Equipment & Gear > Power Equipment & RV
Truck help
Night goat:
Hi all
I need a new truck. 30k budget
I have been in love with the "IDEA" of a diesel Jeep gladiator but those seem to be total lemons
I've had a 2001 Jeep TJ with the 4.0 since 2007, and it's still my daily... has a 3" lift and 33s, but is mostly "stock"-style, has a new engine (9500 miles ago), only thing origional is the front axel and transfer case- I've kept up on it and I love the simplicity of the rig... although I do my own work and it's a relatively easy rig to work on, I'm getting tired of always having to fix it.
My other rig is an 03 ford ranger with the 4.0, 2wd, and I have done the absolute bare minimum to it- and it just won't die and I admire it for that, but it's just not enough truck and I can't drive it on a rainy day and yada yada
On the flip side, I've been a mobile marine diesel mechanic and I have worked out of a multitude of vans
My life hasn't been 100% and I wasn't ready to commit cash to a truck, but I recently passed on what very well might has been the truck of my dreams- I found a 97 F250 black/red square body with the 7.3L diesel, 4wd, 85k miles on a new engine with paperwork from motor trucks NW, 5 speed manual... could have very well been the dream truck that got away from me
But I question whether or not I need a truck that size- I used to drive a work truck that was similar and loved it but I don't tow- don't have toys, might get toys- maybe a truck bed camper but, haven't had a need for a truck that size
I fell in love with the concept of the gladiator because of the fact I've had my TJ for as long as I have and I want a 4wd truck, but that damned little Ranger has served me well, a mid size truck could work well
But I want something new-ish that's gonna last another 15-20 years.
If I were gonna buy a new truck I'd get a single cab long bed F150 4wd, and throw a lift and exhaust and a stereo on it
But I've recently been looking at the ford diesel vans.
I've seen some cool E250/350 4wd set ups.....
Also though, the old square body dodges with the 12 valve....
I want something newish and modern that's gonna be headache free for a while but it seems all I manage to haul in my ranger aside from dump runs is hauling engine blocks and riding lawn mowers
I recently went on a ski bum adventure trying to hot tent at 6000+ foot elevation and got smoked and also am now thinking a camper or a van would be a better rig, but I just don't want that modern giant iPad thing in the dash board.....
If I could build my perfect truck I'd have a Jeep Comanche on Dana 44s with a 4bt Cummins and lockers but, I just don't know where to begin.
A lifted E250/350 diesel 4wd van would do amazing things but so would an old truck. I'm not sold on ford or dodge, but not a Chevy fan, but I want something that can go places and do stuff....
My Jeep isn't gonna be a tow behind but if I wanted to grab some sleds or bikes or jet skis that would be cool of it could tow but, yeah, I'm beyond less than inspired with new/modern vehicles
Also, I'm not like a Sasquatch sized dude but for a dude I have super long legs and a very short torso- my first truck idea was a Tacoma TRD pro but, the ergonomics are so bad it's like I'm sitting on a pillow in a bath tub trying to reach the valves at the opposite end- can't stand Subaru ergonomics either
The reason why I've kept my TJ for so long is the fact the ergonomics are square- sit in the seat- lets are almost 90deg to pedals- hands are almost 90deg to wheel etc
I'd love any input thoughts criticism banter etc
Boss .300 winmag:
I own a diesel but wouldn’t buy one now. What about the newer Rangers?
My sister in law has the gas Gladiator and likes it, haven’t heard them having problems with it .
MADMAX:
Tundra crewmax
Super comfy
Get the 38 gallon tank
Mileage isn’t great but I get around 14-15 in town
17 Highway
12 towing the 24ft RV trailer
jackelope:
I wouldn’t buy a diesel ford transit. I’d buy an ecoboost transit.
You can buy a newer one that is factory all wheel drive or you can buy an older actual 4x4 transit that’s been converted to 4x4 by Quigley.
https://www.quigley4x4.com/products/ford-transit/
You can get a newer F150 without the big giant screen. That’s easy.
Newer Rangers are great if you fit in them. I was looking forward to them but they’re too small for me.
Hard to say anything will last 15-20 years, and you’ll inevitably end up needing repairs at some point which will be hard to do yourself on anything newer.
Night goat:
--- Quote from: jackelope on February 09, 2025, 02:26:48 PM ---I wouldn’t buy a diesel ford transit. I’d buy an ecoboost transit.
You can buy a newer one that is factory all wheel drive or you can buy an older actual 4x4 transit that’s been converted to 4x4 by Quigley.
https://www.quigley4x4.com/products/ford-transit/
You can get a newer F150 without the big giant screen. That’s easy.
Newer Rangers are great if you fit in them. I was looking forward to them but they’re too small for me.
Hard to say anything will last 15-20 years, and you’ll inevitably end up needing repairs at some point which will be hard to do yourself on anything newer.
--- End quote ---
Is there any way to avoid eco boost these days?
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