1500 chev. hands down. I had a 95, rolled it up to 187k+ before I sold it. New owner has been driving it for the past few years and sent me an email a few months back to thank me for taking care of it. Just like any vehicle, make sure you see eye to eye with the way the owner took care of it. Get it inspected, you know the drill. but yeah, get an old 1500. Gas mileage isn't the stuff of legends...but its going to be a good vehicle.
1997 - not sure on trans, all i know is that it's auto. are 1500's only 1/2 ton? I really want a 3/4 ton at minimum
You are better off with a 2500 for a serious tow rig, for sure. Everyone I've ever talked to who switched to diesel for their tow rig was much happier than with gas. I know the weak points of the Chevy gas engines, but not the diesels. For heavy duty towing with a diesel, you're going to want to make sure that the transmission (especially on a 4WD) isn't going to be a problem, so I'd research that.
150/1500 = 1/2 ton 250/2500 = 3/4 ton 350/3500 = 1 ton etc. My family has had great luck with Dodge trucks and the Cummins diesels. My stepdad tows a 5th wheel trailer loaded to around 8 tons or so every day for his business and has only used Rams, and won't switch to anything else. Trucks are one of those things where the diehards will only swear by their own brand. However, I've had considerable seat time in a few different makes and models and if I were buying a truck to work with it'd be a Dodge hands down.
My dad has had a couple Suburbans, in the 80's to '90 style. He had to put a tranny in each, but they are/were 1/2 ton Suburbans. Otherwise, fuel pump is a common thing, and it sucks because you have to drop the tank. The 350 SBC is a rock soild motor, but for towing diesels are great.
This looks nice. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/959308396.html Not extrended cab, but a possibility http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/955855229.html Diesel 3/4 ton suburban http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/955809081.html
Ive always had good luck with Dodge trucks! my 03 and 06 1500s both towed my car like nothing was behind me. If I were to do it again however I would get a 2500 or 3500 Diesel. A little more heavy duty.
My stepdads 06 3500 six speed is scary fast for something that big. Unloaded, he gets around 18-20 mpg cruising at 60-65ish.
4L80E tranny in it. Those are pretty strong, and really I wouldn't care a whole lot. I put a built tranny in my truck for $1500 (tranny and install) and it is bullet proof now. The chev stuff can be pretty cheap if you know what to look for. Russ
Just remember... DIESEL = 3x more to fix issues but for what you want.. either a diesel or a 3500 would be best.. if y ou look at Ford diesels... 7.3l
Trucks are religions items for most. I'd buy a Ford if it was a daily driver I'd buy a Chevy if it was a work truck (I did in fact do this) I'd buy a Dodge if it was a . . . Well no, I wouldn't. I'd actually buy a Nissan Titan if I needed the truck to be a daily driver and a tow rig. But as you all know I'm a Datsun perv, so there you go. But the Titan has massive towing capacity for a 1/2 ton. If it was a dedicated hauler, I'd go for a Suburban or an Express van. I used to drive an AWD Express for work, and I loved that thing.
I was gonna suggest this... my buddy had one for a while.. the thing hauled ass big time.... and its NOT DOMESTIC
