My wife and I got rid of our Suburban and we are looking for a full size pick up to buy with cash. We are looking in the 4000-4500 range. I have a lead on a 1998 F150 with a 5.4 V8 Xl extended cab. It has 200,000 miles on it and has been well maintained. I know the guy who owns it and how he maintains vehicles. We are interested in Dodges or Fords. So the advice I need is what you all recommend.

Thanks in advance.

What do you want to do with it? Tow? Road Trip? Save gas? I HATE Fords. Horrible to work on, just all around crappy trucks in my opinion. So out of those two choices I'd go with a Dodge. And I wouldn't ever pay 4000 for anything with 200,000 miles on it.

Used mostly for flat towing the jeep and a small 4x8 trailer. Otherwised will get me back and forth to work.

bobs done a bit of research on this too

personally I wouldnt buy anything owned by GM just because they took the gov bailout, I dont feel like supporting a company that did that. That sorta rules out Dodge

Avis wrote:What do you want to do with it? Tow? Road Trip? Save gas? I HATE Fords. Horrible to work on, just all around crappy trucks in my opinion. So out of those two choices I'd go with a Dodge. And I wouldn't ever pay 4000 for anything with 200,000 miles on it.

Isn't that a Ford in your avatar? I will be using it to flat tow the Heep and a small 4x8 trailer also it will get me back and forth to work.

Its his chevy in his avatar.

Ive had that exact truck.Wen I would go caming to dugas road. 70 miles north on 17 i would use a full tank round trip, while my buddies with the chevy with the bid v8 4x4 extended cab would use half tank raound trip.

Fords use more gas than a chevy. Plus be real carefull if you change the plugs. put anti seizeon them. They pull the thread right out of the head. They make a repair kit for it but its a big pain in the A$$.

So in all they suck on fuel eco, can be a pain to maintain. Go with a chevy 5.3 or 5.7 motor, in the same style truck.

I looked at craigslist and not finding much in the Chevy dept for extended cab. Thanks Geoff for the advice.

Chevy will run you a little more price wise, just because they hold their value better then ford. Geoff is right about the plugs on fords, have dealt with that couple different times.. if you are totally against Chevy then go with a Dodge.. If you have your heart set on a Ford, then find one with lower miles.

I like Ford Dodge Chevy. In that order. I have never had good luck with my Chevy trucks. I have great luck with dodge. If you get one get the 5.9 not the 5.2... look for a 2000 or 2001. You should be able to find one with under 120k on it for under 5k.

I read about the Ford issue and with Geoff's confirmation I think I will shy away from them.

I was raised on Chevy.
Owned a '76.
So I am biased.
Towards Chevy

Well we bought our Ram 2500 for 5K. It has the 5.9 (gas) so it's got the power for towing. The v10 offered 1994-2001 has even more power but then you're sacrificing fuel economy. Ours with 35's, 5.9, and the towing package (4.10's) gets around 14hwy unloaded. Loaded with the jeep has yet to be determined (but will be soon). On a recent camping trip I had the dirt bike and a couple hundred pounds of camping gear in the bed. Doing 5 over the limit, A/C on, we averaged 11 mpg...so if you want to avoid numbers like that maintain stock height and tire size! ;) The 5.9 diesels I've heard getting around 21 hwy unloaded, high teens loaded. Much better numbers, but it will be near impossible to find one below 7K (or at least one with under 200K miles).

I'd say go with a Dodge too!
My work truck is a ford f-250 and it sucks, its on its 5th tranny in the last 4years. gas hog, and little power Oh and the A/C sucks too!!

We have the Durango and its been good to us, it was our 1st American auto, As of now were kicking the idea of a 2500 / 3500 4x4 quad cab Ram with the 5.9

Durangos are probably the crappiest piece of crap I have ever worked on. lol Just saying.

Just seen it. There is a dodge just like bobs around the corner from my place. Price is 4500. Its on acoma and about 45th ave. Basically turn west off of 43rd ave on to acoma and drive west you will see in on the left hand side.

Thanks Geoff. Will take a look at it. Unfortunately I won't have the money together until next week. Something will show up.

Skatchkins wrote:I was raised on Chevy.
Owned a '76.
So I am biased.
Towards Chevy

I am in the same mustachioed boat. Chevy guy born and raised. Hard to recommend anything else.

This is what I found. Price is negotiable according to owner. I go tomorrow to take a look.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1950480334.html