Consolidate Trucks?

[AngliaGT]

I have a '94 Dodge Dakota - V6,5 speed,air,criuse,etc.,
& a '68 Ford F250,in really nice shape.
I'm having thought of either A.sell the Dakota,buy a
nice '80 Ford F150 4WD that's in really nice condition,
with 200,000 miles (1 owner),sell the Dakota,buy it.
B.)Buy a newer diesel,extended cab pickup,sell the
Dakota & F250.
What to do?

- Doug

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Do whatever makes more Financial sense.

m

 

[JPSmit]

buy the diesel, sell the 250 give me the dakota

 

[Banjo]

John can have the Dakota, I still want the 250... If it weren't clear on the other side of the continent!....
I know you'll work it all out.
When should I expect the delivery truck?hehehehehehehe

 

[DNK]

Still grappling with them truck issues Doug?

 

[Guest]

Those things barley made it past 100K w/ 2WD. (I can't overstate this enough.)

70's Ford yes, 90's Ford, yes. Early to mid 80's Ford anything; NO WAY !!!!


I don't like Dakota's either. Ditch 'em both and buy a newer FORD diesel, it'll cost you less in the long run. I'd keep the 250 too, if you don't mind the gas milage.

Seriously, what you have now is a good old truck that gets terrible milage, and a newer junk motor/truck that gets o.k milage.

Now you're talking about selling them both and getting a pretty, old junk truck that gets terrible milage. I don't see the advantage. O.K, it's 4x4...for now.



Here's what I would say to a close friend on the matter. ( Actually, I had this same conversation about a month back.)


The '80 is JUNK ! Run don't walk! The 250 is more truck now than you could ever make the '80, especially w/ 200K on it.... and 4X4?!?!?!?! DUDE, are you kidding me ?!?!?! A 30 year old junk-when-new 4X4 truck w/ 200K on it ?!?!?!?! I'll tell ya what it's gonna need soon....EVERYTHING !!!! I don't care how nice it looks...old is old and 200K is 200K !!! ...and 4X4 too, oh Lord, don't even get me started...

My close friends an I always speak to each other like this. We always have fun with it and a good laugh. It's meant exactly as such, in good fun. I wouldn't want to own the '80 unless it had SERIOUS sentimental value to me.

All this being said, I own a '89 S10 long bed w/ a 4.3, 108K that very close friend gave to me. He's 92 and was the grandfather I never had. He chose to give it to me over all other relatives and grandchildren. It's not for sale at any price.

The plan is, when I croak; last ride from the church to the gravesite out back is gonna be in the back of that truck... seriously!!!

I'll spend any amount to keep it going; but it's not your average S10.

 

[AngliaGT]

The F250 gets rarely used (due to gasd milage),but it starts & runs when I need it,plus it's paid for.
The Dakota - I take exception to your put-downs of this truck.It's the one
that starts & runs when I need it,plus it's my "daily driver".I can throw fire
hose into the bed,if need be.I got a fantastic deal on the truck when I bought
it almost 10 years ago (1/2 of wholesale book).It's got a V6,5 speed,cruise -
control,A/C.extended cab.Plus I can tow a car on a trailer with it.
Downside - it has 163,000 + miles on it,& may need work.
The Ford F150 is a onw-owner truck,in exceptional condition.I've been eyeing
this truck for a few years now.
I'm just trying to figure out if it'd be better to have one truck,rath-
er than two.

- Doug

 

[Guest]

The V6 had problems throwing rods. I'm suprised you haven't had problems yet, glad to here it.

I would have to say, keep what you have. You got the Dakota right, and have enough room left to make any repairs if needed. It's proven to be a good truck and has earned it's spot. The 250 is just plain cool and can pull down a house and haul it off. Keep it to handle anything the Dakota can't. If the Dakota goes down, the 250 is always ready for back up.

The '80, no matter how you look at it, has higher miles on it. If it goes down (which it will cause of miles), it's down and now you don't have a back up truck anymore. It's only going to go down when you need it.

I can't see the advatages of getting rid of two good trucks to get one with higher miles on it that has a better chance of breaking down. ( unless insurance or space is an issue.)

Here's a solution. Pull all the drivtrain out the 250. Get an older (60's or 70's) front and rear diffs from a F150 4x4 and convert it to 4x4. Find a mid 90's Explorer 4x4 with the 5.0. Swap motor/trans/case ecu and all into the F250. You now have a cool old 4x4 truck that'll pull down a house, go 325K and get 20+ to the gallon. ( that's if you're set on 4x4)


You don't see old F series like yours anymore. I'd keep it. ( but you don't need a 1200# rear diff in it though. At least ditch the Dana and put in a 9" w/ 3.55's or 3.23's.)

There 's allot of seals, bearings and joints that will need attention on that '80 soon.

( The mid 90's Explorer V8 had the Mustang GT "Cobra" motor it it with the GT40 heads. We have one and it's a great truck. I pull it out durring hurricane season. Gotta use it today matter o' fact.)

I know that '80 is nice, but the miles makes me nervious, 4x4 flat out frightens me.

What would be really cool is turbo diesel the 250.

 

[AngliaGT]

I'll probably keep both rigs,but I get in this
"thinking" mode after looking at ebay,craigslist,etc.
I drove our fire departments Dodge 2500 diesel the other
day,& thought it might be nice to have one.
The Dakota needs work - water-based paint problems,
dents & dings,etc.BUT it's still worth more than I paid
for it almost 10 years ago.I think that it'd be nice to
have a truck that looks good again.


- Doug

 

[Guest]

Then paint it.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

I have a Ford pickemup truck that hauls WAY over what it's rated for, regularly.

I've had it for 21 or 22 years.

Paid $350 for it (too much at the time), and it goes, and goes, and goes.

Pull the choke halfway, mash the foot feed once, key on, push the button, and it runs.

Oh, it's a 1950 F-1 with a Merc-cranked flathead Ford motor.
And duals.

Three on the floor.

My brother has a 4X4 dodge.....and the carp he had to go through to put ball joints in it.....can't get the spindle off without pulling them in-place.

Goes through brakes like no tomorrow.


Old ones are paid for.

You can cover the gas money with the car payments you miss paying.

 

[Guest]

I have a Ford pickemup truck that hauls WAY over what it's rated for, regularly.

.

Boy don't they. Dad's got a '48 but doesn't use it to haul. His old '69 straight 6 F100 was a beast. If it could fit in the bed it could haul it. Those were great trucks. The 250's were true monsters.