Used Trucks

[JeepNOFEAR]

I've been using my 77 Cherokee to tow my other Jeeps, cars, and projects for the last 15 years. I'm ready to retire my Jeep from the work life and only use it for fun. I'm looking for a good used full size truck to use as a daily driver. I have a car that I use for my daily driver now, but it has almost 300k miles. Being an AMC guy, I don't have brand loyalty. I'm looking at the Ram, Sierra, Tundra, and Ford.

I've been reading online and these seem to be the years most people prefer for each type.

Ram: 2004 ~ 2010,2012

Sierra: 2009 ~ 2013

Tundra: 2009 ~ present

Ford F150: 2006 ~ 2009, 2011 ~ present (Stay away from 5.4L)

Ford F250: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 ~ present (Stay away from 5.4L)

I only want to spend around $15,000, so I can't afford a diesel. I'd like less than 130,000 miles. Reliability is my main concern, followed by being able to tow my cars, then MPG. I also need a 4 door. What do you all think?

A picture of the old Jeep during it's last tow.

[xabn82]

F250 with the V10 or newer F250 with the 6.2 L gas

[KaiserMan]

The newer Rams (2011 up?) are pretty easy to work on. So much easier to do a starter or oil pan on than a Ford. But I agree on a Ford V10. Excellent motors. And the only 5.4l's you want to avoid (I believe) are the three valve motors with cam phasers (sp). Though 5.4l's seem to get crappy mileage in F250/F350's.

I'm a GM guy (after Jeep), but I'd pick one of those last.

[babywag]

The v10 is awesome!
My F250 crewcab longbed still got 13mpg on roadtrips cruising 75-80mph.
One sweet engine IMHO. Wouldn?t hesitate to get another one.

[JPSwapMohn]

I am partial to my ‘06 Sierra 2500. I went a little older as i wanted (needed!) the diesel. There are good examples out there if you are patient in your search.

It’s a duramax, and i know you said no diesel. The 6.0L gas in these is supposed to do pretty well with towing duties. Not so sure about mpg’s

I bought mine w 167k on it, at 207k and all is well. Rides great! With the tune, I get about 21-22 hwy unloaded. With the wagoneer on trailer behind it, you forget it’s back there.

May be able to find a solid example in your price range, especially if you go for a gaser.

[itselliot]

Ford 5.4

I just wanted to put .02cents worth out regarding the disdain for the 5.4L

My personal experience with a 5.4 in an 02 Excursion has been that I ran 260000 miles without a major issue.
Yes the exhaust manifold rusted out and I replaced some trans cooler lines along with the usual calipers and soft brake lines...
But the plus side is that at 260000...that motor burned almost no oil.... and still pulled like a mule..........13 MPG W/O a trailer.
I just,last month, sold it @ $4975....the asking price.
To answer the unasked question...I bought a 2017 F250 with the 6.2L
As to a choice for a newer truck,....TOYOTA has my vote. You'll notice the price of used ones is "up there"

[xabn82]

I loved my 2003 F250 with the V10. I put 180,000 miles on that truck and only replaced one coil pack. I was looking for another one when I ran across this 2008 F250 with a 6.4 diesel. I'm terrified something is going to break on it. So far so good, but it just rolled over to 100,000 miles. That V10 truck was mechanically the best truck I've owned.

[JeepNOFEAR]

Thank you for your input everyone.

I've always heard great things about the Ford and Dodge V10s, but I'd like higher mpg because it'll be my DD.

I'm definitely not opposed to a diesel motor, I'd rather have one. Unfortunately everyone wants more than I want to spend with the trucks having 200k+ miles on them. I understand the motors last forever, but I don't feel dealing with transmission problems, rebuilding the front end, dealing with worn out interior/paint after I've just spent $20,000.

Please tell me if I'm wrong, but I feel like I can find a nice 100k~125k mile gas truck for $15,000. I'll tow a vehicle maybe 6 times a year. I feel like I don't need a diesel for that low of a work load.

[DarkMonohue]

As to a choice for a newer truck,....TOYOTA has my vote. You'll notice the price of used ones is "up there"

Seconded. Toyotas aren't flawless, but they tend to be made to a higher standard than the stuff the other three hammer out. That higher asking price on used vehicles is a direct indicator of how much trust the public puts in them after the warranty is all used up.

[trickc]

I'm gonna throw my .02 in for the chevy, I have a 03 1500 with the 4.8 v-8 extra cab. I drive to and from atlanta every day. Its got 238k on it now and I tow the jeep back and forth to florida for mud bogs 2-3 times a year and other trips. I get 11-12 mpg, towing the jeep! Unloaded I get about 15 city and still close to 20 on the highway. To say Ive been happy with it would be an understatement. The only thing I would change would be a 4wd model.

[SC/397]

I am a die hard AMC guy too but I love my Tundra's. (I actually have 2)
You will pay more for them but the value stays high as well.
The blue one has 345,000 miles on it now.
Tundras by Rick Jones, on Flickr