People help with truck decision!

[toby400ex]

Well im 15 and like 6 or 7 months old. So i will definately have a ride by October 7th. I have to make up a down payment of 1g. Which will take maybe 2 months at the rate im going. I just found out my dad wants me to have a truck that costs about 6g, since they will be paying for some of it. Im thinkin, f-150,tacoma,s-10ls 4x4 ( i think they call them Z71 also). In those ranges, not a gas guzzler, so maybe a v6-v8 truck. IF you guys have some more ideas lemme know.

[MOFO]

the S10 with the offroad package is the ZR2 not Z71.

[woods_racer440]

Get a chevy Z71 4X4, that will haul a quad pretty good. But I'm a chevy man. Ford would be my 2nd choice.

[marksuttonjr]

Ford F150 4X4 Off Road.

But you don't want the regular F150 if you are planning on modding it at all. Make sure it is a true 4X4 Off Road. Here are the standard features that the 4X4 Off road had that the regular F150 did Not
17" wheels 5.4 liter engine 4 wheel disk brakes Skid plates Much better suspension Heavier built auto tranny (if you wanted an automatic)

You could get the 5.4 in the regular F150 as an option, but none of the other Item I listed without going to aftermarket parts.

There are a lot of regular F150 out there with the 4X4 Off Road stickers on them, but they aren't nearly as good of truck IMO.

[MOFO]

This is coming from a Z71 owner. These "off road" packages coming from the factory are not what they are cracked up to be. When it comes down to the nitty gritty....all they are is skid plates and some beefer shocks (the new FX4 does include Rancho 9000 shocks). IMO you are better off going with aftermarket shocks. The skid plates can usually be had for a couple hundred $$.

FYI, 4 wheel disc brakes are STANDARD on all current F150's. Also the tranny DOES NOT change when you pick the off road package. Its the same as a regular F150 with the 5.4. Sounds like a "slick" salesman got to ya...

The only reason my truck has the Z71 package is because it was the only truck on the lot with the color and options I wanted.

I'm not saying its bad to get the package, just another option to check when buying... and for some reason the "Off road" spec'd trucks seem to hold a higher resale value. so there is a good positive to owning one IMO.


Note: After checking Fords website to be sure, the 5.4 is NOT part of an off-road package. It could have the 4.6...but most are configured with the 5.4 I believe.

:D

[Bretmd94]

I just got a 96 S-10 4x4 with the 4.3L Vortec. Its awesome. It isn't the ZR2. The ZR2's look like mine would with a 1" lift. They look taller, and have plastic fender wells. Anyways, mine has 70k on it and we picked it up for 5,500$ Its in perfect condition too.

[FourFiftyFour]

I have a 2001 Yota Tundra I drove off the lot brand new, and I love that truck its one of the best trucks I could have ever dreamed of driving, I'm EXTREMELY happy with my Yota and the Tacomas are just as nice also, so I would go with Toyota they last a long time and there are a lot of parts and mods available especially for Tacomas

[marksuttonjr]

Originally posted by VWVR6
This is coming from a Z71 owner. These "off road" packages coming from the factory are not what they are cracked up to be. When it comes down to the nitty gritty....all they are is skid plates and some beefer shocks (the new FX4 does include Rancho 9000 shocks). IMO you are better off going with aftermarket shocks. The skid plates can usually be had for a couple hundred $$.

FYI, 4 wheel disc brakes are STANDARD on all current F150's. Also the tranny DOES NOT change when you pick the off road package. Its the same as a regular F150 with the 5.4. Sounds like a "slick" salesman got to ya...

The only reason my truck has the Z71 package is because it was the only truck on the lot with the color and options I wanted.

I'm not saying its bad to get the package, just another option to check when buying... and for some reason the "Off road" spec'd trucks seem to hold a higher resale value. so there is a good positive to owning one IMO.


Note: After checking Fords website to be sure, the 5.4 is NOT part of an off-road package. It could have the 4.6...but most are configured with the 5.4 I believe.

:D

Maybe I should clarify myself a little. He is talking about buying one for around $6,000 so he will be buying one a few years old. The differences I listed are all pre 2000. I know these differences to be fact because most of my family works at Fore dealerships. From what I've seen the aftermarket parts for these trucks don't last as long as OEM Ford parts.

[MOFO]

My statements still hold true even with the pre 2000 models. Not starting an argument, just trying to keep the info accurate.

BTW, there were VERY little changes between 1999-2001 models. Not sure what "pre 2000" signifies with the F150 line...very minor changes. (ie increase in power & changes with packages that can be bought - normal changes for the BIG 3)

[Guy400]

My cousin had a '97 F-150 with the ORP. It came with the 4.6, a skid plate and stiffer springs--that's it.

[MOFO]

Originally posted by marksuttonjr
From what I've seen the aftermarket parts for these trucks don't last as long as OEM Ford parts.


I dont doubt your family being involved with a Ford dealership after you made this statement. :rolleyes:

[blondie69]

get a 94 z-71 stepside short box not extended cab. i love them:blah

[p@iNn3ck]

Hey Cheese, why don't ya get a 75-79 Chevy p/u with a 350 (plenty of cheap parts) for around 4000-5000...... then spend the other grand on the quad! :devil

[kaneman23]

Get the Tacoma if you can. It's going to cost much more then $6K though..