Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best used fullsize 4x4 truck under $10k

Looking at getting a used full size 4x4 quad cab or extended cab truck in the near future. This is not going to be a daily driver but will need to tow boats up to 5k lb, trailers, etc and be reliable enough to travel up to 6 hours away hunting.

Looking at 2000 and up models. What's the best bang for the buck in a used truck like I'm looking for? Any makes/models to avoid? Not a Ford fan but I could get used to one for the right price.

It's going to almost totally depend on how well it was maintained in that price range.

From experience, I'll tell you that the first series of Chev HD's (2001 in my case) had defective transfer cases. That was the only real trouble I had with mine, aside from 4 or 5 fuel pumps. The first 4 lasted about 80k miles, the fifth one is still going as far as I know at around 150k.

Anything with a Ford 5.4 you'll want to make sure it's not in need of spark plugs or there is any check engine light/trouble codes that indicates timing/cam phaser issues. The plug change on those motors can go from $500-1000 pretty easily.

Having owned Yukon, Suburban, Explorer, F-250 and Land Cruiser 4x4's, I love my 2000 Tundra.

Had a2003 GMC z71 I bought new. Put 225k on it. Two catalytic converters on one side, one on the ither, and a weeping water pump. We're my only non routine repairs in 10 years. Regret selling it.

Was at Pitt Walmart yesterday and saw an X cab Ram 4x4 for $3500. Looked like a straight body. No idea of the miles or year but it looked good.

The mid-2000s F150s are among the most comfortable ride of any pickup I've ever owned or driven. Fairly damned reliable, too. The Toyota Tundra would be the first I'd look for, though, if it's a comfortable ride for you. Great trucks.

UNCCGrad, it seems they all have their flaws and lemons get out with every brand. I'm not loyal to any specific company because of this. As of the last 7 years, I've been driving chevy/GMC's. My 2004 GMC sierra has needed:

1. Transmission at 111,000 miles
2. Front differential and other front end parts rebuilt.
3. Transfer case at 130,000 miles.
4. New G80 locker and rear end rebuilt at 130,000 miles.

I love the truck, but hate all the computer controlled mumbo jumbo associated with it. The 4x4 system has a lot of electronically controlled items that can have issues:

Shift encoder motor, 4x4 switch, front actuators, etc. etc.... The transmissions are weak and should be upgraded, however the same has been said about the Dodge automatic trannys and I've also had the ford AOD and E40D's rebuilt a time or 2... Pick your poison, it's hard to know which one is "the best". I know one thing, Toyota makes the best/toughest/most reliable midsized pickup..

My '07 F-150 4x4 Screw 5.4 Triton has treated me well. It currently has 186,000 miles on it and is going strong.
Any truck in the age group you listed would serve you well if proper maintenance has been followed. I think that is the key more so than brand.

They were terrible and many started having coils go bad by 50k, Ford claimed the spark plugs had excessive plug gap causing the coil to blow. Only fix was new plugs, coils and coil boots costing $700-$1100.

This is why I did my spark plugs myself.
Phone calls to 3 dealers netted 3 quotes:
$143.00 labor, $30.00 for each broken plug, $28.00 for each plug. Plus tax.
$195.00 labor, $150.00 for each broken plug, $25.89 for each plug. Plus tax.
$525.00 for parts, labor, and tax out the door plus $50.00 for each broken plug.
My plugs were $9.00 from Rockauto, the socket/extension combo (not necessary, but darn handy) was $25.00 locally. I bought the Lisle 65600 separated plug tool just in case I needed it. I did not so returned it for a full refund. After the first change following the Ford TSB, subsequent plug changes are simple with no need for the lisle tool.

I'm on the fence on paying cash up to 7k or putting 5k down and take a small loan on the rest and get a little nicer truck. The wife and I are about to start building a house so I'm reluctant to let go of so much cash. My 98 Cherokee is to the point where I'm not going to dump any money in it. It needs a head at a minimum and possible a new motor. The lack of bed and towing capacity is the nail in the coffin for it.

A local guy has a 03 Ram Quad cab with the 4.7, has 200k on it and looks to be in really good condition. I had a Dakota with the 4.7 and liked it, and a 07 Ram with the Hemi which was a good truck, but I'm not sure about the long term durability of the 4.7. Seems it may be underpowered in a full size too. He's asking 7800 but I'd not pay more than 6500, and even that may be too high for that particular truck.

I've been leaning towards the 00-05 Chevy/GMS. Seems to be more of them out there

I have owned a F150, a Tundra and currently drive a Tacoma...my vote is get the best Toyota you can afford...

Cheers/bg

I have no personal experience but have heard the 4.7 is to be avoided. Hopefully more experienced folks will chime in.

luck of the draw when buying anything that old in any brand. thats getting to the amount of miles that everything can be worn out.if you are looking at loaded trucks for 10,000.00 you can buy a work truck basic truck for a lot less money. i bought a stripped model gmc full size regular cab in 2009 .it was a 2007 with only 13,000miles. i bought it from a chevy dealer for 13,000.00 recertified with 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.

I just kept extra coils and a 7mm socket in my truck they went out so frequently

IMO, the 4.7 doesn't belong in a full size truck. I had an '02, first year 3rd gen Ram with that engine. No problems, but very underpowered and thirsty. 14mpg city and 17 hwy. Would have been easier to swallow if it was able to pull a greased string out of a wildcat's ass.

+1
Have 297k+ miles on my 04 Dakota's 4.7 and it has been very dependable BUT would want more power in a full size.

Ahh, the old greasy string from a wildcats ass .. the true test right there.



G

I am a pretty big fan of the 97-03 F150s, especially the 01-03 Supercrews. The 5.4 is bulletproof if maintained properly, and the rest of the drivetrain is great. The cab, especially in the crew cabs, is very roomy.

They have reached the age where parts are plentiful and cheap, and the trucks themselves are still available with relatively low mileage for a reasonable cost. They are just modern enough to be comfortable for every day use, but simple enough to maintain on my own.

My current 2002 Supercrew is by far the best truck I have ever owned, and plan to hang onto it as long as I possibly can.

The 4.7 is known for blowing head gaskets, mine did twice in 158,000 miles.