OK, the time has come. My Bronco is nearly finished, and is begging to be tested. Problem is, all I have is an '85 'Yota and a motorcycle. Neither of which is going to tow the Bronco. Sad thing is...my motorcycle has nearly tripple the HP and more torque than my 'Yota

Keep in mind, that 90% of my towing would only be 50 miles tops round trip (once or twice a month in the spring/summer...and maybe once or twice during fall), and maybe one or two trips to Richmond (2.5hrs) a year.
$5,000 is my absolute maximum spending limit. 4x4 is not a must, but is highly suggested. I would be parking in wet/muddy fields a lot, and could use it for winter.

Anyways, I've got a dilemma. I've always wanted a M35A2 Deuce and a half (go ahead and laugh). Mainly for show, but I could also easily tow the Bronco with it. Car shows and parades would be so fun. I'm a member of Steel Soldiers and have done quite a bit of reading on them. I know their maintenance needs and costs fairly well. Plus, I could use it around the house...Mom is always bugging me for loads of mulch or rock (1/4 of our property is flowerbeds).

There is one here in town that I can have for $3k. Needs a pinion seal. Thats it...great paint, no rust, runs excellent and is in very nice shape.

Now the practical side of me is looking for a F250/350 to double as a DD/tow-rig. Because of my price range, I'm looking for a decent '92-'97. Found a F250 in excellent condition in SC a few days ago. Ex cab long bed 460/5-spd/4x4 with 118K on it for $5k. I found several more for $4k-$5k, but haven't heard back from anyone yet.

One thing I have found out about these trucks, is that they are either ragged-out former work trucks with 250k miles on them or more for cheap, or they are in mint condition and the owners want $10k+. There really is no middle-ground.

If I got the pick-up, I would have to sell the 'Yota to help pay for it.
If I got the Deuce, I would keep the 'Yota as a DD. Gas prices will eventually go up again to record high's, and I don't want to be stuck with a 460, or 7.3L when it's $5/gal. I learned my lesson when I had my '97 F150 that got 8-10mpg's.

So what say ye all knowledgeable FTE'ers

I'm also considering a 1st or 2nd gen. Dodge CTD/5-spd.

 

Seems to me the M35A2 Deuce is the obvious choice!

 

The only concern with the M35A2 is licensing and insuring it- Most auto insurance companies won't touch a vehicle larger than a one-ton pickup, and unless you find a way to register it as an RV, you very well may need a CDL.

 

The need for CDL would be a requirement if weight of vehicle is more than 26K or you pull a trailer heavier than 10K. Insuring would have likely be as a historical vehicle and would really frown on its use for something other than parade vehicle, but that is something you would have to discuss with your insurance company. That is something I ran into years ago with my 1950 International Fire Truck. It wasn't a problem, it was a parade vehicle.

In all honesty I would look at the 92 through 97 Fords like you are doing. I think I would narrow it down a bit more and go with a Powerstroke instead of a CTD. The 460 5 speed sounds like a good setup. The SC long bed makes for a really nice ride thanks to the long wheelbase. The tradeoff with that is it takes a fair amount of area to turn. I had a extended cab long bed for 5 years.

The 1st second gen CTD have a great engine. The rest of the pickup I am not such a fan.

 

I would go with the 2.5 if you could. Other then that, since the vehicle will see very limited use, I would buy something along the lines of a 1967-1979 F-250 4x4 with a 351W, granny transmission, and a Dana 24 transfer case.