Thoughts and ideas on a good work truck.


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Posted by Chris Lube Lublin (Miss my ol '70 W200) on Friday, May 16, 2003 at 1:57PM :

Back in the last part of 2000 I had a brain storm that I needed to buy a newer, later model truck. I figured heck, the rest of society has one, why not I? Everybody tells me the newer ones are very reliable and dont cause trouble so what the heck, I finally had a decent job, I needed a truck, and needed to establish credit so I figure why not? Well my best freind was selling his '92 Ford F-250 4X4,and it was a 3/4 ton 4X4 in great shape. I bought it! Well I have had the truck the last 3 years and it has been thru many adventures. But it has broke more than ANY old 60's, 70's or early 80's trucks I ever had. The truck is a PAIN to work on, and parts are very costly for it. It seems you have to get a special tool for every little thing. Needless to say, I have reached my limit on this thing and I am gonna get rid of it, probably before the end of summer. I still owe a little money on it, and it needs some freshening up before I sell it, so it will be a while.

Yea, I have decided to get a new work truck. BUT this time, I plan to get a New-Old WOrk truck. I REALLY want to get a 89-93 Dodge Cummins W-250 or single wheel W-350 with a Cummins and standard shift, But those are still going for $5,000. and Up, and I am only gonna have around $2500. or so to play with. So, thats out. I dont want to get financed for anything. I will probably get between $2000 and $2500 for the F-250 and maybe save up a couple hundred extra.

Since the Dodge Cummins will probably be out of the question, What I am looking for is this: a older 3/4 ton 4X4 Longbed with a straight axle, front leaf springs, lockouts, Gear drive transfer case, Smallblock V8, 4speed, a crew cab or extended cab would be nice, but not a must. What I want is a TRUCK! My Ideal truck would be something along the lines of a '71 W-200 Camper Special with a 318 LA, NP435 4 Speed, a 205 case, 4.10 gears etc. That would be perfect! I'd love to get back into a Sweptline, expecially something in the 69-71 range.

I would also be interested in: 61-93 Dodge W-200 or W-300, (I REALLY LOVE Sweptlines), or 60-87 Chevy K-20 or K-30, or 60-70's IHC. It must be atleast a 3/4 ton, and be a standard shift. I do not like automatics. NO FORDS either!

The truck will be used for farm use, pulling anything from a single axle utility trailer, to my Tri Axle equipment trailer, to snow plowing, to hauling a camper, firewood etc, to driving to work in sometimes. I need something that can haul a good size load at 65 down the high way. A smallblock V8 with 4.10 gears does this well. An early Power Wagon is impractical for what I want to do. I may take a slant six truck, as I have a few good 318s around, but wont pay as much for one. I need a truck that is either turn key or very close. Something that needs a tune-up or tires I can deal with, but the last thing I need is another project. I want something fairly solid too. Surface rust, I can live with, but really no big holes, It has to be a long bed. Stepside will do.

I dont want a dually. Too expensive on tires. I may just end up getting that W-300 Dually that Dennis Sherman is trying to sell, but I'd rather stay way from a dually. I prefer something with the 8 lug wheels as well.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks

Chris "Lube" Lublin




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