Hi Guys,

I recently bought my first bass boat- A 2007 Bass Tracker PT 190 TX w/ 90HP Mercury Optimax. The Rig with Trailer is about 20' and the boat itself is 18'7. Sure, this is not a 'tourney official' rig by any means, but it's my first boat and got aluminum for the value/price and learning experience with my first rig.

Anyway, I drive a car and I had a nice arrangement going to use my friend's truck whenever I wanted to tow my boat but that truck is no longer working haha. With that said, I do not want to be off the water any longer than I have to so I'm thinking about just buying a used truck.

What do you guys think? Can I pickup a 'reliable enough' truck for under $2,000 to use exclusively for fishing 1-2x a week and towing the boat (under 2,000 lbs total rig) about 30 miles each way?

What would be some vehicles to look at? I was on craigslist just browsing and some very nice looking 2000 Ford F150 trucks, but obv. higher mileage- 160K+ for only $2500 and less. Let me know if you think that would be a good vehicle or if you can recommend anything else for say 1500-2000 price range. Also, with buying an older used truck, any problem areas I need to look for when purchasing? Obv. I'll bring a mechanic with me for the potential purchase. My thinking is buy from a private party and maybe I can scour the internet and local newspaper ads to find a good deal.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Personally, I think you are on the right track with a used F150. Depending on the motor, 160K for about 2K or so miles is pretty good. For your rig, I think a 6 cylinder would work, but if you can get a V8 with 160K that is what I would do. A V8 can handle the extra miles. Maybe look for a 6 that is newer with fewer miles for 2K?

I'd look for a truck that wasn't somebody's work truck and is beat all to heck. You may have to look longer and harder to find it but it'll be worth it in the end.

Secondly, the instant you get this truck do some preventative maintenance. Flush the cooling system and replace thermostats. Check the belts and hoses and replace as needed. Check the brakes. Flush the transmission and replace the filter. Replace the air and oil filter and change the oil. Change the differential fluid (and transfer case fluid if 4x4).

These little things can keep you truck working and running without major repairs for a long time. You might also consider installing a "tow package" consisting of additional engine oil and transmission fluid coolers. Excess heat is what typically kills engines and transmissions.

i would look hard and try and find a 300 6 cyl 96' model ford half ton truck with a 5 speed.

plenty of umph to pull the boat, decent milegage, less moving parts, plus now that your a truck owner, you'll find all kinds of projects to put the truck to work.

I owned a 98' 4.2 liter, the 4.2 has a bad habit of pushing rods thru the block, especially at higher mileage.

the 300 6 cyl will be more than enough, also, don't discount the same truck with a 302 V-8 in it.

I'd look for a used S-10 or regular cab Silverado with the 4.3L. You can get one of those for the prices you're looking at. I wouldn't trust a ford with over 100k miles on it.

I'm not trying to go in the ford/chevy debate, but my family has owned exactly one ford and we traded it in with 103k miles on it, and spent more on repairs in the last year of ownership than we got for trade-in.

If you get the reg cab silverado, you'll have an allison tranny too, which is a big plus.

How far are you talking about towing the boat 1-2x a week? If it's a short tow, I'd feel fine with the S-10, but if it's any length I'd get an F-150 or the silverado.

Stay away from dodge.

Only in a 3/4 ton or larger with that option and big block or diesel. Way overkill.

Hey Guys,

The application would be as follows:

Tow the 19' Tracker about 30 miles each way 2x a week. (120 miles a week, 8 trips per month, 480 miles max a month). Maybe once every other month I'd do a longer trip of about 60 miles each way to this better lake, but don't go there often.

I do know how to drive stick and one mechanic friend also suggested looking for a 5 speed because 'less moving parts' and better longevity when you get up in those high mileage trucks. He said he wouldn't trust a 150K + mile automatic, but would feel very confident in a 150K+ Mile Manual Transmission. Also he was saying the F150 4.2L V6 would be MORE than enough vs. the V8 which would obv. eat gas and might be overboard for my tracker.

If I ever do upgrade to a fiberglass (within 4-5 years in the future) I will not have this truck anymore. So not looking for the future, just looking for a reliable truck for 3+ years for this Tracker.

I'm looking on craigslist and seeing some beautiful looking F150 trucks from 1999 and 2000 model years. Some look pretty sharp. I don't want the longer cab, just standard as I live in a downtown city and this would be parked outside amongst a lot of traffic (where my Honda Accord is stowed under ground parking garage). I don't know what they call the trim packages on these trucks but some like this are awesome looking! I really like how the bed is flared out, looks sharp with the curves vs. straight edges like a Ford Ranger, etc.

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/gallery/c436275a.jpg
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/17577345/1...arters_view.jpg

Anyway, if you guys can keep the feedback coming I'd greatly appreciate it! I've driven in both a Silverado and F150 and both seem fine to me. I am just weary of an older model year. Although, I did have a 1988 Chevy S10 Blazer (first vehicle I ever bought) in 1999 when I was in HS (11 years old) and it ran for 8+ years. So maybe a 10-14 year old truck ain't that bad provided it was taken care of.

Thanks for your help.

You're right, I was under the apparently very wrong impression that the 4L60E was an allison. I had a couple of trucks with that one in it awhile back, but I was certainly told wrong.

Either way, I'd still trust a Chevy with that sort of mileage much quicker than a Ford. Had about 4 chevy's with less problems combined than the 1 ford we had.

To the OP: a full-size pickup with a V6 is still plenty of truck to tow a 17' or light 18' fiberglass boat, so that's a plus too.

Personally, there's no way I'd be buying a stick-shift half ton as a tow vehicle, but that's just me. Go with the automatic. If I had to pick between an auto light duty or stick half ton, I'd go with the auto light duty.

I prefer an automatic at the boat ramp, much easier.

Gear ratio will have a lot to do with the choice between a 5 speed vs a auto.

My 4.2 liter 5 speed with a 3:27 rear end wouldn't pull a door shut, you'd burn the clutch up at a ramp. My Tacoma with a 3:90 however, would crawl right up.

As I stated before, for around $2500-2000, look for a 96' f-150 5 speed

Looking at the 5 speed Ford F150 from 98-00 and they're all 4.2L. So really confused on your statement above. Seems contradicting or I read it wrong?

Would a V6 F150 model year 98-00 do the trick for my Tracker? Not looking to get hammered on gas with a V8...

Also any alternative recommendations such as a specific SUV?

96' and under had a 300 cubic inch straight six

That normally had a 3:55 rear end

The 300 six was not known for good gas mileage and sometimes has trouble passing emission testing for state inspection. If you live in a non emission testing county you might be ok. I agree on the automatic for boat loading/unloading. I also strongly disagree with the high mileage Fords having issues. I had a Ford Ranger with the 3.0 with 252K with no issues, have an Explorer with 162K with no issues, have another Ranger with 112K with no issues. Daughter even had a 4 banger Ranger she drove through college and beyond with no issues. I pull my 16ft fiberglass with my 3.0 Ranger, but leave plenty of room to stop.

As a Chevy owner, stick with a Ford. There is a reason Ford has had the best selling truck for the last several decades.

Though I currently have a Toyota Tundra and absolutely love it, If I were in your situation, I'd go with the F-150. I'd have to recommend the V-8 though. I just don't trust a 6cyl that's that old.

One thing you might try when you find one you're seriously looking at is to take it to a mechanic and have him check it out for you. Could give you some peace of mind.

After reading more posts and surveying the trucks on Craigslist I'm leaning heavily toward a Ford F150 V8 Automatic. Thanks a lot for all ya'll help on this! I hope to find one by the end of the week so I can go fish Friday and kick off the weekend right!

There is not much fuel savings running the 4.2 v6 vs 4.6 v8 but big difference in power. You won't regreat going with the auto either.

I would find a '90's model chevy with a 350 or 4.3. Very common, parts available and usualy not so expensive. Dependable, and as long as you keep up maintenance on them they will last forever and be a good workhorse. Sold mine with 265K on it and I used it the same the last miles I drove it as I did when it was new.

redchevy is right,

a good 350 half tone chevy is hard to beat.

not a fan of the 4.3 though

If the 350 is an option price-wise, do it. I've got a buddy up here at work who puts a ton of miles on his trucks and he's going on his 3rd truck with the 350 in it. The first two he sold within 10k miles of 300k total, and all he did on both was put a transmission in somewhere between 160k and 200k. That 350 motor won't give you any trouble.

I would look for a late 90s F150 4.6. I has a 97 with the 4.6 and it was a great truck. I also had a 01 with the 5.4 and it was a piece of carp. With an aluminum boat you might consider a Ranger with a 4.0. I have a Sport Trac with that motor and it has been good.

You will have to be ok with them having a couple miles on them and go back to the mid 90's or so, but they are solid simple trucks.

I'm going to look at a 1998 Ford F150 XLT V8 4.6L Triton 2WD 'Extra Cab', Regular Bed Length, 3 Door truck today. It's got a pretty awesome looking light blue color and everything seems solid as far as the exterior condition, no major scratches/dents, very clean/shiny paint job still (must have been garaged) and no issues with engine/transmission, or at least so he says (bringing mechanic with me today). The only 'issue' is the Heat does not work, but the A/C does. I live in San Diego and I can't recall one day where I used the heat this past year lol. But nonetheless my friend will help me to get it working if I want. He knows exactly what it is.

The only 'kicker' is the truck has 190K miles. But everything else sounds solid.

ASKING PRICE: $3,000
NEGOTIATED DOWN TO PRICE: $2,500 (was hoping for 2000-2200 but he won't budge).

Thoughts?
PS if I lived in TX this truck could probably be bought for 1500-2000. I think it's simple economics that in CA not as much a supply in after market for these trucks so anyone looking, the owner knows they can hold a higher price tag.

If the truck has been maintained.. regular fluid changes and hasent been used and abused, it should do all you want it to and alot more. I would say it sounds like a fair price. I sold my '94 half ton chevy 1.5 years ago with 265K on it and the only thing that didnt work was the heater.. I got 2500 for it, guess chevy does have better resale

*UPDATE...

Sounds a little shady (or the guy has no clue about the process of selling a vehicle). I asked him for the VIN # so I can run a Car Fax and get an exact insurance quote and add the car to my policy now for effect tonight. He is telling me he won't give me the VIN #. Then he's telling me cash only, no money order or cashier's check. The whole thing went south and it doesn't sound like it's going to happen. I think it's just because he's 'juvenile' in understanding buying/selling a vehicle, but just in case he'e playing a game I think I'll opt to balk. He told me 'I can't make it tonight, can we reschedule for a day or two from now' (after last night we had plans to meet tonight with my mechanic). Ugh, just another tribulation of dealing me people in California- non committal and 'flaky'.

X10

I would not have a problem with cash if he has no problem going to the DMV to sign over the title. My 97 4.6 was a similar truck. It had all but the Lariat pkg.. Leather justs cracks in Texas anyway. I had the tow pkg. and limited slip. I really liked that truck. One of my GM owning buddies called it a Mustang with a bed.

Pulling a tracker you can use your car. If you just want a truck to have a truck, a 6 cylinder 1/2 ton will be more than ample.

The deal wound up not going through because the guy would not give me the VIN # and sounded real sketchy during the sale. Very strange - almost like he was hiding something, so I decided to balk.

Anyway, these people out in CA are off their rocker. I am trying to find a 1998 or 1999 F150 V6 Auto or V8 Auto XLT package with tow hitch and the KBB and Edmunds EXCELLENT Condition Private Party Value for a truck with 150-170K miles or so is maxed out at $3,300. These people are listing their trucks for $4,500 OBO and I call them and offer $3,000 and they say o no no way, maybe $4,250 or $4,200 I can take, but NO WAY $3,000. Meanwhile the KBB is showing $3,300 for EXCELLENT (which a 12 year old car will rarely be excellent) and Edmunds shows $2,500.

Where do these people get off trying to sell a 12+ year old truck for over 30% of the KBB value?!?!

Yeah that's high for sure. You should definitely move to Texas!

I have a pro team 160 which would only be about a foot shorter than your boat and I pull it with a V6 but it really struggles up hills. I have a 25 HP motor too which I'm sure you have a bigger motor which will make it even heavier. I am looking for a V8 to pull mine with and I would recomend you get a V8 too.

No one is off there rocker when it comes to used truck prices. If it runs and drives fine with no check engine lights after 15 miles its probaly a solid truck. Cash for clunkers has absolutely killed the less than 5k market for used cars. In 2009 it removed over 1.5 million due to this so called program. (ie helping the democratic unions) Used car prices are up 28% since 2009 and projected to increase another 8% this year. Its simple supply and demand. The 4.3 chevrolet the 4.9 and 4.2 are all solid motors. PM me any questions if you like I am a used truck buyer for a dealer.

I'd go with the V8. A V6 is going to be underpowered and you will get no better gas mileage.

You're only using this for towing right?

My 5.4l V8 gets better gas mileage than my old 4.6L V8 while towing my 18ft boat.

Guys,

I wound up getting this little pickup truck. I THINK I did well. Stats...

1999 Dodge Dakota Sport
V6 Magnum 3.9L
71,000 miles!
Runs excellent
Looks great (paint/no dents/blems, etc.)

What ya'll think? It's working out well. Picked her up for $3,400 Cash. (Realize this is out in California, where everything is 20% more expensive than Texas haha) In TX I coulda did much better I'm sure.