Truck search

[Boilerup15]

Ok, I'm searching for a truck. I have to buy from a dealer, because I am trading a car in. However, we paid way to much for the car and so we own more than it's worth. The car is starting to have it's issues, and I am tired of sinking money into it. I need to look for a truck around 14K or less. Must be 4wd and at least extended cab if not 4 door. From searching so far it seems I will have to get a truck with at least 100K on the OD, my real question is, what motors should I be looking into that will last me at least another 100K? Wife says I should get a GM truck but I'm also open to a Ford.


PS- I'm not posting this to be beat-up for my mistake on the car or why it's cheaper to just fix the car. It's a piece of junk and I have put way more money into it already than I should have to with a car under 90K.

 

[mr_bots]

For a good, reliable engine it's hard to beat the pre-AFM (99-06) 5.3 LS engines, they're beasts and can easily go 200k miles with good maintenance. GM's 4 speed tranny is generally lucky to make it to 100k without being rebuilt though. Most transmissions shops are very familiar with it because it was so common for so long and will know how to beef it up to make it more reliable going forward.

 

[Black02Silverado]

I agree with Matt, I'm not familiar with Ford or Dodge so I can't help there, I'm sure they are about the same I would think.

You could always go with

 

[Boilerup15]

I agree with Matt, I'm not familiar with Ford or Dodge so I can't help there, I'm sure they are about the same I would think.

You could always go with

Hell no!

 

[slims]

 

[ford4wd08]

Mine stock 4.6 is at 170k on the stock trans... Just saying why not go back to something you're familiar with... But I can see where you would want more power. You could go with a 2v 5.4 or even a 07 or later 3v 5.4

 

[Boilerup15]

Mine stock 4.6 is at 170k on the stock trans... Just saying why not go back to something you're familiar with... But I can see where you would want more power. You could go with a 2v 5.4 or even a 07 or later 3v 5.4

I don't need the power, the 4.6 had enough for anything I needed, however my dad just bought a bass boat so it would be nice to have a little more power to tow it with.

 

[Zembonez]

The Ram with the 5.7 is a pretty solid truck. My partner in crime at work has about 180K on his 5.7 4x4 half ton. It has been a solid truck that has needed almost no repairs.

We can't keep transmissions in any of our Ford company vehicles. That and the spark plug / head issues would steer me away from a Ford. I don't hate Fords, but haven't had luck at all with them.

The 02 - 06 Chevy trucks are very solid mechanically as mentioned by others here. The 4.8/5.3 engines are good for 300K without much drama. Fuel pumps are good for about 150K and die. The gauge clusters are a problem spot on some, but not all that expensive to fix. My 07 GMC has been great so far.

Nissan Titan is a beast of a truck too. Early ones had rear end issues but most all of that has been solved by now. The V8 in them is strong as hell. Two neighbors of mine have one and have had virtually zero problems. Next door neighbor has an Armada (Titan station wagon - same truck mechanicals) and it has performed well too.

I have no experience with Tundra.

There you have my opinions.

 

[daddy]

The GM's in your price range will treat you well. I don't buy the 100K tranny blowouts though. There are many, many more out there still running than have been rebuilt.

 

[Boilerup15]

I like the tundras, but damn do they hold their value. I think based on your opinions and my own research I need to look for a 5.3l.