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Time for a new DD/towrig?

time for a new dd/tow rig?

  • yay

    Votes: 11 61.1%

  • nay

    Votes: 4 22.2%

  • fock a tow rig, I daily drive a prius.......nekkid!

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Total voters
    18
NEK5

NEK5

3/4 ton status
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Posts
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Location
Ipswich MA
Help me decide!!

Now that my projects nearing it's completion, I'm really starting to consider not even putting it on the road, and just picking up a cheap tow rig to use as a DD as well.

Why?

Well for one, it would alleviate that gut feeling I have when I'm out on the trail, which would make it 100% for enjoyable for me.

I was dead set on running the trazer as my DD, but if I were to ever run on a long trip, I risk running out of propane, which I can almost guarantee would not be fun.

I can get a trailer really cheap. :D

Storage is no problem.

Allow me to go all sorts of crazy on the truck (tube work out back, sort of like TruckNutzDudes old rig, basically truggy it), and not have to worry about the po po fo sho!

Financially, I can manage. Rather do it now while I'm still living at home :wink1:

Do any of you regret making the change?

Also, if you don't mind, maybe throw in some recommendations, as far as good, solid, cheap tow rig/dd's go.
 
1st gen dodge with a cummins.....really no reason to buy anything else.....the mods are cheap and they make awesome power with little effort......try to find a 91.5 to 93 intercooled truck, they are easier to make power with but are usually a little more than non intercooled trucks.....automatic or 5 speed.......also look for a 94-98.5 dodge with a p-pump 12 valve, those by far have the most performance mods available to make a great tow truck.....i would prefer a 5 speed in them though.....and remember, unless you need it, there is no point in getting a 4x4 cause that is just more parts you have to replace......

oh and you can get them in great shape for under 5K.....
 
4wd is a necessity for me unfortunately, as the winters here can get pretty nasty.

I wouldn't mind taking out a small loan either to fund this, assuming it's possible, to help me get a better rig. I don't plan on spending more than $5k, that will definitely have to be the limit.
 
LOGANSTANFORTH said:
1st gen dodge with a cummins.....really no reason to buy anything else.....the mods are cheap and they make awesome power with little effort......try to find a 91.5 to 93 intercooled truck, they are easier to make power with but are usually a little more than non intercooled trucks.....automatic or 5 speed.......also look for a 94-98.5 dodge with a p-pump 12 valve, those by far have the most performance mods available to make a great tow truck.....i would prefer a 5 speed in them though.....and remember, unless you need it, there is no point in getting a 4x4 cause that is just more parts you have to replace......

oh and you can get them in great shape for under 5K.....
Click to expand...

x2. Well said. That's what I was going to recommend. Just make sure to get pre 98 because the smog nazi's are going after diesels now too.
 
NO PROBLEM THEN, just start looking around, you will find one with a beat up body but with low miles.....i paid 4K for my 93 2wd and its perfect shape with a big custom Western Hauler bed on it......
 
So there's this truck for sale up the street. Late 90's chevy, dually, diesel, plow. Think the dually may be tooooooo wide though :crazy:
 
x3

Definetly recommend a '91-93 Dodge Cummins truck. You can find a good runner for $3k-5k. Possibly less,but you'd probably be dealing with a cosmetically challenged truck,if that even matters.

Great,cheap tow-beasts
 
Yes and no, as far as cosmetics. I don't want to end up with something that looks like chit. I'm open to more than just the dodge/cummings, but that is the ideal rig to find.
 
x4 mechanically sound cummins, to be later transferred into crewcab chebby one ton:D
 
just remember ben, another rig means another insurance bill (or higher bill) also registering it.
 
It will be my one and only insurance bill, fortunately. I won't be reg/ins. the project
 
I drag my junk with a '86 C30. Its a cab a chassis with a flatbed, its a dually. 86k original miles on the odom and runs strong. 454/465. Its carb and its thirsty. Get 7-8 mpg loaded. 10-11 empty. The mpg and no overdrive are the only 2 things i would change. Nice cold a/c. These trucks are as simple as it get to do work on and are very easy to find parts for. Thought about a N/A 6.5 and nv4500 swap for it more than once, but it only sees towing duty so the cost would out-way the gains and make the swap not worth it.
 
:DI gotta vote something with a cummins as well. My 00 cummins is pushing 260k miles and runs like it was new, I pull 20-22mpg unloaded on the highway and never less then 16mpg towing and thats in a 7300lb 4x4 w/ 33" tires. Aside from some early tranny problems mine has been bullet proof, for what you can find 12 valvers for (money wise) you just can't go wrong. :D
 
Im going to say go away from the oil burner..


say you get a cummins with a 5 speed. Great, awesome and the power is to be the envy of your friends.:woot:

Oh no.. your 5k financed daily driver now needs a serious repair..might want to price those out before you buy one of these. I also do not consider the 93 and down cummins to be a comfortable ride and I am by no means picky. That body style is simply the most ****ing ugly one you could possibly consider too.

Same problem with a 6.5 chevy, a major repair could cost what you payed for the truck itself!

I search alot and I have started seeing 99-02 chevy 2500's selling for 2800-3500 bucks, comes with 6.0 gas with the 4l80 trans For the non hd version.

I have also been seeing even 2001-2002 hd versions as well as some 2003-2005 chevy 2500hd trucks for under 5k for your basic work truck. Then there are the 5.3 powered half tons that you could find optioned out in the same price range. Parts for these trucks are cheap and very interchangeable, maintenance is stupid easy too.

The body is also not freaking ugly, and if it gets wrecked you can easily find one that is in comparable condition to replace it with.

I am currently looking to get another 03-07 chevy 2500 classic.
 
thats another thing i forgot to add...i'm not dead set on getting a diesel rig, just something that would get the same or better mileage than DDing the trazer, and something that's up to the task of pulling it around on a trailer once in a while...
 
if your towing only once in a while maybe a half ton would work just fine. 5.3 chevy can knock down decent mpgs, people "claim" as high as 15-17 mpg You could easily find one for under 5k and have a very nice, comfy reliable daily driver.


found this truck for 5800!, actually im calling on it right now:p:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1137872974.html
3k33me3o1ZZZZZZZZZ94o13ac122d9d3214e4.jpg
 
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