Tips on Buying a Used Truck
 

Hi,

I'm seriously considering buying a used truck since just having the Z has become pretty inconvenient. Problem is that I really dont know anything about them, so I'm looking for some guidance.

I'm looking to spend less than $5k and am currently looking at Ford 150s (97-04 Model) and Dodge Ram 1500s (94-01)

Anyone have some input on this? Any models to stay away from? any other tips?

thank you
mark

F o r d

sorry, stay away from dodge. just my 2 cents, all i ever owned was ford's with no problems

The 1500 Ram's had all kinds of issues with warped heads in that time period. Avoid with a 10-ft poll. You just don't know what your getting.

The thing to look out for on the older F-150's is the issue with the spark plugs. The bore is fairly shallow which allows some of the threads to be exposed inside the combustion chamber. Over time these exposed threads oxidize making removal very difficult, and over time the plugs have a tendency to work themselves loose, especially after the plugs have been replaced once (high mileage vehicles). 99's and earlier had a piston slap issue with the 5.4L. 2004's had an issue with a defective window regulator that allowed the door glass to potentially fall off the tracks. Other than that they were pretty reliable.

Older Silverado's had noisy valve-trains (owners complained of knocking), electrical gremlins and some door rust issues. The rust is less of an issue depending on where it has lived its life.

Thank you very much

Buy a smaller pickup with a v6 like an older nissan frontier, their EXTREMELY reliable with the 3.5 v6.

My family owns 5 F150 trucks with minimal problems ranging from 1997 to 2007. My br0-in-law owns a 1997 F150 with 400K on it and going strong. He has the desiel Dodge and it was in the shop 9 times in the first year and he lemon-lawed it. He had to fight with them to even get that. The biggest advantage to F150's is even when you do need maint, it's cheaper than almost anything else to work on. Chevy's are good nowadays as well and a really really good deal on a chevy might turn me away from a Ford. DO NOT buy a Ford Ranger (having engine in one replaced as we speak).

What engine does it have? The 3.0 Vulcan or the 4.0L Cologne? Both are rather unremarkable underpowered engines.

The 4.0. That single Ford vehicle has given me more headaches than all the Fords I've ever owned, combined (I've owned F150's, Expedition, Exploder, couple of Mustangs, even a Pinto!). It reminds me of my wife's 1995 camaro and THAT is a true insult! :D