I have 2 spare 5.3 engines for my Silverado because they were dirt cheap, but there are a lot of other parts more likely to fail before the engine. Transmission, rear end. Door hinge pins need replacing for the second time. The engine isn't extremely likely to be the major failure unless you have a ford with a 5.4.?ÿ
Toyota, Chevy, Dodge, or Ford,
Nissan didn't make the board.
Love 'em or hate 'em,
It's hard to rate 'em,
But they'll all take most of your horde.
@350rocketmike the last used truck I bought went pure junk about 3 weeks after purchase. Therefore I am considering keeping my 03 F150 shortbed set up exactly how I want with 325000 and replacing the engine when needed. I've replaced all the other parts already! Some twice.
The 03 and older were a much better truck than the 04-08 f150. The 3 valve 5.4 is a nightmare engine.?ÿ
Replacing the timing chains and tensioners might be all you need to do on the old engine.?ÿ
We can't all use 8inch I beams for our corner monuments now can we.... ???? ???? ?????ÿ
I love my 2010 Tundra Doublecab but my next truck will be the Crewmax version. I'll sacrifice 1 foot of box length for the extra back seat room. I carry most of my gear in the rear seat area which leaves the box free for dump runs or the 4 wheeler.?ÿ
I got to have the 8' box so my tool boxes and 4 wheeler fits and it has to be 3/4 ton at least. 7-800lbs just in the 4 wheeler pushes a 1/2 ton out of contention.?ÿ
Not going to pull a trailer unless I need a second or third 4-wheeler.?ÿ
I priced used trucks for 14 months.?ÿ I ended up with a new 2020 F150 for only $5k more than a moderately used GM - which is what I used to drive.?ÿ I could not bring myself to spend $30k+ on a truck with over 50,000 miles, most with close to 100,000.
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Been GM all my life, and was planning on getting another, but drove the new 1500s, and they rode more like our stiff 1 ton plow truck, and the interior seemed cheap.?ÿ Crossed the street and drove the F150, and decided to give Ford a try.?ÿ
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I just HATE how high ALL of the new trucks are.?ÿ Considering getting a factory LOWERING kit for my new 4x4.
@williwaw you're spot on. The Tundra is a great 1500-series truck but if you need to haul a camper/boat/LOTS of weight you need to get a 2500 series or higher, and honestly, diesel is your friend when towing. The Toyota doesn't offer that, but generally, surveyors aren't carrying a lot of weight compared to others. It sounds like our friend Brad doesn't travel light, so the Tundra may not work for him.
My survey vehicles ranged from Nissan Altimas to F250s, mostly Tundras (which I found to be most versatile) and even an old BMW 7 series ???? (I don't advise that!). When I worked in Chicago I used a Ford Escape. In fact, we ran no less than 30 Escapes all over the city and they worked great. Keep in mind, urban surveying is completely different from rural so the vehicular needs have to change, but I found they held up well.?ÿ
Currently, I have a 2011 F-150 and go in the field once a week if I'm lucky. I'm glad I don't have to really survey out of this thing... it runs but Ford was really dealing with some internal turmoil when they put this hot mess together. I burn a lot of every fluid I can put into this thing and the quality is really depressing. It would be one thing if they made this truck in the '90s but hot dawg, Toyota was blowing them out of the water 10 years ago.?ÿ
I just HATE how high ALL of the new trucks are.?ÿ Considering getting a factory LOWERING kit for my new 4x4.
Preach!
Used truck prices a crazy high now and brand new are even worse, if you can find one. ?ÿI??d wait a few months if you can. ?ÿIf you live in an area where rust is common take a look at an F150 or the F250/F350 line.
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Always take a look at the door jamb sticker for payload rating, it??s listed on the tire sticker. ?ÿIgnore what the manufacturers say. ?ÿSomeone posted specs for a Toyota earlier, it always says ??up to? in their ratings. ?ÿReal world trucks rarely meet those specs, the max specs are a truck with no options and two wheel drive. ?ÿSome half tons will have a payload as little as 1300 pounds. ?ÿThat includes full fuel but no people. ?ÿThrow two big guys and there daily stuff in the truck and you are down to a payload of 800 pounds.
We have Toyota utes (twin cab with open tray) but if it was me I'd go for a closed back SUV. Utes are handy if you need to transport a fridge on a fine day, otherwise there's a lot of space wasted - better to have everything locked up inside. I see Jeep has a good diesel, and 4x4.
Too bad Isuzu went the way of the dodo in the passenger car market. Can you imagine them eschewing the trend of Escalade-ing work vehicles, but otherwise bringing the trooper forward 30 years?
I??d buy em.
I am convinced there is no perfect survey rig, just one that works for your needs. It's getting difficult to buy a bad truck if you stick with a heavy duty from one of the majors. I absolutely hate GM, but that doesn't mean they are bad vehicles.
For us the Ram 2500 with highway products is great. I have a long box 4WD and yes they are tall. Bars and self-storing steps are a great solution that allows me to keep the clearance.
LOL. We had one of those circa 1985. They were the first 4x4 competitor to the likes of Landrover and Landcruiser. Family bought it new. I was a 4cyl petrol. We asked the salesman if it was economical, and to this day I can remember his thoughtful answer: "I'll be disappointed if it doesn't get 40 miles per gallon".
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they were great for decent mileage, 4x4, and utilitarian interior. plus not some overpowered behemoth like is basically the baseline here anymore.
I just bought a 10 year old, LOW miles Honda Element off an old buddy, who??s had it since new. I had one from 07-17, surveyed out of it for a few years.?ÿ
it is as close to the perfect survey rig as anything I??ve used for all but the most rugged jobs. If you??re running a 2 man crew there??s more room for gear with the back seats out than you??ll get in most trucks. AWD, good mileage, and- kept up- will go for a long time.
Cummins are a great engine in the Rams but around here you'd have to be plugging it in most of the time in the winter to be sure it will start and that's one extra hassle to my life besides getting all the batteries on charge every night.?ÿ
A 6.0 gas gm 2500 is probably going to be the lowest maintenance (at least the older ones were) but they drink fuel. I borrowed a friend's and using torque pro I saw like 7 mpg less?ÿ at cruising speed than my 4.8 powered half ton GM. Both 4wd. Idling the 4.8 probably uses a lot less also.?ÿ
Having worked in the auto industry for years before surveying and being an auto enthusiast I find it hard to recommend anything made in the last 10 years. Repair costs can be ridiculous. I'm trying to keep my 2005 as long as possible. It's currently for 337,000kms and 9250 engine hours. All original drivetrain.?ÿ
I thought they were all too low? Lol?ÿ You don't ever go off road? I lifted my 1500 Silverado about 1.5-2". Would have preferred 3" but this was the cheapest solution and incorporated upgrading some worn parts.
I've taken it up 4 wheeler trails in some deep snow before and a little extra clearance could make the difference between getting out first try or getting out the "come a long". Long term I'm getting a good bumper and winch.?ÿ
I have the factory running boards that helps my fiance and her father (who's pretty short) get into my truck easier. I just step right in no problem. In and out of it probably 40-50 times a day.?ÿ
