• Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

Tow rig - Ford or Chevy

RockTracXJ

RockTracXJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Colorado Springs
So, I've been thinking more about trying to get a tow rig for my Jeep. A year ago I bought a '94 Chevy C2500, regular cab, long bed, with the 350 engine. I love that old beater, even with 185k miles it still runs like a top and works great for the hauling I've been using it for (landscaping). I'm not really a Ford or Chevy guy (more like a Jeep and Honda guy). But the truck has left an impression on me, so I'm probably leaning more Chevy at this point. I don't have a lot of money for a rig, let's say $5-6k, so I don't expect anything low miles or newer.

Here's what I've been thinking so far: I want to still be able to haul with the truck, so I'd prefer a long bed. I have family in Moab, so I want to be able to get my family (wife and two girls) and my Jeep out there all at once, so I want a crew cab (full 4 doors), and a big engine. I've never had a diesel before, so I was leaning towards a gas engine (fear of the unknown, I guess) 454 or 460. I'd prefer to have four wheel drive, of course. And a topper would be great, but not a deal breaker. Oh, and I'd prefer to stay away from duallies. This truck will be parked on the street outside my house so it would be nice to not have that extra width. And I don't like the thought of having two more tires to wear out. Like I said, I'm not a Ford or Chevy guy, but am leaning toward Chevy. So at this point my ideal truck would be an early to mid 90's Chevy K3500, 454 engine, long bed, crew cab.

But I’m pretty new on the truck/tow scene, so I'd appreciate any thoughts or ideas. :)
 
I have a 1990 F-250, extended cab, longbed with a 460. The power windows and the a/c don't work, but other than that it is a pretty solid truck. Not sure if I would part with it, but I can talk to my wife and see.
 
You should buy my dream truck... F250 Lariat Superduty Crew Cab/Long Bed with the 6.4 Diesel V8 and the 3.55 limited slip rear. The 4 wheel drive version, with the Lariat Ultimate package :worship:

It'll tow 12,500 lbs for ya. And with the 8' bed, you'll have a place to sleep when you go shit-broke from buying it :D

Or you could go for the F350... or the F450...
 
Last edited:
RockTracXJ said:
I don't have a lot of money for a rig, let's say $5-6k, so I don't expect anything low miles or newer.
Click to expand...

mcantar18c said:
You should buy my dream truck... F250 Lariat Superduty Crew Cab/Long Bed with the 6.4 Diesel V8 and the 3.55 limited slip rear. The 4 wheel drive version. It'll tow 12,500 lbs for ya.
Click to expand...


........... Yeah goober, your dream truck is in the ball park........ :twak:
 
This truck sounds like a steal for the money.

Long bed, quad cab, diesel, dually - all the best attributes of a true tow rig.

I know it's not a crew cab, but those Dodge quad cabs aren't bad in the back for kids.

Don't knock duallies - much more stable on the highway, mountain roads and you'd have to blow 2 rear tires on the same side before you'd have a safety issue while towing.

The only thing not mentioned is if it's 2wd/4wd........

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1308865795.html
 
Hey I have a friend that is considering selling his 94 F350. Its a Crew cab long box. This thing is a beast. It has the 460 and will tow the jeep and family no problem. He is thinking about 5k. Let me know.
 
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1308387805.html

'94 Chevy diesel quad cab, 4x4 long bed manual trans.

Bad thing about this year is that the quad cab doesn't have doors......



Oh, and I won't be searching for any Fords. Friends don't let friends drive Fords...... :D
 
xjboy said:
Hey I have a friend that is considering selling his 94 F350. Its a Crew cab long box. This thing is a beast. It has the 460 and will tow the jeep and family no problem. He is thinking about 5k. Let me know.
Click to expand...

Is it that white one? Crappy deal unless he throws in that awesome spare tire........ :D
 
YELLAHEEP said:
Friends don't let friends drive Fords...... :D
Click to expand...

1928_middle_finger.gif
 
Last edited:
YELLAHEEP said:
Is it that white one? Crappy deal unless he throws in that awesome spare tire........ :D
Click to expand...


He is getting new tires and there isnt a spot of rust on the the thing. When we dropped those huge freaking aftermarket tanks to put in the new fuel pumps the underside of the bed looked like it had just rolled off the showroon floor.
 
So you're thinking I should consider duallies? I wasn't knocking them, just trying to keep a massive truck as small as possible :)

Is it just me, or are there a lot more Fords out there that fit these requirements?

What should I be looking for/thinking about as for as the diesels go?
 
It's got to have 4 doors. Our girls are still in car seats and I'm not going to fight with those damn things over my seat or flipping it forward, blah, blah, yada, yada.

After looking on CL for a while it really strikes me how many people claim to have rebuilt engines in these trucks. I'm thinking some of these people are full of chit.

CHeck out this guy:
http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/1289193977.html
It fit the bill pretty good. (yes I realize it's in Omaha)
 
RockTracXJ said:
So you're thinking I should consider duallies? I wasn't knocking them, just trying to keep a massive truck as small as possible :)

Is it just me, or are there a lot more Fords out there that fit these requirements?

What should I be looking for/thinking about as for as the diesels go?
Click to expand...

As far as diesels go stay away from the old Chevy diesels. I hate to say it but if you were to get a early yo mid 90's diesel it would either have to be a Cummins or Powerstroke.
 
Duallies are a personal preference really. I just like knowing that I have that extra tire out back on each side when hauling a trailer. I'm a cop and I've seen far too many truck/trailer related accidents from tire blow outs so that's what I base my preference on. Yeah, you end up spending more for tires....... but that's the ONLY extra expense to owning a dually. Gas mileage/weight differences between dually and non-dually are very insignificant.

Diesel trucks are a bit of a committment. They're more expensive to maintain as far as oil changes/transmission servicing/filters etc..... but the power and reliability (particularly with the Cummins rigs) can really off-set those routine maintenance expenses.

I've had 2 Dodge 3500 Cummins 4x4 crew cab duallies now ('02 and '04) and I can't imagine ever considering going with anything less.

My current '04 Dodge has only had warranty work for a death-wobble issue which was fixed with a new steering stabilizer. Other than that, my only expenses have been fuel, registration, fluid changes and tires at 34K miles. It's got 39K on it now and the brakes are still in great shape.

Yeah, the tire expense kinda hurt ($1,400) but considering how little money I've had to put into it beyond that...... I'm very happy.
 
Also, if you find yourself considering an older '90's Ford 7.3 IDI diesel..... do some reading on "cavitation". Stay away from any high-mile engine that the owner can't provide proof of having the coolant changed routinely WITH the Ford required additive to prevent this. Pin holes in the cylinder walls...... not a good thing......(n)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Goose_XJ88
RenoFest 2024 Event Rig Requirements
Replies
0
Views
49
Goose_XJ88
Goose_XJ88
Goose_XJ88
RenoFest 2024 Event Rig Requirements
Replies
1
Views
199
blondejoncherokee
blondejoncherokee
Gravesdiggerxj
FOR SALE Detroit locker Ford 8.8 31 spline
Replies
1
Views
116
Beau_Johnson
B
W
WJ knuckle and unit bearing swap with custom RCV axles
2
Replies
30
Views
386
wkoehn
W
A
Rubber components
Replies
6
Views
140
75SV1
7
Back
Top