Convencing cburgin to buy a truck

csudman

csudman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Statesville
Simple question. I think this truck will do fine, he's not sure.

His goals -

-Cheap as possible
-Will get the job done towing a trailer and yj on ton's w/ 42's
-Doesn't have to be fast, just reliable
-4x4

Now, the truck in question.

1986 Dodge w350 single wheel, 4x4(60 front)
Newly rebuilt 360(less than a few 1000 miles)
Good shifting 727(Don't know if it was rebuilt at the same time as the motor or not but the pan was off recently)

So its not a diesal, and it is an auto. Knowing its not perfect, is it worth 1500.00 to buy and use for now? Most of his towing is piedmont, URE, Flats, DPG. We will make 2-4 trips a year to Harlan, Mtn City, etc...

What say ye NC4x4?
 
That is an ideal truck for what you've listed... 727 last long time. 360 is good engine... Possibly regear or adjust tire size to help top end engine RPMs...

AND its 4x4 and cheep.

What gears are in it?
3.73s be ideal for all around. Slap a big tranny cooler in and be good...

Personally I'd stick with a OBS 88-95ish chevy w/ 350 only because I'm partial to chevy, but the dodge or ford also have good mid range gassers that will get the job done..
 
Tally my vote for "Yea"...

When I bought my cheap gasser ('99 2500 Suburban 4x2), I knew I could turn it quickly to someone in the "trades" once I'm done with it...
 
yager said:
Personally I'd stick with a OBS 88-95ish chevy w/ 350 only because I'm partial to chevy, but the dodge or ford also have good mid range gassers that will get the job done..
Click to expand...
:Rockon:
 
make sure the brakes are in very good shape, and that you have trailer brakes. It would probably be cheap on that truck to upgrade to rear disc brakes as well. The gasser you will hate in the hills, as well as the automatic (or at least I would), butfor $1500 you could always use it for awhile and then drop a CTD in it at a later date (if the truck would be worth doing it to). Main thing with the automatic is to not let it "search" for the right gear, drop it down a gear for hillclimbs.

I'd think you could probably get your money back out of it even in a couple years...
 
I would think it would tow fine, and being a dually, will have better brakes and stability.
My hauler has 4.10 gears, and 65-70 is max I want to push it.
As long as the 727 has a good cooler, it will last a long time if it was done right.
It will be a lil slower on the big hills, but hey, we are talking maybe 30 mins longer on a trip, no biggie IMO
 
Gassers are underrated. You'll be fine. No you won't be able to dirve 70 the whole way, but you'll get there just like everybody else.
 
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