Need advice buying my frist truck

bradleyheathhays · Jun 23, 2018

I'm looking to start a construction business for myself and family and right now deciding on a work truck. I'd like a full size 4x4 crew cab w/ under 130k miles for around $6,000. Although I'm open to F-150s and Silverados the market seems to be steering me to the Dodge Ram 1500s as they seem to be a little less expensive.

I'll be working out of the truck all day and it'll need it to stay running pretty much all day with the a/c blowing, not an easy thing to ask from a vehicle. With my $6k price range, cars.com, autotrader.com, etc. is showing Rams in about the 2000-2006 year range.

So I'm writing in to ask you guys about Rams in this year range. Are there any I should look out for or any I should avoid? Are there any with durable features where I should consider upping my price range a little?

WilliamS · Jun 23, 2018

If you are starting a business and relying on that truck for income, id change the budget. That budget will get you a lot of heartache and grief anytime its down for work.

huntergreen · Jun 23, 2018

Why does it need to be running all day with AC on ? IMHO, anytime long idling is required I automatically think diesel.

atom13 · Jun 23, 2018

Most truck with that mileage will not last running all day. You'd be better with a generator and window unit.

Have you considered cargo vans e150? They are cheap and are built to be ran harder than the trucks.

WilliamS · Jun 23, 2018

atom13 said:
Most truck with that mileage will not last running all day. You'd be better with a generator and window unit.

Have you considered cargo vans e150? They are cheap and are built to be ran harder than the trucks.

Cant agree more, find a 2 valve 5.4 and it will run till the body rots away. The 3 valves have a nasty surprise when changing spark plugs. Doesnt make them bad just can be a costly problem if not done properly so its easier to just get a 2v.

Easiest is to find a passenger wagon, remove the back seats. This will give you a/c for the front and rear!

ScottFL · Jun 23, 2018

Additionally, a van is nice if you ever have to **** in a bucket.

yillbs · Jun 23, 2018

ScottFL said:
Additionally, a van is nice if you ever have to **** in a bucket.

Challenge accepted

MajMike · Jun 23, 2018

First, a work truck will be the backbone of your business, spend every penny you can to make that backbone doesn't let you down. Next, I would maybe look for a truck with a 12-valve Cummins, lasts forever, plenty of power, and simple to work on, cheap too with all the parts out there. If you look hard enough you just might find a gem. Good luck.

Can Water Geo · Jun 24, 2018

Even though the sticker can be high, consider a new vehicle. Generally you can write off a portion of payments etc on taxes and you have the peace of mind knowing that if you have a breakdown you have a warranty

bradleyheathhays · Jun 24, 2018

Thanks for all the good advice. The trucks gonna be used to drive out in horse fields w/ sprayer equipment and 55 gal barrels to paint fences, and has to stay running to keep trailing the sprayers. So unfortunately I'll have to miss out on the ******** in a bucket upgraded a/c a van would offer.

I generally work on my own vehicles, so the price of ownership for me for a used truck is gonna be somewhat less than for someone who has to pay for labor. On the other hand I definitely understand about getting good equipment.

What kind of trucks would I find these 12V Cummins in and what price range am I looking at there?

Pull Ya · Jun 24, 2018

IMHO the older 5.9 Cummins was almost bulletproof. I had a 2004 and it had 150,000 when I traded it and never had any major engine problems at all, although the front suspension had some problems(death wobble)that Ram fixed with a few suspension upgrades.
Jay

MajMike · Jun 24, 2018

bradleyheathhays said:
Thanks for all the good advice. The trucks gonna be used to drive out in horse fields w/ sprayer equipment and 55 gal barrels to paint fences, and has to stay running to keep trailing the sprayers. So unfortunately I'll have to miss out on the ******** in a bucket upgraded a/c a van would offer.

I generally work on my own vehicles, so the price of ownership for me for a used truck is gonna be somewhat less than for someone who has to pay for labor. On the other hand I definitely understand about getting good equipment.

What kind of trucks would I find these 12V Cummins in and what price range am I looking at there?

While I am far from a expert on them, they came in the trucks and vans for a long time. I would google it, or go to the wiki page, they will have every year listed.

bruce219 · Jun 24, 2018

I'd go for the F-150 for that price,stay away from the 4.7 ram,junk,had one from new,babied,Two motors and a major gas guzzler.

atom13 · Jun 24, 2018

I don't know much about your work but from what you describe, would a gator or side by side with a trailer and small honda generator work more efficiently than a truck?

boxofrokx · Jun 24, 2018

A side by side with a generator is the first thing that came to my mind (after I heard about thru fields and fence painting). For offroad us, I would stay away from the diesels. Too heavy. If you must have a truck, I would up my budget a little, say $9k, and look at Tacoma 4x4. A Chevy S10 would be my second choice. They are light enough for offroad use and about as reliable as a brick **** house. They question here is the right tool for the job. You can drive a nail with a tack hammer to a sledge hammer, a 12-16 oz claw hammer is right in the sweet spot.

When buying tools to make money. Buy the best you can afford or do it twice.

Need advice buying my frist truck

bradleyheathhays

Junior Member

WilliamS

Senior Member

huntergreen

Senior Member

atom13

Senior Member

WilliamS

Senior Member

ScottFL

U.S. Navy Gulf War Vet

yillbs

Senior Member

MajMike

Senior Member

Can Water Geo

Member

bradleyheathhays

Junior Member

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN

MajMike

Senior Member

bruce219

Senior Member

atom13

Senior Member

boxofrokx

Senior Member

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