 4WD. I have a few questions so I thought I would start with you guys first and then work up to the other forums.

GAS OR DIESEL? Does the increased fuel economy of a diesel offset the increased cost of fuel and routine maintenance?

AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANS?

ANYONE HERE HAVE ONE FOR SALE?

I would appreciate any opinions or actual knowledge from you guys.
Thanks-DG

 

Around me diesel is the same cost as low grade gas. I would go with Diesel, my buddy just got a Chevy 2500 4X4 diesel and man that thing has all kinds of power, and he gets about 18 to 20 MPG. for me an automatic would be better, but the manual trans if you chose to is easier to work on your self. and dont forget the best part of diesel if you want you can blackout the freeway with smoke when people **** you off.

 

I couldn't answer the gas or diesel question without knowing what year truck you were looking at, and how much you plan to tow.

 

I'm looking at mid '90s F250/350 (newer would be OK). I won't be doing a lot of long distance towing but need the capability of pulling heavy loads. This won't be my daily driver and I'm no mechanic.

 

It'll be a lot easier to find a good 460 gasser in a gently loved 90's truck. And it will do whatever you need done. Thirsty, but that won't matter if you use it only when needed.

 

That's what I was thinking. I'm open to suggestion, though. I have the luxery of time on my side. I found a '97 ext 4x4 long bed but they wanted way too much for it.

 

Good to see you, David. Congrats on your retirement.

I tend to agree with Bill on this one. Even though the maintenance and upkeep on a diesel of that vintage wouldn't be as costly as it is on the newer ones, I think a 460 would probably suit your needs the best, and it should be easier to find at a reasonable price.

 

Thanks, guys! The retirement's nice, I recommend it highly! We hope to move up north by end of summer or at least before it starts snowing.

 

You should be able to find a 460 for a smoking deal now since gas prices are so high. Personally I'm all for diesel, but as others have mentioned the 460 might be better for you since you won't use it much & the purchase price should be MUCH lower.

The 7.3L diesels of the mid 90's are good engines (try & find a 93.5-94 non powerstroke if you go for these), but they hold their value more than the gassers seem to.

 

96 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel Dually

here take a look

 

here's a couple I saw in my usual search
Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | 1995 Ford F-250

http://www.race-dezert.com/classifie...tails&id=22509

 

Hey I saw those earlier too

Not sure what your price range is but also found these but are a little more

Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | 1977 crew cab short bed for sale!

Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | 1994 Ford F-350

Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | F350 SuperDuty Lariat 4x4

Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | 1999 Ford F250 7.3L

Off-Road Racing Classifieds | RDC | 2003 ford F250 xcab 7.3 4x4 low miles

 

Here's also from a local OC Car Fair

CarFaire.Com | 2006 Ford F350 (#60317)

CarFaire.Com | 2002 Ford Lariat (#59186)

 

Wow! I would buy that for 2k, if I had 2k LOL.

I know of a 89-90 F-250 with a 460 in it that is for sale cheap, and it is setup to tow a 5th wheel trailer, only problem is she wants to sell the truck and the 5th wheel together, she will not separate.

Jim

 

Thanks for all the information. Fortunatly, I have time on my side so the search continues. I'll consider a deisel since the price is now about the same as unleaded regular in my area.