Cheap Tow rig opinions

csudman

csudman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Statesville
Ok, truck one

85 dodge 360 3/4 ton 4x4, Granny 4 speed, not the greatest shape, strong running, but needs a drivers side manifold(factory one is warped) 1000.00+5-600 in repairs.

Truck two
97 chevy vortex 350 2500 2wd, Auto, runs excelent, needs to be painted(former work truck) 1750.00

Which one?

THanks
 
is it going to be your DD since your newer 1500 is up for sale? i'd say (depending on miles) go w/ the 97 chevy simply b/c better fuel mileage; granted it wouldn't be that much better than the dodge, but there's my 2 cents.
 
x2, unless you think you'll need the 4WD that the Dodge has.
 
Not the DD, I bought a 94 Camry for that. This is tow and haul duty only. Although, the 97 is clean enough to drive if I had to. And the 77 has the, cool as shit old look.
 
I'd go with the old dodge. Assuming it hasn't got hidden rust. Only advantage i see to the newer truck is the OD of the auto trans. But is it a 4L80 or 4L60? I my experience, those chevys were poorly built. That old dodge will last forever, should be alot simpler to work on, and has the 'vintage' look.

$0.02
 
Its really a toss up... If the chevy has the 4L80, id probly say go with it, because it will probly have more hp actually...

but the dodge does have the 4wd and granny gear incase you might ever need that...

neither will get good mileage while towing, and may leave some to be desired depending on the rearend gear ratio
 
the vortec 5.7 will outpull the 360 dodge, and get better fuel economy, and start easier on cold mornings
 
whats the mileage on the 97?

While it probably has the 4L80e, if its got a ton of miles it may need a rebuild to be up for towing duty.. But still I think you'll be better with the 97 Chevy.. While the other ones will work and get the job done, IMHO, its nice to have a decent truck you can still use for normal duty if needed...
 
my guess is chevy will have better brakes and im not a chevy fan just there is a huge diffrence in technology between those years.
 
Just decoded the Dodges Vin Hmmmm --- Definitly not a 60 front though. I would have already bought it.

VIN 1B7KW34W3FS644967
DECODED 1985 Dodge W350 Pickup
Country UNITED STATES
Make Dodge
Vehicle Type Pickup Truck
GVWR Class Class G: 8,001-9,000 lb
Model W350 Pickup
Engine Type V8, 5.9L (360 CID)
Check Digit 3
Model Year 1985
Assy. Plant Dodge City
Production Seq. Number 644967
Brake System Hydraulic
Body Type 2 Door Cab; Sweptline; Chassis
Trim Level Base
Drive Line Type 4WD
Series 1 ton
Vehicle Class Full-size Pickup
Fuel Type Gasoline
Manufacturer Chrysler Corporation
 
if you go with the dodge, i've probably got a manifold laying around somewhere. cover shipping and you can have it.
 
Id say you'd be money ahead buying the Chevy...
Aside from the newer factor if you ever need parts, anything form a water pump to a new engine thee Chevy will be .60 per $1 cheaper than the MOPAR.

The Dodge looks cool, sure, but Id take F.I. most likely A/C and good heat, 10 years worth of technology improvements.

If you dont FEEL LIKE YOU NEED 4WD the chevy will also save yu money in the long run on front end parts.
 
Well, the chevys got a rebuilt motor in it of some kind, the block is blue and it runs really well. I also think the trannys been through, a 4l80. But, I think he sold it while I was test driving it. So, we'll see.
 
Well, for an update. I bought a 2wd 84 3/4 granny 4 speed. It had a recently rebuilt motor in it that the guy new nothing about. The tranny is supper tight and the complete clutch system is brand new. The motor can from behind a auto.

He was asking 1500.00 got it for 1100.00. I used it to tow to URE a few weeks ago and it will flat get it. I'm pretty happy at this point. I got 8mpg, not great. But with no car payment Im wayyyy ahead.

CJ
 
i bet if you wern't 'flat getting it' the mpg would be a bit better.. Slow and steady winds the mpg race... but i think you made a good choice for a cheep and reliable tow rig..
 
Back
Top