Cheapest way to get a truck

What is the cheapest pickup I can find which will be able to pull a Spitfire race car? I am have been looking at government liquidation sites and CL.

Borrow one when you need it. Exchange some service rendered for use of a friend or relative's truck.

An f150 with a Max load of 6200 lbs could be had for under 1000. Ant gonna be pretty.

N Sperlo wrote: An f150 with a Max load of 6200 lbs could be had for under 1000. Ant gonna be pretty.

Which model is that? Pretty isn't required. Just reliability.

70's or 80's Chevy pickup. They're on CL for $500 all the time.

Steal or borrow are the two cheapest methods, each with a cost of Zero.

The GM pickup trucks that are going to be cheap but are also considered to be rolling fire hazzards. Google GM side saddle fuel tanks to get an idea if it is worth it to you.

Craigslist, search all vehicles less than $1500 and then make a low offer on something that looks decent.
You can buy a truck real cheap but when it then needs brakes lines and tires to drive it can get real expensive, real quick.
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/2752991562.html
F150 6cyl 5 speed listed at $1,400 is likely looking to get $1k even. Good deal?

When shopping at the low end like this, be ready to act fast and have the cash with you.

Why a truck? With a van you can hide your tools inside and have a place to duck into in case of rain.

It took 30 seconds to fing this one, I'm sure 20 or 30 minutes would make you smile.

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/2791666153.html

Brett_Murphy wrote: Steal or borrow are the two cheapest methods, each with a cost of Zero. The GM pickup trucks that are going to be cheap but are also considered to be rolling fire hazzards. Google GM side saddle fuel tanks to get an idea if it is worth it to you.

The borrow method is getting annoying quickly and a major pain in the ass. And that about the GM pickup is a bit um worrying.

I am in no hurry. Just keeping my eye out for a deal.

I did see a '89 Ford F350 ambulance (military) on a government liquidation website and it sold for around $1000 I think. But it was in California. Would a dirtbike fit int the back of that? And is the International diesel in that truck any good? I figured I would ask in case another one popped up for cheap.

914Driver wrote: Why a truck? With a van you can hide your tools inside and have a place to duck into in case of rain.

Can a dirt bike fit?

The fire hazard thing is overrated. I think it was Dateline that did the "expose" and was later made fun of on SNL by apologizing for other set up stories including "Cardigans of Death"

In my neck of the woods trucks only depreciate to a certain price point of around $1500 for something decent. I'd try to get something on the new side of that point for things like FI and overdrive transmissions. I think F150s are the best bet and the 300 6 is hard to top. Those trucks did use a weak 5 speed Mazda trans though so automatic might be a better answer.

btp76 wrote: The fire hazard thing is overrated. I think it was Dateline that did the "expose" and was later made fun of on SNL by apologizing for other set up stories including "Cardigans of Death" In my neck of the woods trucks only depreciate to a certain price point of around $1500 for something decent. I'd try to get something on the new side of that point for things like FI and overdrive transmissions. I think F150s are the best bet and the 300 6 is hard to top. Those trucks did use a weak 5 speed Mazda trans though so automatic might be a better answer.

Will the 300 tow worth anything?

something like my '74 Chevy 2wd longbed. Manual everything. Runs like a friggen top.

70's Ford trucks are better than '70's Chevys. Chevy V8s are better than anything made by Ford.

Ideally the best '70s truck is the Franken-truck my neighbor put together once. F-250 Hi-boy with a 454 Chevy

Ok...off my soapbox for now

+1 to the conversion van idea.

I would think a dirt bike would fit easily. In fact I KNOW i have seen fullsize vans modified inside with tracks for the dirt bike wheels to get tied down to. I have an old book called "Customizing your Van" that shows a few pics I think. I have seen a cargo astro van carrying an ATV inside before.

I found a discussion on it... http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-739863.html I am pretty sure they are talking about dirt bikes, because they are talking about quads/ATV's too.

curtis73 wrote: 70's or 80's Chevy pickup. They're on CL for $500 all the time.

It's tough to get a $500 Chevy truck here in Alabama. For some reason a bowtie seems to triple a truck's value.

A Spitfire race car isn't going to be that heavy, especially if it's on a lightweight trailer. You're not going to need a whole lot of towing power. I would think just about any truck would do the job.

Keith wrote: A Spitfire race car isn't going to be that heavy, especially if it's on a lightweight trailer. You're not going to need a whole lot of towing power. I would think just about any truck would do the job.

That is the main thing I will be towing not to say that I won't ever tow anything heavier. I would like to have some extra pulling power. So I am not going to get a Ranger or anything that small.

The 300 should be rated to 3500 pounds or 5000 pounds. Either way a note for a dirt bike or spitfire

jrw1621 wrote: The 300 should be rated to 3500 pounds or 5000 pounds. Either way a note for a dirt bike or spitfire

What makes the difference between the 3500 and 5000 pounds?

I'll just leave this here...

I sold my '86 F150 4x4, auto, overdrive, 5.0 fuel injected truck recently for $850 so I could buy an '83 Chevy Dually 454, manual trans for $1,000.

It's rusty, but good tires and mechanically ok. It'll need a little freshening up before I feel comfortable hauling a horse with it...but it's going to get the job done (girlfriend wants to haul horses, I like to haul junk on a car hauling trailer). Least flattering photo ever:

I like the old Fords, too. Several years ago, I picked this ('83, 460, 4 speed) up for $600:

(that photo is when the neighbor borrowed it to haul mulch. I put 2.25 tons of gravel in the back of it one time...yowza!)

These aren't turn-key-and-forget it types of trucks...but nothing a little tinkering can't keep up with.

Clem

93EXCivic wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: The 300 should be rated to 3500 pounds or 5000 pounds. Either way a note for a dirt bike or spitfire

What makes the difference between the 3500 and 5000 pounds?

Can't...

resist...

urge to say...

"About 1,500 lbs!"

Sorry...I had to.

93EXCivic wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: The 300 should be rated to 3500 pounds or 5000 pounds. Either way a note for a dirt bike or spitfire

What makes the difference between the 3500 and 5000 pounds?

The biggest differences just my on certainty. Other than that transmissions and gearing

In reply to ClemSparks:

What kinda tinkering is required on those trucks? There is a '84 Dually with a 351 Windsor and 4-speed manual on CL right now.

In reply to 93EXCivic:

He is saying they aren't EFI, so it isn't turn the key and go. You may have to do a ritual to get it started.