Rig Recommendation - Opinions

cyoung

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Location
Gibsonville, NC
I know this question, or similar ones, have been asked prob more than a few times but here goes anyway. Here's my scenario. Thinking about a double duty tow rig. Towing a few times a year, if I'm lucky. Max load would be about 7k lbs total (Trailer plus Bronco). More often it would be a family hauler, weekend camping, playing around vehicle. Room for 2 adults, 3 kids; xcab would probably work. 4 wd. Needs to be family friendly with things like working AC, etc. Leaning towards manual transmission just because of all the things I read and personal concerns about tranny temps and durablity of autos for towing (at least in my price range). Probably OK with a pickup or SUV but if I go SUV it would probably have to be cheaper so I could justify keeping my old truck :rolleyes:. Only gonna have about $5k to work with so I know options are limited. Suggestions? Manual tranny recommendations?
Thanks!
 
Old Body Suburban, won't be a manual more than likely but I don't imagine it would have any problems at all toting 7k.
 
When you say old body are you talking mid 90's or the 80's - 1991 version? I really like the looks of the older ones.
If mid 90's, I'm thinking 96/97 to get the Vortec.
Thanks.
 
cyoung said:
When you say old body are you talking mid 90's or the 80's - 1991 version? I really like the looks of the older ones.
If mid 90's, I'm thinking 96/97 to get the Vortec.
Thanks.
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thats what I would go with I'm a Ford guy but cant beat those old burbans
 
You could probaly find a V10 Excursion close to that price.
 
What do you know about the 90's FORD F250/350 trucks with the 5 Speed? I've heard good things about the ZF Tranny but haven't found out years/preferences. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
 
i tow,camp, with a 91 suburban 2500 2wd.Its just a 5.7,700r.all stock...love it..camp in it when the weathers bad,fits a full size air mattress without any issues..put the whole family in it on trips.tons of room.gets good milage,rides great.
 
quickracer said:
i tow,camp, with a 91 suburban 2500 2wd.Its just a 5.7,700r.all stock...love it..camp in it when the weathers bad,fits a full size air mattress without any issues..put the whole family in it on trips.tons of room.gets good milage,rides great.
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Does that 2500 have the 700r or a TH400? I'd like the OD of the 700.
 
I haven't seen the Excusrions around 5k but I have seen them around 7500 for gas. I have an 01 Diesel Excursion and love it. Its like the burban with tons of room and being diesel it pulls great. I have 205k miles on mine and I am just now starting to have some tranny issues. Not slipping or anything like that but more electrical.
 
cyoung said:
What do you know about the 90's FORD F250/350 trucks with the 5 Speed? I've heard good things about the ZF Tranny but haven't found out years/preferences. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
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I bought one of our old work trucks to do my towing/beating around in.It's a 92 F350 crew, 2wd with 5speed.I've known this truck since brand new and was my fuel truck for over 10 years.Unfortunatly,the company that did our service didn't research what needed to go in the tranny for fluid.Ninety weight and lucas isn't good in a zf but it is still hanging in there just noisy shifting second and third when cold.It came with the 5.8(351) so pulling 10,000 on the flats was ok but when you hit hills,you do alot of down shifting.She is fixing to trip 200,000 and still ticking along.
This could be a cheaper alternative for you.Look on C-list at work trucks like this and you will find the prices to be pretty low.I paid 1 bill for mine and you can pick up a similar type of truck for under 3 grand and then fix it the way you want.That style of Ford truck got heavily traded in during the C4C party last year so parts are readily available and cheap.
 
Im talking the pre 87 model carb suburbans with the th350

My pops recently bought a 97 F250 Gas Commercial Truck, doesnt need inspected at all because its commercial or something and it tows fairly well, got it with 135k miles on it for 2500 bucks.

http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/1686638643.html
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/1701864371.html
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/1676403749.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/cto/1680110310.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1660357661.html

Couple random burbans I noticed on craigslist today.
 
cyoung said:
Hey Brandon - Which era do you think is best?
80's - 91 Solid front axle or the later 96/97ish ones?
Thanks.
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the later 96 style you cant beat my in laws have 2 and they change the oil every 10 15k and do nothing else but drive them and havehad not problems both have 260 plus miles now one is a 99 the other is 97 I think
 
XJfreakHO said:
Im talking the pre 87 model carb suburbans with the th350

My pops recently bought a 97 F250 Gas Commercial Truck, doesnt need inspected at all because its commercial or something and it tows fairly well, got it with 135k miles on it for 2500 bucks.
it gets a safety inspection but not the full blown obd style.
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Click to expand...
 
XJfreakHO said:
Im talking the pre 87 model carb suburbans with the th350

My pops recently bought a 97 F250 Gas Commercial Truck, doesnt need inspected at all because its commercial or something and it tows fairly well, got it with 135k miles on it for 2500 bucks.
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It doesn't get an emissions inspection because it is over 8500 gvwr.
 
Yeah mine has 380K on it and still works good.The main thing is to keep the correct lube in em and I'm not meaning 90W.
 
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