Which Truck?

[dodger80]

Life might be changing for myself and so I'm trying to prepare myself as best I can. That being said, I'm going to have to scale my life down and considering moving from here across the country. I will need a truck and have narrowed it down to a few choices for trucks. I like serviceability, parts availability, and like older trucks better for looks as well. It will be three seasons driver and not driven on salt.

I'm just thinking of either going with a 75-79 F100-F150 with either a 302 or 351 Windsor. The other choice would be an 85-86 F100-F150 as well with the same engine combination. The other option is a 73-87 Chevrolet C10 with a 305 or 350. The other choice would be maybe an 87 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9L V6. All these truck would be automatics.

Right now I'm leaning toward the 75-79 Ford. The only reason I didn't include a D-Series Dodge in this choice is because mechanical/electrical parts are much harder to find for the 1972-93 trucks. My budget would be in the 5-7k range and under. Thoughts?

 

[65 sporty]

I am a fan of the square body Chevy's with a 350, not a big fan of the Ford's. The later 80's Chevy's can have the OD 700R4, 87 was the first year for TBI electronic FI in the Chevy trucks.

 

[LocuMob]

I miss my dad's '76 GMC pile he had, 350 3 on the tree, and it went like a raped ape! Grew up with those and the later 70's Ford's all over. Unless you know the 85-86 to be a good runner when you find one, I myself wouldn't buy one. Dakota's see like they just want to work for you as long as you take basic care of them.

 

[7mopar]

From the looks of your choices this will be a driver only?

 

[dodger80]

Yes, it will be a semi-daily driver. I was looking at the square bodies and the nice thing about those is parts availability even if the aftermarket parts aren't always the greatest quality. I would go with a 72-93 Dodge just because I have a slight familiarity with the those trucks. I have a parts catalog and know you can't find things like a brake metering valve for 72-80 trucks, emergency brake parts, and a bare control arm for those is $220 for one bare arm with no bushings/joints in them.

The only reason why I mentioned the Dakota is that they're way cheaper and I mentioned 87 is because of less electronics in those. The problem with the Dakota is also parts availability however parts are slightly cheaper than it's larger sibling.

I'm kind of leaning toward the Chevrolet just because of parts availability but, the later 70s F100/F150s appeal to me as well. Anyways, I'm just trying to gain some further insight and it's part of a different plan for myself. Thank you all so far.

 

[paul massaro]

i've had them all , i drive what i like fix'n . parts are not an issue once you get them ready to go travel'n . i daily drive a 64 d100 , as a towner . but never a worry about going any where in her . just prepare the vehicle for working . right now i'm setting up a 61 d200 for a driver . the hard parts get addressed first . then the easy stuff . its all in working order , just some refinements and rubber . so which end of the country you headed ?

 

[paul massaro]

yep there both old service p/u's orangy was a statey , and go go green was a high school yard truck with a pump n tank mounted on her . so that was changed out for this flatbed .

 

[7mopar]

I did know where there was a late 80"s early 90's Dakota. Don't know if its still available.

 

[dodger80]

Thank you. That's true too about go with what I can fix. I'm familiar with the 72-80 Dodge trucks and the 87-90 Dakotas to be honest with you. I have a little familiarity with Fords and not really anything GM products yet. Anyways, I'm considering going to the PNW.

 

[dodger80]

I did know where there was a late 80"s early 90's Dakota. Don't know if its still available.

Thank you. If I bought one I would buy it from the Western States. I bought a 1990 Dakota once here in the Midwest and it was worse than anticipated because they did drive it some it in the salt/road chemicals. I had to overhaul the whole brake system and I got lucky in only having to repair one cab mount which was weird because the other three were fine. Body was fine, the rest not so much. Was nice when I got done.

The best one I had was from California. I was talked/had to sell it for to help pay for a wedding. As I said, I learned my lesson on the one I bought here locally. Funny thing is it also had less than 100k miles. But, thank you for the offer though.

 

[7mopar]

Would not consider selling anything for the cost of a wedding. Sounds like cost overrun and just poor planning.
We did our first almost 45 years ago and renewal at 25. Have yet the spend a grand total.

 

[dodger80]

Thank you for the reply. Looking back, I should of not sold it but, it's a done deal now and a lesson learned.