Which Truck??

Author
Discussion

dutch paul

Original Poster:

131 posts

240 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
Sorry to start a what car type thread - but here goes...

I`m looking for a yank pickup for daily use (60mile/day) and also capable of comfortable 1000mile+ European trips - twice yearly.
It must be pre 1983 (25 years and older is free road tax here) and have decent aircon.
Need to be able to tow 2000kg frequently, carry 500kg and 4wd would be nice (but not necessary)
Need to be able to achieve at least double figure mpg and an LPG kit would be definitely installed later.
I like the look of the Chevies of this era, but how are they for rust/ reliability etc?
I hate fixing bodywork, but no problems with mechanicals.
I`ve got it down to some sort of chevy with an LSx engine/auto swap and LPG.

Any ideas, suggestions etc?

JulesV

1,800 posts

231 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
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My favourite would be a Chevy Silverado, a great looking truck.

dutch paul

Original Poster:

131 posts

240 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
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Thanks for the reply.
Any idea how these trucks are to drive long distances?

TIS

219 posts

204 months

Monday 8th December 2008
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Imagine sitting in an armchair, setting your crusie at 70;) and your good to go.

Matt Harper

6,770 posts

208 months

Monday 8th December 2008
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Why so old? What you'll lose on road tax, you'll gain on reliability, creature comfort and performance by buying something a little less long in the tooth.
Mid-late 90's 1500 Dodge Ram would do the job for very little (purchase) money. They are a bit thirsty of course.

dutch paul

Original Poster:

131 posts

240 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
Why so old? What you'll lose on road tax, you'll gain on reliability, creature comfort and performance by buying something a little less long in the tooth.
Mid-late 90's 1500 Dodge Ram would do the job for very little (purchase) money. They are a bit thirsty of course.
Euro 1500 + per year (over a £grand) road tax if it`s under 25 years old plus no cheap classic insurance are reasons enough for me.
I would rather buy an old, fairly rust free example and fit a more modern engine/transmission than get reamed by the taxman.

Matt Harper

6,770 posts

208 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Fair enough. I think that the chances of finding a 25 year-old pick-up truck in UK/Northern Europe that isn't rotted all to sh!t are pretty close to zip though.
25 years ago, anti-corrosion treatment on any US vehicle was rudimentary at best. All the old F150's and Chevy Stepsides imported into UK by the US military are long dead/cannibalized.

patman52

2 posts

191 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
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Im pretty sure silverados werent made back in the time frame you designated and if you were to ask me (an american) I would say a 56 chevy cameo would be the prettiest. a dodge powerwagon would be one of the strongest and a ford past the early fifties would just be wrong

JulesV

1,800 posts

231 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
patman52 said:
Im pretty sure silverados werent made back in the time frame you designated and if you were to ask me (an american) I would say a 56 chevy cameo would be the prettiest. a dodge powerwagon would be one of the strongest and a ford past the early fifties would just be wrong
I think they were. Have a look here:

http://www.lemonfree.com/map.php?year=1982&mak...

graeme36s

7,106 posts

224 months

Thursday 11th December 2008
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There is only one choice as far as I'm concerned and that is the Ford F150 Lightning. We have run two now for five years and 200,000 miles (four different trucks) and other than routine servicing they just don't go wrong. 18mpg and phenominal performance. Build quality is good and in truth neither of us would swap them for anything else. If we only had one toy to choose for daily use the lightning would be the keeper.

Steve_M

598 posts

242 months

Thursday 11th December 2008
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What about the new Toyota Tundra SR5, a very nice truck. Are they available for personal import into the UK, I haven't seen any on the usual suspects websites???