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]

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.

Is there any way to avoid eco boost these days?

[ghosthunter]

You can get a used Nissan Frontier 4 x4 crew cab for less than your budget. I have had two.

No issues. I am currently driving a 2012 I bought new. 150 k , no issues.

[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.

Is there any way to avoid eco boost these days?

No, but why would you want to?

That’s not entirely true. You can if you go back a few years. You talking transit or F150?
F150 you can get a 5.0L v8. Maybe a 3.5 or 3.7 something in a base model. Grossly underpowered that way though.

If you want all wheel drive transit, it’s diesel or ecoboost. Or a conversion. Quigley is where it’s at for a conversion. They’re true 4x4 powertrain. Not all wheel drive.

[highside74]

5.0L F150
5.7L Tundra
2005 Duramax
3.4L Tacoma Double
2015 Tacoma

[HntnFsh]

You mean 2006 Duramax. LBZ

[highside74]

You mean 2006 Duramax. LBZ

I thought I wrote 2006 so yes I meant 2006.

[Ryans71]

I like my '16 F150 supercrew with the 3.5 ecoboost/6 spd & 6.5' bed.  Am at 130,000 miles currently, have oil changed at the dealer every 5000 miles.  I tow a lot with it, no major issues so far.  I did have to change out the exhaust manifolds, which is a common issue on these.  Changed the spark plugs & coils & flushed trans at 100,000 miles. 

I know a master mechanic at Ford and he says the 3.5 is pretty reliable and the 6 speed is better than the 10 spd.  He says the 5.0 liters have their issues also. 

[Woodchuck]

You missed a unicorn in that 97 F250, IMO

[CP]

I wouldn’t buy a diesel ford transit. I’d buy an ecoboost transit.

 

The AWD Ecoboost Transit is awesome.  They are still hard to find and will be out of your 30K budget but if you can stretch it should meet your needs. 

You can get the AWD with the 3.5L PFDI engine if you aren't an Ecoboost fan. 

[vandeman17]

Little over your budget but so far I have liked my f-150 hybrid. I get around 23 mpg driving around town and then depending on the highway, anywhere from 22-25 mpg and it pulls our horse trail just fine. The on board power is pretty cool and takes place of a generator. Looking foward to using it this summer at my cabin for all my power tools, recharging batteries etc.

[Night goat]

You missed a unicorn in that 97 F250, IMO

Well funny thing about that……. The guy still has it and its a 93 not a 97 my bad- going to look at it Sunday