Best 1/2 Ton 4x4 under 12000

yzinger
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yzinger
Edited Date/Time 10/23/2014 2:52pm
As it reads i am asking for Vitals opinions/experience with used pickups I could get for under $12000.

Guyb, I hope we can consider moto related as my yz250 will be in the back often Smile
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Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/21/2014 12:11pm
10/21/2014 12:11pm
Lots of dodge with the diesel for that price range. If you plan on hauling a big trailer or boat it's a good truck. Just don't expect it to be good off road or in the sand at makeshift boat Ramos
peelout
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peelout 10/21/2014 12:16pm
10/21/2014 12:16pm
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg could handle a larger load... no, i know she could
Tpog496
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Tpog496 10/21/2014 12:19pm
10/21/2014 12:19pm
peelout wrote:
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg...
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg could handle a larger load... no, i know she could
must have been a bad egg or not a 350. 96-99 5.7's were good motors
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/21/2014 12:19pm
10/21/2014 12:19pm
Oops missed the 1/2 ton part. Can't help much there. Should be a million and one for sale for that price up there

The Shop

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Tpog496
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Tpog496 10/21/2014 12:21pm
10/21/2014 12:21pm
03-07 Silverado with a 5.3 is a great choice. Just make sure that the transmission has been serviced around that 80k mark
yzinger
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yzinger 10/21/2014 12:22pm
10/21/2014 12:22pm
peelout wrote:
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg...
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg could handle a larger load... no, i know she could
Tpog496 wrote:
must have been a bad egg or not a 350. 96-99 5.7's were good motors
actually, i had a 95 with the 350...that motor had all kinds of go.

anyone have anything to say about the new 327 (5.3l chebbies)
Tpog496
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Tpog496 10/21/2014 12:23pm
10/21/2014 12:23pm
peelout wrote:
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg...
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg could handle a larger load... no, i know she could
Tpog496 wrote:
must have been a bad egg or not a 350. 96-99 5.7's were good motors
yzinger wrote:
actually, i had a 95 with the 350...that motor had all kinds of go.

anyone have anything to say about the new 327 (5.3l chebbies)
New as in 14'? You're getting into about 30k
stantdm
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stantdm 10/21/2014 4:15pm
10/21/2014 4:15pm
I have an 03 with the 327. I use it around the farm and the heaviest thing I tow is a skid steer with bucket that weighs around 6000 pounds. It does pretty well, comfortable and has been fairly reliable except for rear axle seals and a door handle or two.

Fuel mileage is 14.5 average around town, farm, and gravel roads. On the highway it will get 16 to 17 if its pretty flat.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/21/2014 4:53pm
10/21/2014 4:53pm
stantdm wrote:
I have an 03 with the 327. I use it around the farm and the heaviest thing I tow is a skid steer with bucket that...
I have an 03 with the 327. I use it around the farm and the heaviest thing I tow is a skid steer with bucket that weighs around 6000 pounds. It does pretty well, comfortable and has been fairly reliable except for rear axle seals and a door handle or two.

Fuel mileage is 14.5 average around town, farm, and gravel roads. On the highway it will get 16 to 17 if its pretty flat.
That's not bad mileage. My 91 toyota only gets 17-23. Same road conditions. Dirt roads suck
Spartacus
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Spartacus 10/21/2014 4:56pm
10/21/2014 4:56pm
$12000 is a nice down payment on a 2015 Duramax……… ;-)
Spagina767
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Spagina767 10/21/2014 5:18pm
10/21/2014 5:18pm
03-07 chevy/ gmc with the 5.3 is a very good choice.

I have the 5.3 in my express cargo van and I get 19 mpg highway.
Spagina767
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Spagina767 10/21/2014 5:19pm
10/21/2014 5:19pm
I'm in the market for the exact same thing, actually. Hopefully by spring I will have one.
tmauto769
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tmauto769 10/21/2014 6:28pm
10/21/2014 6:28pm
Spartacus wrote:
$12000 is a nice down payment on a 2015 Duramax……… ;-)
Agreed, I have a '2014 and I can't imagine going back to a gas burner again. It would be painful. Wink
Wandell
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Wandell 10/21/2014 7:21pm
10/21/2014 7:21pm
A lot of people are very brand loyal, but truthfully they all have good and bad points. Kinda like mx bikes, if you will. A good local dealership with a good shop is a huge plus when deciding because, like a mx bike, stuff will break. And, just like a used mx bike, you want to find one that has been well cared for and not abused. It,s not always easy to find a used 4x4 that hasn't been ragged. So I,d suggest doing some research on your local dealerships reputation and choose brand based on that. Then find the nicest, newest model of that brand. Keep in mind when buying used you will have to make some compromises on options vs. buying a new one with the exact options you want so make a list of your most important NEEDS. At least you've already narrowed it slightly to half ton 4x4's.
TbonesPop
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TbonesPop 10/21/2014 7:36pm
10/21/2014 7:36pm
I used to have a 06 Dodge Ram 1500 double cab with the 5.7 hemi in it. Ran great with no issues. Got an average of 18 mpg (w/ the 4X4). They go for around $12K with 80,000-100,000 miles on them. I'd expect to get 200,000-250,000 miles out of that engine if you take care of it.
pilotdude
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pilotdude 10/21/2014 7:48pm
10/21/2014 7:48pm
I bought my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 24 valve 5.9 Cummins in 2010 for $5900 with 210,000 miles on it. Before that I had a 1999 Ford F150 1/2 ton. To me there is no comparison. Not even close. The Cummins gets 21mpg highway, 17mpg pulling my moto trailer. I put 2 new hubs on up front ($500) new tires on it ($700), got a new windshield ($187), new fuel boost pump ($400) changed the stock filter to the BHOF (Big Honkin Air Filter, about $80), and put in a Juice Edge with Attitude module that I got on ebay for $250. I also got a great used $600 toolbox on Craigslist for $100 that I put in the back. This past April, I upgraded to a 5 inch stainless steel exhaust ($489) . The thing is a beast that will tow pretty much anything I want, and I'm into it for right around $8,500. Love it.


yzinger
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yzinger 10/22/2014 5:15am
10/22/2014 5:15am Edited Date/Time 10/22/2014 5:16am
Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate it.

I am a Chevy guy by heart (think 85-86 4x4s and of course muscle cars)..but, i dont love the look of the 03-07 trucks. However, i have read only great things about the 5.3 motors.

I most enjoy the look of the Rams and love the Hemi but worry about the rest of the truck falling apart around that great mill

I like the F-150s but have read the 5.4 is a little sluggish and the spark plug problems worry me.

All this being said I agree with an earlier poster about truthfully they are all decent trucks and look for the best shape, newest, lowest mileage and a good dealer thinking.

ps...would love a new Duramax but $$ new vehicles are the worst financial investment ever! (imo only of course)

Hope to hear more opinions and thanks again.

Pit Row

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markit
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markit 10/22/2014 5:37am
10/22/2014 5:37am
Def Dodge and ford all American with my trucks.
Tpog496
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Tpog496 10/22/2014 6:01am
10/22/2014 6:01am Edited Date/Time 10/22/2014 6:01am
5.3 is the best of the three motors in my opinion. But they do have problems in the 08-10 with oil consumption over 100k something to look out for.
jleews6
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jleews6 10/22/2014 8:14am
10/22/2014 8:14am
I have owned both Fords and Chevy's and I love my Mustangs but if I were buying another truck right now it would be a 04 and up Chevy/GMC. I bought a new 1500 in 04 and put 186K on it and all I did was a front wheel bearing and I towed cars all over the east coast with it. The other thing is that if the motor dies you can replace them for cheap money and they are easy to swap. A Ford motor is allot more money and its a PIA to work on. You have to lift the cab off the frame just to swap a motor.
The LS motor is probably one of the best motors (v8 gas) ever built. I have a friend that runs a fleet maintenance company and he said he has seen many LS motors with over 400K that still run good and the power they are capable is insane. I have a 2001 WS6 trans am that has a 6.0 in it that should make 1000HP at the tire and it has allot of stock parts still in it.
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TeamGreen 10/22/2014 8:19am
10/22/2014 8:19am
My '07-up GMs have been pretty damn good & the mpg rivals our small toyotas.
O___o
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O___o 10/22/2014 8:31am
10/22/2014 8:31am
12V Cummins all day
roughneck
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roughneck 10/22/2014 8:41am
10/22/2014 8:41am Edited Date/Time 10/22/2014 9:10am
I have owned 2 of these..love my f150

I sold my first 01 at 370,000 miles and still going strong..so I bought another 01 and got the 4door that I wanted..good on fuel..lots of power..i paid 5 grand cash..and am very happy with it..
Tpog496
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Tpog496 10/22/2014 8:46am
10/22/2014 8:46am
jleews6 wrote:
I have owned both Fords and Chevy's and I love my Mustangs but if I were buying another truck right now it would be a 04...
I have owned both Fords and Chevy's and I love my Mustangs but if I were buying another truck right now it would be a 04 and up Chevy/GMC. I bought a new 1500 in 04 and put 186K on it and all I did was a front wheel bearing and I towed cars all over the east coast with it. The other thing is that if the motor dies you can replace them for cheap money and they are easy to swap. A Ford motor is allot more money and its a PIA to work on. You have to lift the cab off the frame just to swap a motor.
The LS motor is probably one of the best motors (v8 gas) ever built. I have a friend that runs a fleet maintenance company and he said he has seen many LS motors with over 400K that still run good and the power they are capable is insane. I have a 2001 WS6 trans am that has a 6.0 in it that should make 1000HP at the tire and it has allot of stock parts still in it.
Not sure where you are getting this info but having done engine swaps on 5.4's and 5.3's i can tell you that #1 the cab does not have to be removed on a half ton. #2 The labor time for the two are identical. and #3 the 5.3 engine is not any cheaper to rebuild. Also 1000HP?? I think if you got that thing on the dyno you would be let down to see the results.
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 10/22/2014 8:57am
10/22/2014 8:57am
Another vote for 99 or newer GM with the 5.3.

Diesel, skip it unless you are towing 10,000lbs frequently. My last two trucks were a 08 F350 and a 12 Ram 3500, both diesels, and traded in for a 14 Denali with the 6.2. Loving every minute of it so far. As a daily driver it is just way nicer to drive, and it is rated to tow 12,000lbs for the rare occasion that I want to take the RV trailer out somewhere for the weekend. No need for a diesel and I don't miss them at all.

Expensive services, expensive repairs, expensive fuel, shitty ride, cold blooded for around town use, it was fun for a while but I should have switched years ago.
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braaap 10/22/2014 9:00am
10/22/2014 9:00am
If you look long and hard you may find a 2006 Dodge Megacab 4x4 in that price range.

Downside- fuel mileage sucks. With stock tires it's about 12/16 mpg. I run 35" tires and get about 10/14 mpg.

Upside- the megacab is incredible for all of your riding gear, toolbox, etc. The seats lay down completely flat which makes for a large platform. I could sleep back there easily. It's nice to put all of the gear inside and not worry about the weather.

I've had two Mega Cabs and absolutely love them. I'm willing to give up some fuel mileage for the benefit of the extra large cab.



peelout
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peelout 10/22/2014 9:03am
10/22/2014 9:03am
peelout wrote:
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg...
whatever you do DO NOT get a 1996-1999 Chevy 1500... i had one for years and that thing was so fucking gutless that i think Meg could handle a larger load... no, i know she could
Tpog496 wrote:
must have been a bad egg or not a 350. 96-99 5.7's were good motors
something... truck was a turd. two best days of my life were had with that truck... the day i bought it and the day i sold the piece of shit
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Matt Fisher 10/22/2014 3:57pm
10/22/2014 3:57pm
03 4dr Hemi on 35's. 10 mpg city, 10 mixed city/hwy, 13 on a long hwy trip. With 150K+, it's been a good, albeit thirsty truck. To be fair I'm not particularly easy on the throttle, and generally run about 80 on the highway. So far I've rebuilt the front suspension, installed a new wheel bearing and had to replace the heater core (running the original coolant for over a decade has consequences, as does a lift kit). I'm happy with it.

One of the reasons I got the Dodge over the Ford/Chevy was the length of the bed with a 4 door; it's about 6" longer than the Chevy, and the 97-03 F150 bed couldn't hold two KX65's with the tailgate up.
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seth505 10/22/2014 4:06pm
10/22/2014 4:06pm
yzinger wrote:
Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate it. I am a Chevy guy by heart (think 85-86 4x4s and of course muscle cars)..but, i dont...
Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate it.

I am a Chevy guy by heart (think 85-86 4x4s and of course muscle cars)..but, i dont love the look of the 03-07 trucks. However, i have read only great things about the 5.3 motors.

I most enjoy the look of the Rams and love the Hemi but worry about the rest of the truck falling apart around that great mill

I like the F-150s but have read the 5.4 is a little sluggish and the spark plug problems worry me.

All this being said I agree with an earlier poster about truthfully they are all decent trucks and look for the best shape, newest, lowest mileage and a good dealer thinking.

ps...would love a new Duramax but $$ new vehicles are the worst financial investment ever! (imo only of course)

Hope to hear more opinions and thanks again.
Since you mention em, I had a 2000 Ram that was reliable and I now still have an 04 Ram with 150,000 miles on it and it runs great (4x4/hemi). Neither have had transmission issues and I've even had a tuner on my truck for the last 100k+ miles.

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