What rig would you buy for 10-15,000 and why

Then I would venture to say all the 3/4-1ton 2nd gen 24v's are the same, except for the rear disks on 01.5's and '02's. Heck, the 12v 2nd gens probably have the same brakes too then.

 

Yes, let's decide what the best option is by looking at what the sheeple buy... The sheeple buy 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and put 24" wheels on them as well, so I suppose that we should do that too?

It's great that the DOT only cares about tire ratings, but what happens when you get in an accident and some guy sues saying that you were unsafe because you were over the GVWR?

 

just dont buy an old dodge 4x4. you will go broke keeping it running between the trans, brakes, and the front end falling apart when they get miles on them.
at about 120-140k we are rebuilodiong the front ends COMPLETLY. new tie rods, drag links, shocks, all 4 control arms(bushings are wasted causing wander, and its cheaper to buy the arms then to replace both bushings), its second or 3rd trac bar, u joints, brakes, 4wd acuator usually isn tworking.

 

You are talking about a very small percentage that actually do ugly crap to them.

 

I was hesitant also on buying a 6.5L GM. I have a buddy that works for GMC and they do a lot of fleet trucks that have 6.5L and he said some have well over 200K on them with no problems and others just seem to fall apart. But is that the driver or truck. I started asking around when I wouls see someone with one. You can tell a 6.5L when you see 2 square holes in the front bumper. Only diesels had those. Most of the people I talked to said they loved them. A few guys had almost 300K on them and they claim just water pumps and alt. and such. My truck had the injection pump replaced at 80K. I wanted the same thing, a crewcab because my kids are only getting bigger. I originally went to look at a 97 F350 with a 7.3L with 91K on it. Thing was beat. Across the street was the truck I ended up buying. It had 98K on it when I bought it and haven't regretted it yet. Tows way better than my 350 TBI suburban did and rides so much better. For a 3/4 truck it rides really nice. The only thing I don't like is how low the GM trucks sit. They look like 2WD. But I bought it tow my 4 wheelers, not to wheel it. Good luck in your search.

 

'99- do you have any pics of your truck?? Is it one of the CC shortbeds they made for a few years?? I wanted one of those but couldnt find one:doah:

 

Yeah it's a CC shortbed. I'll try to post a picture. When I get new tires I want to go with at least 265's. I'd like to go with 285's but There isn't many that are load range E. My suburban has Load range D's and it didn't tow knowhwere near as good as this truck. I don't know if it was the wheelbase or if the tires had anything to do with it.

 

I have 285 BFGs with a D load range and they have a higher weight rating than the factory load range Es. I guess its because they are bigger. I had 265s on my truck before the 285s and the 285s dwarf the 265s. I run them around 35-40 psi empty and fill them to 65 (max) when I haul a heavy load. I just towed 6500lbs with 2000lbs in the bed from california to Colorado and it was steady as a Rock.

IMHO Es arent neccesary unless you are pulling a heavy 5er or continually haul like 3000lbs in the bed

 

I might go with the 285's then. I saw a guy one day at a hardware store and he had 285's on his but he never tows anything so couldn't tell me if it was any different. I haven't had anything heavy in the bed yet. Thanks for the info. Are you the one I asked about the torsion keys a few months back or was that someone else?