Buying a truck... Advice

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
OK, before I get into the truck buying, I'd like to tell a little story. Grab some popcorn!

I used to have a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix (yes, those are bugs on the front :yikes: )
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After having a ton of kids, it was getting small, too small. Plus I was spending too much $$$ on it...LOL We all know how that goes.

At the same time, my Wife had a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. We traded in my car, the Grand Prix, since the Grand Am was paid for already. As I didn't want 2 car payment at the time.
The plan was to buy the Trailblazer for my Wife to haul the kids around in, and I was to drive her car, with the intent to trade it in for a truck after a few months.

WELL........
The Grand Am was my Wife's, and in her Father's name.... (don't ask)
Come time to trade it in, he would not hand the title over... (don't ask again)
I had started up my business, and had to pull my trailer, so I had to take the trailblazer back, and stick my Wife back in the Grand Am....with 4 kids.
Crammed.

So here I am, driving a trailblazer, Extended version at that, pulling a trailer weighing in at a ton..... talk about a waste of space and gas.
over a year of this, and I am tired of filling up the TV twice a week.
And to top it off, the Grand AM just rolled over 100k miles the other day. Now if I want to sell it, It will bring a considerably less amount.:mad:

I am ready to buy a truck, well, most likely, wait until the last 2 weeks of June. Paying CASH, no financing. Then I will park the dang Grand Am at his house and let him deal with it.......:D

I am looking for a truck now, and do not know what I want. Not sure that I want an Import or a Dodge. I think I am sticking with Chevy or Ford, Chevy being the top choice.
Here is what I would like:
Price range up to $8K(maybe more? dunno yet)
Full size
Short bed
White in color
Automatic
Big V6 or small V8
needs to be able to pull a trailer weighing in at a ton
(Tow package)

All I care about is maybe A/C, cruise, and rubber floor. (no carpet)

Any suggestions? Never bought a pick-up truck before........
Think a mid size P/U would work?
 
You'll deffinatly want a fullsize with a v-8 with pulling that trailer, in the long run you'll be better off. I had started off with a s10, and it was a dog pulling a trailer with 125 gallons of water plus everything else.

Seein how chevy is your top choice i would look at the 99-03 models. they sold alot of them things since it was the first major change from the 88-98 models. So you should be able to find a well mantained average milage reg or x-cab with a v-8 in your budget.

Make sure before you throw the cash down to take it to your local mechanic, or check it over yourself. ie: Fluids,suspension/frame,breaks/rotors,factory welds for body work,etc,etc.

*edit*


Another thing i wanted to add was, if you are going to go with a fullsize chevy try to find one with a 3.73 or 4:10 rear. Makes getting off the line with all that weight alot easier. I got a 5.3 v8 and 3.73's in my chevy and it pulls my 6x12 with ease.
 
I second the V8. I've had both and you won't be happy with the V6 in a full size truck. You will want an extended cab having a family, it definitely comes in handy.

I've owned 3 F-150s and I have been happy with every one.

I wouldn't make rubber floor boards a must because you can always get rubber mats. That's what I do and everything is easy to keep clean.

As heavy as your trailer is, I would stay away from mid-size trucks but I could be wrong.

Troy
 
For the gears, yes, I had that in mind already. Before I started towing with my Trailblazer, I had to check the gears, since they come with 3 different sets.

Troy, I dunno, I always wanted a truck with the rubber mat vs. carpet. I have rubber mats on the floorboards now, but they shift, stuff stains the carpet around the mats, etc..... I barely have time to clean my truck as is, so anything that make my life easier is a GO...lol

And yea....full size is what I want to stick with, most likely v8, standard cab
 
TexasTB said:
Troy, I dunno, I always wanted a truck with the rubber mat vs. carpet.

...standard cab
Click to expand...

Between not taking my advice on the business card and now the truck, I am going to give up on trying to steer you in the right direction.:passout::D

If you like having power everything (like I do) then you probably won't find that with a truck that has rubber floors. Just something to keep in mind.

As far as standard cab goes, it does make for a lighter truck, but you won't be able to use it for hauling the family if need be.

Troy
 
OK OK OK.... I'll get one with carpet....... then take it out and send it to you!:bigups :gotcha:

And yea, power locks and windows ARE a MUST
 
If you can find something along the lines of a 99-01 Silverado for that price range, with fair mileage and good condition, jump on it. The differences between the 98 and older trucks vs. the new ones is quite the jump, they're incredibly smooth and quiet, fairly reliable too. 99 was the first year for the 5.3 liter engine (4.8 in a no-go, just because it's worth it to get the 5.3) but as far as I know they never had any problems with them. the stock tranny (4L60E) should last you no problem and stands up well to pulling. Go for one with a 4:10 gear ratio as well (If you can) 3:73's will pull just fine but with 4:10's you can pull quite a load.

Too bad you can't find a Duramax in that price range, such an awesome engine/tranny combo :dnaughty

A friend of mine has an 02 with rubber floor and cloth seats, when it's cleaned up it looks good, but the floor gets dirty fast. But again it's easy to clean :)

Lastly, if you go with a Cheby from 96-98, ask about the intake manifold gasket, some are prone to blow around 80-100K. I know of a few rigs that have had this problem, and I think our '00 with the 7.4 (454, gas guzzlin' monster) has about 70K and is leaking antifreeze BAD, I think that might be the problem...
 
TexasTB said:
stuff stains the carpet around the mats, etc.....
Click to expand...

I am careful not to spill things (as I would think every pro detailer would be :redface:) so a quick vacuum now and then is enough to keep the carpets clean. The mats just get shaken daily and pressure washed often.
 
I have got $13....take it or leave it:yikes:

hahahaha

That sounds like some of the calls I have been getting..

"What!?!?! that much for a Detail!?!?!?! I was thinking more like $20!" :surrender :surrender
 
Compromise and buy say a Tahoe or Yukon? Seems like you don't need much need for a truck as you've got the TB right now, you could cram the fam (no pun intended) into one of those and still tow a trailer :cool:
 
If you would think about a Ford, the Ranger is a pretty durable truck. I used to have one and was able to tow my boat W/O any problem. Just look for one with the 4.0 under the hood and a tow package or at least make sure that it has a tranny coller if you are getting an automatic.

Good luck
"J"
 
When you're looking for used around $8K everything should be open to consideration regardless of brand preference. It would be wise to fill the tank on the trailer and load it up as you would for the beginning of a work week. With it loaded go to a public scale and have it weighed; the overall weight may be considerably more than you think. That information will help in your decision as to mid size/full size, V-6/V-8.
 
You should look at a diesel for towing nothing beat them you may pay more, but it will out last gassers by a long shot.
 
If I had known about this in mid April I saw a 97 F150 extended v6 140K blue 4x4 with old person dent, go for $2000 or at least that was the highest bid on it. Half ton chasis with any engine will be just fine for this trailer you are pulling. You wont break a lot of speed limis but then what engine does your TBlazer have? RANADAL
 
RANDAL said:
If I had known about this in mid April I saw a 97 F150 extended v6 140K blue 4x4 with old person dent, go for $2000 or at least that was the highest bid on it. Half ton chasis with any engine will be just fine for this trailer you are pulling. You wont break a lot of speed limis but then what engine does your TBlazer have? RANADAL
Click to expand...

Man that would have been right up my alley.:drool:

I too am looking for a nice tow rig as well as a trailer. I ran acroose a guy that was selling a tadem enclosed trailer that he had specially built for his business. He was selling the trailer and the eqipment for $5K but told me he would sell me the trailer for $2K. Well I stopped by his place to pick it up Friday and he sold it to a guy thursday that wanted everything. :passout: :wall :wall He apologized but I told him that was cool. Still sad though.....:cry:
 
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