I've gotten the opportunity to retire early this September. I'll still need to generate some income so I was thinking of starting a little handyman business.
My current truck (Honda Ridgeline) lease is fairly expensive and is up around the same time as I retire.
So, I was thinking of getting something used. The trucks mentioned above in the Subject seem to be highly rated and affordable. Any recommendations on what to look for ? Are any years better than others ? How are the v6 engines in these trucks ?
Personally I would steer clear of a V6 in a full size truck. The 4.3 is great but they aren't high on power and the resale on a full size with a 4.3 is poor. On top of that, I love the 96-98 pickups with the 5.0 or 5.7 Vortec.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I want to make sure it's clear that I'm speaking from experience at our dealership. Great engine but poor resale value in a full size to the farming community. I'm sure there's many applications where it's just fine.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I want to make sure it's clear that I'm speaking from experience at our dealership. Great engine but poor resale value in a full size to the farming community. I'm sure there's many applications where it's just fine.
Thanks Carl.
I appreciate your candor and respect your experience.
I had good experience with the 4.8 engine in an 2005 Silverado 4x4 I had - I found it to have a good blend of power and decent fuel economy - just my limited experience - I think the 4.8 was introduced in the early 2000 s
If you end up a little newer I can't say enough about the 5.3s. Great on gas (25mph on highway) and enough power to tow cars all day long like I did a couple weeks ago. Just don't get a 6 l.
Love my 97, have had it 6 years now, been real good. Put a fuel pump in it 3 years ago, but other than regular maintenance, nothing much. They are prone to rust, so I oil it every fall.
Watch out for frame rust. I have seen several 1999 to 2001 extended cab trucks with the frame rusted through in the area of the fuel tank. The rest of the truck looked good. Cant say about the other body styles.
Personally I would steer clear of a V6 in a full size truck. The 4.3 is great but they aren't high on power and the resale on a full size with a 4.3 is poor. On top of that, I love the 96-98 pickups with the 5.0 or 5.7 Vortec.
I agree with this and with the 4.8, 5.0, 5.3 and 5.7 being good. I've heard good things about the 6.0 but also some not so good things.
On the 4.3, if you want a 2WD 8 ft box and weight wise don't haul or tow much, they are cheap to buy, likely half the price of a comparable V8. They are easy to buy/find cheaper, but harder to sell as well. The 2WD is much cheaper than any 4WD, if you will haul little weight even a 4 WD V6 may work for you. Wouldn't be good if you live in the mountains and want to go up hills at say 110KPH.
There was a nice looking low mileage 95 or so V6 5 speed 4wd for sale here for quite a while for $5,000, reg cab 8 ft box.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
