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Does this look like a good buy for a DD?***How bout this one?***

COCHEV

COCHEV

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jul 9, 2002
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Location
Washougal WA
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/2112609284.html

I love my lifted pickup, but I do a lot of city driving now and gas is killing me. Looking at this little grandpa rig as a more affordable option that will still fit all my carpentry tools. What do you guys think? What should I look for (besides the normal) sense I've never had a diesel.

Anyone what to buy a nice lifted 3/4 ton :deal:
 
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Doesn't look too shabby for 1500 bucks...

Diesels are kind of quirky,you'll have a lot of "new" things to learn about them and what troubles they usually have compared to a gas engine...many parts like the injector pump and injectors are quite costly,prone to failure if filters aren't changed often,and "simple" repairs like changing a valve cover gasket are much more time consuming and difficult,as the intake manifold & injector lines must come off first!..a far cry from the 4 bolts on older gas V8's!...diesels will save you some at the pump,and dont need a "tune up" as there is no plugs,distributor or wires,carb,etc--but you'll be pouring it back into the engine eventually..

You'll only gain about 5-8 mpg more than a good running gas engine with a 6.2,and you say you do a lot of city driving--that is where a diesel delivers better mileage,but they also like to be RUN for long distances,starting a diesel up and shutting it off often for short trips does not do them any good,and you'll be replacing the glow plugs often (80 bucks per set of 8!)...and starters can wear out fairly quick if you need to crank them for long and often too...

I like my two diesels OK,but I'll admit I am tired of having trouble getting them to start every time it dips below freezing--well,my Suburban anyway,my '82 pickup does start OK ,but sounds like a bucket of rocks in a stonecrusher for a good 5 minutes after it starts...I'd probably have been better off if they had a gas V8 like a 305,for the way I use them--I go only 10 miles a day,and my trucks sit a lot,not the best thing for a diesel to endure..
 
That's a project, not a daily driver IMO. And if mileage is killing you, you should pick up a used Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or Geo Prism for the same price and get 30+ MPG. You're lying to yourself if you think this truck is going to help with your gasoline bills. If anything, you've just dropped $1500 which could buy about 550 gallons of gas for your current truck, then you have to add more insurance (what, additional $20 - $75/mo?) and parts to maintain it (oil, brakes, coolant, tune-up, etc.) and fix what may break, maybe another $500 to $1000?

Face it, what you are really doing is spending $1500 for another toy. :D
 
dont get a diesel for in town driving. in town driving is crap for mileage. diesels get there best mileage at a consitant rpm (freeway).
besides, that thing looks like it would need a bit of work/ project like said above. if mileage is your concern def get a small car or if you need 4x4 then look into like a ranger/ jeep or something small like that.
 
thanks for info, even tho its a bit discouraging.

my driving is mostly stop and go bull$hit with brief moments of actually reaching the speed limit. i average anywhere from 40 to 80 miles/ day

a car doesn`t work as i`m a tradesman and have a crap load of tools that go everwhere with me. not to mention a 10` trailer full of tile setting tools...
 
id look into a used conversion van. all the job sites i've been on the best organized/ best capacity for holding crap guys had vans vs pickups. plus if you get a 3/4 ton it should be able to handle the towing. (maybe)
 
Oh, in that case ... yeah ... You got me.

For $1500 I would just get a Costco membership and fill up on their gas because it's less expensive, maybe get some harder tires, and perform a full tune up on your truck! A dirty air filter can decrease MPG by something like 5%!
 
Smokinthehippies said:
id look into a used conversion van. all the job sites i've been on the best organized/ best capacity for holding crap guys had vans vs pickups. plus if you get a 3/4 ton it should be able to handle the towing. (maybe)
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I've always shyed away from vans. No 4wd. I guess now that i'm in this city its not that big a deal. a 3/4 ton van will pull my enclosed trailer no prob. but most likely be real close to the same milage i'm at now.

I don't pull my trailer every day. Just on the tile jobs. maybe 25% of the time or less- at least currently.

I don't know. I've always had trucks for work. its just that work has never paid this little. its sad what has happened in the trades out here. I've slid back 10 years as far as income goes. :confused:
 
How many tools do you have? I've had great luck with Subarus and they have some great used station wagons. They are mostly AWD too, so they are great in winter. On those jobs when you don't need the trailer, take the car. On days you need it, take the truck. That might work? They are easy to find, too.

On the downside, the Subarus don't get as good MPG as Hondas and Toyotas but the Hondas & Toyotas may be harder to find in a wagon.

Maybe a small Toyota pickup or the likes? I am sure they get far better MPG and maybe could pull a small trailer ... dunno about a 10' one though.
 
In the back right now is a compressor, saw horses, table saw and stand, 12" miter saw, three tool boxes, nail guns, drills, skil saw, router, cords, air hose, a ladder on the top, halogen lights, misc fasteners etc etc etc...

work truck 005.jpg
 
COCHEV said:
In the back right now is a compressor, saw horses, table saw and stand, 12" miter saw, three tool boxes, nail guns, drills, skil saw, router, cords, air hose, a ladder on the top, halogen lights, misc fasteners etc etc etc...
Click to expand...
I say if that $1500 truck runs good get it.
Eveyrone here is looking at it and saying it looks like it came out of a BATTLE GROUND :haha: but if it's a work truck you need, just put a seat cover a drive it.
If you were looking for a commute car then they are right but you are in a business that requires a bigger truck so go fo it as long as machanically it's good.
 
I might try to get out there this weekend. I've been looking at all kinds of options from s-10s to astro vans but everything points back to a full size with all the crap i haul around...

To me that truck looks like a possible grandpa truck with the running boards and all. might have had an easy live...
 
I have seen that one on there a while now! I wish i could pick it up!

What mpg are you getting now? Im guessing 8 or so? I would say that diesel should get at least 15mpg. Which would be about double, or cut your gas bill in half.

50 miles a day+8mpg+$3.00.gal=$375 a month if you dont work weekends.
50 miles a day+15mpg+$3.00.gal=$300 a month if thats what diesel price is? Dont remember.

At that rate it would take you quite a while to make a return on your investment but $75 bucks a month is helpfull! THats a utility bill right there. Also would make day to day less stressfull not thinking so much about the drive is costing you.


My .02? Get it!
 
BTW, i dont know if you have seen the older adds on that truck but it said something about her uncle gave it to her as a graduation present.
 
You might even look into the old 4Runners or Landcruisers. They are bulletproof and probably get twice the mileage. Can you fit everything in? Maybe, if you're good at Tetris! :D
 
Jessie James said:
You might even look into the old 4Runners or Landcruisers. They are bulletproof and probably get twice the mileage. Can you fit everything in? Maybe, if you're good at Tetris! :D
Click to expand...

I would love to be able to squeeze into a smaller rig. as it is already, it seems i have to pull all the tools out to get to damn one i need :doah:. Thats the life of a tradesman tho. the large Interstate enclosed trailers are the hot ticket, at least back in Bend they were. Hard to squeeze those pigs down some of these east portland streets. and i'm not too keen on leaving it there overnight either. nothing like having your whole livelyhood towed away in the middle of the night.
 
Keep in mind that 6.2L diesel engines don't pull that great. They get great fuel economy on the highway, but driving stop and go around town, esspecially with a trailer, isn't going to get you much better mileage than a gasoline engine will. Also, they are a pain in the butt to start when it is anywhere close to freezing outside, haha
 
not for a DD and not for 1500....... I bought this one for 500.

IMG00852-20100322-1930.jpg
 
I average 15 mpg in town, and 22-25 mpg on the highway with my 6.2 pick-up.

It's not fast, but I always get where I'm going.

Check for oil and fuel leaks, see how it starts when dead cold, then take it for a drive.

Glow plugs i get 2-4 years out of. No worse cost than spark plugs IME. Filters take a beating if the rig sits often, or you get fuel from some podunk station. Stick with the high volume places and drive the rig regular and filter changes can go a year or more. I'd consider it, but not for $1500. I'd go maybe a grand on that truck...

Rene
 
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