which tow rig?

[Viva*the*Ranger]

(QUOTE):88gt "you can haul mountains if you want."

Do you have any idea how much a mountain weighs?

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

Do you need a diesel? No, you sure don't. Are they more expensive to maintain and repair? Yup, they sure are.

+1. Unless you plan to tow 15,000+ LBS daily, going diesel is an expensive overkill. You might want to consider locating an F250 with a V10. By upgrading from the 5.4 V8 to a 6.8 V10, you increase your towing capacity from about 10,000 LBS to about 15,000 LBS. From what I have read on another ford truck forum, the V10 is a stout, reliable motor. It uses many of the same parts as the 5.4 V8. It's not unusual to get 200,000 miles out of a V10 without making any major repairs. Check on this thread http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/822647-who-has-the-most-miles-on-their-v10.html
Also, upgrading from the standard 5.4 V8 to a V-10 only increases the price of the vehicle by several hundred dollars, opposed to upgrading to a diesel for several thousand dollars. Just a thought

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

Another thought; if money is an issue, would you consider a 97 or older F250 or F350? I have seen several 95 and 96 F250s, all with 4x4, all were extended or crew cab, all with the big block 460 V8s for sale. None of them over $6500, none over 125,000 miles (I found one that had 80,000 miles on it). It might be worth checking on Autotrader. Similar to this one http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...mission=&max_price=&cardist=75&standard=false

 

[mn_smokeater]

(QUOTE):88gt "you can haul mountains if you want."

Do you have any idea how much a mountain weighs?

Hmmm well what ifs a really small moutain? anyway back to the point i do like danger rangers idea have you looked into that?

 

[GreatWhite]

I didnt really think of the cost of repairing the diesel, one of buddies is a diesel mechanic. So I'am sure if I paid for the parts he could "assist" me with installing it for free.
+1 V10 idea

but I really think you should go to south america and buy a diesel ranger, I mean then you have a ranger that could tow whatever you could throw at it.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

..but I really think you should go to south america and buy a diesel ranger, I mean then you have a ranger that could tow whatever you could throw at it.

And do what? You can buy as many SA Rangers as you want, if you're going to live there... Can't bring it up here though...

 

[88gt]

(QUOTE):88gt "you can haul mountains if you want."

Do you have any idea how much a mountain weighs?

awww, comon now, you know what i mean...

Hmmm well what ifs a really small moutain?

well, what you have to do to judge the mountain is stand far away and put your thumb in the line of sight, if mountain bigger than thumb, too big...if you cant see mountian, just right

 

[GreatWhite]

nope if I bought one I would just take it to the San Fernando Valley. As I know most of you dont live in california, but the San Fernando Valley is a 30min drive from where I live and for $100 you could get any vehicle to pass smog, because guess what the people who live there are corrupt border hoppers and just want money!

 

[JohnnyU]

I didnt really think of the cost of repairing the diesel, one of buddies is a diesel mechanic. So I'am sure if I paid for the parts he could "assist" me with installing it for free.

It's not the labor that's expensive. Price out some parts to compare the price between diesel and gasoline engines. I was having a similar discussion last night...

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Just a joke bud. Im a dork, I had to do it.

But wait! If your one to make a mountain out of a mull hill, then you really could tow a lot of mountains! LoL

 

[Beanmachine7000]

nope if I bought one I would just take it to the San Fernando Valley. As I know most of you dont live in california, but the San Fernando Valley is a 30min drive from where I live and for $100 you could get any vehicle to pass smog, because guess what the people who live there are corrupt border hoppers and just want money!

Getting a clean smog is the least of your problems when trying to import a new vehicle (believe me I looked hard into it)

It's not the labor that's expensive. Price out some parts to compare the price between diesel and gasoline engines. I was having a similar discussion last night...

When things are built to handle 15-20psi and ~18:1 CR's parts get expensive...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When things are built to handle 15-20psi and ~18:1 CR's parts get expensive...

Even NA diesels are expensive to work on. It isn't really the parts, and it isn't really the labor, it is both of them put together.

+1 again on a V-10 if you go SD, a very cost effective alternative to a diesel that gets the same if not better milage/yardage as a 5.4 in a 3/4 ton.

 

[JohnnyU]

When things are built to handle 15-20psi and ~18:1 CR's parts get expensive...

I'm not even talking about internal engine parts. A starter for a 2000 7.3 PSD is around $200 from Advance Auto, an alternator is $230, and a Bosch OEM replacement fuel pump is $350. After 100K or so, these parts start coming to the end of their service life and will need to be replaced. As with anything, sometimes they will last 300K miles just like the engine, other times they won't last 30K miles.


15-20psi? A HPCR Cummins (for instance) will run 27psi with the stock wastegate. A little tuning and some "boost fooling" and you can hit 35-36psi...

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I'm not even talking about internal engine parts. A starter for a 2000 7.3 PSD is around $200 from Advance Auto, an alternator is $230, and a Bosch OEM replacement fuel pump is $350.

Ouch...

 

[grey ghost]

First is the 2000 GMC 2500:
http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cf...TheDealer=2345

this would be my pick of the litter..