I currently have a 4runner and weekly I am towing an 18' welded jet boat which it doesn't like so much. Flat ground is okay but throw in some inclines and its awful and not to mention the brakes on 3rd gen 4runners suck. Plus is goes from 20mpg to about 10-11mpg towing. I'm not in a drastic hurry as I do have transportation so I don't plan on rushing into something but I'm going to set a budget of $14,000. I want the 7.3, I worked at the collision center at a Ford dealer in the early 2000s and came to fear hearing the 6.0 mentioned at that time. My biggest concern is the difference in the overall vehicle between the pre-99 and 99-03 trucks. I want a 5speed and I'm not a big fan of the ZF 6 speeds. They're good transmissions but I just don't like the gear pattern on them. If I stick with 5 speed then that puts me into the pre-99s. Which I think can be some good looking trucks but I'm just really torn on which to go for since I like the actual 99+ body better. I'm hoping to find a truck with 150k or less on the odometer which should be doable in the price range. Most of the low mile trucks I've saw so far though are either 2wd or automatics. I could maaaybe live with an auto in the 99+ but the pre-99 Id have to have a 5spd to be happy. I had a 94 with 7.3/5spd for a service truck that had around 400k and loved that truck to death. I want an ext cab long bed as well which seems to be less common on the 99+. I guess my biggest question to you guys is the pros/cons between the two bodystyles overall? Are there any huge reasons I should bump up to the 99+ and forget the older style or....?

 

for an 18foot boat why even go diesel. I mean something that with a trailer probably weighs no more than 2-3k doesn't really require a big truck. Get a half ton you can probably get something newer with less miles.


I have towed things in the 2-3k range with both a diesel I have owned and a modern half ton, and I couldn't tell the difference. Now when you get up towards 5k you can tell.


Personally I wouldn't get a 6.0 unless it was a 06-07, and would probably skip it all together.

 

I know a 1/2 ton would do the job, but I've just wanted a super duty for a long time mostly. I will use it occasionally for some heavier hauling but its mostly just that I like the trucks alot more. I had a newer F-150 and wasn't crazy about it at all. And I am largely looking for the long lifespan of a superduty as I plan to keep it for a very long time.

 

fair enough. Just realize with the diesel the added cost and maint, and in that price range your probably talking something at min of 10 years old and with over 150k on it.


Probably past your budget so I don't know what year F150 you had. But any half ton built in the last 5 years is pretty impressive. All of three major brands in their standard V8s offer almost 400hp and 400+torque. And the upgrades engines have over 400hp and mid 400s torque, which is twice the Hp of a 7.3 and little lower on the torque.

 

I don't understand the 6 speed comment. At all. That's not the first time I've heard that on the ZF 6. Somebody on here said "once you get used to the pattern"

It's identical to every other 5 speed as far as 1-5 that I've owned! The shifter centers between 3&4. Left and Up is 1, straight down to 2, let it center and up to 3, straight down to 4, left and up to 5......same as the long running m5od in the F-150s and rangers........Reverse is in a different place and you have a low gear.

 

I don't understand the shift pattern concern either. There is a false stop so you really have to be trying to get into reverse by mistake (although it is easier than shiftier that require a separate input i suppose).

 

If you are not 'working' a diesel, then I don't see the need. But I am a practical kind of person. Diesels love work and do not like to just 'tool around the block or town'. If that is the majority of usage, then they tend to love money. I know not all are part of the latter, but it can be a crapshoot with them. There are plenty of gassers with auto trannys that will more than suit your needs, especially if you are moving up from a Toyota.

 

Any Ford should be an upgrade from a Toyota