Older tow vehicles

I seem to have all of you beat. I still have my 1987 F250 with a 6.9 liter diesel turbo and gear vender. I would rather put $1000 a year into it than have payments on a new one. I may not get there first but I get there.

I envy you guys. Save for a 91 Miata that I had for close to 10 years, the longest I've owned a vehicle has been just under 3 years. I get bored and my mind wanders to what I could be driving. My wife on the other hand has had her 07 Murano since new and its paid off. She says this truck had better last me at least 3-4 more years. We'll see!

I towed with an 89 GMC 1 ton for years. Sold it with 180,000 miles on it to "update" to an 02 Silverado 3/4 ton, The 02 now has a whooping 33,000 miles on it. Living in Washington State is awesome it is easy on Vehicles. No rust and the rubber stays nice.

Mine is a 2002 Dodge 2500 2WD quad cab with a long box, and 5.9 L engine with 3.55 rear end. It has the tow package and camper xtra springs. Tires and battery replaced 1year before I bought it. I bought it 2years ago with 80K miles on it at a govt auction for $5,600. No rust,

Best deal on a truck I've ever done.

45Ricochet wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Older is a state of mind! Many have referred to my 01 Ram CTD as real old, but it is still straight no rust and pulls our 05 Copper Canyon with ease. With only 258,500 miles it will be a while before I am looking for a replacement.

LOL
I had a former member call mine an " antique with a tractor engine "
I took it as a complement :B

Gale Banks must be your buddy! :W

Taco wrote:
My last truck was a 94 f350, it wasn't a bad truck but it made the mistake of breaking they day before I wanted to go atv riding 160 miles away so it kept me up till all hours of the night fixing it. a week or so later I got a 2012 2500hd silverado.

I pretty much keep vehicles till they break often enough or at the wrong time and make me mad. It almost got replaced a couple of years earlier when it got me stuck on wet grass with it's 2wd open rear diff.

My take on older vehicles is that they are cheaper if you work on them yourself and are willing to tolerate the higher possibility of it not working when you need it or are willing to tolerate a ride on a tow truck when you want to be going somewhere else.

People on here talk about maintenance, sure it is important sure it can help it last longer but the truth is as a vehicle ages, no amount of fluid changes make up for the fact that every sensor, the starter, alternator, fuel pump, belts, hoses, water pump, ignition, ecu, etc. are all potential failure points that only grow more likely with age. I don't know many people that go and replace all these parts before they break and the truth is that the junk that most auto parts stores sell might not be any more reliable than a 200k used oe part. so unless you want to replace every last part on it with parts from the dealer IF they are still available. you have a higher likelihood if a ride on a tow truck and a fun vacation derailed with an older truck. but it is cheaper, depends what is important to you.

Hi Taco,

You are right, but a new vehicle can break at the most inopportune time as well. Even if its on the manufacturers coin it still stinks. Just search this forum... lots of newer trucks break... leaving their owners just as frustrated..

PS... I think your truck is SWEET.. Love the new GM 2500 HD's

My 2000 suburban still feels new to me 200,000 on the clock paid for and just ordered some LTZ 20in rims and tires for her !! tows great and looks great. Just sold my 95 suburban diesel with 520,000 miles . I miss that truck!

My last truck was a 94 f350, it wasn't a bad truck but it made the mistake of breaking they day before I wanted to go atv riding 160 miles away so it kept me up till all hours of the night fixing it. a week or so later I got a 2012 2500hd silverado.

I pretty much keep vehicles till they break often enough or at the wrong time and make me mad. It almost got replaced a couple of years earlier when it got me stuck on wet grass with it's 2wd open rear diff.

My take on older vehicles is that they are cheaper if you work on them yourself and are willing to tolerate the higher possibility of it not working when you need it or are willing to tolerate a ride on a tow truck when you want to be going somewhere else.

People on here talk about maintenance, sure it is important sure it can help it last longer but the truth is as a vehicle ages, no amount of fluid changes make up for the fact that every sensor, the starter, alternator, fuel pump, belts, hoses, water pump, ignition, ecu, etc. are all potential failure points that only grow more likely with age. I don't know many people that go and replace all these parts before they break and the truth is that the junk that most auto parts stores sell might not be any more reliable than a 200k used oe part. so unless you want to replace every last part on it with parts from the dealer IF they are still available. you have a higher likelihood if a ride on a tow truck and a fun vacation derailed with an older truck. but it is cheaper, depends what is important to you.

Airstreamer67 wrote:
My 96 F250 diesel was bought in the Spring of 96 for travel trailer and ranch towing purposes. After coast-to-coast towing duty, it's still going strong. I like the looks better than new ones.

X2

All subjective of course but I think that 90s body style is the best looking pickup Ford has ever produced.

My 08 is homely by comparison :-)

2004 F250 Super Duty CC with 85000 miles V10. I'm second owner and with the way the prices are with new I'll but used again when the time comes.....